Capital suffocates in toxic air
The National Capital Region (NCR) was blanketed in a thick cover of smog on Monday, throwing life out of gear in the city and adjoining regions. Rail, road and air traffic operations were hard hit, promoting the Centre to convene an urgent emergency meeting of the Delhi-NCR administrators. Operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were severely disrupted as dense fog and smog reduced visibility, forcing the cancellation of over 60 flights, diversion of at least five, and delays to more than 250 services.
The toxic haze enveloped the city through the day as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 498 on Monday, placing it in the severe category. Weak winds, low temperatures and high moisture levels trapped pollutants close to the surface, intensifying smog conditions.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to review city-specific action plans for curbing air pollution in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida. The minister further asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to fine-tune implementation parameters and prepare for an NCR-wide review. Pollution control boards were also asked to inspect polluting industries in peri-urban areas and initiate corrective measures.
With dense fog and toxic air expected to persist, authorities warned that flight disruptions and health risks could continue in the coming days, urging citizens to remain cautious and limit outdoor exposure.
The Meteorological Department has issued warnings for dense fog in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. Fog is expected in most areas of Punjab and Haryana on December 16, and in northeastern States till December 19. Himachal Pradesh will also experience fog during this period.
Capital suffocates in toxic air Western disturbance is expected to develop around December 17. Cloudy skies are likely in Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. The current weather is worsening air pollution and smog, though conditions may improve slightly from Tuesday, IMD state.
The IMD predicted cloudy skies but no rain. Dense fog will continue in Delhi during the midnight and early morning hours. The Meteorological Department forecasts a further 1.5-2°C drop in nighttime temperatures across North India over the next 48 hours. Maximum daytime temperatures, however, are expected to remain mostly stable.
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The news “Capital suffocates in toxic air” highlights a serious failure of environmental governance in India’s National Capital Region. Repeated episodes of severe air pollution show that existing policies are reactive rather than preventive. While emergency measures are announced every year, long-term solutions to control vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust, and stubble burning remain weak. This situation not only threatens public health but also raises questions about the accountability and coordination between the Centre, state governments, and local authorities. Clean air is a basic right, and protecting it requires strong political will, effective implementation, and sustainable urban planning—not temporary fixes.
