On December 27, just 48 hours after the GRAP-4 limitations were lifted, Delhi’s air quality worsened sharply, with the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing 350. Delhi’s AQI was 353, up from 332 the day before, according to data supplied by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 7 a.m., firmly placing the city in the “very poor” category. The rapid decline highlights how quickly pollution levels can rebound during winter, as smog and fog combine to worsen Delhi’s air quality amid unfavourable meteorological conditions.

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Cold weather accompanied deteriorating air quality, with the lowest temperature reaching 8.6 degrees Celsius. Images from places like Dhaula Kuan revealed a thick layer of haze covering surrounding neighborhoods and roads, drastically lowering visibility in the morning. Temperature inversions and stagnant air held pollutants at the surface across the city, allowing emissions from vehicles, construction, and other sources to accumulate. As smog and fog combine to worsen Delhi’s air quality, residents once again face breathing discomfort, eye irritation, and reduced outdoor activity.

Area-Wise AQI Levels Across the Capital

• AQI readings near the “severe” threshold were recorded by several monitoring stations.
• Pollution levels were consistently higher in areas with considerable traffic and industrial activity.
• Only a few places have “poor” air quality.
• The general pattern showed that pollution was pervasive and ongoing throughout Delhi.

Mandir Marg remained in the “poor” range at 270, while Wazirpur reported one of the highest AQI values at 397, placing it at the upper end of the “very poor” category. The statistics showed that the majority of the city was covered in contaminated air, despite significant regional heterogeneity. According to the CPCB’s classification system, “very poor” air quality is defined as AQI levels between 301 and 400, which are associated with increased respiratory illnesses and discomfort for those with pre-existing medical conditions.

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Fog Disruption and Compounding Winter Pollution

• Visibility on rail and road networks was diminished by dense fog.
• Several train services were delayed due to disruptions.
• Early in the morning, visibility at Anand Vihar Railway Station was poor.
• Smog and fog increased commuters’ exposure to pollutants.

Another layer of inconvenience was caused by dense fog, particularly affecting train services across the area. Travel delays and customer inconvenience were exacerbated by fog and haze, which significantly impeded visibility, according to images from Anand Vihar Railway Station. Winter fog frequently traps particulate matter, exacerbating pollution outbreaks, according to meteorological specialists. On December 27, this interaction between weather and emissions meant that smog and fog combined to worsen Delhi’s air quality, keeping large parts of the capital in the very poor to near-severe bracket and highlighting the persistence of winter pollution challenges in the city.

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