Delhi faced severe disruption Friday as dense fog and hazardous air pollution gripped the capital, affecting over 700 flights with 177 cancellations. The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for Saturday, warning of dense to very dense fog in early morning hours. Air Quality Index reached 374 in the "very poor" category, with forecasts predicting it will breach 400 into "severe" territory over the weekend. Visibility dropped to zero at Safdarjung station at 5:30 AM. Eleven of forty monitoring stations recorded severe air quality, with Vivek Vihar worst at 434. This marks the ninth consecutive day of very poor or severe air quality despite intensified vehicular enforcement. December has already recorded three severe air days.

Delhi's 'No PUC, No Fuel' campaign resulted in 3,746 vehicle challans and 568 vehicles turned back within 24 hours of launch, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced. Joint Delhi Traffic Police and Transport Department teams checked approximately 5,000 vehicles at key entry points. Additionally, 217 non-destined trucks were diverted via Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways. PUCC issuance surged to 61,912 certificates between December 17-18, indicating increased compliance. Sirsa emphasized strict enforcement and growing public cooperation reduced outside vehicle inflow. Authorities deployed smartplate-reader devices at intersections while conducting manual checks elsewhere. Fuel stations denied service to non-compliant vehicles. Sirsa warned enforcement continues during peak winter pollution, flagging private offices' incomplete work-from-home advisory compliance.

Dense fog and heavy smog hit Delhi on Thursday morning. Low visibility disrupted air travel at the Delhi airport. More than 250 flights were delayed due to poor visibility. At least 22 flights were cancelled, officials said. Several airlines issued travel advisories and asked passengers to check flight status. Roads across the city also saw slow traffic. The weather office said shallow to moderate fog is likely on more days this month. Pollution levels remained high in many areas. Authorities said emergency measures are in place to manage air quality. Political reactions also surfaced as parties blamed each other over the pollution crisis.

The fourth India vs South Africa T20 International in Lucknow was abandoned without a ball bowled due to thick smog and extremely poor visibility at Ekana Stadium, triggering criticism of scheduling matches in northern cities during peak winter pollution. Air Quality Index (AQI) levels soared in the hazardous range, making play unsafe and leading to six inspections before officials called off the game. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav claimed Delhi’s pollution had spread to Lucknow, calling it smog, not fog, and questioned state policies on air quality. The incident sparked broader debate on environmental planning for major events. (PC: HT)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said steps taken to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR have been a total failure. The court said short-term actions cannot solve a long-term problem. It refused to interfere with the Delhi government’s decision to shut schools or run them in hybrid mode. The bench said these steps only give temporary relief to children and the elderly. Chief Justice Surya Kant said pollution has become a yearly crisis. The court asked the CAQM to review long-term plans. It listed areas like transport, industry, stubble burning, construction, and green cover. The court also ended protection for old BS-III and below vehicles in Delhi-NCR. (PC: HT)

Delhi has announced stricter steps to fight rising air pollution from Thursday. The city’s air quality stayed in the severe range for three days. Offices have been asked to shift to work from home or hybrid mode. Only half the staff can attend offices in person. Vehicles without a valid PUC certificate will not get fuel. Old vehicles and those below BS-6 norms from outside Delhi are banned from entry. Trucks carrying construction material are also barred. Construction work has been stopped, and affected workers will get compensation. Enforcement teams will be posted at borders and fuel stations to check violations. (PC: ANI)

Delhi faced severe air pollution again this winter as smog covered the city. With air quality staying hazardous, the Chinese embassy offered help. It shared a step by step guide on how Beijing cleaned its air. China said both countries face pollution from fast growth. The post showed Delhi’s AQI at 447 and Beijing’s at 67. China listed strict vehicle rules, public transport, and electric cars. It also spoke about closing or moving heavy industries. Experts said these ideas are useful but hard to apply in Delhi without strong enforcement and state coordination. Stubble burning and weak checks remain problems. (PC: India Today)

Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stayed in the “very poor” category at around 329, keeping residents under smoggy, polluted air conditions on Wednesday. Shallow to moderate fog is forecast by the India Meteorological Department, reducing visibility and worsening pollution effects across the city. Persistent cold and trapped pollutants have kept AQI high, prompting health concerns and advisory warnings, especially for sensitive groups. The poor air persists despite slight improvements from earlier “severe” levels. Meteorologists predict continued low visibility and pollution through the coming days, affecting travel and outdoor activities in the national capital. (PC: PTI)

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologized for the capital's persistent air pollution, admitting it's "impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in nine to 10 months." He blamed the previous AAP government for inheriting a "disease of pollution." Delhi's AQI stood at 354 on Tuesday, improving from Monday's severe 427. Sirsa announced stricter enforcement: vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control certificates won't be allowed to refuel from Thursday. He claimed air quality remained better for eight months this year compared to last year. The government has reduced garbage mountain heights by 15 meters, reclaimed 45 acres, installed 2,000 pollution-monitoring plants, identified 13 hotspots, and plans deploying 7,500 electric buses to reduce vehicular emissions.

Delhi faced a public health crisis on Monday as thick toxic haze covered the city. Air quality dropped to hazardous levels across many areas. Several monitoring stations reported severe readings. Visibility fell and breathing became difficult for many residents. Airlines cancelled 228 flights due to poor visibility and safety risks. Many schools shifted classes online to protect students. Hospitals reported a rise in cough and breathing complaints. Doctors advised people to stay indoors and wear masks if outside. Authorities urged reduced travel and use of public transport as emergency measures were reviewed. Officials said updates would follow as conditions changed. (PC: India Today)