New Delhi, India , December 16, 2025 :
Air pollution in Delhi-NCR continues to remain at alarming levels, with the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) persisting in the ‘Severe’ category, plunging daily life into disruption and raising serious public health concerns. Thick layers of toxic smog have enveloped large parts of the national capital, including prominent areas around India Gate, Central Delhi, and Noida, drastically reducing visibility.
According to air quality monitoring agencies, GRAP-4 (Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan) restrictions remain firmly in place. These emergency measures have resulted in curbs on construction activities, restrictions on polluting vehicles, and disruptions to flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport due to poor visibility conditions.
Environmental experts attribute the persistent pollution crisis to a combination of stubble burning in neighboring states, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and unfavorable weather patterns, including low wind speed and temperature inversion. Hospitals across Delhi-NCR have reported a rise in patients suffering from respiratory issues, asthma, and eye irritation, particularly among children and the elderly.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, authorities have advised residents to limit outdoor exposure, use masks, and rely on air purifiers indoors. Several schools across the region have temporarily shifted to online classes to safeguard students’ health. Despite earlier interventions such as odd-even vehicle schemes and anti-smog initiatives, the recurring winter pollution crisis underscores the long-standing challenges in sustainable air quality management.
