Delhi Air Pollution Live Updates: AQI still in severe zone, smog and fog add to commuters' woes; travel advisory issued

The National Capital continued to struggle with deteriorating air quality on Tuesday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 378 around 8 am. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), this places Delhi in the ‘very poor’ category, raising health concerns for residents across the city.

Several Congress leaders on Tuesday moved Adjournment Motion notices in Parliament, seeking an urgent discussion on the worsening air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted a notice in the Lok Sabha, urging the Centre to declare a National Public Health Emergency in view of the hazardous air quality. In his submission, Tagore cited a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 461 in Delhi, classified as ‘Severe Plus’ — the highest level recorded this season.

“I respectfully seek the admission of an Adjournment Motion under Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha on a matter of urgent public importance, namely the severe deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR and the resulting public health emergency,” Tagore wrote to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General.

Kanyakumari MP Vijay Kumar alias Vijay Vasanth also moved a similar adjournment motion, calling for an immediate discussion on the crisis. He said the AQI touching 461 has rendered the air unsafe to breathe, triggering serious health concerns.

“The region is facing a public health emergency, with children, senior citizens and those with chronic illnesses falling sick, while hospitals are witnessing a sharp rise in respiratory cases,” Vijay Vasanth said.

Delhi’s air quality improved marginally on Tuesday, with the AQI at 377, down from 498 a day earlier. Dense smog and low visibility persisted, and 11 out of 40 monitoring stations, including Jahangirpuri, Mundka, and Wazirpur, recorded ‘severe’ air quality of 426, according to CPCB data.

Several buses caught fire early Tuesday morning on the Delhi-Agra Expressway in Mathura, with casualties feared.

The incident comes as Uttar Pradesh continues to grapple with deteriorating air quality.

On Monday, thick smog blanketed several cities across the state, sharply reducing visibility.

In Agra, dense fog obscured the Taj Mahal, rendering the iconic monument completely invisible to the public.

Local residents reported that the fog was so severe that even vehicles on the roads were barely visible.

The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Tuesday morning issued a fog advisory, warning passengers of possible disruptions to flight operations due to reduced visibility in Delhi. In an X post at around 6:06 AM, the airport stated that while flight operations were steadily recovering, delays could persist for certain departures and arrivals, and travellers were advised to contact their respective airlines for accurate updates.

Airport authorities assured passengers that ground staff were deployed across terminals to provide necessary assistance, thanking the public for their cooperation and understanding. The advisory comes as the national capital continues to experience dense fog and poor air quality, which have significantly affected early morning visibility and air traffic movement.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 378 at 8 am, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. This marked a marginal improvement from Monday, when the AQI had reached 427 in the ‘severe’ category, highlighting ongoing health risks and challenges for residents navigating hazardous air conditions.

The traffic advisory specifies that the Noida Elevated Road has a maximum permissible speed of 50 kmph for light vehicles and 40 kmph for heavy vehicles. Officials stressed that motorists must strictly follow these limits to reduce the risk of accidents caused by winter fog, particularly on high-speed expressways that are prone to collisions during early morning and late-night hours.

The Gautam Buddha Nagar Traffic Police issued a traffic advisory on Saturday, reducing speed limits on major roads and expressways in the district to prevent accidents during foggy winter conditions. The revised limits, effective from December 15 to February 15, 2026, cap speeds on the Yamuna Expressway at 75 kmph for light motor vehicles and 60 kmph for heavy vehicles. On the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, light vehicles can travel up to 75 kmph, while heavy vehicles are limited to 50 kmph. The measures aim to enhance road safety during periods of low visibility and dense fog.

Early Tuesday morning, a major vehicle pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura claimed four lives and left over two dozen injured. The accident, which occurred around 4.30am under the Baldev Police Station jurisdiction, involved at least seven buses and several smaller vehicles colliding amid dense fog.

Low visibility on the Agra-to-Noida stretch was identified as the primary cause, with some vehicles catching fire, leaving charred remains at the scene. The injured were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals, while passengers from affected vehicles were transported to their destinations in government vehicles. Traffic authorities imposed diversions, and cranes were deployed to clear the damaged vehicles from the expressway.

After recording a maximum AQI of 500 for 19 hours — from 6 pm on Sunday to 1 pm on Monday — the air quality monitor at Rohini stopped reporting data on Monday afternoon. From 2 pm onwards, no readings were available due to “insufficient data,” as AQI calculations require at least one type of particulate matter to be recorded. According to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data, readings for all major pollutants were available except for PM2.5. Officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and DPCC did not respond to queries regarding the missing AQI data at Rohini. Meanwhile, the AQI at Wazirpur also reached 500 for the second consecutive day.

Winter fog and poor air quality have affected air traffic in Delhi. IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory warning passengers about possible delays due to early morning fog across Northern India. Passengers were advised to check flight statuses in advance, plan travel with extra time, and remain prepared for operational adjustments at airports.

Health experts have advised residents to reduce outdoor activity during early mornings when smog is densest. Wearing masks, using air purifiers indoors, and avoiding strenuous activities outdoors are recommended. Special care is urged for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues, as prolonged exposure to ‘very poor’ AQI can have serious health consequences.

Dense fog blanketed large parts of Delhi in the early morning hours, reducing visibility on roads and public spaces. Commuters faced slower travel times, and drivers were advised to exercise extra caution. Fog, combined with pollution, not only affects transportation but also adds to the overall health risks by trapping harmful particulate matter close to the ground.

Out of 40 monitoring stations in Delhi, 11 recorded ‘severe’ air quality levels, particularly in Jahangirpuri, Mundka, and Wazirpur, which reported AQI readings as high as 426. These areas are experiencing significant health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions, underlining the localized impact of urban pollution.

Delhi recorded an AQI of 377 on Tuesday morning, an improvement from 498 a day ago, but still in the 'very poor' category. Smog and fog covered the city, reducing visibility and affecting residents’ health and daily activities.