Delhi AQI Hazardous as Fog Delays Flights and Executive Resigns Over Pollution

Delhi plunged deeper into a public health emergency on Monday as air pollution levels worsened dramatically across the city. As of 7:35 a.m., the Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered around 460, firmly placing the capital in the “hazardous” category. At least 19 monitoring stations reported hazardous air quality, with Anand Vihar recording the worst readings, while several other areas remained in the “very poor” to “severe” range.

Compounding the crisis, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for very dense fog. Visibility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport dropped to just 125 meters, severely impacting air traffic. The Delhi Airport authority confirmed that flight operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions, warning passengers of possible delays and cancellations due to low visibility.

In a rare and striking development, Delhi’s worsening pollution has now spilled into the corporate sector. Rajkumar Bafna, Finance Head of Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, resigned on December 28, explicitly citing the city’s deteriorating air quality as the reason. The resignation was disclosed through an official exchange filing, highlighting the growing personal and professional toll of Delhi’s pollution crisis.

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Meanwhile, the Delhi government is exploring long-term, technology-driven solutions to combat pollution. Officials revealed plans to collaborate with IIT Kanpur to deploy Artificial Intelligence for identifying pollution sources and measuring their real-time impact. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the initiative aims to shift policy-making from reactive measures to data-driven, targeted interventions.

On the enforcement front, authorities intensified action under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The Delhi Transport Department impounded 28 buses, including interstate vehicles, for violating emission norms. Nearly 4,927 vehicles were inspected in a single day, reflecting a ramped-up crackdown on polluters.

A total of 3,970 challans were issued, with the majority related to Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) violations. These included fines issued by the Delhi Traffic Police, transport enforcement teams, and automated number plate recognition cameras. As pollution levels remain alarmingly high, officials warn that stricter measures may follow if conditions fail to improve.

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