Delhi's air quality has deteriorated sharply to hazardous levels amid worsening weather conditions, prompting renewed calls for stringent pollution control measures. As of December 15, 2025, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) has spiked into the severe category, with readings often exceeding 400 on the scale where anything above 300 is considered hazardous to health. The primary culprits include stagnant cold weather trapping pollutants, vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and agricultural stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana. This seasonal smog has become a recurring crisis in the national capital, affecting millions of residents and leading to increased respiratory issues.

Recent data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) indicate that PM2.5 and PM10 levels have surged, with Delhi's AQI hovering around 450-500 in several areas. Contributing factors include low wind speeds and temperature inversions that prevent pollutant dispersion. In response, authorities have activated Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes bans on non-essential construction and diesel generators and increased monitoring of industrial emissions. Schools in Delhi and neighbouring Noida have been mandated to switch to hybrid modes, allowing online classes where possible to minimise student exposure to toxic air.

The situation has drawn criticism from environmentalists and public health experts, who point to inadequate enforcement of anti-pollution guidelines and the need for long-term solutions like promoting electric vehicles and improving public transport. Historical context shows Delhi's AQI worsening annually during winter months, with the Supreme Court intervening multiple times to enforce bans on firecrackers and crop residue burning. Current measures also involve sprinkling water on roads to suppress dust and enhanced surveillance via drones and CCTV.

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As the crisis persists, experts urge residents to use N95 masks, limit outdoor activities, and support policy changes for sustainable urban planning. With forecasts predicting no immediate relief due to continued cold snaps, Delhi's pollution woes highlight the urgent need for regional cooperation and innovative technologies to combat air quality degradation in one of the world's most polluted megacities.

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