Archive · 19 Jan 2026
Delhi Imposes Strictest Anti-Pollution Measures
Delhi's air quality has become very bad, reaching dangerous levels.
The government has put the strictest rules in place to try and reduce pollution, especially to protect children, the elderly, and people with health problems.
A famous chess player, Vidit Gujrathi, shared this on social media, asking why no one is doing more to fix it.
Even a top badminton player from another country decided not to play in Delhi because of the bad air.
Many people are worried about their health and want the government to do more to solve this problem.
The air quality is so bad that it's making people sick and affecting sports events.
The government is trying to fix it, but some people think they need to do more.
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached hazardous levels, with readings between 400 and 598.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) re-imposed Stage IV of the GRAP restrictions in Delhi-NCR, the highest stage reserved for emergencies.
Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi highlighted the issue on social media, questioning the lack of action.
World number three men's badminton player Anders Antonsen withdrew from the India Open 2026 due to extreme pollution.
Antonsen was fined 5000 USD by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for withdrawing from the tournament.
- Who
- Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Anders Antonsen, Delhi residents, especially vulnerable groups
- What
- Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached hazardous levels, prompting the imposition of the strictest anti-pollution measures under GRAP Stage IV
- When
- Saturday morning and night
- Where
- Delhi-NCR, India
- Why
- To address extreme pollution levels and their impact on public health and sporting events, especially protecting vulnerable groups
- AQI Level
- 400-598
- Most Polluted Country
- India
- GRAP Stage Imposed
- Stage IV
- Athlete Withdrawn
- Anders Antonsen
- Fine Imposed on Athlete
- 5000 USD
- Vulnerable Groups
- Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory or heart diseases
Sources
'We Are Being Poisoned & No One Cares?': Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi Questions Authorities As Delhi Air Turns Toxic
GRAP 4 rules enforced in Delhi as AQI falls into ‘severe’ category; see full list of bans
Delhi AQI nears ‘severe’ range, GRAP IV returns
Why does Delhi monopolise major sporting events even as pollution and player welfare are always genuine concerns?
"We Are Slowly Being Poisoned": Indian Chess Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi Raises Concern Over Delhi's Air Pollution
‘No one cares’: Indian Chess Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi flags serious concern over Delhi's air pollution
Delhi-NCR schools likely shut on Jan 19: Noida, Delhi, Gurgaon schools may shift to online mode under GRAP 4
Delhi Imposes GRAP 4 As Air Turns Hazardous: What’s Allowed And What’s Banned
GRAP-4 back as AQI worsens: What it means for schools in Delhi-NCR
‘We are slowly being poisoned and no one cares?’: Vidit Gujrathi on New Delhi and India’s deteriorating AQI
Air quality ‘severe’ as dense fog engulfs parts of capital
