Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Delhi Faces Severe Air Pollution
Delhi is experiencing very bad air quality, which is causing health problems for people, especially children.
Because of this, schools have decided to close physical classes for younger students and switch to online learning.
The government is also taking steps to reduce pollution, like setting up special teams to look at pollution from cars and checking roads for dust and waste.
They found that many roads have a lot of dust and waste, which is making the air even worse.
The government is asking everyone to help by following the rules to keep the air cleaner.
Additionally, flights have been cancelled because of low visibility due to fog, and the government is enforcing stricter rules on vehicle emissions.
In Noida, officials are promoting the use of electric vehicles and taking steps to reduce traffic congestion and emissions.
However, residents and physicians are calling for more permanent solutions as the pollution is causing serious health problems, especially in children.
According to studies, air pollution causes millions of deaths every year, both in India and globally.
Delhi schools have closed physical classes for Nursery to Class 5 students due to severe air pollution, switching to online mode until further notice.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi has reached the 'very poor' category with an AQI of 354, down from 'severe' levels exceeding 400.
Stage IV GRAP restrictions have been imposed, and an expert committee has been formed to address vehicular emissions and present actionable recommendations.
Road inspections revealed high levels of dust and waste accumulation, with 15 stretches showing high visible dust and 6 stretches with evidence of waste burning.
The Delhi Government has directed schools to switch to online mode for affected grades until further notice, and healthcare experts warn residents to avoid outdoor activities due to health risks.
131 flights were cancelled at Delhi airport due to low visibility caused by dense fog, with IndiGo cancelling 113 flights across its network.
Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will not be allowed to refuel at petrol pumps in Delhi from December 18.
Noida authority is pushing for EV adoption and stricter curbs on vehicular pollution under GRAP-4, including promoting electric vehicles and expanding EV charging stations.
- Who
- Delhi Government, Directorate of Education (DoE), Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Residents, Physicians, Noida Authority, IndiGo Airlines, Delhi International Airport Ltd
- What
- Closure of physical classes for Nursery to Class 5 students, imposition of Stage IV GRAP restrictions, cancellation of flights due to low visibility, enforcement of PUC certificates, and push for EV adoption
- When
- Effective immediately, with the circular dated December 15, and enforcement of PUC certificates from December 18
- Where
- Delhi, India, and Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Why
- Due to severe air pollution levels and high AQI, causing respiratory and health issues, and to reduce vehicular emissions and improve air quality
- Affected Classes
- Nursery to Class 5
- Affected Schools
- All Government, Government-Aided, and Unaided Private Recognized Schools in Delhi
- Current AQI Level
- 354 (Very Poor Category)
- CAQM Action
- Stage IV GRAP Restrictions Imposed
- Expert Committee Focus
- Vehicular Emission Sources and EV Readiness
- Road Inspection Findings
- 15 road stretches with high visible dust, 38 with moderate, 61 with low, 22 with no visible dust
- MSW and C&D Waste
- 55 stretches with MSW, 53 with C&D waste, 6 with evidence of burning
- Annual Deaths in India
- 1.5 million deaths linked to long-term exposure to polluted air
- Global Deaths in 2023
- 7.9 million deaths attributed to air pollution
- Flights Cancelled
- 131 flights cancelled due to low visibility
- PUC Certificate Enforcement
- Vehicles without valid PUC certificates denied fuel from December 18
- EV Adoption
- Noida authority pushes for EV adoption and stricter curbs on vehicular pollution
Sources
CAQM's New Expert Panel To Map Vehicle Pollution As Severe Air Triggers Stage 4 GRAP
Delhi Schools Closed Today For Nursery- Class 5 Students Amid Rising Pollution Levels
Air quality worsens in city, turns ‘severe’
Are schools in Delhi open today or in hybrid mode? Check details for upto Class 5, and Class 6-11
Delhi’s 400+ AQI is making healthy children sick: Here are five children with five illnesses they never had before
Delhi chokes with 380 AQI: Here's how many people die from air pollution in India, world every year
Delhi’s air quality ‘very poor’, haze persists
In Delhi pollution hotspot, many do not have the ‘work from home’ option
Delhi govt directs schools to shift to online mode up to class-5 as air quality deteriorates
Delhi: Over 200 flights delayed amid smog, airport says disruptions ‘may persist’
Is exercise becoming useless as Delhi air pollution worsens? Here’s what experts say
Delhi AQI improves slightly, still reels under hazardous air conditions at 378
Some Noida schools go online, some hybrid, but a few have to shut down
Delhi AQI improves from ‘severe’ to ‘poor’; 11 stations still record 400+ pollution levels
Delhi Schools Go Online for Class 5 and Below Due to Severe AQI - What About Other Grades?
221 Flights Cancelled, Chaos at Airports as Thick Smog Engulfs Delhi-NCR
Delhi's air quality 'very poor', haze persists
Pollution not settling yet? Top air purifiers to consider for high AQI and PM2.5 with True HEPA and carbon filters
No more tandoori nights in Delhi! Govt bans coal fired tandoors in restaurants under GRAP IV
Fog, haze disrupt Delhi: Scores of flights cancelled as air quality remains ‘very poor’ - Telegraph India
'International Shame': ‘AQI, AQI’ chants greet Delhi CM after she arrives for Messi event amid rise in air pollution
Exclusive | CPCB awards ARAI-led consortium to prepare Delhi-NCR’s new emission inventory and pollution source studies
Delhi imposes stringent curbs as pollution remains severe; THESE vehicles barred from entering city
‘8 Months Not Enough For Visible Change’: Delhi Environment Minister Sirsa On Air Pollution
It’s not stubble burning or firecrackers: Delhi is choking on its own emissions
No fuel for vehicles without PUC from Thursday, says Delhi minister Sirsa
Delhiites denied tandoori chicken? Netizens react after Rekha Gupta govt bans tandoor
Delhi air pollution: ‘Impossible to reduce AQI in 9–10 months,’ says minister MS Sirsa
No valid PUC, no fuel: Delhi govt’s new rule from Thursday amid rising air pollution
GRAP Stage 4 Continues In Delhi — Avoid Traffic Challans By Not Driving These Category Vehicles
No Fuel For Delhi Commuters From THIS Date If They Don't Have A Valid PUC — Here's How to Get One
Delhi pollution: No fuel for vehicles without valid PUC, says Environment Minister
Delhi Schools Closed Tomorrow Live Updates: Delhi Suspends Offline Classes Till Further Notice; Check If Your Class Is Included In Ban
‘Disease of pollution given to us by AAP’: Delhi minister apologises, says AQI can’t be reduced in 9–10 months
‘Like removing bicycles to reduce traffic’: Netizens baffled as Delhi bans tandoor to fight pollution
Delhi: Vehicles without pollution control certificate will not be allowed to refuel from December 18
Gurgaon Schools Upto Class 5 Shut Till Further Notice Amid Rising Pollution
How did China tackle air pollution? Embassy spokesperson bats for ‘vehicle emissions control’ as Delhi chokes
Welcome ‘No PUCC, No Fuel’ rule but effective enforcement would be difficult: Petrol dealer’s body
Delhi’s deadly air crisis
Wind, thinning fog push Delhi air quality into ‘very poor’ category
No Fuel For Vehicles In Delhi Without Valid PUC From Thursday: Minister
Noida authority pushes for EV adoption, stricter curbs to tackle vehicular pollution under GRAP-4
131 Flights Cancelled In Delhi Due To Low Visibility
In Delhi Minister's Apology For Pollution, A Barb For AAP
No Fuel for Vehicles Without PUCC from Thursday: Delhi Minister
Akshaye Khanna’s Dhurandhar Song FA9LQ Finds Its ‘Perfect Co-star’ In Delhi Smog: ‘Khoos, Khoos. Mast Maat Laga’
With air pollution, politics too peaks: AAP bangs thalis to ‘wake’ CM, BJP says ‘shameless’
Why curbing vehicular pollution is key to Delhi’s fight against foul air
As air pollution soars in Delhi, elderly are among the most vulnerable
Delhi chokes under dense fog, AQI slips under ‘very poor’ category—IndiGo issues advisory, ‘flights may be delayed…’
IndiGo issues advisory as fog triggers flight delays
Delhi-NCR chokes under 'very' poor air quality, anti-smog guns deployed at various places
Delhi air quality sees slight improvement at 328 remains in ‘very poor’ category
Delhi bans entry of non-BS VI vehicles as air quality remains ‘very poor’
Better, Still ‘Very Poor’: Foggy, Chilly Delhi Records AQI 329; Check Flight Status
GRAP IV In Action In Delhi: What Is Open And Closed? Check Full List
Delhi AQI Remains 'Very Poor': No Improvement Expected in Next 48 Hours
82% Delhi Residents Report Severe Pollution-Linked Illnesses in Close Circles, Says Study
Delhi-NCR air pollution: No PUCC means no fuel; Only BS-VI compliant vehicles can enter national capital from Dec 18
Delhi govt to pay Rs 10k to workers hit by pollution curbs
Dense Fog, Poor Air Quality Disrupt Flights At Delhi & Chennai Airports; 21 Flights Cancelled
Delhi's Pollution Measures To Hit 1.2 Million NCR Vehicles: All You Need To Know
As India Chokes For Breath, Arnab's #NOTAForAQI Gains Resonance With Netizens
SC hears plea on ‘annual’ Delhi-NCR air pollution crisis, calls for ‘long term plan’
Delhi Air Pollution Rules: Who Can Enter The Capital Under GRAP And Who Can’t?
Delhi-NCR air pollution measures a ‘total failure’, only for interim relief: Supreme Court
Air pollution crisis: Supreme Court allows ban on older vehicles below BS-IV in Delhi-NCR
Supreme Court Demands Long-Term Action As Delhi Government Implements Strict Pollution Curbs As AQI Worsens
No Fuel Without Valid PUC - With Delhi's Air Quality, Vehicle Restrictions Also Worsen
What changes in Delhi to tackle pollution — ‘50% office attendance, fuel curbs, action against below-BS-IV vehicles'
NHAI says MCD toll booths adding to Delhi air pollution, Supreme Court asks why not suspend their operations temporarily
Delhi Govt Directs Maximum 50 Pc Staff To Physically Attend Private Offices Due To Air Pollution
"Only BS-4 And Above": Supreme Court Tweaks Order On Older Vehicles In Delhi
Delhi chokes again: Supreme Court calls toxic air ‘annual feature’, seeks structural fixes
Identify road corridors for signal-free movement during peak traffic hours in Delhi: Yadav
