Delhi: Large parts of Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region woke up to a standstill on Wednesday as dense fog combined with dangerously high pollution levels severely disrupted daily life. Extremely poor visibility during the early morning hours brought air and rail traffic under pressure, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and forcing authorities to issue repeated advisories.
At Indira Gandhi International Airport, flight operations slowed considerably as visibility dropped to just a few metres at several intervals. According to airport sources, a significant number of flights were either cancelled or delayed, affecting both domestic and international passengers. Departures were particularly impacted, leading to congestion inside terminals as travellers waited for updates. Airlines advised passengers to check flight statuses frequently and reach the airport well in advance due to unpredictable operating conditions.
Major carriers including IndiGo and Air India released passenger advisories, warning that fog across northern India was affecting aircraft movement and ground operations. Airlines said that arrivals and departures were being carefully sequenced to ensure safety, which resulted in unavoidable delays. Passengers were also cautioned that road visibility remained poor, increasing travel time to airports.
Rail services were no better off. Several long-distance and suburban trains departing from or passing through Delhi were delayed due to low visibility on tracks. Visuals circulating on social media showed passengers waiting on platforms wrapped in winter clothing as announcement boards displayed extended delays. Railway officials said safety protocols were being followed, leading to slower train movement during foggy conditions.
Adding to the crisis, Delhi’s air quality remained at alarming levels. Data from pollution monitoring agencies showed that the city’s overall Air Quality Index was in the “very poor to severe” range. Several hotspots reported extremely high pollution readings, raising health concerns for residents. Areas such as Anand Vihar, ITO, RK Puram, Chandni Chowk, and parts of Dwarka recorded AQI levels well above the severe threshold.
The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for dense fog, cautioning residents about reduced visibility during morning and late-night hours. Doctors have advised people, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues, to limit outdoor exposure.
