Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) faced massive transport disruptions as a thick layer of dense fog and hazardous air pollution blinded the region on Saturday.
Over 129 flights were cancelled and dozens more delayed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport as visibility dropped to zero in several areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the national capital for Saturday, warning of extremely low visibility and potential health risks.
Airlines like IndiGo and Air India Express have released urgent advisories, asking passengers to check flight statuses before leaving for the airport. This crisis underscores the persistent struggle of northern India against seasonal smog and deteriorating weather conditions that have crippled daily life.
Delhi Smog
The current situation is a deadly combination of natural winter fog and man-made air pollution, often referred to as smog. Every year, as temperatures drop, pollutants from vehicular emissions, construction dust, and stubble burning get trapped near the ground.
This year, the Air Quality Index (AQI) across several monitoring stations in Delhi has spiked into the severe category, exceeding the 400 mark. Such hazardous conditions do not just affect visibility but also pose significant health threats to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues.
The visibility at Palam and Safdarjung observatories was recorded as low as zero to fifty metres during the early morning hours, creating dangerous conditions for all transport modes.
Impact on Transport
Airport officials confirmed that the implementation of low visibility procedures became necessary as the runway visibility range (RVR) fell below safe operating limits. While CAT III technology allows for landings in low visibility, the sheer density of the smog has made take-offs nearly impossible for many aircraft.
Beyond aviation, at least twenty-five trains were reported delayed or rescheduled as fog enveloped railway tracks across northern India. Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu has urged airlines to manage passenger facilitations efficiently and provide timely updates to avoid congestion at terminals.
Commuters on the Yamuna Expressway and Delhi-Meerut Expressway faced similar perils, with multiple minor collisions reported due to the blinding white-out conditions on the roads.
Delhi Under GRAP
In response to the worsening situation, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has intensified measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Schools in several districts of Delhi and Noida have shifted to online classes to protect students from the toxic air.
Health experts have advised residents to wear N95 masks when outdoors and avoid strenuous physical activities during peak smog hours. Hospitals in the NCR have reported a sharp rise in patients complaining of sore throats, watery eyes, and shortness of breath.
The IMD predicts that these conditions may persist for the next forty-eight hours, prompting authorities to keep emergency services on high alert to handle any fog-related accidents or medical emergencies.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we view the recurring paralysis of our capital as a stark reminder of our collective environmental failure. It is heartbreaking to see thousands of lives disrupted and health compromised because of a predictable seasonal crisis that we fail to solve year after year.
We believe that temporary measures like flight cancellations and school closures are mere band-aids on a deep systemic wound. We urge the government and citizens to engage in a meaningful dialogue about long-term sustainability and stricter pollution control.
Only through empathy for our planet and a commitment to coexistence can we ensure a breathable future for the next generation.
