Delhi AQI remains in ‘very poor’ category; IGI airport issues advisory

Many areas experienced low visibility due to smog, making it difficult for travellers.

Visuals from Akshardham Temple, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 445, showed the iconic structure fading into a dense layer of smog, which engulfed the area and drastically reduced visibility.

VIDEO | Delhi: Morning visuals from Akshardham Temple show the iconic structure fading into a thick, dense layer of smog, which envelops the area and drastically reduces visibility.

As per the CPCB, the AQI in the area stands at 445, falling under the severe category.… pic.twitter.com/7oxE18zxwu

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 28, 2025

The overall AQI in the national capital was at 392, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

Nineteen monitoring stations in Delhi reported air quality in the “severe” category, led by Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 444, while the remaining areas recorded “very poor” levels, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app.

Delhi airport issues advisory

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport issued an advisory for passengers amid the low visibility conditions.

The airport urged passengers to contact the concerned airlines for updated flight information.

“All flight operations are continuing normally as visibility at the airport improves. Passengers are requested to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight information,” read the advisory.

Earlier this week, the air quality had improved slightly in the Capital and nearby cities due to strong and sustained winds.

Data from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune’s Decision Support System (DSS) showed that transport emissions remained the top contributor to Delhi’s PM2.5 load at 16.22%, followed by the industrial sector at 8.4%. Residential emissions accounted for around 4%, while waste burning, construction activity, and road dust together contributed about 5%. Among neighbouring regions, Jhajjar emerged as the highest external contributor at 17.59%, followed by Sonipat at 5.8% and Rohtak at 4.6%.

With no significant meteorological conditions to likely improve dispersion of pollutants, the IITM has forecast that Delhi’s air quality is likely to remain in the ‘Very Poor’ category through December 30, with a similar outlook for the next six days.