A thick blanket of toxic smog continued to choke India’s capital on Monday, pushing air quality in New Delhi into the “severe” category for a third consecutive day and severely disrupting daily life, transport, and public health.
Air pollution across Delhi and its surrounding suburbs, which together form the National Capital Region, reached its worst levels in weeks.
Government data showed the region’s average Air Quality Index at 471, placing Delhi among the most polluted cities in the world. Any AQI reading above 300 is considered hazardous, while levels below 50 are classified as good.
In response to the escalating crisis, authorities on Sunday enforced the toughest pollution-control measures available. These include a complete ban on older diesel vehicles, a suspension of construction activity, and strict traffic restrictions. Schools have also been instructed to operate in a hybrid learning format to limit student exposure.
Smog is a recurring winter phenomenon in Delhi, driven by a combination of vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust, and seasonal weather conditions. The persistent air quality crisis has once again sparked political debate, with renewed calls for long-term structural solutions to address the capital’s chronic pollution problem.
Low visibility caused by the dense haze disrupted air and rail travel throughout Monday. More than 40 flights were cancelled, while dozens of others faced significant delays. Delhi airport issued a travel advisory warning passengers of ongoing disruptions, noting later in the day that runway visibility had improved but that arrivals and departures could still be affected.
The smog also led to a deadly multi-vehicle collision on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, killing at least two people and injuring several others, according to news agency PTI.
Health officials continue to warn residents to limit outdoor activity as pollution levels remain dangerously high, with no immediate relief in sight.
VIDEO | Nuh, Haryana: Dense fog on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway leads to multiple vehicle collisions, leaving two people dead and several others injured as visibility dropped sharply.#Nuh #DenseFog #RoadAccident
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/XJLMvJ08jv
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 15, 2025
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