Ahead of new year 2026, dense fog covered large parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday morning, severely affecting visibility and daily movement. Areas such as Ghaziabad’s Indirapuram, Noida’s Botanical Garden Metro Station, and Delhi’s Akshardham witnessed thick layers of fog, forcing vehicles to move at a slow pace.
Several residential and commercial areas in Noida also remained under heavy fog, causing inconvenience to early-morning commuters.
Air Quality Remains in Severe Category
Along with poor visibility, air quality across the region remained a major concern. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 384 at 7 am, placing it in the ‘very poor to severe’ category.
Some areas reported extremely high pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 452, ITO 426, RK Puram 411, and Chandni Chowk 419 — all falling in the ‘severe’ category. Other areas such as Dwarka Sector 8 reported an AQI of 414. Slightly lower but still unsafe levels were recorded at IGI Airport Terminal 3 (334), Najafgarh (331), and Aya Nagar (321).
Flight Operations Affected
Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport were impacted due to low visibility caused by dense fog. Airport authorities confirmed that operations were being conducted under CAT III conditions, which allow aircraft to land in extremely low visibility.
In an advisory, Delhi Airport said ground teams were deployed to assist passengers and ensure smoother operations. Travellers were advised to stay in touch with their respective airlines for real-time updates on delays or cancellations.
Rail Services Also Hit
Fog also affected rail services, with several trains running late. Passengers were seen waiting at railway stations as poor visibility disrupted train schedules.
Authorities have urged people to remain cautious while travelling and to follow official advisories until weather conditions improve.
Bureau Report
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