Air quality crosses 370-mark, thick smog blankets national capital as air quality remains in ‘very poor’ zone, check area-wise pollution levels

Large parts of the capital were covered in a dense layer of toxic smoke, significantly reducing visibility and causing inconvenience to residents. RK Puram was shrouded in thick smog, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 374 as per CPCB.

Areas around the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium were also covered in a thick layer of fog and the AQI was reported to be 349, placing the area in the ‘very poor’ category. According to CPCB data, the AQI around Najafgarh district was slightly low and was reported to be 284, but it was also surrounded by toxic smoke.

#WRISTWATCH | Delhi | Visuals around Anand Vihar area show a thick layer of toxic smoke covering the national capital.

The AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 415, which is classified as ‘severe’ as claimed by the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board).

CAQM (Commission on Air Quality… pic.twitter.com/0rQCBzHvRG

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2025

CAQM (Commission on Air Quality Management) has activated all GRAP Phase-IV measures in Delhi-NCR to control pollution levels in the capital.

A thick layer of fog also covered the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

According to the AQI classification, 0-50 is ‘good’, 51-100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 is ‘moderate’, 201-300 is ‘poor’, 301-400 is ‘very poor’ and 401-500 is ‘severe’.

Earlier, the Commission on Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjacent Regions (CAQM) deployed 19 teams for a road inspection tour on December 12.

This work was carried out as part of the Commission’s ongoing monitoring and enforcement under the legal framework and existing GRAP provisions. According to the statement, a total of 136 road areas under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) were inspected across Delhi.

According to the final data compiled, 15 road sections exhibited high visible dust levels, 38 exhibited moderate dust levels, 61 recorded low dust density and 22 sections had no visible dust. The road sections where MSW and C&D waste were deposited were reported to be 55 and 53 respectively. In the statement, it was reported that there was evidence of MSW/Biomass burning in 6 regions.

The above observations clearly show the gaps and repeated neglect in the maintenance of the affected areas. He highlighted the need for DDA to improve operational efficiency and implement rapid corrective measures through consistent, timely dust reduction interventions. It was emphasized that the authority should also improve compliance on all road sections for MSW/Biomass burning.

The Commission observed that such incidents affect particulate matter levels in Delhi and highlighted the need for strengthened on-ground action, including regular mechanical sweeping, timely disposal of collected dust, maintenance of road shoulders and central verges as well as deployment of water sprinkling/dust suppression systems and focused action(s) to prevent open burning incidents in all areas maintained by DDA.