Thick Smog Blankets Delhi as Stubble Burning Worsens Air Quality Levels

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A thick layer of smog blanketed Delhi on Wednesday evening, drastically reducing visibility and pushing the national capital’s air quality into the ‘severe’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

At 8 p.m., Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 419, a level considered hazardous to health. The sharp decline in air quality has been attributed to the ongoing stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana, combined with stagnant weather conditions that trap pollutants close to the surface.

Environmental experts warned that the situation could worsen if winds remain calm. “With continued stubble burning and low wind speeds, Delhi’s air is likely to stay toxic for the next few days,” said a senior CPCB official.

The smog layer also caused poor visibility across several parts of the city, including IGI Airport, Connaught Place, and East Delhi, disrupting evening commutes. Many residents reported irritation in their eyes and throat, while doctors urged people — especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues — to stay indoors and use N95 masks when stepping out.

The Delhi government has continued to implement pollution control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including restrictions on construction work and limits on vehicle movement. However, environmental analysts argue that without stricter enforcement on farm residue burning in Punjab and Haryana, short-term actions in Delhi will have limited impact.

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) recorded over 2,500 stubble-burning incidents across Punjab in the past 24 hours, marking a significant rise compared to last week.

Despite periodic efforts by state governments and the Centre to curb crop residue burning, the seasonal surge continues to choke northern India each winter, turning the capital into a gas chamber of toxic air.