Fri Jan 03 20:20:18 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates, Leading to Stricter Pollution Controls and Flight Delays
**NEW DELHI, January 4, 2025** – Delhi-NCR is grappling with severely deteriorated air quality, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement stricter pollution control measures. The CAQM activated Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), resulting in a ban on non-essential construction, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, a shift to hybrid learning for grades up to 5, and staggered office hours.
Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 371 (severe) by 4 p.m. on Friday, up from 318 (very poor) on Tuesday. The CAQM cited unfavorable meteorological conditions and forecasts from the India Meteorological Department predicting further deterioration.
The poor air quality also impacted air travel. Dense fog reduced visibility to zero in some areas of Delhi airport until 9:30 a.m., causing delays for over 100 flights.
Despite the poor air quality, temperatures remained relatively mild, with a maximum of 21.2 degrees Celsius (1.9 degrees above average) and a minimum of 7 degrees Celsius on Friday. Saturday’s forecast predicts a maximum of 21 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius.
First Piper 