Delhi air quality: AQI crosses 440 in several areas as 3,700 vehicles challaned under ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ drive

By Samira Vishwas On Dec 19, 2025

New Delhi: The national capital remained enveloped in a thick and hazardous layer of air pollution on Friday, with air quality worsening to ‘severe’ levels in several areas, prompting authorities to enforce the toughest emergency measures across the national capital and the wider NCR region.

Delhi AQI today

At 6 am, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 387, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category and marking a sharp deterioration from 356 recorded the previous day. Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that multiple monitoring stations reported far more alarming readings. Ghazipur recorded an AQI of 442, Palam 447 and ITO 409, all falling in the ‘severe’ range of 401–500. Areas such as Anand Vihar, Vivek Vihar and Sirifort reported AQI levels of 442, while Dwarka Sector-8, Nehru Nagar and Okhla Phase-2 continued to remain deeply polluted.

#WATCH | Delhi | Pole-mounted mist spray system at ITO in operation to mitigate pollution, as a layer of toxic smog blankets the city.
AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 409, categorised as ‘Very Poor’, as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). pic.twitter.com/z5hKz9qGJF
— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2025

On Thursday, 15 out of the city’s 40 monitoring stations had already slipped into the ‘severe’ category.

In response to the worsening conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated all measures under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the most stringent level aimed at curbing pollution during extreme episodes.

The deteriorating air quality, combined with dense fog, also disrupted flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Low visibility conditions forced the implementation of CAT III landing protocols, resulting in delays and cancellations. Delhi Airport advised passengers to check with their respective airlines for updates, adding that ground teams were coordinating closely to manage the situation.

3,746 vehicles challaned, 568 non-BS6 vehicles turned back

On the enforcement front, the Delhi government intensified checks under its ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ campaign. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that more than 3,700 vehicles were challaned within 24 hours of the drive’s launch, while 568 non-compliant vehicles were turned back. Joint teams of the Delhi Traffic Police and the Transport Department inspected around 5,000 vehicles at key entry points, issuing challans to 3,746 vehicles lacking valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC).

Officials also diverted 217 non-destined trucks via the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways to reduce congestion and emissions. The crackdown led to a surge in demand for PUCCs, with over 61,900 certificates issued between December 17 and 18, indicating rising compliance.

Sirsa said the data reflected both strict enforcement and growing public cooperation. He added that action would continue in the coming days and warned private offices yet to comply with the 50 per cent work-from-home advisory under GRAP-IV that violations could invite penalties.