Delhi is literally choking right now. And then Wednesday morning brought a slight “breather” that still feels like a punch to the lungs, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at a “very poor” 328. While that is technically an improvement from the severe 377 we saw yesterday, the city is still buried under a thick, toxic blanket of smog.
The thing is, the government isn’t taking chances anymore. Here’s the kicker: Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa just mandated that 50% of all government and private employees must work from home starting today.
Also Read | The S24 Ultra Steal: How to Get ₹35,000 Off During the Flipkart Buy Buy Sale
The Hotspot List: Where it’s Worst
Even with the marginal dip, some neighborhoods are still hovering dangerously close to the “Severe” mark.
-
The Top Offenders: Bawana is currently the worst place to breathe in the city with an AQI of 378, followed by Mundka (370) and Pusa (365).
-
The “Moderate” Outliers: If you can call it that, IHBAS Dilshad Garden recorded the lowest at 247, which is still firmly in the “Poor” category.
-
Visibility Crisis: A dense layer of fog has basically blinded the city. Visibility at IGI Airport and major highways like NH-24 was reportedly near zero this morning, throwing flight and train schedules into a tailspin.
Also Read | The S24 Ultra Steal: How to Get ₹35,000 Off During the Flipkart Buy Buy Sale
New Rules: No Fuel Without PUC
Let’s be real, the temporary curbs aren’t enough, so the state is getting aggressive. Starting tomorrow, December 18, petrol pumps in Delhi will refuse to refuel any vehicle that doesn’t have a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. They’re using AI-powered cameras to catch you at the pump, or nothing.
With GRAP IV measures still in full force, non-BS6 vehicles from outside Delhi are banned, and construction is a total no-go. The government is even paying ₹10,000 to registered construction workers who are out of a job because of the ban. It’s an ongoing mess, and with the IMD predicting more dense fog and cold wave conditions, this “pollution lid” isn’t lifting anytime soon.
Also Read | The S24 Ultra Steal: How to Get ₹35,000 Off During the Flipkart Buy Buy Sale
End…
