Smog stifles Delhi, chokes Chandigarh, 300 flights hit

Supreme Court to Review Pollution Crisis as North India Faces Toxic Air Emergency

A thick, choking layer of smog blanketed Delhi on Thursday, causing major disruptions at the city's airport, where more than 300 flights faced delays. According to Flightradar24, 115 inbound and 226 outbound flights were held up, with an average delay of 17 minutes for arrivals and 54 minutes for departures.

Delhi, along with Chandigarh—often celebrated for its planned green spaces—is grappling with a severe air pollution crisis; both cities recording hazardous air quality levels. In response to the alarming situation, the Supreme Court is set to hear a petition on November 18 seeking stricter enforcement of pollution control measures, with concerns mounting that Delhi could soon hold the grim title of the world's most polluted city. Aprajita Singh, serving as amicus curiae, has urged urgent action as Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) plunged into "severe" levels, hitting 428 at 9 a.m. on Thursday.