After a brief mid-week respite, residents of the national capital woke up to a gray sky on Friday, December 26, 2025, as the air quality plummeted back into the “very poor” category.
The sudden decline has prompted the Delhi Cabinet to authorize aggressive long-term environmental measures to curb the seasonal toxic haze.
The Air Quality Crisis: A Friday Morning Update
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 305 at 8:00 AM, a sharp rise from the 234 (Poor) recorded on Thursday afternoon.
| Region | AQI Level | Category |
| Anand Vihar | 390 | Very Poor |
| Bawana | 379 | Very Poor |
| ITO | 330 | Very Poor |
| R.K. Puram | 320 | Very Poor |
| IGI Airport (T3) | 239 | Poor |
- Smog & Visibility: Heavy smog was reported at ITO, Akshardham, and AIIMS, with commuters facing significantly reduced visibility during peak morning hours.
- Meteorological Factors: Weak winds (below 5 kmph) have stalled the dispersion of local pollutants, particularly vehicular and industrial emissions.
Delhi Cabinet: A ₹100 Crore “Blue-Green” Strategy
In a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Cabinet approved two massive infrastructure projects aimed at creating a permanent defense against pollution.
1. Reclaiming Water Bodies
The Cabinet sanctioned ₹100 Crore to rejuvenate 160 water bodies currently under the Delhi government’s jurisdiction.
“The rejuvenation of Delhi’s water bodies will play a crucial role in pollution control. CM Rekha Gupta has directed that every possible financial support be extended to complete this work within the year,” stated Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
2. India’s First E-Waste Eco Park
Approval was granted for an 11.5-acre E-Waste Park at Holambi Kalan.
- Capacity: The facility will process 51,000 metric tonnes of electronic waste annually.
- Sustainability: It will follow a 100% circular, zero-waste model, ensuring no toxic leakages into the soil or groundwater—a frequent byproduct of informal e-waste recycling.
Policy Enforcement: “No PUCC, No Fuel”
Minister Sirsa confirmed that the “No PUCC, No Fuel” campaign will remain in force year-round, even after the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions are eventually eased.
- Zero Tolerance: CM Rekha Gupta has instructed that pollution challans (₹10,000) will no longer be waived or reduced by Lok Adalats, treating the lack of a valid certificate as a “crime against the city’s air.”