**Delhi Faces Travel Mayhem Amidst Dense Smog and Fog**

Dense fog, coupled with hazardous air quality, leads to significant travel delays in New Delhi, sparking a renewed focus on pollution control measures.

The Indian capital, Delhi, experienced significant travel turmoil as dense fog combined with hazardous air quality levels wreaked havoc on both air and rail traffic. In the early hours of Friday, visibility dipped to zero in several areas, leading to more than 150 flight delays and multiple train schedules running behind. This annual crisis, linked to the winter season, occurs when low temperatures trap pollutants near the ground, further worsening visibility and creating a hazardous atmosphere.

As the air quality index surged above 400 in numerous areas, significantly exceeding the World Health Organization's safe limits, the Delhi government reinstated pollution control measures. These included a halt on construction activities and a transition to online schooling. Images from Delhi and nearby regions showcased a thick cover of smog obscuring everyday life, with buildings and roads barely visible. In anticipation of ongoing disruptions, the Delhi airport issued a statement urging travelers to prepare for possible delays, specifically for flights that do not comply with CAT III landing standards, a system designed for low visibility conditions.

Flight tracking services reported average departure delays of over 30 minutes, with arrivals lagging by nearly 20 minutes. Frustrated travelers took to social media platforms to express their grievances, with complaints regarding absent gate information and chaotic situations at the airport. Additionally, the Indian Railways informed the public that 26 trains heading to Delhi were experiencing delays attributed to the dense fog.

Looking ahead, India's weather department has forecast light rain over the weekend, which is expected to improve visibility conditions and possibly alleviate some of the travel chaos.