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Dense Fog Veils Taj Mahal, Toxic Smog Chokes Delhi-NCR; GRAP-IV Invoked

Dense fog severely reduced visibility in Agra on Sunday, nearly obscuring the iconic Taj Mahal, with similar conditions reported in Ayodhya and Moradabad. Concurrently, Delhi-NCR experienced toxic smog, with air quality index reaching 'severe' levels in several areas, prompting authorities to implement Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan.

Key Points: Taj Mahal Disappears in Agra Fog, Delhi AQI Turns 'Severe' | ANI

  • Dense fog reduces visibility in Agra, obscuring view of Taj Mahal
  • Similar foggy conditions reported in Ayodhya and Moradabad amid cold wave
  • Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'severe' levels in multiple areas
  • CPCB data shows AQI as high as 438 in Akshardham, Ghazipur, and Anand Vihar
  • Commission for Air Quality Management invokes GRAP Stage-IV restrictions
  • Ban on non-essential construction and certain diesel vehicles enforced in Delhi-NCR
3 min read

Dense fog engulfs Agra, Taj Mahal fades from view

Dense fog engulfed Agra and Ayodhya, while toxic smog pushed Delhi's air quality into the 'severe' category, prompting GRAP-IV restrictions across the capital region.

"Exact spoken sentence. - Speaker Name / Official Source"

Agra (Uttar Pradesh), December 21

The Taj Mahal appeared to vanish behind a thick veil of fog on Sunday morning as dense mist enveloped Agra, sharply reducing visibility across the city.

Visuals from the Taj View Point ADA showed the iconic monument barely visible.

Similar conditions were witnessed in Ayodhya, where a dense layer of fog covered the city during the early morning hours. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in Ayodhya was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 16 degrees Celsius.

Moradabad also woke up to foggy conditions as a cold wave swept through the region. The IMD reported that the minimum temperature in Moradabad stood at 10 degrees Celsius, with the maximum expected to reach around 19 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, conditions were no different in the national capital, which also saw temperatures dip and a thick layer of toxic smog this morning, significantly impairing visibility and affecting residents.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 390 around 7 am, placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). However, several areas witnessed air quality deteriorating further to 'severe' levels.

Multiple parts of Delhi experienced a dense haze, with pollution levels remaining alarmingly high.

In the Akshardham area, the AQI stood at 438, categorised as 'severe'. Similar conditions were reported from the Ghazipur area, where AQI levels were also recorded at 438, as per CPCB data.

Central Delhi was not spared either, with India Gate and Kartavya Path showing a thick layer of smog hovering over the iconic stretch. The AQI in this area was recorded at 381, falling in the 'very poor' category. In east Delhi's Anand Vihar locality, pollution levels touched 'severe', with the AQI again at 438, making it one of the most polluted pockets of the capital on Sunday morning.

The ITO area also remained under a blanket of smog, with the AQI recorded at 405, categorised as 'severe'.

Moreover, around the Barapullah flyover, the AQI was recorded at 382, categorised as 'very poor', and similar conditions prevailed in the Dhaula Kuan area, where the AQI stood at 397, also falling under the 'very poor' category.

In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked all measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV across Delhi-NCR. The restrictions under GRAP-IV include a ban on non-essential construction activities, the entry of certain diesel vehicles, and enhanced enforcement to curb pollution sources.

According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Imagine traveling all the way to Agra to see the Taj and finding it invisible! Feel bad for the tourists. Hope the authorities are providing some sort of compensation or alternative arrangements. This is a major hit to our tourism.
A
Aman W
Stay safe everyone, especially in Delhi-NCR. The AQI numbers are terrifying. Please wear N95 masks if you have to go out, and keep children and elderly indoors. This is a serious public health emergency, not just bad weather.
S
Sarah B
The contrast is stark. Agra has fog, which will lift. Delhi has severe pollution, which is a chronic issue. The article rightly points out Anand Vihar and Ghazipur as hotspots. The landfill and traffic there are a big part of the problem. Need localized solutions.
V
Vikram M
It's not just about banning things during GRAP. What about promoting WFH for offices, improving public transport so people don't *need* their cars, and actually managing waste instead of burning it? Long-term vision is missing. Jai Hind.
K
Kavya N
The picture of a hidden Taj Mahal is actually quite poetic and surreal. But the reality for people living with 'severe' AQI is nothing poetic. Headaches, breathing issues, watery eyes... this is our daily life for months. Something has to give.

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