Bhubaneswar, Dec. 16 -- As many as 228 flights were cancelled and nearly 400 others delayed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport as the national capital reeled under severe air pollution and dense fog, bringing air traffic to a near standstill. The Air Quality Index (AQI) plunged into the 'Severe' category, while visibility dropped drastically to just 50 metres.

The massive disruption left thousands of passengers stranded for hours, affecting travel to major domestic destinations such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Lucknow, as well as several international routes. Travellers faced prolonged delays and uncertainty amid deteriorating weather conditions.

Even flights carrying prominent personalities, including Prime Minister Nar...