Dense fog disrupts flights, trains in Indian capital Delhi

NEW DELHI - Flight and train services were disrupted in the Indian capital New Delhi for the second day running on Jan 15, as dense fog and cold enveloped large swathes of the northern part of the country.

More than 100 flights were delayed in Delhi on Jan 14, but intermittent flight operations had resumed on the morning of Jan 15, said an airport official who declined to be named.

According to aviation website Flightradar24, at least 313 flights leaving Delhi were delayed and 82 flights were cancelled on Jan 15.

At least 18 trains to Delhi from different parts of the country were running late because of dense fog, news agency ANI, in which Reuters has a minority stake, said on social media platform X, citing a railway document.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi was not operational from 4am to 10am on Jan 14 because of dense fog, the official said, leading to massive delays at airports across the country.

Social media platforms and news channels showed visuals of angry passengers arguing with airport staff at New Delhi and other airports, and one video showed a

man punching a pilot announcing a delayed flight on the aircraft

.

India’s federal aviation minister said the use of an additional runway was being expedited, equipped with the CAT III navigation system, which enables aircraft to land even when visibility is low.

“Incidences of unruly behaviour amidst this are unacceptable, and will be dealt with strongly in line with the existing legal provisions,” Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a post on X.

The country’s weather office has predicted dense fog and a cold wave in New Delhi for Jan 15 and “very dense fog” on Jan 16, with a minimum temperature of 4 deg C.

Writing on X, Mr Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia said: “Stuck in a plane at Delhi Airport since the past two hours (literally on the runway).” REUTERS