New Delhi, the capital of India, transitioned to online schooling starting Monday due to the worsening smog, marking the latest response to the city’s ongoing air quality crisis. The move aims to address the escalating health risks posed by toxic air, as levels of PM2.5—microscopic pollutants linked to cancer—were recorded at 57 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended daily limit on Sunday evening.
By Monday morning, the pollution levels remained nearly 39 times above the safe threshold, with dense, acrid smog enveloping the city. This annual phenomenon is largely attributed to crop residue burning in neighboring states, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust.
In a bid to combat the health impact, New Delhi authorities have opted for several measures, including closing schools and reducing vehicle emissions. Chief Minister Atishi announced that physical classes would be suspended for all students except those in grades 10 and 12. Primary schools had already moved to online learning on Thursday.
The government also implemented restrictions on diesel trucks and construction activities while urging vulnerable groups—such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions—to remain indoors.
Many residents of New Delhi, a city of over 30 million people, lack access to air purifiers and live in homes that offer little protection from the toxic air, contributing to thousands of premature deaths each year. The capital’s air quality is among the worst globally during winter, with pollution worsened by cooler temperatures and stagnant winds.
In response, India’s Supreme Court recently declared clean air a fundamental human right, pressing authorities to take action to tackle the crisis.
CNN, ARY NEWS, EXPRESS NEWS, REUTERS, DAWN NEWS
