AA / New Delhi / Ahmad Adil
Authorities in New Delhi have tightened restrictions in the face of worsening “toxic smog”, ordering schools to close until further notice and banning the entry of non-essential trucks, while that the air quality reaches the “very serious” category.
For several days, many cities in northern India have been facing dangerous levels of pollution. On Sunday evening, the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi climbed to 457, prompting authorities to introduce additional measures in the capital and its surrounding areas.
On Monday morning, official data showed that several monitoring stations in Delhi recorded an AQI above 490.
The Air Quality Management Commission for Delhi Region announced on Sunday evening the implementation of new measures from Monday.
An eight-point action plan was introduced, asking local authorities to consider emergency measures such as closing universities, stopping non-essential commercial activities and implementing alternating traffic according to numbers number plates.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena, who had already ordered a halt to face-to-face classes except for classes 10 and 12, said the entire north India is facing a “health emergency ” while agricultural burning continues unchecked.
She criticized the federal government for its inaction on the problem, saying “all of northern India is suffering the consequences, especially children and the elderly who are struggling to breathe.”
Experts point to winter conditions, agricultural burning to clear fields, as well as industrial and automobile emissions, which exacerbate poor air quality in India and neighboring parts of Pakistan.
The Supreme Court of India, which declared last month that the right to a healthy environment is a fundamental right, on Monday called out local authorities for their delay in implementing anti-pollution measures.
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