On Saturday, the Indian capital’s chief minister said that schools in New Delhi will be closed for a week and construction sites for four days as the city tries to protect people in a worsening air pollution crisis. Arvind Kejriwal stated that talks on a potential complete lockdown in the capital were also underway but any decision would only be taken after a consultation with the central government.
Earlier in the day, the chief of justice of India asked the central government to come up with an emergency plan to tackle the dangerous smog, calling the situation “very serious”. Air quality in Delhi, often ranked the world’s most polluted capital, has declined due to crop stubble burning, emissions from transport, coal-fired plants outside the city and other industry as well as open garbage burning and dust. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in and around city has worsened to 470-499 on a scale of 500, according to federal pollution control board data.
