Authorities in Indian capital closes schools for three days as air quality worsens

Chief Minister of New Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday all schools in Indian capital city would remain closed for three days in wake of the choking smog and worsening air quality.

The decision was taken during an emergency cabinet meeting called by Kejriwal to combat the intense air pollution prevalent in the city.

The meeting was called after visibility in the city dropped to a distance of 200 meters. Officials said Kejriwal held the cabinet meeting at his home with all ministers and senior officials from department of health and environment.

The slew of measures announced by government aimed at bringing down the air pollution level include moratorium on constructions and demolitions for five days, sprinkling of water on roads to help suppress dust and strict action against the burning of trash.

There is possibility that odd-even road rationing scheme may also return. Already the Delhi government this year held two trials of car rationing in the city.

The chief minister has also urged residents to stay indoors and avoid venturing out unnecessarily.

The Delhi government has announced it will close Badarpur coal-based power plant for 10 days, landfill sites fire will be extinguished and a ban has been placed on diesel generators for 10 days.

Already around 1800 municipal schools were closed on Saturday in the city because of the pollution.

The air quality continues to be severe with Particulate Matter or PM 10 and 2.5 above the range of 500 microgram per cubic meter of air.

Reports said an increase in cases of respiratory problems were recorded in Delhi, with people rushing to medical stores to buy air masks.

On Sunday hundreds of people, including women and children staged a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding government to take effective measures to curb pollution.

New Delhi is considered as one of the world's most polluted cities. However the city hit a new low last week following the celebrations of Diwali - the Hindu festival of lights. The Diwali night saw residents setting of huge quantities of fireworks towards city skyscape, despite warnings from authorities against bursting fireworks keeping in view the prevalent humidity and wind speed. Next day the city was covered in thick blanket of smog, which plunged air quality to a dangerous "severe" level of rating.

Air pollution is a leading cause of premature death in India. Pollution in Delhi gets aggravated during winter months. Ahead of winters people burn agricultural waste to clear cropland, which contributes to the choking of already polluted air.

Data revealed by Meteorological department shows this year's smog in New Delhi is the worst in past 17 years. Endit