India: New Delhi shuts schools as Indian government considers 'pollution lockdown'

NEW DELHI, 14 November 2021, (TON): New Delhi authorities announced on Saturday a one-week closure of schools and said they would consider a “pollution lockdown” to protect citizens from toxic smog.

Delhi's chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, told reporters “schools will be shut so that children don't have to breathe polluted air.”

Delhi is ranked one of the world's most polluted cities, with a hazardous melange of factory and vehicle emissions, and smoke from agricultural fires, settling in the skies over its 20 million people each winter.

On Saturday, the Supreme Court suggested imposing a lockdown on Delhi to combat the air quality crisis.

Chief Justice NV Ramana said “how will we live otherwise?.”

Kejriwal said his government would consider the court's suggestion after consulting with stakeholders.

He said “pollution lockdown has never happened before. It will be an extreme step.”

Kejriwal said that construction activity would be halted for four days to cut down dust from vast, open sites.

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