New Delhi, India’s capital, has transitioned schools to online classes starting Monday, as the city grapples with worsening toxic smog. The move is the latest effort to address a persistent health crisis in the sprawling metropolis.
PM2.5 pollutant levels—microparticles that can cause cancer and enter the bloodstream through the lungs—were measured at 57 times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily limit on Sunday evening. By dawn Monday, they remained dangerously high, about 39 times above safe levels, with the city enveloped in a thick, acrid haze.
Each year, New Delhi is plagued by heavy smog, largely attributed to stubble burning by farmers in neighboring states, industrial emissions, and vehicular pollution. In response, city authorities have implemented restrictions to prevent further deterioration of air quality.
One such measure is the suspension of physical classes for all students, except those in grades 10 and 12, according to Chief Minister Atishi. “Physical classes shall be discontinued,” she said in a statement issued Sunday evening. Primary schools had already been ordered to halt in-person sessions last Thursday. Additional restrictions, including limits on diesel-powered trucks and construction activities, were also introduced on Monday.
Authorities hope the measures, particularly reducing traffic, will help alleviate pollution levels. The government has also advised vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with lung or heart conditions, to remain indoors as much as possible.
For many residents, however, the situation is dire. Air filters are a luxury for the majority, and most homes lack the means to effectively block out the foul-smelling air. The smog, which is responsible for thousands of premature deaths annually, remains an inescapable reality for millions.
The latest restrictions come as New Delhi and its surrounding areas, home to over 30 million people, consistently rank as the world’s most polluted during winter. Cooler temperatures and stagnant winds trap pollutants, exacerbating the crisis from mid-October through January.
Last month, India’s Supreme Court declared clean air a fundamental human right, directing both central and state governments to take concrete action. Despite such rulings, the recurring winter smog continues to challenge efforts to improve air quality in the capital.