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People jog in the smog: The fine dust pollution is currently many times over the limit values considered acceptable
Photo: RAJAT GUPTA/EPA
The government in the Indian capital New Delhi is closing primary schools in the face of severe air pollution.
The new regulation will apply from Saturday, New Delhi's Prime Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Friday.
It would also consider imposing further measures against the smog, such as allowing only cars with odd and even number plates to drive alternately, Kejriwal said, according to Indian news agency PTI.
Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai called on companies to let their employees work from home.
According to him, this also applies to half of the employees of the local government.
In addition, some diesel vehicles are currently no longer allowed to drive.
Farmers burn crop residues
The fine dust pollution in and around the Indian mega-metropolis is among the highest in the world - and it is particularly bad in winter.
Then farmers in the surrounding states burn crop residues in order to be able to plant again quickly and cheaply.
That is forbidden.
In addition, there are exhaust gases from cars, industry, dust from construction sites and waste incineration.
The fine dust pollution is currently many times above the acceptable limit values of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Despite this, many people in the capital do not see air pollution as a major problem.
Better off people afford air purifiers to keep the air in their homes clean.
Local authorities regularly announce plans to fight air pollution - but with little effect.
swe/dpa/afp
