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If it were just fog, these photos from the Indian metropolis of New Delhi would be suitable as a postcard motif.
But it is smog that envelops the city.
New Delhi is among the cities with the worst air quality in the world.
Among other things, the fine dust pollution is many times over the limit values of the World Health Organization WHO - for the city dwellers this is extremely unhealthy.
Ashish Kumar Shukla, Commuter
»I used to go for a walk in the morning, but not anymore because instead of benefiting, I will suffer losses because air pollution is higher in the morning.
So I changed my daily routine.«
One reason for the winter smog in Delhi is that farmers in the surrounding states illegally burn crop residues in order to be able to plant again quickly and cheaply.
Added to this is dust from construction sites, refuse incinerators, exhaust fumes from cars and industry, all of which are trapped in the colder air.
Abhishek Sharan, resident
“We go for a run or a bike ride every morning, but the smog is so thick we can't see what's ahead or what vehicle is coming from behind, especially if they don't turn on their headlights.
Even the India Gate cannot be seen clearly because of the dense smog.
We're having trouble breathing."
The life-threatening air quality is not only forcing the residents of the city to take drastic measures, but also the local authorities.
These banned all private construction projects in the city and the surrounding areas and issued driving restrictions for diesel vehicles.
In addition, water was sprayed in some neighborhoods to purify the air.
The measures are showing success: compared to the previous year, there was a third less burning of harvest residues - and measurements show that the air quality has improved significantly, albeit at a low level.
