New Delhi shuts all primary schools as severe smog grounds flights and obscures Taj Mahal - Non-essential construction has been banned amid severe air quality issues

The Indian capital overtook Lahore as the world's most polluted city, with the smog triggering flight diversions.

India’s government banned non-essential construction in New Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, and urged residents to avoid burning coal for heating, to combat worsening air quality that has disrupted flights and obscured the Taj Mahal.

Toxic smog has recently enveloped Northern India, shrouding the Taj Mahal, 220 km (136 miles) from Delhi, and Sikhism’s Golden Temple in Amritsar. Flights faced significant delays, with up to 88 per cent of departures postponed, while children flooded hospitals with respiratory issues, including asthma, doctors reported.

Thick and toxic smog shrouds India's cities and tourist sites:: November 15, 2024:: New Delhi, India"There are a lot of problems due to pollution. The elderly have difficulty breathing. We get symptoms such as sore throat,

Primary schools ordered to cease in-person classes as air pollution deteriorates to dangerous levels in Indian capital

Air pollution in the Indian capital is more than 50 times what is considered safe by the World Health Organization.

Residents in India's capital New Delhi again woke under a blanket of choking smog on Friday, a day after authorities closed primary schools and imposed measures aimed at alleviating the

India's capital New Delhi ordered all primary schools to cease in-person classes until further notice on Thursday night due to worsening smog in the sprawling megacity.

In response to dangerously high pollution levels, the Delhi government has ordered the closure of all primary schools starting Friday, with classes shifting online until further notice. Chief Minister Atishi made the announcement on social media.