Authorities in New Delhi closed primary schools and imposed vehicle and construction restrictions on Friday, as air pollution levels in the Indian capital remained “severe”.
The government-run Central Pollution Control Board said air quality readings in parts of the city were above 400, the threshold to be considered "severe". Swiss technology company IQAir, which analyses global pollution data, reported a score of 856.
Thick toxic smog has blanketed the city in recent weeks, with visibility dropping to 400 metres in at least two areas. New Delhi's satellite cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Gurgaon, were also affected by the smog.
Experts say an air quality reading between 400 and 500 on the government's scale is equal to smoking 25 cigarettes a day. Authorities said the level of PM 2.5 – fine particles in the air blamed for lung and heart diseases – reached 494 microns per cubic metre, almost 100 times more than the World Health Organisation's safe limit.
Pollution in the Indian capital reached severe levels on Thursday, prompting authorities to impose restrictions. Delhi interim Chief Minister Atishi announced that in-person lessons at primary schools were suspended until further notice.
“Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions,” she said on X.
The Commission for Air Quality Management, the federal air pollution monitoring agency, announced a ban on construction and demolition activities and imposed restrictions on the use of certain petrol and diesel vehicles in New Delhi and its satellite cities. Those found to have breached the order faced fines of 20,000 rupees ($236).
The use of diesel generators, except in emergencies, has also been halted. Authorities will also increase road sweeping and spray water on major routes to suppress dust levels.
New Delhi struggles with toxic air pollution throughout the year, with smog created by vehicle emissions, dust from construction work and industrial pollution. Research by the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi found that vehicle emissions generate half of the city’s air pollution.
Section 375
Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadha, Meera Chopra & Rahul Bhat
Director: Ajay Bahl
Producers: Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak & SCIPL
Rating: 3.5/5
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
STAGE
1 . Filippo Ganna (Ineos) - 0:13:56
2. Stefan Bissegger (Education-Nippo) - 0:00:14
3. Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:21
4. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:24
5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) - 0:00:30
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 4:00:05
2. Joao Almeida (QuickStep) - 0:00:05
3. Mattia Cattaneo (QuickStep) - 0:00:18
4. Chris Harper (Jumbo-Visma) - 0:00:33
5. Adam Yates (Ineos) - 0:00:39
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
