Smog in Delhi equal to 50 fags a day

new delhi — Pollution in the Indian capital hit a dangerous level on Tuesday, putting residents at risk, forcing the closure of schools, and bringing calls from doctors for the city’s half marathon to be cancelled.

Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the city had once become a “gas chamber”. Schools for younger children were ordered shut on Wednesday and all outdoor activity at high schools suspended. A thick fog that hung over the sprawling city worsened conditions. Residents complained of smarting eyes and irritation in the throat.

In some parts of Delhi, the air quality was so poor that it was beyond the maximum level, according to the US Embassy’s real-time air quality index. It stood at 999 for RK Puram area beyond which no readings are available. That level is equal to smoking 50 cigarettes a day, Dr Arvind Kumar, chairman for chest surgery at Sir Ganga Ram hospital, said. —

> Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said he has asked Education Minister Manish Sisodia to consider closing down of city schools due to pollution. > Authorities on Tuesday hiked vehicle parking fees by four times in Delhi in a bid to curb worsening air quality in the capital as the high-pollution winter months kicked in. > The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Tuesday ordered over 15,000 masks for its personnel deployed at IGI Airport, Delhi Metro and other government installations in Delhi and NCR region and said they would be provided prompt medical assistance in case of breathing trouble. > The half marathon to be held on November 19 may be cancelled in view of the pollution. > Unprecedented pollution levels this time last year forced schools to shut as authorities scrambled to contain the crisis.