Smog in New Delhi: 'I miss breathing'

Not much can be seen of the India Gate monument, the landmark of New Delhi. Like the rest of the city, the 40-meter-high (131 feet) triumphal arch is shrouded in thick smog. On Tuesday, India's government imposed stricter measures against air pollution in the capital after particulate matter pollution had deteriorated to a "serious" level.

Despite the high levels of particulate matter pollution, this school class is being taught outside on the banks of the Yamuna River. Delhi's air quality index was above 400 on Tuesday, placing it in the "poor" category; values below 50 are considered "good." To prevent further deterioration, non-essential construction work has been banned, and restrictions have also been imposed on industry.

The measure follows a protest action over the weekend when hundreds of people demonstrated at India Gate on Sunday against political inaction and demanded effective measures against air pollution. "The state is poisoning us," "Smog isn`t a season," or, as this sign reads, "I miss breathing," were some of the slogans on the posters.

Every autumn, air pollution in northern India rises to toxic levels. Exhaust fumes from vehicles and factories, dust from construction sites, the burning of stubble fields, and emissions from heating systems make it difficult for Delhi`s inhabitants to breathe. Fireworks during the Diwali festival of lights, lack of wind, and low temperatures further exacerbate the problem in the winter months.

Many concerned parents like this man took part in the protest over the weekend. Frustration is growing in India's capital with politicians who are accused of blaming each other instead of taking action against the air pollution. The police broke up the gathering, confiscated posters, and arrested dozens of participants, saying that no permit had been issued for the demonstration.

Scooter riders wear face masks to protect themselves from the toxic air. The smog causes headaches and persistent coughs for many residents of this metropolis of 30 million. Experts blame particulate matter pollution for countless premature deaths in the metropolitan area. According to the Switzerland-based air quality monitoring database IQAir, Delhi is the most polluted capital in the world.

PM2.5 levels — carcinogenic microparticles that can enter the bloodstream — sometimes rise to 60 times the UN limits in Delhi. At such levels, it is recommended to keep windows closed and avoid outdoor activities. And it is not just the capital that is affected: Six of the 10 most polluted cities in the world are in India.