Smog-shrouded Indian capital considers lockdown

Commuters drive in morning haze and toxic smog in New Delhi, India (Manish Swarup/AP)

Authorities in India closed schools indefinitely and shut down some coal-burning power plants on Wednesday to reduce air pollution in the smog-shrouded capital and neighbouring states, as the country considered a lockdown in New Delhi.

The dirty-air crisis in the city of more than 20 million people has underscored India’s heavy dependence on coal, which accounts for 70% of the country’s power.