Delhi has some lessons to learn! Here’s how 7 global cities tackled foul air quality and smog

New Delhi is already among the world's most polluted cities and the toxic air hanging in the air, due to smoke from firecrackers and crops burnt in nearby states, has made the condition worse.

A thick blanket of smog engulfed Delhi-NCR and triggered emergency-like situation, forcing schools and colleges to shut down and triggering several health warnings.

Several people in Delhi are at risks of respiratory problems and the Delhi government has issued several health warnings, asking people to wear masks and stay indoors.

The situation is so bad that many environmentalists have compared the smog in Delhi with the Great Smog in London in 1952.

In 1952, about 4,000 people in London had died prematurely when average PM levels were about 500 microgramme per cubic metre along with high SO2 levels.

Currently, the Central Pollution Control Board stated the levels of PM in Delhi were 2.5, tiny particulate matter that reaches deep into the lungs, more than doubled within a few hours to 750 micrograms per cubic meter in the city's worst affected parts.

Even after ranked as one of the pollution cities, there is no ‘red alert’ for rising pollution levels and the state and Union government, too have no measures in place to reduce smog.

Whereas, cities in other countries have several ways to reduce smog. Here are few cities that tackle smog and take preventive measures even before toxic air hangs in air.

(Images: Reuters)