Delhi's Primary Schools Shut, Online Classes Back As City Battles Thick Smog Cover

New Delhi: All primary schools in Delhi will shift to online classes in view of rising air pollution till further directions from the government, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi informed on Thursday. The national capital has seen a sudden surge in air pollution leading to an alarming rise in the smog level and deteriorating air quality in the last two days.The Delhi government order on closure of schools reads, “...All the Heads of Govt., Govt. Aided and Unaided Private Recognized Schools of Directorate of Education (DoE), MCD, NDMC &amp; DCB in Delhi are directed to discontinue physical classes in schools for children up to Class V. Heads of Schools are hereby directed to ensure classes in online mode for the students of these classes till further orders.”Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions.— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) November 14, 2024 Meanwhile, Delhi Metro in view of the implementation of GRAP-III from 8 AM tomorrow, 20 extra trips (in addition to 40 already in place since GRAP-II was implemented) will be inducted into services on weekdays starting tomorrow. Thus, 60 extra trips will be preformed by Delhi Metro on weekdays till GRAP-III remains in place.Change in wind direction puts Delhi under thick cover of smog, triggers GRAP stage 3With the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi worsening and hovering in the severe category, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked stage three of the anti-pollution plan GRAP.GRAP stage 3 involved a complete halt on construction and demolition work except for essential government projects, mining and stone crushing and aban on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and surrounding areas.The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR) is classified under four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi: Stage I -- 'poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II -- 'very poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III -- 'severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV -- 'severe plus' (AQI &amp;gt;450).The CAQM Sub-Committee, after an urgent review meeting on November 14, noted that since November 13, the AQI in Delhi had remained firmly in the "Severe" range, with forecasts indicating that it could stay at the higher end of the "Very Poor" category in the coming days."The Sub-Committee decided that ALL actions as envisaged under Stage III of the GRAP-'Severe' Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450) be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned in the NCR, in addition to the Stage-I and II actions already in force, from 8:OO A.M. of 15th November, 2o24 in the National Capital Region (NCR)," the CAQM order read.This year, Stage III has been invoked much later than in 2023, when it was activated on November 2nd. The action plan, effective across the entire NCR, will supplement ongoing Stage-I and Stage-II measures already in place.The 11-point action plan under Stage III includes increased road sweeping, intensified water sprinkling with dust suppressants in high-traffic areas, and enhanced public transport services with differential pricing to encourage off-peak travel.Additionally, a strict ban has been imposed on dust-generating construction and demolition activities, with only essential projects related to national security, healthcare, and public infrastructure allowed to continue under strict environmental controls.Polluting industries, including stone crushers and mining operations, will be shut down, and there will be restrictions on the movement of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and neighbouring districts.Interstate buses not meeting environmental standards will also be barred from entering the city. Authorities are also considering switching to online classes for children up to Class V to reduce exposure to harmful air quality.The CAQM has urged citizens to follow the guidelines under Stage III, including choosing cleaner modes of transport, working from home when possible, and avoiding the use of coal and wood for heating. The CAQM appealed for public cooperation in ensuring the successful implementation of these measures to reduce the health risks posed by the severe pollution in the region.A dense layer of smog enveloped the national capital as the pollution levels continued to rise. The AQI level in Delhi at 1 pm was 425, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).With inputs from ANI

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Delhi's Primary Schools Shut, Online Classes Back As City Battles Thick Smog Cover

All primary schools in Delhi will shift to online classes in view of rising air pollution till further directions from the government.

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