Delhi air pollution: Delhi schools shift to hybrid mode till class 5 as AQI reaches ‘severe’ category
The decision follows after alarming readings from pollution monitoring systems that placed Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) well above 400 in several parts of the city on Tuesday morning.
The central government on Tuesday enforced stricter anti-pollution curbs under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and its adjoining NCR areas after the city’s air quality once again plunged into the ‘severe’ category. Under the new restrictions, authorities have intensified checks on construction activities, waste burning, and vehicular emissions. Government agencies have also been instructed to step up mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on roads to control dust.
As part of precautionary measures, schools across Delhi have been asked to switch to hybrid learning for classes up to Grade 5, allowing students to attend lessons online to avoid exposure to toxic air. Several schools have additionally curtailed outdoor sports, assemblies, and other open-air activities for senior students until the air quality improves.
“All government schools, government-aided, unaided recognised private schools of DoE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board are asked to conduct classes in hybrid mode, i.e., both in physical and online mode, with immediate effect,” the notification read.
The decision follows alarming readings from pollution monitoring systems that placed Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) well above 400 in several parts of the city on Tuesday morning. Officials said enforcement teams are already on the ground to ensure compliance with the GRAP Stage III measures, which include bans on non-essential construction and demolition work, restrictions on diesel generator use, and stricter traffic management.
What does Stage III of GRAP actually enforce?
Under the new directives, all non-essential construction and demolition activities have been halted, except for critical infrastructure projects such as those related to healthcare, metro rail, national security, and railways.
Industries and brick kilns that are not operating on approved clean fuels will also remain shut until further notice. In addition, diesel generators have been banned for all non-emergency uses, while BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are barred from operating in Delhi and adjoining NCR districts.
To curb dust pollution, civic agencies have been instructed to intensify mechanised road sweeping, water sprinkling, and dust suppression on major corridors. Authorities have also reiterated the ban on open waste burning, which continues to be a major contributor to local particulate pollution.
In a bid to cut vehicular emissions, the government has issued work-from-home advisories for both government and private offices, urging them to reduce employee commuting and vehicle use.
Officials said the restrictions would remain in place until a consistent improvement in air quality is recorded. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is expected to review the situation later this week.
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