Delhi Air Quality update: Schools resume in capital after GRAP-3 withdrawn, average AQI jumps to…

Delhi Air Quality update: Schools across Delhi resumed offline classes on Thursday, day after GRAP-3 restrictions were revoked in the national capital, following an improvement in air quality levels over the past three days.

Delhi schools resume physical classes

According to a circular issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE), guidelines for switching to hybrid classes have been revoked for all schools, private and state-run, and all institutions will be now be required to hold physical classes with immediate effect.

“All government, government-aided, unaided recognised private schools of the DoE, NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board are informed that the hybrid mode is hereby revoked. All classes are to be held in physical mode with immediate effect,” the circular reads, adding that heads of schools have been directed to inform students, staff, and parents about the change, as per the circular.

Earlier, schools across Delhi had been asked to switch to hybrid mode for up to Class 5 after GRAP-3 curbs were imposed in the capital city due to deuterating air quality.

GRAP-3 curbs revoked

On Wednesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage-3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after Delhi air quality showed improvement. According to the CAQM, its Sub-Committee on the GRAP reviewed the air quality situation and noted the recent improvement, leading to the withdrawal of the November 11 directions that had triggered the Stage-3 measures.

However, restrictions under the revised GRAP Stage-1 and Stage-2, will remain in force, and will be strictly monitored to ensure air quality does not deteriorate  in Delhi-NCR, it said.

Delhi air quality remains ‘very poor’

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the “very poor” category with an average AQI of 377 recorded at 4 pm on Thursday, ccording to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The national capital has witnessed hazardous air quality over the past few weeks, and AQI levels are unlikely to improve in the coming days as forecasts by the India(BHARAT) Meteorological Department (IMD) and India(BHARAT)n Institute of Tropical Meteorology have suggested that the city’s air quality will remain in the “very poor” category over the next few days.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”, according to CPCB standards.