New Delhi: As pollution levels in Delhi have surged over the past few weeks, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi NCR, starting Monday. This action came after Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 441 by 4 PM on Sunday and climbed to 457 by 7 PM, leading to an emergency meeting of the GRAP Sub-Committee.
Under Stage IV of GRAP, truck traffic entry into Delhi is restricted, allowing only those carrying essential goods and services, and all construction and demolition activities have been banned. In response to the pollution crisis, the Delhi government has mandated online classes for all students except those in classes 10 and 12. School heads have been instructed to continue online instruction for students in those grades until further notice, while physical classes for students in classes 10 and 12 will proceed as normal.
Raju Lal, a parent with two children, expressed concern, stating, “My two children study here, one in class 9 and the other in class 10. I dropped the one studying in class 10 at school. The child studying in class 9 has online classes… Pollution affects children more.” Meanwhile, a thick layer of smog has settled over Gurugram as air quality worsens.
In light of the deteriorating air conditions, the Nuh Administration in Haryana has announced school holidays for grades up to Class 5 from November 18 to November 22, according to an official order. The District Elementary Education Officer of Nuh directed that this closure applies to all government, semi-government, and private schools in the district, instructing all Block Education Officers to strictly enforce the order in their respective areas.