Delhi pollution: Primary schools to switch to online classes, announces CM

The announcement comes hours after the Delhi government imposed GRAP 3 curbs in Delhi amid ‘severe’ AQI.

Updated on: Nov 14, 2024, 21:11:44 IST

By HT News Desk

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Amid worsening air quality, Delhi chief minister Atishi on Thursday announced that primary schools in the national capital will switch to online classes.

School students at Delhi's India Gate on Wednesday. (ANI)

“Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions,” the chief minister said in a post on X.

The announcement came hours after the Delhi government announced that the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), meant for reducing air pollution, would come into effect on Friday morning.

The GRAP Stage III curbs include a ban on construction and demolition activities and plying of BS-lll petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles.

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 >450).

Also Read | GRAP 3 curbs in Delhi amid ‘severe’ AQI | What's allowed, what's not

The air quality in the capital remained in the "severe" category for a second consecutive day on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Delhi reported the worst AQI in the country, with the air quality turning 'severe' for the first time this season.

Earlier today, Delhi's environment minister, Gopal Rai, attributed the worsening air quality to a combination of calm winds and a drop in temperature that caused the pollutants to remain trapped in the air.

Addressing a press conference, Rai said that there had been a change in the weather pattern during the past two days. He added that wind speeds are expected to pick up between Friday and Saturday, which should help reduce pollution levels in the city.

Also Read | Weather, saviour against Delhi pollution until now, turns rogue

"…It is predicted that there will be a decrease in the level of pollution due to rising temperatures… Overall, there is a chance that the level of pollution which was increased, will get decreased," Rai was quoted as saying by ANI.

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HT News Desk
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