Delhi Air Pollution: Schools to remain closed till November 10

NEW DELHI: The Education minister of Delhi Atishi has announced that schools in the union territory will remain closed November 10. The decision has been taken as the air quality index (AQI) continues to deteriorate in Delhi-NCR.

Atishi, in a post on X, said, “As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed.” The ministry have allowed the schools to shift to online teaching for Classes 6 to 12.

As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed till 10th November.

For Grade 6-12, schools are being given the option of shifting to online classes.

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) November 5, 2023

Earlier, the Delhi government had ordered to close primary schools on November 3 and 4 in view of rising pollution levels, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had made the announcement on Thursday night.

The air quality index deteriorated in the Capital from 415 at 4 pm on Saturday to 460 at 7 am on Sunday. Under the centre's air pollution control plan, all emergency measures, including a ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all types of construction, are mandated to be initiated and enforced in the NCR if the AQI crosses the 450-mark.

The concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory system and triggering health problems, exceeded the government-prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by seven to eight times at multiple locations throughout Delhi-NCR.

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It was 80 to 100 times the healthy limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter set by the WHO. Air quality in Delhi-NCR declined over the past week due to a gradual drop in temperatures, calm winds that trap pollution, and a surge in post-harvest paddy straw burning across Punjab and Haryana.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board shows that Delhi's air quality index increased by over 200 points between October 27 and November 3, culminating in a descent into the 'severe plus' category (above 450) on Friday. (With input from PTI)