Schools, Colleges In Delhi-NCR To Remain Shut, WFH To Continue As AQI Is Set To Turn Severe
Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in Delhi and NCR which were asked to stop offline classes for a week due to the worsening air quality will remain shut until further notice.
The Centre¡¯s panel on air pollution has ordered that teaching will be held only through online classes from Wednesday.
This is one of the several measures the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recommended on Tuesday as the air pollution levels in the national capital and adjoining cities remain alarming.
NCR state governments have been directed to allow work from home (WFH) for at least 50 percent of their staff in offices in NCR till Sunday and encourage private establishments to follow suit.
What the panel said
The panel further said that all industries in NCR still using unapproved fuels shall be closed by respective governments with immediate effect... NCR States and GNCTD shall enforce a strict ban on the use of DG sets, except for emergency services.
Authorities in NCR have been ordered to ensure that no diesel and petrol vehicles older than 10 years and 15 years, respectively, are found plying on road.
The commission directed Delhi and the NCR states to stop construction and demolition activities in the region till November 21, barring railway services/railway stations, metro rail corporation services, including stations, airports and inter-state bus terminals (ISBTS) and national security/defence-related activities/ projects of national importance subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules and dust control norms.
Trucks banned from entering Delhi till Sunday
Trucks carrying non-essential items have been banned from entering Delhi till Sunday in a bid to contain the spiraling air pollution levels.
It also said that only five of the 11 thermal power plants located within 300 km radius of Delhi NTPC, Jhajjar; Mahatma Gandhi TPS, CLP Jhajjar; Panipat TPS, HPGCL; Nabha Power Ltd. TPS, Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo TPS, Mansa will remain operational till November 30.
The commission has also directed five states to submit a compliance report before November 22 to the commission and directions will be closely monitored by Chief Secretary of NCR states, GNCTD regularly.
Schools back to online mode
Earlier, following the Supreme Court's direction to take immediate steps to bring down the air pollution, including a lockdown in the city, the Delhi government had asked schools to switch back to online classes for a week and allowed government officials to work from home. Private companies were also encouraged to allow WFH for their employees.
Meanwhile, the AQI in Delhi continued to be in the 'very poor' category for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday.
As per the data from the Central Pollution Control Board, air quality index (AQI) at 7 am stood at 379.
However, with low surface winds, the AQI is projected to deteriorate further to 'severe' for the next few days.
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