As Delhi deals with worsening air quality, the city’s schools have been told to stop holding regular classes, except for those in the 10th and 12th grades. The decision came from Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, and it means that schools will stay closed until November 10.
A Response to the Bad Air Quality
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, Minister Gopal Rai, says this is because the air is very dirty, and that’s why they told schools not to have regular classes until November 10, except for students in the 10th and 12th grades.
Work from Home Order for Government and Private Offices
Minister Gopal Rai has not limited his response to the education sector alone. He has also called upon government and private offices in Delhi to implement a work-from-home arrangement for 50 percent of their staff. The details of this work arrangement are yet to be finalized.
The people in charge of air quality have made a strong move to reduce air pollution. They’ve put into action Stage IV of a plan called GRAP in the whole National Capital Region (NCR). This quick decision is meant to stop the air quality from getting worse.
In Stage IV of GRAP, some significant actions are taken to fight air pollution
- Trucks are not allowed to enter Delhi, but there are exceptions for trucks carrying important things like essential goods or services, as well as trucks using clean fuels like LNG, CNG, or electricity.
- Diesel-powered Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registered in Delhi cannot operate in the city unless they are carrying essential goods or providing essential services.
On Monday morning, the pollution levels were seven to eight times higher than what the government says is safe. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm daily, has worsened from 415 on Saturday to 454 on Sunday.
Delhi’s battle against air pollution is reaching critical levels, and the government is taking decisive steps to protect the health and well-being of its residents. The reintroduction of Stage IV of GRAP demonstrates a commitment to addressing this pressing issue. The citizens of Delhi must cooperate with these measures for the good of the city and its environment.
