With Delhi and the NCR region facing severe air pollution levels, schools in Delhi and NCR have been closed and shifted to online classes for all students up to Class 12. The decision came after Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan was invoked in the NCR. This move has been followed by Tamil Nadu as well, with schools in five districts being closed due to heavy rainfall. However, the University of Delhi has refuted a fake circular announcing a winter holiday.
The Centre's pollution watchdog has revised the Graded Response Action Plan, mandating the closure of schools in Delhi and NCR districts under Stages 3 and 4. This decision was previously left to the discretion of state governments, but now the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has made it mandatory for Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar. This move comes after the Supreme Court's reprimand of CAQM for delaying the implementation of Stages 3 and 4 and emphasizing the immediate need for school closures across NCR.
With Delhi facing severe air pollution, the Delhi Metro has achieved a new milestone by carrying a record high of 78.67 lakh passengers on November 18. The Yellow Line saw the highest number of passengers at 20.99 lakh, followed by the Blue Line at 20.80 lakh. This increase in ridership is attributed to efforts by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to reduce private vehicle usage and improve air quality. Additionally, the DMRC is making extra trips during weekdays and passengers no longer have to stand in long queues for tickets.
The city of Delhi continues to struggle with severe air pollution, leading to an alarming rise in toxicity levels. The worsening weather conditions and reduced visibility are causing disruptions in daily life, with flight delays and slower road traffic. The authorities have implemented a new plan to combat the pollution, including school closures and advisories for residents. Stay updated on the latest news and weather updates through various media outlets and be prepared to take precautions to protect your health.
As Delhi recorded an AQI of 493 on November 18, 2024, authorities have directed all schools to move classes online and have tightened restrictions on construction and vehicle movements. The level of PM2.5 in Delhi was 26 times higher than the WHO's limit, leading to the use of an anti-smog gun on a multi-purpose vehicle in an effort to reduce air pollution. With nine stations reporting an AQI of 500, the situation is even worse than the recorded 493.
The Supreme Court is set to address the pressing issue of air pollution in Delhi as the city records an AQI of 481, placing it in the 'severe' category. The court is acting on a plea raised by Senior Advocate Aprajita Singh, who has emphasized the urgency of the situation. The government has implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan, which includes restrictions on construction and demolition activities and possible implementation of Odd-Even restrictions.
As winter sets in, North India is facing a hazardous rise in air pollution, with several cities recording ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ air quality. Delhi, the nation’s capital, is currently covered in thick smog, causing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to reach dangerous levels. In response, the Delhi administration has implemented anti-pollution measures and advised vulnerable populations to limit outdoor activities. While some cities, such as Patna and Lucknow, also faced ‘very poor’ air quality, others like Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad saw ‘moderate’ or even ‘satisfactory’ levels.
As the Delhi-NCR is engulfed in a thick layer of toxic smog, the CM of Delhi announced the discontinuation of physical classes for all students except Classes 10 and 12. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided to implement an 8-point action plan under Stage-IV of the GRAP, including stricter restrictions on polluting vehicles and activities. The decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some applauding the move and others facing difficulties with the sudden shift to online education.
The Delhi Traffic Police has started cracking down on violators of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III in the national capital. On the first day of the ban on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles, around 550 challans were issued with a total fine of over Rs 1 crore. Additionally, 4,855 vehicles were also fined for not having a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). The ban also extends to inter-state buses from NCR cities into Delhi. Traffic police have intensified checking and returned over 300 prohibited vehicles, prosecuting those without PUCC certificates. This comes as the city faces severe air pollution levels and the Delhi government implements restrictions under stage III of the GRAP.
With the air quality in Delhi remaining in a 'severe' category for the past five days, the Centre's panel has decided to impose stage-4 restrictions under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from Monday. These measures will include a discontinuation of physical classes for all students except for class 10 and 12, and implementing online classes until further notice. This decision comes after the air quality index (AQI) crossed the 450-mark, prompting the authorities to take stricter anti-pollution measures.