New Delhi: In response to the escalating pollution levels, Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Thursday the temporary closure of both government and private primary schools for the next two days.
October witnessed a distressing deterioration in Delhi’s air quality, marking the most severe conditions since 2020. Several regions in Delhi-NCR have seen the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceed the ‘Severe’ category.
Earlier, the Central Pollution Control Panel implemented Stage III restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Thursday.
These measures include a ban on non-essential construction activities and recommendations to limit the use of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel 4-wheelers. Additionally, state governments have been advised to consider discontinuing in-person classes for children up to the fifth grade, as outlined in the order issued.
Additionally, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called a meeting of all concerned departments on Friday. Strict implementation of GRAP-3 will be discussed in the meeting.