Delhi BJP Demands Closure Of All Schools As AQI Surges To 'Severe' Level, Slams AAP

According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) real-time data at 4 PM, Delhi's air quality reached the "severe" category with an AQI of 418.

As thick smog blankets Delhi and the air quality continues to deteriorate, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday asked the Delhi government to urgently order the closure of all schools up to Class five. The BJP also hit out at the AAP over the worsening air pollution situation, claiming the city has become a gas chamber.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) real-time data at 4 PM, Delhi's air quality reached the "severe" category with an AQI of 418. Earlier at 9 AM, the aur quality had reached 366 as per the CPCB data. The national capital experienced the season's first dense fog on Wednesday, with "very poor" air quality in the morning.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva stated that the AAP government in Delhi should shut down both private and government schools up to class five for children's safety in view of the hazardous air quality. The severe air pollution in the city particularly affects the elderly and the children the most.

Slamming the AAP over the city's condition, Sachdeva said that the Delhi government has "completely failed" to control pollution, adding the PM 2.5 levels have crossed 400, and PM 10 levels have crossed 1,000, news agency PTI reported.

"Delhi has become a gas chamber where everyone is coughing and complaining of trouble in breathing," he said.

The Delhi BJP president also hit out at the AAP government over lack of government clinics offering medication to counter the harmful effects of pollution on people's health. He demanded immediate arrangements must be made to provide the required medicines to people to guard them against pollution. 

Due to the smog and air pollution, at least 10 flights were diverted on Wednesday since 7 AM. These included six flights to Jaipur and one to Lucknow. India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that zero-metre visibility was recorded at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 8.30 AM, while the Runway Visual Range ranged between 125 and 500 metres at various locations.

The second stage of the Graded Response Action Plan has been implemented in the national capital. Under this, dust control measures are implented at construction and demolition sites and water sprinkling and mechanical sweeping is done on identified roads.