Delhi Pollution: Physical Classes Suspended For All But Class 10, 12 As GRAP-4 Invoked, CM Atishi Announces

Delhi Pollution: Due to severe air pollution, physical classes have been cancelled for all students except those in Classes 10 and 12.

File Photo of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi

Source : @AtishiAAP

With the imposition of Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced that physical classes will be discontinued for all students, apart from those in Class 10 and 12. "All schools will hold online classes, until further orders," Atishi said in a tweet on Sunday.

"With the imposition of GRAP-4 from tmrw, physical classes shall be discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 and 12. All schools will hold online classes, until further orders," Atishi wrote on X.

With the imposition of GRAP-4 from tmrw, physical classes shall be discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 and 12. All schools will hold online classes, until further orders.

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) November 17, 2024

A detailed order stated, "Now, in pursuance of the above-mentioned order, all the Heads of Govt., Govt. Aided and Unaided Private Recognized Schools of Directorate of Education (DoE), MCD, NDMC & DCB in Delhi are hereby directed to ensure that the physical classes for all students upto class IX and class XI is to be discontinued from 18.11.2024 (Monday) until further orders. Heads of Schools are also directed to ensure classes in online mode for the students of these classes till further orders. Further, physical classes for students of class X & class XII will continue as usual."

Delhi Pollution: CAQM Invokes Stage-IV As AQI Reaches ‘Severe+’ Category

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked measures under Stage-IV (‘Severe+’ Air Quality) after a meeting of the Sub-Committee on Sunday. The emergency meeting was convened to address the alarming rise in pollution levels, attributed to unfavourable meteorological conditions in Delhi-NCR.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Daily AQI Bulletin, Delhi's daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 441 at 4 p.m. on Sunday and rose to 457 by 7 p.m. The Sub-Committee, after reviewing forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), noted the worsening trend in AQI readings. At 6 p.m., the AQI clocked 452 and further escalated to 457 an hour later, IANS reported.

In light of these deteriorating conditions, the Sub-Committee invoked Stage-IV measures from 8 a.m. on November 18. This decision aims to prevent further decline in air quality, with stringent measures applicable across NCR, supplementing the actions already enforced under Stage I, II, and III.

The 8-point action plan under Stage IV includes:

1. Restricting Entry of Trucks: Entry of truck traffic into Delhi will be prohibited, except for those carrying essential commodities or services. LNG/CNG, electric, and BS-VI diesel trucks will be allowed.
   
   
2. Limiting LCVs: Light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, apart from electric, CNG, or BS-VI diesel ones, will be restricted unless carrying essential goods or providing necessary services.
   
   
3. Ban on Older Diesel Vehicles: A strict ban will be enforced on the plying of registered BS-IV and below diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), except those involved in essential services.
   
   
4. Halting Construction Projects: Construction and demolition (C&D) activities for linear public projects such as highways, roads, and power lines will be prohibited.
   
   
5. Decisions on Physical Classes: NCR State Governments and the GNCTD are advised to suspend physical classes for students in Classes VI-IX and XI, with lessons shifting online.
   
   
6. Work-from-Home Measures: Public, municipal, and private offices may operate at 50% strength, with remaining employees working from home.
   
   
7.  Work-from-Home For Union Government Employees: The central government may decide on work-from-home arrangements for its employees.
   
   
8. Emergency Measures: State Governments may consider additional steps like closing colleges, suspending non-essential commercial activities, and implementing vehicle restrictions, such as odd-even schemes.

The CAQM urged NCR residents to comply with the Citizen Charter under GRAP and contribute to air quality improvement efforts. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, are advised to stay indoors as much as possible.