New Delhi: In the wake of the city’s air quality remaining in ‘very poor’ category, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and state BJP have asked the Delhi government to shut all schools till pollution in the national capital subsides.
Taking to Twitter, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo wrote in Hindi, “The safety of school children is a matter of concern due to the dangerous level of pollution in Delhi, so far the state government of Delhi has not taken any decision on this. Children are in the wrath of toxic air in schools, and in playgrounds. This negligence is wrong. NCPCR is issuing a notice.”
The apex child rights body said it had taken a serious view of the matter and expressed concern over the 'severe' air quality adversely impacting the health of children.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP Chief Adesh Gupta has written to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena urging him to shut all the schools and allow the students to take online classes in the wake of rising air pollution.
It is to be noted that the air quality in Delhi continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday morning, as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city stood at 354.
Noida, which is part of the national capital region (NCR), slipped to an AQI of 406, and continued to remain in the ‘severe’ category, while Gurugram’s AQI stood at 346, while it continued to remain in the ‘very poor category, according to the data released by SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) India.
Narela in North West Delhi reported highest AQI at 571 on Tuesday. Currently, most of the stations in the capital have an AQI above 300, except a few like Mandir Marg in central Delhi.