New Delhi: The air quality in the national capital continued to deteriorate on Thursday morning as a thin blanket of smog covered parts of the city, reducing visibility and the quality of air touching
New Delhi: The air quality in the national capital continued to deteriorate on Thursday morning as a thin blanket of smog covered parts of the city, reducing visibility and the quality of air touching a low level of air quality index (AQI). The Air Quality Index in the national capital was recorded at 379 on Thursday morning(8:00 AM) as per the data issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Furthermore, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has amended the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), introducing stricter measures to address escalating pollution air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).
As per the revisions, it will now be compulsory for NCR states to discontinue physical classes up to Class V under GRAP Stage III and up to Class XII under GRAP Stage IV. This marks an important policy shift, removing the discretionary power earlier held by state governments. The amended GRAP also includes a new directive under Stage III, requiring state governments to implement staggered timings for public offices and municipal bodies to reduce traffic congestion and associated emissions. Under GRAP Stage IV, a “mask advisory” has been introduced, urging individuals to wear masks when stepping outdoors during periods of hazardous air quality.
Earlier on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced that physical classes shall be suspended for classes 10 and 12, amid the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, and stated that all studies will be shifted online. “From tmrw physical classes shall be suspended for Class 10 and 12 as well, and all studies will be shifted online,” read her post.
“In view of the prevailing severe air quality and high AQI levels in Delhi, all Heads of Government, Government-Aided, and Unaided Private Recognized Schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE), MCD, NDMC, and DCB are hereby directed to discontinue physical classes for all students of all classes including class X and class XII until further orders. Further, classes for all students are to be conducted in online mode till further orders. Additionally, the Heads of Schools are instructed to ensure the dissemination of this information to the parents of the students immediately,” reads the order published on November 18 by the Education Department, Government of NCT of Delhi.
Colleges such as Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU), Delhi University, and Jamia Millia Islamia have decided to conduct classes online till November 22 and November 23, 2024 respectively. However, Jamia Millia Islamia clarified that the schedules for examinations and interviews will remain unchanged.
For Delhi University, the regular classes in physical mode are to resume from November 25. Sharing a circular dated November 18, the University of Delhi wrote, “The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi & NCR has deteriorated to an alarmingly high index. In the larger interest of students of the Colleges and the Departments of the University of Delhi, it has been decided that the classes shall be conducted in Online Mode till Saturday the 23rd November, 2024.”
Meanwhile, Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI) University announced on Tuesday,” The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi & NCR has deteriorated to an alarmingly high index. In the larger interest of students of the University, it has been decided that the classes shall be conducted in Online Mode till Saturday the 23rd November, 2024.” Regular classes in physical mode shall resume from Monday, the 25th November 2024, the University added. Meanwhile, the varsity clarified that the schedules for examinations and interviews will remain unchanged.
“Regular classes in physical mode to resume from Monday the 25th November 2024. The schedule of examinations and interviews shall remain unchanged. This is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority,” the notification added.
The GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) is a set of measures designed to combat air pollution in Delhi and its surrounding regions, with actions tailored to the severity of the air quality. Restrictions under GRAP III and IV are implemented when the air quality becomes severe
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