Delhi Pollution: As Delhi's AQI Worsens, CM Atishi Makes Important Announcement Regarding Schools

As Delhi's air quality dropped to 'severe', Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced that all primary schools in the national capital would be shifted to online modules. In a post on X, Atishi said that the online sessions will continue till further directions. No formal announcements have been made on whether Delhi schools will remain closed due to pollution levels in the city. 

Delhi Pollution: GRAP III norms to be applicable in Delhi from November 15

"Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions," Atishi said in her post.

The Chief Minister's post regarding the shifting of schools to online modules came even as the quality of air in the national capital reached a 'hazardous' level, compelling the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to impose tighter GRAP-3 restrictions. GRAP 3 norms will be applicable in NCR from 8 am on Friday, November 15.

As a part of the GRAP 3 norms, all the construction activities in the city will be halted. Petrol vehicles from older emission norms BS-III and diesel vehicles in the BS-IV category will be barred in NCR. Some of the other measures under the GRAP 3 module include - Further intensification of the the frequency of mechanised/ vacuum-based sweeping of roads. 

Ensure daily water sprinkling along with dust suppressants, before peak traffic hours, on roads and right of ways including hotspots, and heavy traffic corridors and ensure proper disposal of the collected dust in designated sites/ landfills, differential rates to encourage off-peak travel among others. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's average AQI stood at 432 as of Wednesday, November 13.