Primary schools in Delhi to close Starting Saturday due to Air Pollution; Government considering “Odd-Even” Policy

Air quality in the nation’s capital dropped to “hazardous” levels on Friday, prompting the Delhi government to order the closure of all elementary schools in the city from 5^th November onwards. Secondary and advanced placement classes will continue as scheduled, however students will not be allowed to participate in any outdoor activities.

Air quality in the nation’s capital dropped to “hazardous” levels on Friday, prompting the Delhi government to order the closure of all elementary schools in the city. Secondary and advanced placement classes will continue as scheduled, however students will not be allowed to participate in any outdoor activities. During news conferences, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann both accepted blame for the recent deterioration in air quality, which they attribute to extensive stubble burning.

Implementation of GRAP Stage 4 has been mandated by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). As of Thursday, the air quality panel in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) has stopped all public construction projects. The panel also noted that it is up to the discretion of the federal and state governments to allow employees to work remotely.

• First, all vehicles must be banned from entering Delhi unless they are transporting critical goods or providing necessary services.
• The use of diesel-powered Medium Goods Vehicles (MGV) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) registered in Delhi is prohibited within the city limits of Delhi unless the vehicles are transporting emergency supplies or providing life-saving services.
• BS-VI cars and vehicles utilised for essential / emergency services are exempt from the ban on plying in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the districts of the National Capital Region adjoining Delhi.
• Stop all production in the National Capital Region (NCR), including in places without PNG infrastructure and supplies where factories are still using non-approved fuels.
• Prohibit construction and demolition of public linear projects. This includes roads, highways, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission lines, pipelines, etc.
• The NCR State Governments and the GNCTD will have to make a call on whether or not to let government, municipal, and private offices operate with half their usual staff and have the other half work from home.
• The Federal Government may make a policy change to allow remote work for federal employees.
• Additional emergency measures, such as the closure of schools and universities, the suspension of all but essential business operations, and the regulation of car commuting to every other day, may be considered by state governments.