After Noida, Delhi's Primary Schools To Be Shut Over Rising Pollution Levels

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced that primary schools in the national capital would be shut from Saturday.

Representative image.

File Photo.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, 4 November, announced that primary schools in the national capital would be closed from Saturday, 5 November, over the poor Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city.

In a press conference with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal also said that outdoor activities for Classes 5 to 8 would be restricted until air quality in the city improves.

As per AQI.in, New Delhi's AQI at 12.18 pm on Friday was 419, which is considered 'hazardous'.

This comes a day after Noida's District Collector ordered that the city's schools be shut for Classes 1-8 and that online classes be held till 8 November. The order recommended that classes for students of grades 9-12 also be held online.

On Wednesday, 3 November, stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was also implemented by the Centre in New Delhi to curb pollution levels. Under this, diesel-powered vehicles and vehicles with BS4 engines will not be allowed to enter Delhi.

Other than that, medium goods vehicles and heavy goods vehicles will also be banned from the city. Only vehicles with BS6 engines, CNG vehicles, and commercial vehicles will be allowed entry.