Delhi Schools Closed: CM Atishi Says Physical Classes To Be Discontinued For All Students, Except Class 10, 12

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced on Sunday that physical classes for students, except those in Classes 10 and 12, will be halted. This decision follows a significant decline in Delhi's air quality, which reached a 'severe-plus' level. Consequently, GRAP-4 restrictions have been enforced in the city. The CAQM has advised online education for students in Classes 6 to 9 and Class 11.

"With the imposition of GRAP-4 from tomorrow, physical classes shall be discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 and 12. All schools will hold online classes, until further orders," Atishi wrote on X.

GRAP Stage-4 Restrictions

The Centre's air quality panel has implemented stricter pollution control measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR. These measures, effective from Monday at 8 am, include banning truck entry and pausing construction at public projects. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued this directive as Delhi's AQI worsened.

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 441 by 4 pm and increased to 468 by 8 pm due to adverse weather conditions. As per the order, trucks are not permitted entry into Delhi unless they carry essential goods or use clean fuel like LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric. Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi are also banned unless they are EVs or run on CNG and BS-VI diesel.

Impact on Transportation

The panel stated that BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi are prohibited unless involved in essential services. Additionally, all construction activities related to highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines, and other public projects have been suspended.

Offices within the National Capital Region (NCR) have been advised to operate at half capacity while allowing the remaining staff to work remotely. The panel suggested that central government employees might also adopt work-from-home arrangements.

Potential Measures by State Governments

The state governments may consider closing colleges and limiting non-essential commercial activities. They could also implement odd-even vehicle rules to manage traffic better during this period of poor air quality.

This series of actions aims to mitigate the severe air pollution affecting Delhi-NCR residents. Authorities hope these measures will improve air quality and protect public health until conditions become more favourable.