BJP Urges Closure Of Delhi Schools Amid 'Hazardous' Air Pollution Crisis

As Delhi grapples with hazardous air pollution, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for the closure of all schools up to Class 5 to protect children from the dangerous air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to a staggering 366, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), indicating a severe deterioration in air quality across the city, as reported by Hindustan Times.

BJP Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva, in a press conference, demanded that both private and government schools in the national capital be shut down to safeguard the health of children, who are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. He also criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for allowing the city's air quality to deteriorate into what he called a "gas chamber."

"Children and the elderly are bearing the brunt of this crisis," Sachdeva emphasized, pointing out that the pollution levels had reached dangerous heights with PM 2.5 concentrations surpassing 400 and PM 10 levels exceeding 1,000. He also expressed concern over the lack of sufficient government healthcare facilities to address the growing number of respiratory issues among Delhi's residents, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The BJP leader further accused the Delhi government of failing to control the pollution levels, which have led to poor visibility and widespread health issues across the city. The air quality continues to remain "very poor," with dense fog setting in on Wednesday morning, marking the first dense fog of the season. This persistent pollution has been worsened by emissions from nearby states like Punjab and Haryana, where farm fires contribute significantly to the pollution levels.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Sachdeva remarked, "Delhi has become a gas chamber, with people choking and suffering from respiratory problems every day." As Delhi battles its recurring pollution crisis each winter, BJP's demand for immediate school closures underscores the urgency of addressing the public health emergency.

The call to shut down schools aligns with the worsening air quality, as some reports have indicated that Delhi's AQI reached hazardous levels, overtaking Lahore as the most polluted city globally. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the pollution had reduced visibility to a mere 100 meters in some areas by early morning, exacerbating the risks to health, as per media reports.

Delhi's air quality has become a major concern during the colder months when heavy air traps pollutants. The city's residents continue to face respiratory problems due to a combination of vehicle emissions, construction dust, and agricultural fires from neighboring states. As the pollution persists, the demand for urgent action to safeguard public health grows louder.