After a short relief, Delhi's air quality is once again making things difficult for its citizens. The Centre's panel on the state's air quality on Friday brought back stage 3 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan amid a rise in air pollution levels owing to unfavourable meteorological conditions, according to an official order.
Delhi's air pollution levels showed an increasing trend and the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 371 at 4 pm.
According to forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, the air quality situation is predicted to deteriorate further owing to unfavourable meteorological conditions.
The Commission for Air Quality Management, responsible for strategizing air pollution mitigation in Delhi-NCR, directed authorities in the region to immediately implement curbs prescribed under stage 3 to prevent further worsening of the situation.
GRAP Stage 3, which was lifted last Friday, entails a ban on non-essential construction work.
Under Stage 3, the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) is restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. Persons with disabilities are exempt.
Stage 3 also bans non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi.
Are schools closed?
Classes up to 5th grade are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. Parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever available. However, rules might differ area-to-area for different reasons.
For instance, Noida's Gautam Buddha Nagar administration has already announced that schools up to 8th grade will remain shut owing to dense fog and extreme weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Education (DoE) reportedly stated that all schools up to 6th grade, across the national capital will remain closed from January 1 to January 15.
As for 9th grade to 12th grade, remedial classes will be held in morning and evening shifts for key subjects as a part of the pre-board preparation.
While the holiday schedule was initially announced keeping in view the extreme weather conditions of multiple areas of the state, the worsening air quality might impact the dates if the conditions doesn't improve.
(With inputs from PTI)
