NCR schools to close under new guidelines: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has updated the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), making school closures mandatory in Delhi and key NCR districts during Stage 3 and Stage 4 air quality emergencies.
The revised guidelines are applicable to areas with severe air quality, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar. Previously, the decision to implement such measures was left to state governments, but this change enforces uniformity in response to hasardous pollution levels.
Additional Measures Introduced Under Stage 3
As part of Stage 3 guidelines, state governments are now required to stagger the operating hours of public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi and nearby districts. However, for other NCR districts, decisions regarding office timings remain at the discretion of the respective state governments.
Changes for educational institutions
Previously, state governments had the option to halt physical classes for younger students under Stage 3 and extend online learning for higher grades under Stage 4. Under the revised plan, these measures are now compulsory for Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar. Other NCR districts still retain flexibility in implementing school-related measures.
The revised GRAP guidelines highlight the need for proactive measures to combat air pollution. By mandating school closures and restructuring office operations, the CAQM aims to mitigate the risks posed by persistent smog and hasardous air conditions. However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on consistent enforcement and inter-agency coordination.
Supreme Court intervention
The Supreme Court had earlier criticised the CAQM for delaying the implementation of strict measures under Stages 3 and 4 of GRAP. Highlighting the urgent need to protect children and residents from worsening air quality, the court directed immediate action, including school closures across NCR, until further orders.
Persistent severe air quality across NCR
Delhi’s air quality remains a serious concern, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) staying in the severe category. On Monday and Tuesday, AQI levels surpassed 450, reaching the “Severe Plus” category. By Wednesday, the 24-hour average AQI slightly improved to 419 but remained firmly within the severe range.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), areas such as Anand Vihar (406), Jahangirpuri (437), and Nehru Nagar (410) recorded severe AQI levels as of Thursday morning. The CPCB noted that this week’s pollution levels rank among the worst since the AQI system was introduced in 2015.
