Delhi-NCR Schools, Colleges Shut; Offices Ordered WFH For 50% Staff Amid Pollution
The air pollution level in Delhi stood in the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday morning, with the overall AQI at 379
Mumbai: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region has directed the closing of all schools and colleges till further notice amid deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.
It further directed that at least 50% of the staff in government offices be allowed to work from home till November 21 and the same should be encouraged in private establishments. Also Read: Not In Favour Of Work From Home For Employees: Centre To SC On Delhi Pollution
The Air Quality in Delhi was in the ‘Very Poor’ category for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday. However, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reduced from 396 on Tuesday to 379 today, as per the Ministry of Earth Science’s air quality monitor, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). Also Read: Air Quality In Delhi Remains In ‘Very Poor’ Quality, AQI 379
The Commission has also directed to stop construction and demolition activities till November 21. Projects of national importance, national security, defence-related activities, railways, metro railways, airports, and ISBT have been exempted from this direction.
At 6 am today, the concentrations of the particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of 10 and 2.5 microns docked at 362 and 222 respectively, both falling in the ‘very poor’ zone, as per SAFAR.
According to the Central Air Pollution Control Board data, the AQI was recorded at 367 in Chandni Chowk, 362 in Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3), 353 in Dilshad Garden (IHBAS), 396 in Mathura Road, 349 in Najafgarh, 393 in ITO and 368 in Sirifort, all falling in the ‘very poor category.
Meanwhile, Anand Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Rohini, Shadipur, Punjabi Bagh and Wazirpur recorded ‘severe’ air quality, with the AQI values docking at 432, 416, 454, 419, 432, 438, 413 and 426 respectively.
The Centre-run pollution monitoring system has forecast that Delhi’s overall air quality is expected to record a slight deterioration in the ‘very poor’ category by tomorrow. The city’s overall AQI is expected to be at 395, with the concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 particles docking at 399 and 244 respectively.
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