Schools Set To Reopen In Delhi As Air Quality Witnesses Some Improvement

The air quality in the national capital—Delhi had witnessed drastic degradation following burning of fire crackers on Diwali.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 19 November 2023 2:24 am

Delhi pollution

The schools are set to reopen in Delhi from tomorrow as the national capital witnessed an improvement in the air quality index (AQI).

With improvement in AQI, Delhi government has announced that the schools will reopen on November 20.

According to the latest predictions, there is no indication of any sharp degradation in the near future.

"Seeing that the Air Quality Index has improved and as per the forecast made by IMD/IITM there is no indication of any shar degradation in Air Quality of Delhi in near future, the Sub-Committee on GRAP has revoked their order vide which action under Stage IV of GRAP had been invoked," the government order read.

"In light of these developments, it is ordered that all govt, govt-aided and private recognised schools in Delhi shall resume all classes (from pre-school to Std XII) physically w.e.f. 20.11.2013 i.e. Monday. However, outdoor sports activities and morning assemblies will not be held for next one week from the issuance of this order.

All parents must be informed, accordingly, well in advance," the order added.

Meanwhile, GRAP 4 restrictions have been lifted in Delhi-NCR.

The Commission for Air Quality Management revoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi as air quality became better. Now, medium and heavy goods vehicles will be allowed in the national capital.

Earlier, on Saturday Delhi AQI level was recorded around 322 (very poor) recorded at 2 pm, which is about 128 AQI points below the threshold for invoking the GRAP Stage-IV actions. Ghaziabad (276), Gurugram (322), Greater Noida (228), Noida (265) and Faridabad (309) also recorded "very poor" air quality.

Ahead of Diwali (November 12), Delhi got a brief spell of respite because of a few spells of rain, but the air quality nosedived again after Diwali. The odd-even scheme and plan for artificial rain were being considered by the government but the air quality deterioration was mainly because of weather conditions, including low wind speed.

Delhi schools were initially asked to suspend physical classes from November 3 to 10. On November 8, the schools were asked to announce early winter break from November 9 to November 18. The remaining part of the winter break will be announced later.