Delhi Air Pollution: AQI Reaches 500 (Severe+); Schools and DU Colleges Shift Online, Health Advisory Released
The Delhi government declared on Monday that physical classes for grades 10 and 12 would be halted.
Image Source: Hindustan Times
The air quality in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram has reached “alarmingly high” levels, with several AQI monitoring stations touching the severe-plus 500 mark even on the morning of Tuesday, November 19. A thick blanket of smog has shrouded the National Capital Region (NCR) for the seventh consecutive day. As the situation worsened, the Union Health Secretary issued an updated advisory on Monday to states and union territories, addressing the health risks associated with air pollution.
Amid these developments, Delhi University announced that it would shift to online classes until November 23, while Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) stated it would conduct online classes through November 22. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI levels in areas such as Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, and several other locations reached the critical 500 mark by 5 AM on Tuesday. Other severely affected areas included Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (500), Dwarka Sector-8 (498), Munirka (500), North Campus (500), RK Puram (499), and Wazirpur (500), raising serious health and safety concerns.
Delhi University clarified that in-person classes would resume on November 25, while JNU confirmed that exams and interviews would proceed as scheduled. The Delhi government described the situation as a “medical emergency” and urged institutions to implement preventive measures to safeguard public health. Two primary factors contributing to the city’s hazardous air quality are adverse weather conditions and stubble burning in neighboring regions.
In response to the deteriorating air, many schools and colleges in the region have already transitioned to online classes. The Delhi government announced on Monday that physical classes for grades 10 and 12 would also be suspended. Chief Minister Atishi, in a post on X, confirmed, “From tomorrow, physical classes for Classes 10 and 12 will be suspended, and all studies will shift online.” The Directorate of Education also issued a circular directing government and private schools to halt all in-person classes.
The Union Health Secretary’s advisory urged states and union territories to bolster their health systems and raise awareness among vulnerable groups and high-risk occupations. It recommended developing comprehensive district- and city-level action plans to address the health impacts of climate change and air pollution. Additionally, it emphasized expanding sentinel hospital networks to monitor air pollution-related illnesses for timely responses and better surveillance.
With the AQI entering the “severe plus” category, the Supreme Court on Monday instructed Delhi-NCR states to immediately enforce anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan-4 (GRAP). The court underscored the constitutional duty of states to ensure citizens have the right to live in a pollution-free environment. It also criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for delaying the implementation of GRAP and adopting a flawed approach to the crisis.
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