New Delhi: The air quality has worsened in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) which might lead to school closures for a few days. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi is at 328 over the last 24 hours, which falls in the ‘very poor; category.
The increase in pollution levels has now become a major concern for parents, questioning school holidays till the AQI improves.
As per the Delhi NCR authorities’ Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) the air quality is classified into four stages. Stage 1 is for a ‘poor’ AQI which is at 201-300, Stage 2 is for ‘very poor’ which is at 301-400, Stage 3 is for ‘severe’ which stands at 401-450 and Stage 4 is for ‘severe plus’ which is when AQI is over 450. Under the GRAP guidelines, if Stage 4 restrictions come into effect the schools will be closed. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) also made it mandatory that when AQI crosses 450, GRAP Stage 4 will be imposed, which will result in school closures and other restrictions across Delhi NCR.
Punjab school holiday
Meanwhile, Punjab has announced a three-day holiday from November 15 to November 17. The state government has made the announcement of a holiday on November 15 for Gurpurab to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. On November 16, Punjab will commemorate Martyrdom Day to honour Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, a freedom fighter instrumental in India’s independence movement. The three-day holiday includes Sunday, November 17.
As pollution continues to rise, the officials in Delhi NCR may soon take the necessary steps to protect the health of the students’ health. While the state of Punjab prepares to honour its cultural heritage with the announced holiday.
To know more about the school holiday, students and parents are advised to reach out to the respective schools.
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