Delhi: There was a slight improvement in the air quality in the national capital compared to the severe levels of last week. AQI slipped to poor category yesterday and dropped down from hazardous to an unhealthy level on Monday morning. The AQI in Delhi was recorded at 395 on Tuesday at 7 am; this comes under ‘very poor’ category.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday announced relaxations under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to mitigate educational disruptions caused by poor air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR). The measures included easing Clause 11 of GRAP Stage-III and Clauses 5 and 8 of GRAP Stage-IV, specifically for schools and colleges.

The relaxation permits educational institutions to operate classes in a “hybrid” format, allowing students to attend either in person or online. The option for online education, wherever feasible, will be made available to students and their guardians in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar.

Delhi Govt Orders Classes In Hybrid Mode

After CAQM’s order that all classes up to standard 12 be conducted in hybrid mode, the Directorate of Education of the Delhi Government, also issued directions to all schools in the national capital to follow CAQM’s order.

In compliance with the CAQM order, the Directorate of Education, Government of Delhi issued instructions to the heads of all government, government-aided, and unaided recognised private schools under its jurisdiction, as well as the NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board regarding conducting classes in hybrid mode for students of all classes with immediate effect until further orders.

In view of the recent orders by CAQM under GRAP, all schools in Delhi (Govt., Aided, Unaided Recognized, NDMC, MCD, & Delhi Cantonment Board) must conduct classes in hybrid mode (physical & online) with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/I3KoThClGg

— DIRECTORATE OF EDUCATION Delhi (@Dir_Education) November 25, 2024

Factors Responsible For Air Pollution

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Monday highlighted the possible factors responsible for the air pollution, amid declining air quality and rising pollution in the Delhi- NCR region.

The release stated that the pollution in Delhi and NCR is a collective result of multiple factors including high levels of anthropogenic activities in the high-density populated areas which include vehicular pollution, industrial pollution, dust from construction and demolition activities, road and open areas dust, biomass burning, municipal solid waste burning, fires in landfills and air pollution from dispersed sources.

Also Read: Delhi Air Pollution: Supreme Court Slams Delhi Police, Calls For Review Of School Closures