Haryana, Rajasthan, UP advised to shut schools to control air pollution

Considering the spiralling air pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday advised the states of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to close schools, construction and demolition activities. Delhi had implemented restrictions to control the poor air quality in the national capital on Saturday. The state governments and district administrations in the National Capital Region have also been suggested to issue a "citizen charter/advisory" for the public. The charter shall list the steps that need to be taken during different stages of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

In Delhi, physical classes have been suspended in schools, colleges and other educational institutions for a week, starting from Monday. All government offices, agencies and autonomous bodies, except those involved in essential services, have been instructed to work from home. Furthermore, no construction or demolition activity is allowed till November 17.

The CAQM advised the governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh at an emergency meeting to consider similar restrictions in the respective NCR districts as implemented by GNCTD by its November 13 order. It also asked the states and agencies concerned to be ready to implement emergency measures as listed in GRAP. Emergency situation steps include stopping the entry of trucks in Delhi, ban on construction activities and introduction of the odd-even car rationing scheme.

The adverse air quality scenario in Delhi-NCR is also "greatly impacted by a dust storm moving in from the South-Westerly directions of the Thar desert which brought in huge quantities of dust that further amplified the PM2.5 and PM10 levels significantly," the commission said. Stubble burning, construction and demolition activities, dust from roads and open areas, vehicular pollution and industrial emissions need better focus with increased efforts by concerned agencies, they added.