SC suggests school closures in Delhi-NCR due to 'severe-plus' pollution

New Delhi: Amid severe pollution levels and dense fog, the Supreme Court on Monday called on the Delhi and neighboring states to immediately consider suspending physical classes for students up to Class 12 to safeguard public health.

A bench led by Justice Abhay S. Oka instructed the state governments of Delhi-NCR to enforce GRAP-IV norms effectively, including the creation of teams to monitor the actions required under the emergency response plan. The matter will be further reviewed on Friday. The air quality in Delhi deteriorated to "hazardous" levels on Monday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a critical 481, classified as "severe-plus," posing significant health risks, especially to vulnerable groups.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued an Orange Alert for dense fog, which has worsened visibility and caused delays in flight operations. Locals have described the situation as a "gas chamber," with toxic air engulfing the capital. In response to the crisis, the Delhi government has implemented GRAP-IV guidelines, which include the closure of physical classes for students in Classes 6-9 and 11, after a Supreme Court order on Sunday. Additionally, a cold wave has further intensified the health impact.

The Supreme Court has previously criticized the Delhi government for not enforcing a firecracker ban and ordered an affidavit detailing steps taken to address pollution. The court has also urged Punjab and Haryana to provide updates on stubble burning in their states, which contributes to the air quality crisis.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked all measures under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan from Sunday, following an emergency meeting due to worsening air quality caused by adverse weather conditions in the region.

With IANS inputs