In the wake of severe pollution level, the Delhi Government on Wednesday announced that schools in the national capital will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Also, all schools in Ghaziabad, Noida will be shut for two days, said officials.
The decision came after the Supreme Court-mandated anti-pollution authority Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority ordered the same as the air quality hovered close to ‘emergency’ levels.
“In view of deteriorating air quality because of pollution due to stubble burning in
Uttar Pradesh, Delhi govt has decided to close schools tomorrow and day after,” Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted.
The EPCA also extended the ban on hot-mix plants and stone-crushers in Delhi-NCR till November 15.
The apex court had on November 4 banned construction and demolition activities in the region till further orders. All coal and other fuel-based industries, which have not shifted to natural gas or agro-residue, will remain shut in Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Noida, Bahadurgarh, Bhiwadi, Greater Noida, Sonepat and Panipat till November 15, it said.
In Delhi, industries which have not yet shifted to piped natural gas, will not operate during the period. Early this month, the Delhi Government shut all schools for four days after EPCA declared a public health emergency in the Delhi-NCR region in the wake of rising pollution.
