Delhi Pollution at its peak : AQI crosses 500 in Delhi-NCR, schools closed in Noida

Pollution is at an alarming level in Delhi-NCR. Today i.e. on Friday morning the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 563 near Delhi University, 562 in Noida and 539 in Gurugram. Noida administration has decided to close the schools due to pollution. Classes from class 1 to 8 will run online in Noida from today till November 8.

District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) Gautam Budh Nagar Dharamveer Singh has said that as far as possible classes of students from class 9th to 12th should be taken online. Also, in about 1800 schools in Noida and Greater Noida, there will be a complete ban on any kind of outdoor activities like sports, events or meetings.

The average air quality in Delhi on Friday was recorded at 472. The fourth phase of GRAP was implemented due to increasing pollution. The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) has ordered the implementation of the fourth phase in Delhi-NCR. GRAP has banned the entry of trucks in Delhi in the fourth phase. Vehicles carrying only essential commodities, providing essential services and CNG/Electric trucks are not prohibited. Even in Gurugram, adjacent to Delhi, there is no relief from the problem of air pollution. The level of air pollution PM 2.5 was recorded at 430 at 7 am on Friday. PM 2.5 levels above 400 have been recorded for three days out of four. There has been smog in the sky since Friday morning. Due to pollution, people have increased complaints of burning in the eyes, sore throat as well as difficulty in breathing.