Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates; Schools Shift Online, Trains Delayed (image-twitter/Bnglrweatherman)
Pollution levels in Delhi have reached their highest levels this year, the intensity of the situation has reached the point that the state was forced to move to online mode. A thick blanket of smog continues to grip the state and its adjoining (SAFAR) data, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was 494 at 6 am in the severe plus category.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued an “orange alert” for dense fog for the second consecutive day.
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Trains and flights to the national capital are either delayed or cancelled as the visibility plunged due to the toxic smog in India’s capital. On Tuesday morning, at least 22 trains were delayed and nine others were cancelled, reports ANI.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said that all physical classes till Class 12 have been suspended and all studies are being shifted online. The Delhi University and the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have decided to conduct online classes till November 22.
Apart from that, experts have claimed that the toxic air quality in the state has reduced the life expectancy in the city by an average of seven years.
On Monday, the Delhi government had imposed Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), an anti-pollution plan- in addition to the first three stages.
Under the GRAP-4 measures, a ban has been imposed on Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles. All truck and light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will not be allowed to enter the national capital, except for those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services.
Additionally, the government has also directed public and private offices to work at 50 percent capacity and the rest have been recommended to work from home.
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Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed Delhi and NCR states to implement GRAP 4 measures strictly and has also questioned why it has taken so long to impose them.
