AQI crosses 500 in several regions; schools shift to online mode

New Delhi: A sigh of relief for the Delhiites as they got some relief from the dense layer of smog on Tuesday morning; despite this, the air quality still remains in the ‘severe’ category. AQI of numerous areas, such as Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, and other places, crossed the 500-mark at 5 am this morning, stimulating health concern, especially for the children and elders.

Educational institutions have shifted to online mode. 10th and 12th standard classes started online today amid poor air quality and surging air pollution levels. Delhi University, in its notification, has made it clear that classes in ‘physical mode’ will commence from November 25, meanwhile JNU has shifted to online till 22 of this month. The universities, in their notification, said that exams and interviews will go as per the schedule.

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The situation in the national capital has emerged like a’medical emergency’. The Delhi government urged the pollution control institutions to take all essential measures to control the pollution so that people’s health can’t be affected. Stubble burning and weather conditions have made the city’s air quality poor, increasing respiratory, lung infection, sneezing, and other pollution-related diseases. The rush in the hospitals has gone up. Several patients have to be admitted due to the seriousness of their conditions.

The Supreme Court also criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for “delaying” the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and said it followed a “wrong” approach.