Delhi schools forced to shut amid Air Pollution

New Delhi:  Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said that all schools in Delhi to be closed from tomorrow till further orders, due to current air pollution levels in the city. 

Earlier, on Thursday Supreme Court pulled up the Delhi government for opening the schools amid the rising air pollution levels in the city. The apex court questioned the Delhi government’s decision to reopen schools. 

SC questioned, “When the government implemented work from home for adults then why children are being forced to go to school?” The court also expressed concern over no steps being taken by the Delhi government on ground to control ‘extreme’ pollution levels.

We feel there is nothing happening, in spite of air pollution levels rising in Delhi, the Court observed during hearing today. 

Delhi government reopened the schools on November 29 for all the classes despite the increasing air pollution level. The Court will hear the matter tomorrow at 10 am again. 

Meanwhile, the air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the `very poor` category today. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi on Thursday morning was recorded at 312.

 Delhi receive 24 hours warning from SC on Air pollution

Delhi air pollution has increased despite the government claims, the Supreme Court said today, expressing dissatisfaction with the measures taken over the last few weeks. “We feel that nothing is happening and the pollution keeps increasing… only time is being wasted,” Chief Justice NV Ramana said during the hearing – this is the fourth straight week that the court heard arguments over the air crisis in the national capital and nearby cities.

Warning of strict action, the court gave a 24-hour ultimatum to centre, Delhi, and neighboring states to act against industrial and vehicular pollution – counted as the main causes behind the deteriorating air quality.