Schools in Delhi will have no physical classes for a week and employees of Delhi government will work from home as part of the emergency steps announced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday to deal with the air quality in the city witnessing a massive deterioration in recent days.
Kejriwal announced the measures after an emergency meeting called by him to discuss the situation in the backdrop of the Supreme Court earlier today making some stern observations over air pollution in the capital and taking to task both the Centre and the state government.
“For a week starting Monday, schools will not have physical classes. Only online classes will be held. We do not want children to breathe polluted air,” Kejriwal said.
He also said that Delhi government employees will be asked to work from home, and private organisations will be advised to go in for the same option as far as possible. Also, construction activities will not be allowed between November 14 and 17, he said.
“We need to take these measures since the forecast is that there will be little wind activity over the capital in the next few days, while smoke from burning of stubble will continue to envelop Delhi,” Kejriwal said.
The Supreme Court, in a special hearing held on Saturday, when the court is normally closed, took up a petition filed with regard to the air pollution in the national capital region. The court asked the Centre and the Delhi government to produce an emergency plan to deal with the worsening air quality in the capital. It also suggested a two-day lockdown to reduce the pollution levels.
The capital has seen a thick smog hang over it in recent days, and the air quality index is nearing the maximum mark of 500.