News Desk – The Delhi government has directed schools to switch to hybrid mode (online + offline) for students up to Class 5, after the city’s air pollution levels entered the ‘severe’ category on Tuesday.
The move came soon after authorities activated Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which is enforced when Air Quality Index (AQI) touches 401–450.
According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):
Delhi’s AQI jumped from 362 (Very Poor) on November 10 to 425 (Severe) by 9 am on November 11.
Calm winds and stagnant weather conditions caused pollutants to stay close to the ground, worsening the air.
With pollution at dangerous levels, authorities decided to restrict exposure for school children.
To control dust and vehicle emissions, several activities are banned immediately:
No work allowed that generates dust, such as:
Demolition and excavation
Sewer/water/drainage/electric cable work
Painting, plastering, tile cutting, welding, cementing
Loading/unloading of construction materials
Road repair or construction on unpaved areas
Ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida.
Ban on Delhi-registered diesel goods vehicles of BS-III or older
No entry for diesel light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi (unless carrying essential goods).
Only electric, CNG, or BS-VI diesel buses will be allowed to enter Delhi from NCR.
What else the government will do
Increase mechanised road sweeping
Strengthen public transport
Close all stone crushers and mining activities in NCR
What schools must follow
Classes for Nursery to Grade 5 should shift to online/hybrid mode
Schools are advised to avoid outdoor activities for other grades
