All schools in Delhi-NCR should be closed', Supreme Court directs states amid rising pollution

Delhi Pollution: In view of the rising air pollution in Delhi, the Supreme Court has given a big order. The Supreme Court said on Monday that all the states in the NCR region should take an immediate decision to close physical classes for students up to class 12th. Prior to this order, the Delhi government had decided to close all classes except class 10th and 12th.

Supreme Court has given a big order

Bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih was hearing a petition seeking directions to control air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas. The court has reprimanded the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for the delay in implementing anti-pollution restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRP) in the national capital. Apart from this, the decision to close schools has been left to the state governments.

Classes of 10th and 12th should also be conducted online

The order to close all the schools in Delhi-NCR came from the Supreme Court. While hearing the pollution case, the Supreme Court said on Monday that classes of 10th and 12th should also be conducted online. A day earlier, after the implementation of Grape-4, all schools in Delhi were closed except 10th and 12th. At the same time, instructions were also issued by the Supreme Court regarding NCR. UP and other governments were asked to take a decision.

Citizens live in a pollution-free environment

When the hearing was in the last stage, the court was informed by the NCR states UP-Haryana that schools up to class 9 are going to be closed. On this, the judge said that the lungs of children of class 10th and 12th are also the same. The Supreme Court said that it is the constitutional responsibility of all the states to ensure that citizens live in a pollution-free environment.

SC asked Delhi government what steps are taken  

The Supreme Court asked the states of NCR to prepare a mechanism where complaints of violation of restrictions imposed under GRAP-4 can be made. The Supreme Court said that the restrictions under GRAP-4 should continue even if the AQI level goes below 450. Regarding the implementation of pollution control measures, the SC told the Air Quality Management Commission that some promptness is required. The Supreme Court asked the Delhi government to talk about the steps taken to stop the rising level of pollution in Delhi.

Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Sunday evening announced the closure of physical classes for all students except class 10th and 12th in view of the rising air pollution in the capital.

Next hearing will be on Friday

Gopal Shankar Narayan said that students from class 10th to lower classes in Delhi have been exempted from physical classes. Only online classes are going on, but this was not done in UP. The court said that today we talk about Delhi, on Friday we will talk about NCR. Gopal Shankar further said, 'Parents of school children studying in many cities of NCR like Noida, Ghaziabad are also present in the court. They also want relief for their children. Gopal Shankar Narayan said that the court should also be online.

Also Read: Poison dissolved in Delhi air, AQI crossed 500, GRAP-4 implemented, schools closed

Delhi air in very poor category

Although air pollution in Delhi has taken a dangerous form. Despite strong winds blowing for two days, the Air Quality Index has reached close to 1200. The highest AQI was recorded in Mundka area. On Monday morning, the average AQI of Delhi was recorded at 746. Meteorologists have advised people to leave the house only when necessary.

In many areas of Delhi, the AQI is above 500 on Monday, while in some areas it is close to 1000. At the same time, politics is also being seen on this matter. BJP is cornering the Delhi government on this issue.

Meanwhile, Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that due to the severe air pollution in Delhi, a medical emergency has arisen, but the Center is running away from its responsibility. Smog can be removed only by artificial rain or wind,