The Delhi government has decided to reopen primary schools from November 9 after improving the air quality in the capital, while the work-from-home order of 50 per cent of its personnel is also being withdrawn.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai also said that under the third phase of the Gradual Action Plan (GRAP), the ban on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi will continue.
What did the Delhi government minister say about the work from home order?
The Environment Minister also said that the situation of air pollution in Delhi has improved rapidly and incidents of stubble burning have also come down. “Therefore, it has been decided to remove the restrictions imposed under Phase-IV of GRAP following the directions of the Air Quality Management Commission,” he said.
Rai said, “Primary schools will reopen from November 9 and the work-from-home order of 50 per cent government employees is also being withdrawn.” After improving pollution, the Centre’s Air Quality Commission on Sunday directed officials to lift the ban on non-BS-VI diesel-powered light motor vehicles and trucks entering the capital.
These restrictions will continue in Delhi for now
This restriction was imposed under the last phase of GRAP. The commission had also banned construction work related to public projects like highways, flyovers and pipelines in Delhi which has been lifted. According to Rai, the ban on private construction works will continue. The commission had recommended restrictions in its order on Thursday. The Delhi government had announced additional measures on Friday after rising air pollution last week, including the closure of primary schools from Saturday and ordering 50 per cent of its staff to work from home.
Know or is the level of pollution in Delhi right now?
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 339 at 4 pm on Sunday, up from 381 the day before. It was 447 on Friday. The air quality has improved due to strong wind and reduced incidents of stubble burning. The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) had said on Sunday that the forecast of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) or IITM did not indicate a sharp deterioration in the air quality situation.
