Delhi Air Pollution Update: AQI remains 'very poor', Supreme Court refuses to relax GRAP-4 measures
Delhi Air Pollution Update: "Residences of a large number of students don't have air purifiers and so there is no difference between children sitting at home and schools," the apex court said.
The apex court has refused to relax GRAP-4 restrictions today, November 25 to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR as the air quality index (AQI) is still in 'very poor' category.
Supreme Court's order
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the national capital region and adjoining areas to consider restarting physical classes in schools and colleges noting many students lacked mid-day meals and infrastructure to attend online classes.
Labourers and daily wagers
Noting that GRAP-4 hurt numerous sectors of society, particularly labourers and daily wagers, the bench instructed state governments in areas where building had been prohibited to use the cash received as labour cess for their survival.
GRAP-4 restrictions
This is mainly for the restriction of trucks' entry carrying non-essential goods in NCR.
When was the GRAP implemented first?
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was first implemented in 2017.
Schools in Delhi-NCR
The Supreme Court on Monday said the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) will take the decisions on Schools to resume physical classes.
What did court say?
"Residences of a large number of students don't have air purifiers and so there is no difference between children sitting at home and schools," the court added.
AQI in various areas in Delhi at around 4 PM
According to the data available at the National Air Quality Index (NAQI), the AQI is as follows:
ITO: 321
Alipur: 385
Aya Nagar: 327
Chandni Chowk: 299
Narela: 321
Rohini: 386
Punjabi Bagh: 375
AQI in various areas in Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad
Sector 62, Noida: 317
Sector 116, Noida: 248
Knowledge Park - III, Greater Noida: 241
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad: 177
Loni, Ghaziabad: 309
Vasundhara, Ghaziabad: 260
AQI in various areas in Gurgaon, Faridabad
Teri Gram, Gurugram: 277
Sector 11, Faridabad: 259
What doctors suggest
Meanwhile, Doctors cautioned on Friday that, in addition to causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems, air pollution can cause weight gain, contribute to growing obesity rates, and have an impact on hormonal health.
Will schools open for physical classes tomorrow, November 26?
Schools were closed today, November 25. However, there is no certainty regarding tomorrow because the Supreme Court has reserved the ruling on CAQM.