Delhi air pollution gets worse: Schools to remain shut for two days, odd-even may extend

As the air pollution in the national capital was on the verge of 'emergency' level again, Supreme Court-mandated anti-pollution authority EPCA on Wednesday said that schools in Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad to remain shut till Friday.

"Keeping in mind the hazardous exposure to children, the CPCB Task Force has recommended, which the EPCA is directing, that all schools must remain shut for the next two days," the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority said in a letter to the chief secretaries of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has asked people to avoid outdoor exposure in the wake of rising air pollution in the national capital.

After EPCA's order Delhi government has also announced the closure of schools in the city for today and tomorrow.

"In view of deteriorating air quality because of pollution due to stubble burning in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi govt has decided to close schools tomorrow and day after," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said in a tweet on Wednesday.

The air quality index (AQI) hovers around 'severe' category today morning, according to SAFAR — System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research.

At 6.30 am, PM 10 is at 489 microgramme per cubic metre (µg/m3), PM2.5 remains at 322 per µg/m3. Both are in the 'severe' category.

The air quality in the national capital is likely to deteriorate further today, according to SAFAR.

The anti-pollution body also ordered industries using coal and other such fuels and hot mix plants to remain closed till Friday.

To tackle the rising pollution in the city, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the odd-even scheme that is supposed to end on Friday, will be extended, if necessary.

“Odd-even may be extended if necessary. I would like to appeal to the opposition not to oppose odd-even. Pollution has increased drastically," Kejriwal said.