As Delhi is battling with toxic smog, all schools, colleges and educational institutions in the national capital Delhi and NCR have been directed to remain closed till further notice. This means that all educational institutions in Delhi-NCR will return to online classes as before.
On Tuesday, the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) after an emergency meeting on the pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR issued several guidelines to the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to deal with it. The measures suggested by the Commission are to be implemented with immediate effect. The state governments have to file a compliance report in this regard on November 22.
Measures Suggested by the Commission
The commission has banned the entry of trucks carrying non-essential goods into the city till Sunday. All construction and demolition activities in the national capital have also been banned till November 21.
List of guidelines issued by the CAQM to tackle Air Pollution
1. Regarding Thermal Power Plant
In the capital Delhi, within a radius of 300 km, 16 of the thermal power plants will remain closed till 30 November. Only 5 plants- NTPC, Jhajjar; Mahatma Gandhi TPS, CLP Jhajjar; Panipat TPS, HPGCL; The work will be done at Nabha Power Limited TPS, Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo TPS, Mansa only. The power plants which will be outside the radius of 300 km from Delhi will meet the requirement of the capital.
2. In relation to schools and colleges
All government and private schools, colleges and educational institutions in Delhi-NCR will remain closed till further orders. During this online studies will be done.
3. Regarding Offices
Only 50 percent employees working in all government and private offices of Delhi-NCR will be allowed to come. The remaining 50 percent employees will work in work from home mode till November 21.
4. Regarding construction
All types of construction activities have also been banned till November 21. However, construction activities related to railway service, metro service, airport and inter-state bus terminal, national security and defence will continue. If any person or organization is found throwing construction debris on the road side, he will be fined heavily.
5. In relation to industries
All industries with gas capacity in NCR are allowed to continue. No industry is allowed to use rejected fuel. If any industry uses unapproved fuel then it will be closed.
6. Regarding entry of trucks
To prevent vehicular pollution, the entry of all trucks in Delhi has been banned till November 21. In this, only trucks carrying essential goods have been exempted.
7. In respect of vehicles
15 year old petrol and 10 year old diesel vehicles will not be allowed on the roads. Teams of Traffic Task Force have been deployed in busy areas to ensure smooth movement of traffic. Instructions have also been given to increase the number of CNG buses at the earliest.