Delhi Shifts Primary Schools to Online Classes Amid Rising Pollution
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has announced that all primary schools in Delhi will transition to online classes due to increasing pollution levels. This decision was shared on Thursday via a post on X.
Delhi Metro Increases Services
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will add 20 extra trips starting Friday, in response to the implementation of GRAP-III, making a total of 60 additional trips on weekdays.
GRAP-III Measures Implemented
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to the severe air quality index (AQI) in Delhi. Measures include intensified road sweeping, water sprinkling, and a ban on dust-generating construction activities.
Restrictions and Guidelines
Under GRAP III, physical classes for children up to Class V may be discontinued, and diesel-operated LCVs registered outside Delhi are restricted from entering the city. Citizens are encouraged to use cleaner transport and work from home when possible.
Public Cooperation Urged
The CAQM has appealed for public cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of these measures to mitigate health risks from pollution.
Doubts Revealed
Atishi -: Atishi is the Chief Minister of Delhi, which means she is the leader of the government in Delhi, the capital city of India.
Online Classes -: Online classes are lessons that students attend using the internet, instead of going to a physical school building. This is done using computers, tablets, or smartphones.
Severe Pollution -: Severe pollution means the air is very dirty and unhealthy to breathe. This can happen because of smoke, dust, and harmful gases in the air.
Delhi Metro -: The Delhi Metro is a train system in Delhi that helps people travel around the city quickly and easily.
GRAP-III -: GRAP-III stands for Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan, which is a set of rules to reduce pollution when the air quality gets very bad.
CAQM -: CAQM stands for Commission for Air Quality Management, which is a group that makes decisions to improve air quality and reduce pollution.
Graded Response Action Plan -: The Graded Response Action Plan is a set of steps that are taken to control pollution based on how bad the air quality is. It has different stages, and each stage has specific actions to reduce pollution.