(Image source from: ndtv.com)

The air quality in the national capital New Delhi reached alarming heights. The Supreme Court asked the government of New Delhi to take several steps at the earliest so that the air quality gets better in the state. Several schools and colleges are shut for now. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ordered to shut the schools and colleges and other educational institutions till further notice. The trucks carrying all the non-essential items have been banned from entering Delhi till Sunday. All the construction activities too are asked to be kept on hold till further notice. Five of the 11 thermal power plants located in the limits of the National Capital Region (NCR) will operate till November 30th in NCR.

The Commission for Air Quality Management asked the construction activities to be put on hold till November 21st barring railway stations, metro services and defense-related activities. The Commission for Air Quality Management held a meeting with the higher officials on Tuesday after which the decisions were made. All the educational institutions have been asked to take up online mode of education for time being considering the air quality in New Delhi. The government also urged the corporate and private firms to allow the option of work from home for at least 50 percent of the staff for the offices located in NCR till this weekend. All the industries that are using unapproved fuels will be closed with the immediate effect.

By Siva Kumar