Delhi Pollution: NCPCR asks govt to shut down schools – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In view of the ‘severe’ air quality in Delhi NCR the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has asked the government to consider closing schools till the situation improves.
The NCPCR took sou motu cognizance of poor air quality in Delhi and wrote a letter to the chief secretary asking govt to “consider taking a decision to close down schools till the time the air quality of National Capital improves, in view of the best interest of children”
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sought a detailed action-taken report within three days of receipt of the letter written on Wednesday. A copy of the letter addressed to the chief secretary has been sent to LG Vinai Kumar Saxena.
“It seems the Delhi government has failed to take preventive measures. It is, therefore, recommended by the commission that the state government should consider taking appropriate action and consider taking a decision to close down the schools till the time the air quality (AQI) of the National Capital improves, in view of the best interest of the children,” NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo said.
The poor air quality in the national capital and NCR region is affecting children badly and almost eight out of ten children in the hospital are coming up with respiratory problems. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Noida was recorded at 393 today morning, which comes under very poor category. It was 318 in Gurugram and 333 near Delhi Airport.
Air Quality Index from 0 to 100 is considered as good, while from 100 to 200 it is moderate, from 200 to 300 it is poor, and from 300 to 400 it is said to be very poor and from 400 too 500 or above it is considered as severe.
The air quality in Delhi’s satellite cities showed no improvement from the previous day. Gurgaon is predicted to slip into the ‘severe’ category from Wednesday, November 2. Noida’s air quality is also expected to dip further.
The city of Delhi too fared very poorly. Narela in North West Delhi reported the highest AQI at 571. North Delhi Air Quality is the poorest at the moment as almost all the stations have AQI above 400. Most of the stations in the capital have an AQI above 300 except a few like Mandir Marg in central Delhi.