Offline school classes in Delhi will remain closed for a week. Employees at government offices will also be directed to work from home for a week due to the worsening air pollution emergency, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on November 13.
“For a week from Monday onwards, schools will be physically closed; to continue virtually so that children don’t have to breathe polluted air,” Kejriwal said.
“Government offices to operate from home at 100 per cent capacity for a week. Private offices to be issued an advisory to go for WFH (work from home) option as much as possible,” the chief minister informed reporters, after holding a high-level meeting with senior officials and ministers under the Delhi government.
The government chose to halt constriction activities within the national capital from November 14-17, Kejriwal continued. The conclusions have been made due to the deteriorating weather situation. The Delhi CM said the air quality is expected to worsen with the lack of wind movement foretold from November 14 and 17.
The disclosures arrive hours after the Supreme Court requested the Centre and the Delhi government whether adopting severe measures like a “two-day lockdown” or briefly preventing the movement of vehicles will avoid the further decline of the air condition.
When questioned by the media whether the Delhi government will inflict a lockdown, Kejriwal announced such a judgment will be made after consulting with the Centre and state agencies. “There was a suggestion in SC over complete lockdown in Delhi if (pollution) situation turns worse…We’re drafting a proposal.. which will be discussed with agencies, Centre…If it happens, construction, vehicular movement will have to be stopped,” he said.
Delhi has yearly observed degeneration of the air condition during November, which is estimated to result from the stubble raging in nearby states. However, the top court remarked earlier today that stubble burning could not be the only cause for the prevailing condition in Delhi.
“We understand some per cent is stubble burning. Rest is crackers, vehicular pollution, industries, dust pollution etc. You tell us how to bring AQI levels from 500 to 200 points in Delhi,” the bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said.
