Delhi chokes as AQI touches 500, educational institutions go online; smog engulfs NCR for 7th day

GUWAHATI, Nov 19: Air pollution in Delhi and the adjoining areas of Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram reached alarmingly levels with the air quality index (AQI) touching the 500-mark on Tuesday morning calling for more stricter measures to bring down pollution levels.

Several areas, including Alipur, Anand Vihar, Bawana, Narela, Pusa and Sonia Vihar reported AQI level of 500, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) stated.

A dense layer of smog, meanwhile, continued to envelop the National Capital Region (NCR) for the seventh consecutive day.

After primary classes, the Delhi Government Monday announced shifting of classes to online mode till Class 12 while the Delhi University, in a notification, said regular classes in “physical mode” will resume on November 25. The Jawaharlal Nehru University, on the other hand, said it would conduct all classes online till November 22.

The administration of neighbouring Gurugram announced the suspension of all physical classes up to Class 12 until November 23.

The Supreme Court had also directed all Delhi-NCR states to immediately set up teams to strictly enforce restrictions as per the anti-pollution Graded Response Action Plan-4 (GRAP).

(With inputs from agencies)