Schools in Delhi and five major National Capital Region (NCR) districts have been directed to conduct classes up to Class 5 in hybrid mode until further orders, as authorities implement Stage III of the Graded
Response Action Plan (GRAP) in view of worsening air quality.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the directive in a video message, making hybrid learning mandatory for students up to Class 5 in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat.
“All schools up to the fifth grade are required to operate in a hybrid mode; this is mandatory. These restrictions also apply to the NCR cities of Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Sonipat,” Sirsa said.
Under the arrangement, students can attend classes either physically or online, wherever the facility is available. The choice of opting for online classes will rest with students and their parents or guardians.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of GRAP on Friday, November 6, bringing additional restrictions across Delhi-NCR as pollution levels remained high. Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 382 on Friday, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category and close to the ‘severe’ threshold, according to a Hindustan Times report.
Sirsa also urged residents to follow the restrictions, warning that weather conditions could further affect pollution levels. Wind speeds were expected to drop from Saturday, potentially allowing pollutants to remain trapped closer to the ground.
The GRAP-III measures also include restrictions on the movement of older vehicles in Delhi and specified NCR districts. Petrol vehicles complying with BS-III emission standards or below, and diesel vehicles meeting BS-IV standards or below, will not be allowed to operate in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
The restrictions also cover BS-IV and older diesel medium goods vehicles in Delhi. Older diesel medium and light goods vehicles registered outside the Capital will not be allowed to enter Delhi. Vehicles adapted for use by persons with disabilities and used for their personal travel are exempt.
The restrictions will remain in force as long as the corresponding GRAP measures continue. Residents, schools and parents have been advised to follow further announcements from the CAQM and the respective state and local authorities.
