Delhi-NCR Schools to remain shut till November 15 amid High Air Pollution

The Schools in Delhi and adjoining districts will remain shut till November 15 due to a drastic spike in pollution levels. The Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) has also asked industries not running on clean fuels to remain closed till Friday.

"Hot mix plants, stone crushers to be closed till the morning of November 15, 2019, in all NCR (National Capital Region) districts," the anti-pollution body said in a statement.

"All coal and other fuel-based industries, which have not shifted to natural gas or agro-residue (with exception to power-plants) to remain closed in Faridabad, Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida, Sonepat, Panipat, and Bahadurgarh and Bhiwadi till November 15. In Delhi industries, which have not yet shifted to PNG, to remain closed till November 15," it added.

"In addition, keeping in mind the hazardous exposure to children, CPCB Taskforce has recommended, which EPCA is directing, that all schools must remain shut for the next two days," it said.

"Strong winds are expected from November 15, which will bring down the air pollution levels to the very poor category."

Delhi-NCR gasped for breath on Wednesday as the noxious smog resulting from raging farm fires and unfavorable weather pushed the pollution levels in the region towards the "emergency" zone. A large number of children were exposed to the harmful spike in pollution as schools remained open on Wednesday.

Pictures of school students with their faces covered with anti-pollution masks and handkerchiefs were shared widely on social media.

"#DelhiAirPollution what's the use of being a developing country if our children are not permitted to breathe in clean air...Must think seriously about solutions as soon as possible before an emergency occurs. #DelhiAirEmergency," a Twitter user posted on the microblogging website.