Delhi schools, colleges to reopen from November 29 as air quality slightly improves

Educational institutions in Delhi were shut and several other measures were taken in order to tackle air pollution in the national capital.

New Delhi: Amid slight improvement in air quality, Delhi schools, colleges and other educational institutes will reopen from November 29, Environment minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday (November 24).

Easing other curbs imposed in the wake of ‘very poor’ air quality in the national capital, Rai said that CNG and electric vehicles will be allowed into Delhi from November 27. “We have decided to allow the entry of all CNG, electric vehicles into Delhi from 27th November. The entry of all other vehicles to remain banned till 3rd December,” ANI quoted him as saying. 

Moreover, Delhi government offices that adopted work from home will resume normal functioning from November 29. 

“Normal functioning of Delhi govt offices will also resume from 29th November. We advise them to use public transport to commute. Special bus services will be started from colonies where the maximum number of Delhi govt employees reside,” Rai added.

Earlier on November 21, the Directorate of Education said, “All schools in Delhi to remain shut for physical classes till further orders, online education to continue.”

Delhi recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 280 in the 'poor' category, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)-India on Wednesday (November 24). On Tuesday, the air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the 'very poor' category for the tenth consecutive day. 

As per ANI report on Tuesday, the air quality of Delhi is expected to improve to the `poor` or `lower end of very poor` category for the coming two days. 

In efforts to curb pollution, the Arvind Kejriwal government on Sunday had extended the ban imposed on the entry of trucks in the national capital carrying non-essential items till November 26. The Delhi government also asked its employees to continue working from home till Friday. To reduce vehicles on road, the government urged the private offices and institutions to allow their employees work from home till November 26. 

(With agency inputs)