Noida: Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate (DM) NP Singh on Sunday announced emergency steps in view of the "unprecedented" air pollution levels in the National Capital Region (NCR), officials said.
They were announced at a meeting called in the evening by the DM, they added.
Singh has announced two days off for the nursery, class 1 and class 2 students of lower primary schools. For the rest, classes will be held from 9 am to 1 pm. In addition, all outdoor activities have been suspended in these schools during this period, officials said.
Other measures included suspension of mining and construction activities such as earth-digging etc. The hot mix plants have been ordered to remain closed for one week, they added.
The Transport department has been directed to check the pollution certificates of vehicles, officials said, adding that the DM has also directed them to check incidents of overloading of heavy diesel vehicles.
Authorities have been directed to sprinkle water on the streets regularly, officials said.
Singh has also directed the power distribution company to supply 24x7 uninterrupted electricity to the residents for the next two weeks, so that there is no need to use diesel generating sets.
He has directed officials to implement the ban on burning of leaves and garbage effectively and ensure that municipal waste was disposed of in a scientific manner.
To prevent and check the ill-effects on health due to the the smog, the DM has appealed to the residents to avoid morning walks and restrict outdoor activities as much as possible.
He has directed the industries to ensure a minimum use of fuel and take measures to check pollution, officials said.
