Air quality visibly improved in Delhi afterstrong surface winds swept through the city on Sunday. Following theimprovement, the authorities will now reassess the restriction placed acrossthe national capital in order to curb air pollution.
However, schools will remain shut as of nowand a decision to reopen them along with the work from home rule in the stategovernment and corporations will be announced on November 24.
All offices of the Delhi government,corporations and autonomous bodies will remain closed until November 26.However, those involved in essential and emergency services have been exemptedfrom this direction. In addition to this, the environment department, in itsorder issued on Sunday, advised private offices to let their employees workfrom home.
“The violation of the order issued underSection 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, or the rules made thereofshall be punishable under Section 15 of the said Act, which includesimprisonment of up to Rs 1 lakh, or both,” read the order.
Strong surface winds brought some relief fromhigh pollution levels in Delhi and improved visibility on Monday morning,officials said. The air quality index of the city stood at 307, which falls inthe very poor category. However, it was down from 349 the previous day. The airquality index of Gurugram, Greater Noida, Faridabad and Noida stood at 318,213, 326 and 268 respectively.
Also read: CM Channi declares war against cable mafia, fixes Rs 100 monthly charges for cable TV connections
Following orders from the Commission for AirQuality Management, the Delhi government had on Wednesday issued 10 directions,which also include a ban on the entry of trucks carrying non-essential itemsinto the city, ban on construction and demolition activities in the city and anorder for its employees to work from home till November 21, Sunday.
“The environment department has directed toclose all schools till further orders of the Commission for Air QualityManagement in the NCR and adjoining areas. Therefore, all government andprivate schools will remain closed till further orders," AdditionalDirector of Education Rita Sharma said on Sunday.