NCPCR asks Delhi chief secretary to consider shutting down schools as air quality worsens

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Wednesday took sou motu cognizance of the poor air quality in Delhi, asking the chief secretary to consider closing down schools till the time air quality improves in the national capital.

NCPCR wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary asking the government to "consider taking a decision to close down schools till the time the air quality of National Capital improves, in view of the best interest for the children."

The air quality of Delhi on Wednesday entered in the "very poor" category, according to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research



(SAFAR), and will remain the same on Thursday also.

However, the SAFAR also stated that the air quality in Noida may dip into the "severe" category with PM 2.5 levels expected to reach 415.

With deteriorating air quality, the city doctors have also advised people, especially children and senior citizens, to be indoors. The severe category of air quality calls for health warnings of emergency conditions and even serious risk of respiratory effects in the general public.

Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai also appealed to people to work from home and avoid using private vehicles, amid rising pollution levels in the city.