#DelhiAirPollution : SC Panel Orders Closure Of Schools For Two Days, Kejriwal Says Might Extend Odd-Even Scheme

Taking a serious note of the air quality in Delhi, the Supreme Court-mandated anti-pollution authority EPCA has reportedly ordered schools in Delhi-NCR to be closed for the next two days as pollution in the city hovered close to ’emergency’ levels.

In a PTI report, It also advised people to avoid outdoor exposure and work from home wherever feasible.

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority also extended the ban on hot-mix plants and stone-crushers in Delhi-NCR till November 15.

The apex court had on November 4 banned construction and demolition activities in the region till further orders.

All coal and other fuel-based industries, which have not shifted to natural gas or agro-residue, will remain shut in Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Noida, Bahadurgarh, Bhiwadi, Greater Noida, Sonepat and Panipat till November 15, it said.

In Delhi, industries which have not yet shifted to piped natural gas, will not operate during the period.

As pollution levels in the national capital hovered close to emergency levels, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said the odd-even scheme could be extended, if the need arises. The road rationing scheme started on November 4 and is expected to end on November 15.

“If the need arises, we will extend it (odd-even scheme),” Kejriwal said in response to media queries on whether the road rationing initiative, aimed at curbing vehicular pollution, will be further extended.