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Delhi Schools Brace for Closure Amidst Severe Pollution Alert
18 Jan
Summary
- Delhi-NCR schools may close on January 19 due to severe air quality.
- GRAP Stage IV restrictions were imposed across the region on Saturday.
- Pune schools also closed on Monday for the Pune Grand Tour cycling event.
Schools in the Delhi-NCR region are likely to suspend in-person classes on Monday, January 19, due to hazardous air quality. Pollution levels have surged into the 'severe plus' category, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enforce GRAP Stage IV restrictions across the national capital region. This decision aims to protect students from severe air pollution.
GRAP, the Graded Response Action Plan, imposes stage-wise curbs based on air quality. Stage IV, enacted when AQI exceeds 450, generally suspends physical classes and directs educational institutions to adopt online or hybrid learning models. This marks a swift reversal for Delhi-NCR schools, which had only recently reopened after a period of closure due to extreme cold.
Separately, in Maharashtra, schools in parts of Pune will also remain closed on January 19. This closure is not due to pollution but to facilitate the 'Pune Grand Tour 2026' international cycling event, which necessitates extensive traffic restrictions throughout the city.
