Air Pollution: Schools In Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida And Ghaziabad Closed Till November 5

All schools in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad will remain closed till Tuesday, November 5 due to deteriorating air quality in the National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR). While schools were already ordered to remain closed till November 5 in Delhi, on Sunday the neighbouring districts of Gautam Buddh Nagar- which included Noida and Greater Noida- and Ghaziabad also declared holiday in all schools till Tuesday.

Despite a light drizzle, the air quality in Delhi and the surrounding regions remained in the 'severe' category on Sunday. The air emergency continued in Delhi-NCR as a thick layer of smog engulfed the city on Sunday as well.  The air quality index (AQI) was over 480 in Noida while AQI in Delhi stood at 473 at 9 in the morning, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'. The air quality above 500 falls in the 'severe plus' category.

All government and private schools up till Class 12 in Noida and Greater Noida will remain closed on November 4 and 5 in the wake of spike in the pollution level, officials said on Sunday. The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration said the decision has been taken as the levels of particulate matter 2.5 and 10 have been excessive in the air since Diwali, resulting in a major dip in the overall air quality.

"Transport vehicles like buses and minibuses, which a lot of schools use to ferry children, are a major contributor of PM 2.5 and PM 10. The movement of such vehicles in the city now could aggravate the situation," District Magistrate B N Singh said in a written order.

"Hence, it is ordered that all schools up till Class 12 in Gautam Buddh Nagar will remain closed on November 4 and 5," he said.