Delhi government on Wednesday ordered schools, colleges and other educational institutes to remain closed to control the severity of pollution in Delhi NCR. The air quality in the national capital and NCR region deteriorated to 353 (4 PM, Tuesday) over the past week.

As per the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) orders, all schools and colleges will be physically closed in NCR till further notice and only “online mode of education” will be allowed. 

Also Read | Delhi pollution: How toxic air ruins our health

Furthermore, CAQM also advised NCR state governments (Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh) to allow at least 50% of staff to work from home till November 21. Private firms in Delhi NCR must also be encouraged to allow at least 50 % of their staff to WFH, CAQM said, according to ANI reports.

The government will also be taking dust control measures. Commercial construction activities have been stopped till November 21. Anti-smog guns, water sprinklers will be deployed along with the application of dust suppressants. 

Also Read | Lockdown will not ease Delhi pollution problem, experts say

Meanwhile, only five of the 11 thermal power plants located within 300 km radius of Delhi – NTPC, Jhajjar; Mahatma Gandhi TPS, CLP Jhajjar; Panipat TPS, HPGCL; Nabha Power Ltd. TPS, Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo TPS, Mansa – will remain operational till November 30, according to PTI inputs.

The commission directed Delhi and the NCR states to stop construction and demolition activities in the region till November 21, barring “railway services/railway stations, metro rail corporation services, including stations, airports and inter-state bus terminals (ISBTS) and national security/defence-related activities/ projects of national importance” subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules and dust control norms.

Trucks carrying non-essential items have been banned from entering Delhi till Sunday in a bid to contain the spiralling air pollution levels.

Authorities in NCR have been ordered to ensure that no diesel and petrol vehicles older than 10 years and 15 years, respectively, are found plying on road.

The guidelines from the commission come ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on the severe air pollution in Delhi and NCR states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.