Delhi air pollution: Schools, colleges to remain closed till further orders

Delhi air pollution: Schools, colleges to remain closed till further orders.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday announced that the Delhi government has decided to close schools and other educational institutions and ban entry of vehicles from outside except for essential services until further orders amid rising pollution levels in the national capital.

It has also been decided to extend the ban on Delhi government employees working from home and for construction and demolition activities till Sunday.

"A total of 1,000 private CNG buses will be hired to strengthen the public transport system. The process will begin on Thursday," Rai told a news conference after a high-level meeting with relevant departmental officials.

Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on air pollution, the Air Quality Management Authority on Tuesday night ordered that schools, colleges and educational institutions in the National Capital Region be closed until further orders and that only the online education system be allowed.

Of the 11 thermal power plants located within a radius of 300 km from Delhi, only 5 will be operational by November 30.

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