Delhi orders WFH for 50 percent govt staff, closure of primary schools in response to air pollution
New Delhi/IBNS: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Friday ordered 50 percent government employees to work from home besides closure of primary schools responding to massive air pollution in the national capital.
The private offices have also been advised to follow the same step, said environment minister Gopal Rai.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the closure of all primary schools in the national capital till the air quality improves.
The outdoor sports activities for students above class five have been restricted.
According to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the AQI on Friday continued to remain in the "severe" category.
As per the agency, the share of stubble burning in Delhi's PM 2.5 pollution jumped to three-four per cent on the day.
According to SAFAR, in adjoining Noida in Uttar Pradesh, which is part of the national capital region, the AQI recorded was 562 on the day, while in Haryana Gurugram's AQI stood at 539. All in the severe category.
Denying the pollution problem only exists in Delhi, Kejriwal said, "This is not the problem of only Delhi. Several north Indian cities are facing this crisis."
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