Delhi University, classes 10 &12 shift to online mode as AQI in NCR hits alarming level

Delhi Air Pollution: Delhi University on Monday said that classes will be held in online mode till November 23 as Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and NCR touched alarming level.

Whereas, physical classes for Class 10, 12 have been suspended from Tuesday and all studies will be shifted online, said Delhi Chief Minister Atishi in a post on X.

The decision came after the the apex court issued a slew of directions for strict implementation of preventive measures, and asked all Delhi-NCR states to immediately take a call on stopping physical classes up to class 12.

“Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi & NCR has deteriorated to an alarmingly high index. In the larger interest of students, it has been decided that the classes shall be conducted in Online Mode till Saturday, 23rd November, 2024,” said University of Delhi in a statement.

The university said that regular classes will resume in physical mode from November 25.

However, there will be no change in exams and interviews, said a notification issued by the registrar.

Meanwhile, Delhi Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena has directed the implementation of the staggered office timings in view of the severe air pollution levels . 

According to the new directions, the offices under Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will run from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and the offices under Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) will function from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court directed all Delhi-NCR states to immediately set up teams to strictly enforce anti-pollution GRAP 4 restrictions, making it clear that the curbs will continue till further orders.

The court asserted that it is the constitutional duty of all states to ensure all citizens live in a pollution-free environment.

"We make it clear that till further orders are passed by this court, implementation of stage 4 of GRAP will continue even if AQI level drops below 450," a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih directed as it sought compliance reports from Delhi-NCR states and the Centre by Thursday.

It also faulted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for "delaying" the implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and said it followed a "wrong" approach.