Noida Schools Extend Closure Until November 10 as Air Quality Deteriorates

Noida, a city in the National Capital Region (NCR), and its neighboring capital, Delhi, are grappling with a severe air pollution crisis. The deteriorating air quality has led to a slew of measures to mitigate the impact on public health, including the extended closure of schools in the region.

In view of the poor air quality, all schools of the District Gautam Budha Nagar are directed to follow the implementation of the Graded Responses Action Plan Stage 4 order by discontinuing physical classes from Pre School to Class 9th up to 10 November and conduct lessons in… pic.twitter.com/2YaPx3vNPg — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2023

School Closure in Noida:

In response to the rapidly declining air quality in the Delhi-NCR region, Noida has decided to keep all schools, from nursery (pre-school) to class 9, closed until November 10. This precautionary measure has been implemented in line with the Graded Responses Action Plan Stage 4, which aims to address the poor air quality situation.

Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate, Manish Kumar Verma, issued an official order to enforce the Graded Responses Action Plan Stage 4. The order requires schools to discontinue physical classes for students in the aforementioned categories and transition to online learning. This decision comes in light of the escalating health concerns related to exposure to hazardous air pollutants.

Delhi Joins the Closure Initiative:

Noida's decision to keep schools closed aligns with a similar move in Delhi, the national capital, which has also directed all schools to remain shut until November 10. The air quality in Delhi and its adjacent regions has been continuously deteriorating, prompting authorities to take stringent measures to safeguard public health.

Supreme Court's Concerns:

The issue of air pollution in Delhi-NCR recently came under the spotlight in the Supreme Court. During a hearing, the apex court highlighted several pressing concerns. Crop residue burning, vehicular emissions, and the open burning of waste were all identified as significant contributors to the worsening air quality.

The Supreme Court emphasized that the deteriorating air quality index in Delhi should not be turned into a political battleground and that the health consequences of inhaling polluted air are severe. The court went on to underscore that the practice of stubble burning in neighboring states, including Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, significantly contributes to the rising pollution levels in Delhi.

The Ongoing Air Quality Crisis:

The Delhi-NCR region has been grappling with severe air pollution for several years. The smog and hazardous air quality levels have a profound impact on public health, leading to respiratory issues, eye irritation, and a host of other health problems. With each passing year, authorities are compelled to take stringent measures to address the crisis, including temporary school closures and restrictions on vehicular movement.