In India’s capital Delhi, primary schools will reopen this week and curbs will be lifted for some construction activities, authorities said on Monday, after pollution levels improved from “very bad” to “severe”. Residents of the capital have been waking up to foggy mornings with gray skies in recent weeks. A thick layer of smog envelops the city in winter as the cold, heavy air traps construction dust, vehicle emissions and smoke from burning stubble in neighboring states, causing an increase in respiratory illnesses among its 20 million residents.
The air quality index at almost all monitoring stations in the city on Monday was between 300 and 400 or in the “very poor” category, which experts say leads to respiratory ailments with long-term exposure. However, it was an improvement from last week’s 400-500 readings in the index, which is described as “severe”. “The guidelines for working from home have been changed and offices are functioning at full capacity from today,” Delhi state environment minister Gopal Rai told reporters.
Elementary schools will reopen on Wednesday. The central and state governments last week ordered the closure of primary schools, banned the entry of diesel vehicles carrying essential goods and suspended most construction and demolition activities in the state capital region. Rai said private demolition and construction would still be banned, but public works related to highways and power transmission would be allowed. However, air quality could worsen this week, the Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research System said on its website.
