Delhi bans outdoor activities in schools as AQI continues worsening
What's the story
The Delhi government has asked schools to halt outdoor activities due to air pollution. "The commission deems it necessary for the NCR State Governments and the Government of NCT of Delhi to take immediate and appropriate action to ensure that such physical sport competitions scheduled in the months of November and December may be postponed, keeping in view the Air Quality trends," the Directorate of Education and Sports said in its circular.
SC
SC directive to CAQM
This move comes after the Supreme Court asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider moving school sports events in Delhi-NCR to pollution-safe months. Amicus Curiae Aparajita Singh had told the SC bench that inter-zonal sports competitions were being planned by the Delhi government for under-16 and under-14 students despite severe pollution. She stressed that children are particularly vulnerable to health risks from outdoor sports activities during this time.
HC
'Like putting children in gas chamber'
"Holding sports now is like putting them in gas chambers," she argued. The Supreme Court then ordered monthly hearings on Delhi's air quality to keep a close watch on the steps being taken by authorities. The court emphasized that pollution control measures should not only be implemented during peak pollution periods but also monitored regularly for effective implementation.
HC
High court's remarks
On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court also issued notice on a plea moved by various schoolchildren seeking a direction for the Delhi Government to schedule tournaments for outdoor sports during "safer and less susceptible months." During the hearing, Justice Sachin Datta questioned why the Delhi government continued to schedule outdoor sports during most polluted months, asserting that children "should not take part in outdoor sports" between November and January. "You can't call children to damage their lungs," the court observed.
AQI
Policy change needed
Delhi's AQI worsened significantly on Friday, with some areas touching the "severe" level. The AQI at 7:00am was 455. Surveys reveal that about 80% of Delhi-NCR homes have had at least one person get sick from the toxic air in the past month. Experts have called this a "public health emergency" and stated there is adequate proof that pollution affects life expectancy. They also said that while masks and air purifiers help in some ways, a policy change is needed.