All schools to remain closed in Noida, Ghaziabad on Nov 4, 5

GB Nagar/Ghaziabad: In the wake of toxic air quality and emergency pollution levels, the district administration of both Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar district announced all the government and private schools up to Class 12 to remain closed on November 4 and 5, said officials.

Officials said that the decision has been taken as the levels of particulate matter 2.5 and 10 have been excessive in the air since Diwali, resulting in a major dip in the overall air quality. They believe that the Transport vehicles like buses and minibuses, which a lot of schools use to ferry children, are a major contributor of PM 2.5 and PM 10.

"We have directed all the schools in Gautam Buddh Nagar district to remain shut till November 5. As all the construction works including hot mix plants and stone crushers are closed for next few days, the administration is keeping strict watch on violators. Water sprinkling on all the major roads of the district is underway," said BN Singh, district magistrate, Gautam Buddh Nagar.

Similars actions were also taken by Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey, noting that the pollution was impacting the health of children.

As per the data issued by Cental Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI levels in both the districts remained in upper brackets of 400 throughout Sunday. In some parts of the city, the AQI levels also spiked to two or three times the

severe mark.

As a result, a thick layer of smog surrounded the NCR region with residents waking up to a gloomy morning on Sunday while the haze stayed throughout the day. People avoided going out from home while those who had to go out left home in the evening only.