Air pollution: Schools closed in 4 Haryana districts till November 17

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 14

Keeping in view the rising levels of air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Haryana government has ordered closure of schools in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonepat and Jhajjar till November 17.

An official spokesperson said as the directions issued by Chief Secretary-cum-Chairperson, Haryana State Executive Committee, all government and private schools would remain closed.

He further said with an aim to reduce 30 per cent plying of vehicles on roads which will impact vehicular emissions and also reduce dust in the air, all government and private employees had been advised to work from home.

Vehicles older than 10/15 years (diesel/petrol, respectively) shall be strictly checked with regard to emissions and impounded accordingly, he added.

He also informed there would be complete ban on all types of construction and development activities. Mechanised Stone Crushers and Hot Mix plants used in construction activities shall be closed. No trash burning by municipal bodies shall be allowed. Stubble burning shall be prohibited. No manual sweeping of roads shall be allowed, he added.

He said that to control dust pollution, water sprinkling on roads will be done. Deputy Commissioners will constitute joint inspection teams for enforcing the above directions/instructions and shall ensure extensive checking, monitoring and action against the violators as per law/rules/instructions/directions issued from time to time by the Haryana Government.