SC suspends classes as Delhi air quality dips

With Delhi's air quality index dipping nearly to the 'severe-plus' (494 at 4 pm) category, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered that physical classes for all students up to grade 12 in Delhi should be suspended for the time being.

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The AQI in Delhi spiked sharply from 441 to 494 within 24 hours; an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 500 'severe' and above 500 'severe plus'.

The court also pulled up the authorities over the delay in implementing tough restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan, stating that the approach of waiting for AQI levels to improve before taking action contravened the court's 2018 order, which mandated preventive measures.