Pollution forces Haryana govt to shut schools in Gurugram and Faridabad; other districts too alerted

The state government has also asked deputy commissioners of other districts in the NCR region to keep monitoring the pollution level in their respective areas and “take appropriate calls” on closing schools for students up to class 12 or change their school timing in the interest of children’s health, the spokesperson added.

The state government issued the directive amid a blanket of smog engulfing several districts of an agrarian Haryana, partly due to stubble burning by its own farmers as well as those in Punjab.

Various districts of the state have reported air quality index in the “severe” and “very poor” category.

In view of the present condition of air pollution in Delhi and NCR and keeping in view the direction of the Central Pollution Control Board, the Haryana government has directed all deputy commissioners, district education officers and district elementary education officers to ensure the compliance of the directions in letter and spirit, he said.

The spokesman said special emphasis has been given to protect the children from pollution.

Officials sources said schools in some other pollution-hit districts including Fatehabad would remain closed on Monday and Tuesday.