GRAP-4: DU's Shaheed Bhagat Singh College Shifts to Online Classes Amid Severe Air Pollution

This development comes on the heels of the Supreme Court's decisive intervention earlier today, which ordered stringent Stage 4 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the Delhi-NCR region. The directive includes closing all schools, including physical classes for grades 10 and 12, to mitigate the escalating air pollution crisis.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, part of Delhi University (DU), has announced that all classes will shift to an online mode with immediate effect, citing poor air quality in the Chirag Delhi area. The college's notice emphasized that this measure aims to safeguard the health of students and faculty. The classes will follow the existing timetable, and attendance will be recorded through the Saksham ERP portal. Faculty members have been requested to maintain a record of the classes conducted online until further notice.

This development comes on the heels of the Supreme Court's decisive intervention earlier today, which ordered stringent Stage 4 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the Delhi-NCR region. The directive includes closing all schools, including physical classes for grades 10 and 12, to mitigate the escalating air pollution crisis. The Supreme Court underscored the urgency of these measures, highlighting that the constitutional right to clean air must be upheld.

Stage 4 GRAP Measures: Restrictions and Enforcement

GRAP Stage 4 measures impose strict bans on non-essential construction, stone crushing, and certain vehicle operations. Only BS-VI-compliant trucks are allowed to enter Delhi, while BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles are restricted unless used for essential services. The authorities have been instructed to enforce these restrictions rigorously, deploying teams to ensure compliance and set up grievance mechanisms for public reporting.

Despite a minor improvement in the Air Quality Index (AQI) to 424, categorized as "severe," the Supreme Court has ordered that these emergency measures continue. The ruling stresses the joint responsibility of the central and state governments to address pollution proactively and ensure public well-being.

Impact on Education Sector

The Supreme Court's intervention also prioritizes the health of students, including those in higher grades. It called for the closure of all schools in Delhi-NCR, stating that the risk to older students should not be underestimated. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi had earlier shifted classes from nursery to grade 9 to online mode starting November 18, in response to the hazardous air quality. These comprehensive measures reflect a heightened response to the pollution crisis, which continues to endanger residents across the region.