Delhi University has announced a shift to online classes until November 23 due to deteriorating air quality in the city.
The decision follows an alarming rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), raising health and safety concerns. At 4 pm, Delhi’s AQI was recorded at a staggering 494.
A notification from the university reads, “In the larger interest of students of the colleges and the departments of the University of Delhi, it has been decided that the classes shall be conducted in online mode till Saturday November 23, 2024. Regular classes in physical mode to resume from Monday, November 25, 2024.”
Despite this, the schedule for examinations and interviews will remain unchanged, the notification added.
The Delhi government has described the worsening air quality as a “medical emergency” and called on institutions to adopt preventive measures to protect public health.
The city’s air pollution has worsened due to a combination of weather conditions, stubble burning, and smog, leaving residents grappling with unbreathable air and poor visibility.
In response to the severe pollution, several schools and colleges across the region have also moved to online classes.