Delhi government suspends plan to install air purifiers in schools

Two days after the Delhi government directed the city schools to install air purifiers for combating air pollution, it has decided to temporarily suspend the plan on Tuesday.

"The directive has been kept in abeyance with immediate effect," reads an advisory issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE) to schools. It, however, did not specify any reason for suspending the directive within a few days of issuing it.

The DoE had sent a letter to schools on April 26 asking them to install air purifiers so as to ensure students don't face health hazards due to air pollution. "The ambient air quality of Delhi needs to be improved. In view of the gravity of harm to human health due to inferior ambient air quality, schools should take action to install air filters as per need," it read.

It also asked the schools to sensitise students about the adverse impact on public health due to the use of fireworks during festivities.

The schools were asked to submit their compliance report with the next 15 days. Last year, the Delhi government had announced setting up a three-tier air treatment system at five major traffic intersections on trial basis to deal with rising air pollution levels.

& analysis

The delay will further harm young students who are already at high risk of inhaling air pollution
The Delhi Govt's inability to push through a move, welcomed by everyone, will further harm its reputation