Delhi government starts distributing anti pollution masks to school students

The Delhi government on Friday started the distribution of anti-pollution masks to school students. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia began the distribution from Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya in Civil Lines.

Delhi CM: Pollution level has deteriorated in Delhi due to smoke from stubble burning in adjoining states, whose number has doubled this year. People are facing difficulty in breathing, & to provide relief, we're distributing 2 masks to each student in private & govt schools. https://t.co/A5Em3t0vd2 pic.twitter.com/zXEqQoWZvU

— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2019

On Wednesday, Kejriwal had announced that the government will distribute 50 lakh anti-pollution masks to students in both government and private schools of the capital. 

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Kejriwal had said, "the Delhi government will distribute at least 50 lakh masks free of cost to the students of both government-run and private schools in Delhi from November 1. The government will distribute 50 lakh free N95 anti-pollution masks to nearly 16 lakh students and each student will be given two masks".

The N95 mask covers the nose & mouth and filters up to 95% of the pollutants.

As Delhi reels under 'very poor' pollution levels after Diwali celebrations, the Delhi government had yesterday issued a circular advising school to ensure that no outdoor activities are organised till severe pollution condition persists.

"The present air quality condition in Delhi is a cause of concern for all. To ensure that students studying in schools of Delhi are not adversely affected due to the current air quality, all the heads of government, government-aided and unaided recognised schools under Directorate of Education are hereby directed to sensitise the parents of the students about the worrisome air quality situation prevailing in and across Delhi and further appeal them to restrain their children from undertaking outdoor activities till severe pollution condition persists," read the circular by the Directorate of Education.

The air quality in Delhi, which is already gasping for breath, continues to be in the 'severe' category as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital snooped at 425 on Friday.

According to SAFAR, a fresh Western Disturbance as a trough between 3.1 & 3.6 km above mean sea level ran roughly along the Afghan Pakisthan border as of Thursday, is expected to approach northwest India by November 2. It is likely to influence Delhi's air quality positively. An improvement to the lower end of the 'very poor' category is expected by Saturday.