- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Sun, 14 Dec 2025 05:18 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed the governments of Delhi and the NCR states to ensure the suspension of all outdoor physical sports activities with immediate effect. The commission has warned that the continuation of such activities amid poor air quality poses a “serious risk” to children's health.
In a letter to the Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, the commission expressed concern that despite previously issued instructions in line with the Supreme Court's 19 November order, "some schools and institutions in Delhi-NCR are still conducting outdoor sports activities."
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The CAQM stated that continuing outdoor physical activities during adverse air quality is "contrary to the spirit and intent of the apex court's observations and the commission's directions."
In its letter issued on November 19, the commission had called for the "postponement" of physical sports competitions scheduled during November and December. It has asked the NCR states and the Delhi government to ensure strict and immediate compliance with previously issued directives, to issue necessary instructions to all schools, educational institutions, sports bodies, and local authorities to cease outdoor physical sports activities, and to make schools and parents aware of the associated health risks.
The CAQM has also directed that compliance be strictly monitored at the ground level and that appropriate action be taken in case of any violation. On Saturday, the commission implemented the strictest measures under its air pollution control plan, GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan), as pollution levels rose sharply amid adverse meteorological conditions.
Under Stage-IV of GRAP, all construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR have been banned. Under Stage-IV, the entry of trucks into Delhi will be banned, except for vehicles carrying essential commodities or providing essential services. However, CNG, LNG, electric, and BS-VI diesel trucks are permitted.
The operation of Delhi-registered diesel heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV and below) will also be banned, with an exemption only for essential services. All construction and demolition activities have been banned, including linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, power transmission lines, pipelines, and telecommunication works, which are permitted in the lower stages of GRAP. In the most affected districts of Delhi and the NCR, schools will have to conduct classes in hybrid mode (online and physical) for primary classes as well as higher classes (classes 6 to 9 and 11), and where possible, students will be given the option to attend online classes.
Under Stage-IV, state governments have also been asked to consider additional emergency measures, such as closing colleges and educational institutions, stopping non-essential commercial activities, and implementing the odd-even rule for vehicles if the pollution situation worsens further.
During the winter, restrictions are implemented in the Delhi-NCR region under GRAP, in which air quality is classified into four stages: Stage I (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage-II (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage-III (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage-IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450). Adverse meteorological conditions, vehicular emissions, stubble burning, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources combine to cause hazardous levels of air quality in Delhi-NCR during the winter.