Delhi Imposes Work-from-Home Rule for 50% of Employees Amid Severe Air Pollution

India's capital, New Delhi, is witnessing severe air pollution even before the onset of winter. With no significant improvement in air quality, authorities have directed all government and private institutions in the city to ensure that 50 per cent of their employees work from home.

Indian media reports say the government is also set to introduce a series of strict pollution-control measures from November 1. These include restrictions on older vehicles, a halt to construction activities and a doubling of parking fees.

Under the new rules, vehicles that do not meet the BS-VI emission standards will be prohibited from operating in Delhi from November 1 until January 31, 2027.

However, electric and CNG-powered vehicles, ambulances and fire service vehicles will be exempt from the restrictions.

Violators will receive electronic challans. Special monitoring teams, automatic number plate recognition cameras and AI-powered control centres will be deployed to enforce the rules.

Construction and demolition activities across Delhi will also remain suspended during the same period, although certain essential government projects will be exempt.

In an effort to reduce traffic congestion, office hours for government employees have also been revised. Delhi Municipal Corporation offices will operate from 8 am to 5 pm, while Delhi government offices will remain open from 10 am to 6:30 pm.

Parking fees have also been doubled to discourage the use of private vehicles.

In another measure, petrol pumps across Delhi will not sell fuel to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate.

To enforce the requirement, automatic number plate recognition cameras have been installed at 500 petrol pumps across the capital.

Earlier, on October 21, authorities had implemented Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi as part of efforts to tackle worsening air pollution.