Under the new permanent anti-pollution policy notified by the Delhi government on Wednesday, 50 per cent of employees in Delhi government and private offices will work from home from November 1 every year.
The measure, which will be in place until January 31, is part of a wider winter pollution master plan aimed at reducing and tackling vehicle emissions. Delhi’s annual poisonous smokeAccording to the news agency ANI.
Private establishments have also been directed to introduce staggered working hours, ensure compliance with work-from-home arrangements and promote carpooling, ride-sharing, public buses and other modes of public transport to reduce the number of vehicles used for commuting.
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Delhi government’s strict winter pollution measures
According to a press release issued by the Department of Environment and Forests, the new framework establishes permanent rules that will automatically apply from November 1 to February 28 every year, eliminating the need for separate annual orders.
These measures are aimed at controlling vehicular emissions, dust pollution and open burning of waste.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the new framework consolidates various existing orders into a single, clear and stringent system, making compliance easier for all concerned departments, institutions and citizens while ensuring more effective enforcement, the report said.
The Chief Minister said that the air quality of Delhi becomes very bad every winter. Data from the last several years shows that pollution levels increase continuously between November and February.
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Several orders of Delhi Government were merged into one
Keeping this challenge in mind, Delhi Government has now put in place a permanent mechanism so that there is no need to issue separate orders every year and all agencies can take timely action under predefined rules.
He said the notification is based on experience and detailed study of air quality data.
During 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26, Delhi’s average air quality index (AQI) between November 1 and February 15 ranged between 312 and 342, while the maximum AQI reached between 461 and 494.
Based on these findings, special winter pollution control measures have now been given a permanent framework. The notification also includes the revised GRAP issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the directions issued by the Supreme Court.
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Fuel will be supplied to vehicles with PUC
Chief Minister Gupta said that to strengthen control over vehicle pollution, fuel will be supplied only to vehicles with valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates at all petrol, diesel, CNG and LPG stations across Delhi. Action will be taken against vehicles found refueling without a valid PUC certificate.
Verification of PUC compliance will not be limited to physical certificates but will also be done through NPR, vehicle database and other electronic systems.
The responsibility of implementing this system will be of oil companies, Indraprastha Gas Limited, Food and Supplies Department, Transport Department, Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Traffic Police.
The Chief Minister said that from November 1 to January 31, all motor vehicles registered outside Delhi that are below BS-VI emission standards will be barred from entering or operating in the city.
However, CNG and electric vehicles, ambulances, fire brigade vehicles, police vehicles and vehicle categories specifically exempted by the environment department will not come under the purview of this restriction.
The Transport Department, Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Traffic Police will ensure strict enforcement.
Parking fee doubled, traffic reduced
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said parking charges at authorized parking facilities will be doubled from November 1 to February 28 to encourage greater use of public transport instead of private vehicles.
However, parking facilities operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which support public transport and park-and-ride services, will remain exempted.
To reduce traffic congestion during peak hours, Delhi Municipal Corporation offices will function from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, while Delhi Government offices will function from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm during the same period so that employees do not commute at the same time and traffic pressure is reduced.
Construction activities also controlled
Chief Minister Gupta said dust generated from construction activities is one of the major contributors to winter air pollution in Delhi.
Keeping this in mind, the government has introduced clear and binding provisions governing construction activities, transportation of building materials and dust control in large buildings.
He said that the government is not in favor of stopping development, but it is equally important to maintain a balance between development and environment protection. With this approach, regulations are designed to ensure that essential projects can continue while pollution remains under effective control.
The Chief Minister said that from November 1 to January 31 every year, dust-generating demolition activities and open civil construction activities will be prohibited. However, projects related to essential public infrastructure will be exempted. Finishing work, plumbing, electrical installation and similar activities will continue to be permitted within construction sites, provided all provisions of construction and demolition waste management rules and dust control norms are strictly followed.
Dumping or storing construction and demolition material in the open outside project sites will be strictly prohibited, and violations will attract punitive action against the responsible agency or individual.
Chief Minister Gupta further said that strict restrictions will be imposed during the most sensitive period to pollution from December 10 to January 20.
During this period, only those government projects which are indispensable for public utility or related to emergencies will be allowed to continue. During this period, vehicles carrying construction material such as sand, gravel, stones, bricks, cement, ready-mix concrete, debris or any other construction material will not be allowed to enter Delhi.
The Chief Minister said that, for the first time, the Delhi government has introduced mandatory dust-control measures for large commercial buildings. All commercial buildings with a built-up area of more than 3,000 square metres, including malls, hotels, office buildings and other institutional buildings with height of G5 or above, will be required to install anti-smog guns or mist systems within their premises.
These installations should be completed by August 15. The systems will be operational throughout the year, although their operation will not be mandatory between May 1 and September 15, when the city experiences monsoon and peak summer season.
Chief Minister Gupta said that the new provisions apply not only to completed buildings but also to under-construction projects. Construction sites with an area of more than 1,000 square meters will need to install misting systems to control dust during construction.
Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will be responsible for monitoring compliance and ensuring implementation of these provisions.
The Chief Minister said that every Resident Welfare Association (RWA), housing society, government and private institutions, contractors, agencies and all organizations employing staff for security, sanitation, gardening, housekeeping, maintenance or similar services shall be responsible to ensure that there is no open burning within their premises or in the areas owned, occupied, managed or controlled by them.
They will be required to establish an effective monitoring mechanism and provide adequate heating arrangements for workers through electricity or other approved clean fuels, wherever necessary.
If open burning occurs due to negligence or inadequate supervision of any institution, action will be taken against both the institution and the persons responsible under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and other applicable laws. Environmental compensation will also be recovered.
The Revenue Department, DPCC and local bodies will be responsible for effective implementation and monitoring of these rules. Drone-based surveillance will also be used to detect such incidents, especially during night. This entire framework will come into effect from 1st November every year and will remain in force till 28th February.
