50 % WFH, vehicle, construction curbs: Delhi government enacts winter pollution policy from November 1
PTC News Desk: To tackle severe air pollution during winter, the Delhi government has announced a set of restrictions that will be enforced every year from November 1 to February 28. These include limits on vehicles and construction activities, staggered office timings, and work-from-home arrangements.
Until now, pollution-control measures were mainly introduced under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) based on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Since GRAP measures were activated only when pollution levels worsened, they were often criticised for being reactive. The new system aims to reduce disruptions through advance planning while working alongside GRAP.
The restrictions, notified on June 23 and made public on Wednesday, are based on data from the last three winter seasons, which showed that Delhi's air quality regularly worsened between November 1 and February 15. During this period, the city's AQI remained in the “very poor” category and at times reached the “severe ” level.
“All motor vehicles registered outside the National Capital Territory of Delhi and below BS-VI emission standards shall not be permitted to ply in Delhi. Transport Department, GNCTD, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi Traffic Police shall ensure strict compliance with the direction,” says the notification.
Under the new rules, vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards will be banned from entering the city from November 1 to January 31 each year. However, CNG and electric vehicles, along with emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire tenders and police vehicles, will be exempt.
To reduce traffic congestion, office timings will also be staggered. Between November 1 and February 28, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices will operate from 8:30 am to 5 pm, while Delhi government offices will function from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
Additionally, from November 1 to January 31, both Delhi government and private offices will be allowed to have only up to 50% of employees working from the office, with the rest working from home. Essential services such as hospitals, public transport, electricity, water supply, sanitation, disaster management and pollution-control agencies will be exempt from these restrictions.
- With inputs from agencies
