Work from home advised, ban on construction as air quality worsens in Delhi-NCR

The final stage of the Centre’s anti-pollution plan has been invoked in Delhi and the National Capital Region with immediate effect as air quality in the national capital continues to worsen.

This includes a ban on non-essential truck traffic into Delhi, a ban on construction including public projects, and the possible closure of schools, colleges and work-from-home directives for staff in government and private offices.

The CAQM, a statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region, has asked Delhi and NCR states to implement all emergency measures, which also include work-from-home directives for 50 per cent of staff in government and private offices.

Stage IV, of the Centre’s air pollution control plan, is activated at least three days before the Air Quality Index surpasses the 450 mark in the capital. However, proactive implementation could not happen this time.

A complete ban on truck traffic entering Delhi, except for trucks carrying essential commodities or providing essential services, and all LNG, CNG, and electric trucks.

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) registered outside Delhi, other than EVs, CNG, and BS-VI diesel vehicles, are prohibited from entering Delhi unless they are carrying essential commodities or providing essential services.

A ban on the operation of Delhi-registered diesel Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services.

A ban on Construction and Demolition (C&D) activities in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, etc.

The NCR state governments and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) may decide to discontinue physical classes for classes 6 – 9, class 11 and switch to online mode.

NCR state governments and GNCTD may decide to allow public, municipal, and private offices to operate at 50 per cent strength, with the rest of the employees working from home.

The central government may consider permitting work from home for employees in central government offices.

State governments may consider additional emergency measures like closure of colleges and educational institutions, closure of non-emergency commercial activities, and permitting vehicles to run on an odd-even basis according to registration numbers.