New Delhi: The Delhi government has announced a series of measures to tackle the seasonal deterioration in air quality, including a mandatory 50% work-from-home arrangement for employees of government and private establishments from November 1, 2026.
The measures, reported by ANI and Outlook, are part of the Capital’s winter pollution mitigation strategy and are expected to remain in effect until February 28, 2027. The package also includes staggered office timings, higher parking charges and restrictions on construction and demolition activities.
Under the hybrid-work arrangement, government and private establishments will be required to have half of their employees work remotely, while the remaining workforce will continue working from office premises. The government has introduced the measure with the objective of reducing traffic movement and associated emissions during the winter pollution period.
Office timings will also be staggered. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices will operate from 8:30 am to 5 pm, while offices under the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) will function from 10 am to 6:30 pm. The revised timings will apply from November 1 to February 28.
The government has also announced phased restrictions on construction and demolition activities, which contribute to dust pollution. Dust-generating demolition work and outdoor civil construction activities will be prohibited from November 1 to January 31. A complete ban on construction and demolition activities will subsequently be enforced from December 10 to January 20.
To discourage private vehicle use, parking charges at authorised parking facilities will be doubled from November 1 and remain higher until February 28. Parking facilities owned and operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will be exempt from the increase.
Delhi typically witnesses a sharp deterioration in air quality during the winter months due to a combination of local emissions, particulate pollution and unfavourable meteorological conditions. The government’s latest measures seek to address several sources of pollution simultaneously, particularly vehicle emissions, construction-related dust and traffic congestion.
Further implementation and compliance details are expected as the measures come into effect from November.
