Delhi Mandates 50% Work-From-Home for Private Offices

Delhi government has issued a critical advisory directing all private offices to operate with a maximum of 50 per cent on-site staff, with the remaining employees mandated to work from home.

This stringent measure has been implemented as a precautionary step under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). 

It follows explicit directions from the central pollution watchdog, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

The action comes as Delhi’s air quality continues to hover in the critical range.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) has consistently settled around the 370-mark, categorised as ‘Very Poor’, for nearly ten consecutive days.

Furthermore, at least eleven monitoring stations across the capital logged readings in the ‘Severe’ category (AQI 401-450).

Vehicular emissions are identified as a major contributor to the current pollution spike. 

This makes traffic reduction a priority measure to lessen the concentration of particulate matter.

Delhi GRAP Framework Revision Accelerates Curbs

The advisory marks a significant structural change in Delhi’s anti-pollution policy.

Previously, the 50% work-from-home directive was only triggered under the highest emergency level, GRAP Stage IV (‘Severe Plus,’ AQI > 451).

Acting upon observations from the Supreme Court to take “proactive action,” the CAQM revised the framework, advancing this crucial mobility-curbing measure to Stage III.

This policy shift ensures swifter intervention, preventing air quality from deteriorating to the most dangerous levels.

The immediate goal is to curb the flow of private vehicles during peak hours. This will alleviate pressure on the toxic air.

Staggered Timings and Ground Enforcement Drive

Beyond the WFH advisory for the private sector, the government has enforced other critical restrictions. 

Staggered office timings have been implemented for all departments under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) until February 2025/2026.

MCD offices now operate from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, while GNCTD offices function from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.

This schedule is designed to break up peak-hour traffic and distribute vehicular movement throughout the day.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that the government is ensuring “full seriousness and round-the-clock monitoring” of all GRAP III protocols.

The authorities have deployed over 2,000 enforcement personnel from various agencies on the ground to check compliance.

This intensive drive has resulted in over 1,200 inspections of construction sites and polluting units. 

This has led to more than 200 show-cause notices and the immediate closure of 50 non-compliant sites.

Call for Public Cooperation in Delhi

The Minister urged all citizens to be vigilant, emphasizing that the focus remains on public health. This is especially true for vulnerable groups like the elderly and children.

He specifically appealed to residents to avoid the open burning of waste and biomass and to utilize the Green Delhi app to report any pollution violations. 

He asserted that these restrictions are an urgent and responsible part of the city’s intensified combat against air pollution.

The authorities asked private offices to widely disseminate the advisory to ensure prompt and effective compliance across all branches.

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