Work From Home: Delhi Government’s Big Decision Amid Rising Pollution

National Desk: In view of the steadily worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Delhi government has announced strict measures. From Thursday, 50% work from home has been made mandatory for all government and private offices in the capital. The government said the move aims to reduce the number of vehicles on roads and help control pollution levels. Institutions violating the order will face heavy penalties.

₹10,000 Relief for Construction Workers

Construction activities halted under GRAP-3 have impacted the livelihoods of registered construction workers. To provide relief, the Delhi government will offer financial assistance of ₹10,000 to affected workers.
Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra said construction work remained suspended for nearly 16 days during GRAP-3, causing income losses for labourers. The amount will be directly transferred to their bank accounts. Similar relief will be extended even after the withdrawal of GRAP-4, based on the same criteria.

Capital’s Air Still in ‘Very Poor’ Category

On Wednesday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 329, which falls under the ‘Very Poor’ category. Although there has been slight improvement compared to the last three days, air quality remains a serious concern.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), most areas of the capital recorded AQI levels below the ‘Severe’ category at 7 am, while some areas remained in the ‘Poor’ zone. Stronger winds and reduced fog have provided partial relief. On Tuesday, the 24-hour average AQI was 354. As per CPCB standards, AQI between 301–400 is considered ‘Very Poor’, while 401–500 is termed ‘Severe’.

GRAP-IV in Force, Strict Restrictions Continue

Given the poor air quality, the strictest restrictions under GRAP-IV remain in force across Delhi and the NCR. These include a ban on construction activities, restrictions on non-essential vehicle movement, and strict action against polluting vehicles. Additional measures include denial of fuel to vehicles without valid PUC certificates and a ban on the entry of non-Delhi vehicles below BS-VI norms.

Weather Update

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate fog is likely to persist throughout the day in Delhi and surrounding areas. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 24°C, while the minimum temperature may hover near 10°C. Reduced smog has led to improved visibility during morning hours.