Delhi air pollution: Govt announces 50% of its employees will work from home amid pollution as air quality moves to ‘severe’ category

Half of the staff of Delhi government offices will work from home in view of the pollution levels in the city

Half of the staff of Delhi Government offices will work from home, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday (November 20, 2024) as Delhi witnessed yet another dawn with a blanket of toxic air with the capital recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 426 in the “severe” category, which followed the coldest night of the season in the city so far.

The city’s minimum temperature dropped to 11.1° Celsius Tuesday night, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The drop in temperature combined with dense fog has blanketed the city, reducing visibility to 500 metres as of 8.30 a.m. The IMD has forecast dense fog to persist throughout the day.

The air quality index had been reeling under the ‘severe plus’ category for the past two consecutive days.

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Humidity levels stood at 84% in the morning. The maximum temperature for the day is expected to settle at 25° Celsius.

Delhi had an AQI reading of 426 at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

50% government staff to work from home

In a post on X, Mr. Rai said that 50% of the staff in government offices will work from home. Implementation of the provision will be discussed in a meeting with the officers later in the day, he said.

Earlier, the government announced staggered office timings for its offices and the MCD. The timings of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices were fixed from 8.30 am to 5 pm, while that of Delhi government offices were 10 am to 6.30 pm.

Police intensifies vehicle checks to enforce GRAP-IV rules

Delhi Police conducted vehicle checks on Tuesday night to ensure the proper implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

GRAP Stage IV enforces a ban on the operation of Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel-operated medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), except those engaged in essential services.

Stage IV of GRAP has been in effect since 8:00 AM on November 18, in response to deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.

“We have banned BS-III petrol four-wheelers and BS-IV diesel vehicles. All trucks and diesel buses coming from outside Delhi have also been banned,” said Mr. Rai.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)

Published - November 20, 2024 10:09 am IST