The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced stringent measures across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) to combat anticipated severe air pollution. Effective from November 5 to 20, these directives include mandatory work-from-home for a significant portion of office staff and a ban on specific construction activities.
Work-from-Home Mandate for Delhi-NCR Offices
State and private offices in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar are now required to operate with up to 50% of their employees physically present, with the remainder working remotely. Industrial establishments and essential services where remote work is not feasible are exempt from this mandate, ensuring critical operations continue without interruption.
Strict Construction and Demolition Restrictions
The CAQM has directed authorities to restrict all dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction activities throughout the NCR. However, critical public infrastructure projects such as Railways, Metro services, airports, hospitals, water supply, and national security-related activities are exempt. Notably, linear public projects like highways, roads, flyovers, power transmission, and pipelines will be subject to these construction restrictions, highlighting a broad effort to reduce particulate matter.
Historical Pollution Data Drives Preventive Measures
These preventive actions are based on historical Air Quality Index (AQI) data from 2018 to 2025, which consistently shows a recurring pattern of elevated pollution levels, often reaching 'Severe' or 'Severe+' categories in early to mid-November. The Commission cited local emission sources, seasonal agricultural residue burning, and adverse meteorological conditions—such as low wind speeds and reduced pollutant dispersal—as primary contributors to the recurring air quality deterioration during this period.
Enforcement Across NCR States
The directives fall under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and are mandated for implementation by all relevant departments and agencies of the NCR state governments and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Chief Secretaries of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi have been notified to ensure comprehensive compliance and enforcement of these crucial pollution control measures.