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Delhi’s fight against toxic air has intensified yet again. With pollution levels hovering in the ‘severe’ zone, the Delhi government has issued a fresh directive asking both government and private offices across the National Capital Territory to operate with only 50% staff on site, while the remaining employees work from home. The order, issued on Monday, comes under GRAP Stage III, which is activated when air pollution touches alarming levels.
Read more: Delhi AQI hits 400; Here’s exactly what to eat, avoid and do right now to protect yourself
Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments will continue attending office regularly, but they must ensure that no more than half the staff is physically present at any given time.
The remaining employees will work from home. However, officers can be called to office whenever required to maintain the smooth delivery of essential and emergency public services.
The rest of the workforce must work from home, and this is now mandatory under GRAP Stage III guidelines.
Why has the order been issued?
According to officials, the decision follows fresh directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Delhi's eleven monitoring stations logged readings in the ‘severe’ category.
What does GRAP Stage III mean?
GRAP is Delhi-NCR’s tiered system to tackle air pollution.
Stage III brings tougher measures, including restrictions on construction and demolition activities and now, reduced office attendance.
Private offices have been told to widely circulate the advisory and ensure all branches follow the 50% workforce cap.
Government taking stricter steps
Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government is implementing all GRAP III measures “with full seriousness and round-the-clock monitoring”.
He added that air quality is being closely tracked, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable groups.
To control vehicular emissions, the government has already introduced staggered office timings for its departments and for offices under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD):
Enforcement efforts intensify
More than 2,000 enforcement personnel are currently on the ground ensuring compliance.
So far:
A renewed push to clean Delhi’s air
Calling the measures necessary, Sirsa said, “These restrictions are part of an intensified implementation of pollution-control measures. Delhi is acting with urgency and responsibility.”
As pollution levels remain high, the government is hoping that reduced office attendance, stricter monitoring, and public cooperation will help ease Delhi’s air crisis in the coming days.
Inputs from agencies
Read more: Delhi AQI hits 400; Here’s exactly what to eat, avoid and do right now to protect yourself
What Government Offices Have Been Ordered to Do
All Government Offices under the GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi) have been told to strictly follow the 50% attendance cap.Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments will continue attending office regularly, but they must ensure that no more than half the staff is physically present at any given time.
The remaining employees will work from home. However, officers can be called to office whenever required to maintain the smooth delivery of essential and emergency public services.
Rules for Private Offices in Delhi-NCT
Private offices across the National Capital Territory have also been directed to function with not more than 50% staff on the premises.The rest of the workforce must work from home, and this is now mandatory under GRAP Stage III guidelines.
Why has the order been issued?
According to officials, the decision follows fresh directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). Delhi's eleven monitoring stations logged readings in the ‘severe’ category.
What does GRAP Stage III mean?
GRAP is Delhi-NCR’s tiered system to tackle air pollution.- GRAP I: AQI 201–300
- GRAP II: AQI 301–400
- GRAP III: AQI 401–450
- GRAP IV: AQI above 451
Stage III brings tougher measures, including restrictions on construction and demolition activities and now, reduced office attendance.
Private offices have been told to widely circulate the advisory and ensure all branches follow the 50% workforce cap.
Government taking stricter steps
Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government is implementing all GRAP III measures “with full seriousness and round-the-clock monitoring”.He added that air quality is being closely tracked, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable groups.
To control vehicular emissions, the government has already introduced staggered office timings for its departments and for offices under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD):
- MCD offices: 8:30 am to 5 pm
- Delhi government offices: 10 am to 6:30 pm
- These timings will remain in force till February 2025.
Enforcement efforts intensify
More than 2,000 enforcement personnel are currently on the ground ensuring compliance.So far:
- 1,200+ inspections of construction and industrial units have been conducted
- Over 200 show-cause notices have been issued
- 50 polluting sites have been ordered to shut immediately
A renewed push to clean Delhi’s air
Calling the measures necessary, Sirsa said, “These restrictions are part of an intensified implementation of pollution-control measures. Delhi is acting with urgency and responsibility.”As pollution levels remain high, the government is hoping that reduced office attendance, stricter monitoring, and public cooperation will help ease Delhi’s air crisis in the coming days.
Inputs from agencies
