The Delhi government has instructed private offices across the city to function with only 50 per cent of their employees on site, while the remaining staff must work from home. The directive, issued on Saturday, 22 November, comes under the Graded
Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III as the Capital continues to battle persistently high pollution levels.
Officials said the advisory follows directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which oversees air quality measures in Delhi-NCR.
Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category for the ninth straight day, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 370. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board shows that 11 monitoring stations in the city registered readings in the ‘severe’ range.
To limit on-ground activity and reduce emissions, private offices have been asked to widely circulate the advisory and ensure strict implementation across all units and branches.
GRAP follows a tiered system of restrictions based on AQI levels. Stage I is activated when AQI crosses 201, Stage II at 301, Stage III at 401, and Stage IV when pollution levels rise above 451. With Delhi inching toward the higher end of the ‘very poor’ category, authorities have begun applying Stage III measures proactively.
The government has already rolled out staggered work timings for its departments and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices to reduce peak traffic congestion. MCD offices will operate from 8:30 am to 5 pm, while Delhi government offices will work from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
More than 2,000 enforcement personnel have been deployed to monitor compliance with pollution-control measures. Over 1,200 inspections of construction sites and industrial units have been conducted, leading to multiple notices and closure orders for violators.
Authorities are urging residents to avoid activities that worsen pollution, such as burning waste or biomass, and to report violations through the Green Delhi app. The government maintains that it is intensifying efforts to curb pollution as the city continues to experience unhealthy air quality levels.
