Highlights:
-
Delhi mandates 50 percent work from home for government and private offices
-
Delhi bans entry of high-polluting vehicles during the emergency period
-
Delhi denies fuel to vehicles without valid emissions certificates
-
Supreme Court presses Delhi authorities for stronger and coordinated action
- Advertisement - -
Delhi plans a carpooling app to reduce traffic volume and emissions
Delhi has imposed a series of emergency pollution control measures after toxic smog continued to blanket the city for several consecutive days. Authorities confirmed that air quality in Delhi has remained in the “severe” category, prompting the activation of additional restrictions under India’s Graded Response Action Plan, or GRAP. The measures are aimed at reducing emissions from vehicles, limiting human activity, and curbing traffic congestion during one of the most polluted phases of the winter season in Delhi.
The latest steps come as Delhi struggles with persistently hazardous air quality levels that pose serious health risks. Officials said the emergency response was necessary after earlier measures failed to deliver sufficient improvement. The situation in Delhi has drawn increased scrutiny from the Supreme Court, which has urged authorities to take more decisive and comprehensive action to address the pollution crisis affecting the capital.
Delhi mandates 50 percent work from home
Under the new directions, all government and private offices in Delhi are required to operate with only 50 percent of their staff physically present at workplaces. The remaining employees must work from home during the emergency period. Authorities said the work-from-home mandate is intended to reduce daily commuting in Delhi, which is a major contributor to vehicular emissions and congestion.
Essential services in Delhi are exempt from the rule. These include hospitals, emergency responders, sanitation workers, and public transport staff. Officials clarified that the exemptions are designed to ensure uninterrupted delivery of critical services while limiting non-essential movement across Delhi.
The work-from-home order applies across sectors and is one of the most significant steps taken this season. Previous pollution episodes in Delhi have seen advisory-level measures, but officials noted that the current situation required mandatory compliance due to sustained severe air quality readings.
Delhi tightens vehicle restrictions and border checks
Delhi has also introduced stricter controls on vehicle movement as part of the emergency response. Entry into Delhi has been banned for high-polluting vehicles during the emergency period. Cars and trucks entering Delhi from neighboring states must comply with India’s strictest emission standards.
Authorities have been authorized to take action against older and more polluting vehicles already operating within Delhi. Enforcement teams have been stationed at Delhi’s borders, fuel stations, and major traffic corridors to monitor compliance and restrict the movement of non-compliant vehicles.
Vehicles without valid emissions certificates will be denied fuel across Delhi. Officials said this step is intended to ensure immediate compliance and discourage the use of vehicles that significantly contribute to pollution levels. Police and transport department officials are jointly overseeing the enforcement process to prevent loopholes.
Supreme Court presses Delhi authorities for action
The Supreme Court has raised concerns about the effectiveness of pollution control measures in Delhi and has urged authorities to strengthen their response. The court’s intervention followed several days of hazardous air quality in Delhi, during which pollution levels remained well above safe limits.
Officials acknowledged that judicial scrutiny played a role in accelerating the rollout of stricter measures. The court has emphasized the need for coordinated action across agencies and long-term planning to address the recurring pollution problem in Delhi.
Delhi plans carpooling app to cut traffic and emissions
In addition to immediate restrictions, Delhi is planning to introduce a citywide carpooling app. Authorities said the initiative aims to reduce the number of vehicles on Delhi’s roads by encouraging shared travel among commuters. The app is expected to support pollution control efforts by lowering fuel consumption and emissions during peak traffic hours.
Officials noted that traffic congestion remains a major challenge in Delhi, especially during winter months when weather conditions trap pollutants close to the ground. The carpooling plan is part of a broader strategy to manage travel demand and reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles in Delhi.
Delhi faces ongoing winter pollution challenge
Delhi’s pollution crisis typically intensifies during winter due to a combination of factors, including vehicular emissions, construction activity, crop residue burning in neighboring regions, and unfavorable meteorological conditions. Authorities said the current emergency measures will remain in place until air quality in Delhi shows sustained improvement.
Officials reiterated that the restrictions are temporary but necessary to protect public health. Residents of Delhi have been advised to limit outdoor activity and follow official guidelines during the emergency period.
As Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution, authorities said further measures could be introduced if conditions do not improve. The focus, officials added, remains on immediate risk reduction while longer-term solutions for cleaner air in Delhi are developed and implemented.
