Delhi govt mandates 50% work from home for govt and private offices as toxic air chokes city, fines for violators

The Delhi government has also warned that strict action will be taken against offices that do not follow the rule. Fines and other penalties may be imposed on violators.

The Delhi government has ordered that 50 per cent of employees in both government and private offices must work from home as the city continues to suffer from dangerously high air pollution. The decision was taken after air quality in Delhi dropped to severe levels, making it unsafe for people to step outside, especially children, elderly citizens, and those with breathing problems.

Under the new rule, offices must ensure that at least half of their staff work remotely to reduce traffic on roads and lower pollution levels. The order applies to government departments as well as private companies, unless their work involves essential services that cannot be done from home.

The Delhi government has also warned that strict action will be taken against offices that do not follow the rule. Fines and other penalties may be imposed on violators. According to India Today, the Delhi government will give financial help of Rs 10,000 to registered construction workers who are currently out of work.

The National Capital saw some of the worst air pollution this season on December 14. In the evening, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 441, which falls in the severe category. By midnight, the situation became even worse as the AQI rose to 460, crossing into the severe plus level.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, pollution levels increased rapidly within just a few hours, raising serious health concerns for residents.

Due to the sharp decline in air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management quickly enforced GRAP Stage IV, the strictest set of anti-pollution measures. These emergency steps were put in place across Delhi to control emissions and prevent the situation from getting worse.

Today, Bawana recorded the highest AQI at 378, followed closely by Mundka (370), Pusa (365), Rohini (364), ITO, Wazirpur and Nehru Nagar (360-361), and Jahangirpuri and NSIT Dwarka (361). These readings fall dangerously close to the severe category, indicating prolonged exposure could cause respiratory distress even in healthy individuals.

Several residential and commercial hubs also reported alarming pollution levels. Ashok Nagar (350), DTU (357), Sirifort (356), Vivek Vihar (354), Shadipur (343), RK Puram (342), Dwarka Sector 8 (342) and Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range (342) reflected widespread deterioration in air quality. Central and old city areas such as Chandni Chowk (328), Punjabi Bagh (339), Patparganj (331) and North Campus, Delhi University (319) were firmly in the very poor bracket.