Delhi Orders 50% Work-from-Home for All Offices as Air Pollution Reaches Emergency Levels
Delhi has directed all government and private offices to operate with at least 50 per cent of their workforce working from home as the capital battles one of its worst air pollution episodes this season. The order, announced on Wednesday, applies across sectors and comes with a warning of penalties for organisations that fail to comply.
The decision follows a sharp deterioration in air quality earlier this week, when Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 498 on December 15, placing it in the “severe plus” category. According to data from pollution monitoring agencies, air quality had already crossed into the “severe” zone a day earlier before worsening further, prompting emergency intervention.
In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the strictest set of anti-pollution measures currently available. These curbs are applicable across the entire National Capital Region (NCR), including neighbouring cities such as Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad.
Under the latest government directive, companies are expected to stagger attendance and rely on remote work to reduce traffic and on-road emissions. Officials said inspections would be carried out and fines imposed on establishments found violating the work-from-home mandate.
The pollution crisis has also affected daily life across the capital. Dense smog over the weekend severely reduced visibility, leading to multiple road accidents, traffic pile-ups, and disruptions to flight operations at Delhi airport. Airlines issued advisories as delays and cancellations mounted, while commuters faced hazardous driving conditions.
Some relief was recorded on Tuesday and Wednesday as stronger winds helped disperse pollutants. On Wednesday morning, the AQI improved marginally to 329, down from 354 a day earlier, though it remained in the “very poor” category—still well above safe limits.
Beyond office restrictions, the government has announced financial relief for construction workers affected by the shutdown of construction activities under GRAP IV. Registered workers who are currently unable to work will receive compensation of ₹10,000, officials said.
Additional measures under Stage IV include a ban on the entry of non-Delhi vehicles that do not meet BS-VI emission standards and denial of fuel at petrol pumps to vehicles lacking valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. Schools across Delhi and the NCR have also been instructed to follow a hybrid model of physical and online classes for students in Classes 6 to 9.
Addressing concerns over the recurring pollution crisis, Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa acknowledged the scale of the challenge, stating that no government can eliminate the capital’s pollution problem within a short span of months.
While the slight improvement in air quality has offered a temporary breather, officials have indicated that restrictions will remain in place until pollution levels stabilise. Authorities continue to urge residents and organisations to cooperate with emergency measures, warning that sustained high pollution poses serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.
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