Delhi Pollution Plan will bring stricter measures from November to control winter air pollution, including 50% work-from-home for offices, higher parking charges, tighter construction restrictions and stronger enforcement of the “No PUC, No Fuel” rule.
Delhi Pollution Plan Brings 50% Work From Home
Under the plan, government and private offices will have 50% of their staff working from home during the specified winter period.
Staggered office timings will also be introduced from November 1 to reduce peak-hour traffic and vehicle emissions.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices will operate from 8:30 am to 5 pm, while Delhi government offices will function from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
The work-from-home arrangement will apply from November 1 to January 31, while staggered timings continue through February 28.
Essential services such as healthcare, emergency services, public transport, electricity and water supply are exempt from the work-from-home restrictions under the broader framework.
No PUC, No Fuel Rule to Get Stricter
The government plans to intensify the “No PUC, No Fuel” policy, under which vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate will not be allowed to purchase fuel.
Enforcement will use vehicle records and Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems.
A strict drive against end-of-life vehicles is also planned at petrol pumps equipped with ANPR cameras.
The Delhi government has said fitness checks will be conducted for around 2.5 lakh vehicles through automated testing stations.
A public awareness campaign is planned for October, while PUC centres are scheduled to be upgraded in November to improve access to the required certificates.
Parking Charges to Double From November
Parking charges at authorised parking sites will be doubled from November 1 as part of efforts to discourage private vehicle use.
The higher charges will remain applicable until February 28, 2027, with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation parking facilities exempt from the measure.
The government is also planning to strengthen public transport. Delhi has announced that 150 additional electric buses will be introduced, while measures to improve last-mile connectivity are also part of the pollution-control effort.
Construction Restrictions During Winter
Dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction activities will be prohibited from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027.
A stricter complete ban on construction and demolition activities will apply from December 10 to January 20, subject to specified exemptions.
The measures are part of Delhi’s wider winter pollution framework, which is designed to operate annually during the period when air quality typically deteriorates.
The Delhi Pollution Plan also includes restrictions on certain polluting vehicles and action at identified pollution hotspots.
