CAQM orders 50 per cent work from home in Delhi-NCR
The Commission for Air Quality Management has also restricted dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction activities from November 5 to 20.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has instructed government and private offices in Delhi and five NCR districts to allow up to 50 per cent of staff to work from home. This order, dated October 30, will be in effect from November 5 to November 20 to control air pollution.
The directive applies to the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Industrial establishments and essential services where such arrangements are not feasible are exempt from the work-from-home instruction.
The Commission has also ordered a restriction on outdoor construction and dust-generating demolition activities across the entire NCR. This includes linear public infrastructure projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, power transmission lines, pipelines, and telecommunication works.
Exemptions for construction activities include projects related to the Railways, Metro services, airports, hospitals, water supply, sanitation, and national security. Projects of national importance and defence-related activities are also excluded from the ban.
The CAQM cited daily Air Quality Index data from 2018 to 2025, which shows a recurring pattern of rising pollution levels in the region during early to mid-November. The Commission noted that AQI levels have previously reached 'Severe' and 'Severe+' categories during this period.
The order stated that local emissions, seasonal agricultural residue burning, and adverse weather conditions like low wind speeds contribute to the pollution load. The measures are intended to reduce emissions at the source and minimise pollutant accumulation.