Delhi government orders 50% of its employees to work from home amid pollution

As air pollution worsens in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party government has directed 50 percent of its employees to work from home.

“To reduce pollution, the Delhi government decided to implement work from home in government offices. 50% of employees will work from home. For its implementation, a meeting will be held with the officials at 1 pm today in the Secretariat,” Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai tweeted in hindi.

The alarming rise in pollution levels in Delhi has been a cause of concern for its residents. The city’s Air Quality Index reached the “severe” category at 422 on Wednesday morning.

Amid the rising air pollution, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Tuesday directed staggered office timings for all government employees.

All offices under the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will follow revised schedules. MCD offices will operate from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, while Delhi government offices will function from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. This order will be in effect till February 28, 2025.

The high AQI has triggered Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan, the strictest measure to address hazardous pollution. The measures include a ban on truck entry, except for those carrying essential items or using fuels such as LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric power. Non-essential light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi are also banned unless they run on CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electricity. Construction at public projects has been stopped.

On Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote to the Centre, requesting approval for artificial rain in the city in order to combat the worsening air quality crisis. He also asked the Centre to hold a meeting with experts from IIT Kanpur and Union government agencies to discuss the issue.