The Centre on Friday announced a halt to construction and demolition activities across Delhi-NCR from November 5 to 20 in view of deteriorating air quality levels with the onset of winter.
The state government and private offices have also been directed to work at up to 50 per cent capacity to help reduce fuel emissions. The remaining staff will work from home.
Announcing the curbs, the government noted that historical data shows that pollution during mid-November peaks, with Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching ‘Severe’ and ‘Severe+’ categories on certain days.
"This recurring pattern underscores the need for timely preventive interventions to minimize emissions before and during the onset of peak pollution episodes," said the order.
On Friday, however, the AQI of Delhi improved to the ‘moderate’ category after remaining in the ‘poor’ category for several days. This came after incessant rain showers under the influence of cyclone Arnab lashed the capital, bringing the mercury levels down and providing respite from the lingering air pollution.
Exemptions, WFH Order
The government has made exemptions for construction activities related to railways, metro services, airports, inter-state bus terminals, hospitals, water supply and sanitation, national security and defence-related activities, along with ‘projects of national importance’.
“This restriction shall also apply to linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, tele-communication etc," according to the order.
Announcing work from home for offices, the government said the rule applies to Delhi and neighbouring districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
"State Government and private offices to operate with up to 50% of the staff strength attending physically and remaining staff to work from home in the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar except for such industrial establishments and essential services, where this arrangement is not feasible", the order read.
Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has mandated state boards in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to carry out immediate action against defaulting Delhi-NCR industrial units.
Delhi’s Air Quality Improves
The AQI of Delhi was recorded in the ‘moderate’ category on Friday, October 30. It was recorded above 200 in the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday and Thursday, October 28 and 29, respectively.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the city’s air quality will likely remain in the moderate category until October 31, before deteriorating to the poor category from November 1 and further declining for the next six days.
