The Commission for Air Quality Management has issued a work-from-home order for offices in Delhi-NCR between November 5 and November 20 due to peak air pollution levels during Diwali. Additionally, a ban on dust-generating demolitions and outdoor construction activities has been enforced across the region.
On Friday, the Commission for Air Quality Management directed state government and private offices in Delhi and five adjoining regions, including Gurugram and Noida, to ensure that 50% of their employees work from home between November 5 and November 20. The decision was taken as a precautionary measure citing peak air pollution levels historically observed during and immediately after Diwali, which will be celebrated on November 8 this year.
The five regions covered under the work-from-home order are Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat districts in Haryana, and Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. However, the order exempts industrial establishments and essential services.
Air quality deteriorates sharply in the winter months in Delhi , which is often ranked the world’s most polluted capital. The lighting of firecrackers during Diwali along with stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, vehicular pollution, falling temperatures, decreased wind speeds and emissions from industries and coal-fired plants contribute to the problem.
In addition to the work-from-home order, the Commission for Air Quality Management also imposed a 15-day ban on dust-generating demolitions and outdoor construction activities across the national capital region during the period. Projects relating to the railways, metros, airports, inter-state bus terminals, hospitals, water supply and sanitation units, and activities linked to national security and defence were exempted from the construction ban.
The restrictions are in addition to the Delhi government’s Winter Action Plan. On October 20, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had announced additional measures under the Winter Action Plan, which will take effect on Sunday.
As part of the measures, non-Delhi vehicles below the Bharat Stage-6 emission norms will not be allowed to enter the national capital till January 31. Vehicles registered in Delhi that do not have a valid pollution control certificate will be denied refuelling, Gupta said.
These measures were imposed in Delhi last year as well.
Source:
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