The Delhi government has introduced a fresh set of strict measures after the city’s Air Quality Index dropped into the ‘severe’ category this week. The steps include shifting offices to a hybrid work model, banning vehicles that carry construction materials, and enforcing mandatory Pollution Under Control certificates.

These measures will come into force from Thursday. They add to the Stage-IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan, or GRAP-4, already announced by the Commission for Air Quality Management. The decision followed Delhi recording ‘severe’ air quality for three consecutive days since Saturday, December 13.

Work From Home Ordered for Offices

Delhi Labour Minister Kapil Mishra said all government and private institutions must switch to work-from-home arrangements from Thursday. He warned that action would be taken against those who fail to comply. However, the order allows partial physical attendance and includes several exemptions.

Even though the rule applies to both government and private offices, workplaces will not be fully shut. Offices will continue to function in a limited physical capacity.

How the Hybrid Work Rule Will Apply

Under the new order, all private offices operating within the National Capital Territory of Delhi must ensure that no more than 50 per cent of their employees report to work in person. The remaining staff must work from home on a mandatory basis.

The work-from-home rule does not apply to emergency and frontline workers. This includes employees working in hospitals, departments engaged in controlling air pollution, the fire department, and other essential services.

Public and private healthcare workers, transport staff, and sanitation workers are also exempted so that critical services continue without disruption.

Compensation Announced for Construction Workers

Restrictions on construction activities under GRAP-IV are expected to impact daily-wage labourers. To address this, the Delhi government has announced financial support for affected construction workers.

Kapil Mishra said construction workers would receive ₹10,000 as compensation for the period during which GRAP-IV remains in force. He added that the registration process to identify eligible workers is currently ongoing.

Fuel Denial for Vehicles Without PUC

As pollution levels worsened, the Delhi government stepped up enforcement against polluting vehicles. Several checks have been announced, along with stricter implementation of existing laws.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that from Thursday, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate will not be given fuel at petrol pumps across the city.

The PUC certificate is issued after a basic emission test at authorised centres in the national capital. The certificate costs ₹60 for two- and three-wheelers and ₹80 for four-wheelers. Diesel vehicles must pay ₹100. For Bharat Stage IV and Bharat Stage VI compliant vehicles, the certificate is valid for 12 months.

Construction Material Vehicles Barred

The environment minister also announced a ban on vehicles carrying construction materials into Delhi. The step aims to reduce dust pollution, which significantly worsens air quality.

“Trucks carrying construction materials into Delhi have also been banned... I appeal to people coming from outside Delhi to bring vehicles that comply with Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission standards,” Manjinder Singh Sirsa told ANI.

Entry Ban on Vehicles Below BS-6

Manjinder Singh Sirsa further said that all vehicles registered outside Delhi and falling below the BS-6 emission category will not be allowed to enter the city when GRAP-3 and GRAP-4 restrictions are in place. This ban will also begin on Thursday.

On December 13, the GRAP sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management held an emergency meeting as Delhi’s AQI entered the severe category. Following the meeting, Stage-IV of GRAP was implemented with immediate effect.

Supreme Court Clears Way for Strict Enforcement

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ended protection against coercive action for BS-3 and below vehicles in the national capital. This decision allows authorities to take strict action against older and more polluting vehicles.

Enforcement Teams Deployed Across City

To ensure compliance, teams from the Delhi Traffic Police and the transport department will be stationed at petrol pumps and city borders from Thursday. These teams will check PUC certificates and stop banned vehicles from entering Delhi.

Carpooling App in the Works

The Delhi government has also announced plans to launch its own carpooling application. The initiative aims to reduce the number of vehicles on roads and cut emissions during periods of high pollution.