BS-IV vehicles barred, WFH mandates, construction ban: Delhi’s winter pollution crackdown begins

Delhi rolled out a series of measures to combat winter air pollution from November 1, including restrictions on older vehicles registered outside the city, curbs on outdoor construction, 50% office attendance, higher parking fees and staggered government office timings.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) also ordered government and private offices in Delhi and five NCR districts to adopt a 50:50 work-from-home arrangement from November 5 to 20.

The measures assume significance as Delhi-NCR enters its most vulnerable pollution period, with historical data showing that air quality frequently deteriorates to the ‘Severe’ and ‘Severe+’ categories in November.


Low wind speeds, a shallow atmospheric boundary layer and reduced vertical mixing restrict the dispersion of pollutants, while local emissions, agricultural residue burning and biomass fires add to the pollution load.

Delhi pollution curbs: Older vehicles barred, construction restricted

Under the Delhi government's restrictions, vehicles registered outside the capital that meet BS-IV or older emission standards will be barred from the city until January 31. CNG and electric vehicles, ambulances, fire tenders and police vehicles will be exempt.

Dust-generating outdoor construction and demolition activities will also be prohibited until January 31, with specified exemptions for essential infrastructure projects. A wider construction ban, subject to exemptions, will apply from December 10 to January 20.

Government and private offices in Delhi will limit physical attendance to 50% until January 31, with essential and emergency services exempt. Parking fees at authorised lots will double until February 28, while Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices will operate from 8.30 am to 5 pm and Delhi government offices from 10 am to 6.30 pm to ease traffic congestion.

CAQM orders work from home in Delhi-NCR, schools told to act

The CAQM's separate directions will extend the 50% office attendance requirement to Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar from November 5 to 20. It also restricted dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction across the NCR during this period, exempting specified critical projects.

Schools, meanwhile, were asked to implement a winter action plan that included dust-control measures, anti-firecracker campaigns, better classroom ventilation, promotion of public transport and expansion of green spaces. Authorities will use enforcement teams, ANPR cameras and an AI-enabled control centre to monitor compliance with the restrictions.