Delhi-NCR pollution: CAQM orders construction ban, 50% work-from-home from November 5 to 20

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed a halt to dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction activities across Delhi-NCR from November 5 to November 20 as part of preventive measures to control air pollution.

The Commission has also asked government and private offices in Delhi and adjoining districts to allow up to 50% of their staff to work from home during this period.

The directions follow Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav's announcement of a complete halt to construction and demolition activities across the National Capital Region (NCR) for 15 days to curb rising pollution levels.


"A complete halt of construction and demolition activities across the NCR region from November 5 to November 20 in a bid to control pollution," the minister said, calling for strict compliance by all agencies.

In an order dated October 30, the CAQM said the measures were necessary in view of the recurring deterioration in air quality in Delhi-NCR during November, particularly during periods of unfavourable weather conditions.

Which construction activities are banned?

The CAQM has directed authorities to restrict dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction activities across the entire NCR, with exemptions for certain essential projects.

These include projects related to railways, metro services, airports, interstate bus terminals, hospitals, water supply and sanitation, national security and defence, and other projects of national importance.

The restriction will also cover linear public infrastructure projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission lines, pipelines and telecommunications infrastructure.

The Commission said the restrictions were preventive in nature and would remain in force for the specified period and geographical area, keeping the region's seasonal vulnerability to air pollution in mind.

Delhi pollution: 50% work-from-home for offices

The CAQM has also directed state governments and private offices to operate with up to 50% of their staff attending physically, while the remaining employees work from home.

The direction applies to offices under the territorial jurisdiction of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.

However, the order provides an exemption for industrial establishments and essential services where such an arrangement is not feasible.

Why has CAQM ordered preventive measures?

The Commission said an examination of daily Air Quality Index (AQI) data for November between 2018 and 2025 showed a recurring pattern of elevated pollution levels in Delhi-NCR, particularly from early to mid-November.

It noted that AQI levels had reached the 'Severe' and 'Severe+' categories on certain days during this period.

The order identified local emission sources, seasonal agricultural residue and biomass burning, and other episodic events as contributors to the pollution load. It also pointed to unfavourable weather conditions, including low wind speeds and a shallow atmospheric boundary layer, which reduce vertical mixing and limit the dispersion of pollutants.

Explaining the need for early intervention, the Commission said that Tthe objective of the proposed intervention is to reduce the emission load at source and minimise the accumulation of pollutants.

Delhi AQI improves after overnight rainfall

The restrictions come even as Delhi recorded a temporary improvement in air quality following overnight rainfall.

The national capital's AQI remained above 200 in the 'Poor' category on Wednesday and Thursday before improving to 133 in the 'Moderate' category as of 4 am on Friday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The improvement followed overnight rainfall across the city, which also brought down temperatures.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), on October 29, had issued a yellow alert for Delhi and adjoining NCR districts, forecasting spells of rain and thunderstorms over the next 24 to 48 hours, followed by clear weather heading into early November.

Despite the improvement after rainfall, the CAQM's restrictions aim to reduce pollution emissions ahead of the seasonal deterioration in air quality.