New Delhi
oi-Ashish Rana
Delhi has announced a new measures to control air pollution as national capital is preparing for winter months, when pollution levels usually rise. The new measures government has announced for include higher parking fees, changed office timings and 50 percent work-from-home rules for government and private offices.
Delhi announced winter air pollution control measures, including doubled parking fees from November 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027, adjusted office timings, 50% work-from-home mandates, and construction bans.
Parking Charges To Double From 1 November
From 1 November, parking charges at authorised parking sites in Delhi will be doubled to discourage people from using private vehicles. The higher charges will remain in place till 28 February 2027.
Parking facilities that are being owned and managed by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will remain outside this measure. Delhi government has earlier also used higher parking charges as part of its efforts to reduce vehicle use during periods of severe pollution.
New Office Timings, 50 Percent Work From Home
The Delhi government has planned to announce new office timings from 1 November to 28 February.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices will function from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, while offices under the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) will operate from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.
Government and private officers will also be told keep only 50 percent of their staff working from the office. The 50 percent will work from home during the period.
These Work-from-home rules have previously been used under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) when Delhi faces very poor air quality.
Construction And Demolition To Face Curbs
The government has announced a complete ban on construction and demolition activities from December 10, 2026, to January 20, 2027.
Dust-generating demolition work and outdoor civil construction activities will also remain banned from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027.
Delhi has been working on several dust-control measures, including mist-spraying systems at pollution hotspots and additional construction and demolition waste collection sites.
Rekha Gupta Reviews Pollution Control Measures
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta held a meeting at Paryavaran Bhawan on Monday in the presence of Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Delhi Food and Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
“Clean air remains a year-round priority for the Delhi Government. Focused action is being taken across major sources of pollution through strict enforcement, continuous monitoring and coordinated efforts across departments,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a post on X.
Sirsa said, “Providing clean air and a healthy environment to the residents of Delhi is our responsibility, and this responsibility is not limited to any one season.”
He added, “The Delhi government is continuously working in a technical and scientific manner, 365 days a year, 24×7, for pollution control.”
He also said pollution-control efforts would be strengthened by implementing the suggestions and directions given by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.
