Delhi-NCR combats air pollution: Govt, private offices capped at 50% capacity

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Stating that high levels of air pollution in the NCR, particularly episodic increases during periods of adverse meteorological conditions, have been a matter of serious concern

By Prabhudatta Mishra

Updated - October 31, 2026 at 05:56 PM. | New Delhi

The CAQM in Delhi-NCR caps workplace capacity at 50% from Nov 5 to 20 as a preventive measure to keep the region’s air quality in check. | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas for the first time issued an order as a preventive measure to check air pollution in Delhi during November 5-20, a key period which historically witnessed high levels of pollution. The measures included government and private offices operating with half of their strength and no outdoor construction.

The Commission, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 12 of the CAQM Act, 2021, has directed on October 30 for implementation of these measures by all concerned departments/agencies of the National Capital Region (NCR) State Governments, including the Delhi Government during the period November 5-20 for prevention and control of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

Restricting dust

“Restrict dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction activities in the entire NCR except for projects related to railways, metro services, airports, interstate bus terminals, hospitals, water supply & sanitation, national security/defence-related activities and projects of national importance. This restriction shall also apply to linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, and tele-communication,” said the order issued by Tarun Kumar Pithode, Member Secretary of CAQM.

Further, CAQM said, “State Government and private offices to operate with up to 50 per cent of the staff strength attending physically and remaining staff to work from home in the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar except for such industrial establishments and essential services, where this arrangement is not feasible,” it said.

Stating that high levels of air pollution in the NCR, particularly episodic increases during periods of adverse meteorological conditions, have been a matter of serious concern, the CAQM said that it has already revised the schedule of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in September providing a framework of preventive, restrictive and other measures, particularly during periods of adverse meteorological conditions.

Further, it said that the commission had analysed historical daily Air Quality Index (AQI) data for November during 2018-2025 and found a recurring pattern of elevated air pollution in Delhi-NCR, particularly during early to mid-November, with AQI levels reaching the ‘Severe’ and ‘Severe+’ categories on certain days. During this period, local emission sources, seasonal agricultural residue and biomass burning, and other episodic events related to emissions further contribute to the pollution load, while adverse meteorological conditions, including low wind speeds, a shallow atmospheric boundary layer and reduced vertical mixing, further limit pollutant dispersion.

“This recurring pattern underscores the need for timely preventive interventions to minimise emissions before and during the onset of peak pollution episodes,” it noted.

The Commission is of the view that, having regard to the recurring seasonal pattern of deterioration in air quality in Delhi-NCR and the need to ensure timely and effective implementation of pollution abatement measures, it is necessary to undertake anticipatory interventions during the period preceding and coinciding with the historically observed peak pollution episodes so that the emission load at the source is reduced and the accumulation of pollutants is minimised.

Also, the exemptions provided for essential public infrastructure, national security and other critical services are intended to ensure that essential and unavoidable activities are not disrupted, it said.

Seperate order

In a separate order, the Central Pollution Control Board has directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan that SPCBs/PCCs shall immediately issue show-cause notices for closure to all industrial units covered under Clause 21(i) of CAQM Direction No. 98 that have not placed “work orders” for installation/retrofit of APCDs to meet the revised norms of 50 mg/Nm3 and have also not obtained adequacy assessment reports or exemption certificates.

“SPCBs/PCCs shall issue closure direction to such units where the industry fails to produce satisfactory evidence of placement of ‘work order’ for installation/retrofitment of APCD (or valid exemption/adequacy report) within the stipulated period (5 days). The units shall remain closed until ‘work orders’ are placed and a credible compliance timeline is submitted and accepted by the Board.

“SPCBS/PCCs shall share the complete list of non-compliant industries (unit-wise) against which show-cause notices have been issued and closure orders passed and submit a weekly status report to CPCB on the action taken, including revocation of CTO and electricity disconnection through the concerned DISCOM/District Magistrate,” the CPCB Order said.

The CAQM in February this year had stipulated that the maximum permissible limit of Particulate Matter (PM) emissions shall be 50 mg/Nm3 in 17 categories of highly polluting industries identified by CPCB, Red Category (Medium and Large) air polluting industries, Food & Food Processing and Textile industries having boilers/thermic fluid heaters and Metal industries having furnaces operating in Delhi-NCR.

Published on October 31, 2026

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