New Delhi – The national capital has implemented stringent Delhi anti-pollution measures starting December 18, following three consecutive days of severe air quality levels. With the Air Quality Index plummeting to alarming levels, authorities have announced comprehensive restrictions affecting offices, vehicles, and construction activities across the city.
Understanding the New Delhi Anti-Pollution Measures
The fresh Delhi anti-pollution measures come as the city registered an AQI in the ‘severe’ category for three consecutive days since Saturday, December 13. These restrictions are in addition to GRAP-4 (Graded Response Action Plan Stage-4) guidelines announced by the Commission for Air Quality Management. The emergency measures aim to curb the deteriorating air quality that has engulfed the capital in hazardous smog.
Labour Minister Kapil Mishra announced that all government and private institutions must switch to work-from-home arrangements or face action. Meanwhile, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized stricter vehicular controls, making these Delhi anti-pollution measures among the most comprehensive interventions undertaken by authorities this year.
Work From Home Guidelines: Implementation Details
The work-from-home mandate represents a significant component of the Delhi anti-pollution measures. All private offices functioning within the National Capital Territory must ensure that not more than half of their staff attend the workplace physically, while the remaining employees work from home mandatorily.
However, several categories of workers are exempt from this requirement. Emergency and frontline workers, including those employed in hospitals, departments involved in fighting air pollution, fire departments, and other essential services, must continue physical attendance. Public and private health services, transport, and sanitation services also remain operational in physical mode.
The hybrid working model aims to reduce vehicular traffic significantly, thereby decreasing emissions from one of the city’s major pollution sources. These Delhi anti-pollution measures acknowledge the balance between environmental necessity and operational requirements of essential services.
Mandatory PUC Certificate Requirements
Among the most impactful Delhi anti-pollution measures is the mandatory Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate requirement. Starting December 18, vehicles without valid PUC certificates will not be provided fuel at petrol pumps across the capital.
The PUC certificate is issued after a simple emission check of vehicles at authorized centers throughout the national capital. The certification costs ₹60 for two and three-wheeled vehicles, ₹80 for four-wheeled vehicles, and ₹100 for diesel-driven vehicles. The certificate remains valid for 12 months for Bharat Stage IV and Bharat Stage VI compliant vehicles.
This enforcement mechanism ensures that only vehicles meeting emission standards remain operational, making it one of the most enforceable Delhi anti-pollution measures implemented to date.
Ban on Vehicles Below BS-6 Category
The Delhi anti-pollution measures include a comprehensive ban on vehicles below the BS-6 category registered outside Delhi. These vehicles will not be allowed entry into the city when GRAP 3 and 4 restrictions are in place. The ban became effective on December 18.
Additionally, trucks carrying construction materials into Delhi have been completely banned. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa appealed to people coming from outside Delhi to bring only vehicles complying with Bharat Stage 6 emission standards.
The Delhi Traffic Police and transport department’s enforcement teams will be deployed at petrol pumps and borders to ensure strict implementation of these restrictions. The Supreme Court has also ended protection against coercive action for BS-3 and below vehicles in the national capital, strengthening these Delhi anti-pollution measures.
Also Read: Delhi Minister Apologises Pollution: Shocking Admission on AQI Crisis
Construction Activity Restrictions and Worker Compensation
Construction activities face significant restrictions under the new Delhi anti-pollution measures. Vehicles carrying construction materials are prohibited from entering the city, effectively halting major construction operations during the GRAP-4 period.
Recognizing the impact on construction workers, the government has announced compensation of ₹10,000 for affected workers. The Labour Minister confirmed that workers will receive compensation for the days GRAP-4 remains in place, with the registration process currently ongoing.
Future Plans: Carpooling Initiative
Looking ahead, the Delhi government has announced plans to launch its own carpooling application to curb vehicular pollution. This initiative represents a long-term component of the Delhi anti-pollution measures, encouraging shared transportation to reduce the number of vehicles on roads.
The Commission for Air Quality Management called an emergency meeting on December 13 as AQI entered the ‘severe’ category, invoking Stage-IV of GRAP with immediate effect. These comprehensive Delhi anti-pollution measures reflect the government’s commitment to addressing the capital’s air quality crisis through multi-pronged strategies targeting various pollution sources simultaneously.
