Delhi Government Mandates Work From Home And Doubles Parking Fees In New Winter Plan
The Delhi government has introduced a comprehensive new winter pollution-control framework to proactively tackle the city's annual smog crisis, enforcing strict rules across Delhi from November 1 to February 28. The measures aim to prevent the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) from reaching emergency levels by reducing vehicular emissions, lowering traffic density, and mandating anti-smog measures.
Under the new framework, motorists without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will be denied petrol, diesel, or CNG at fuel stations across Delhi. Authorities will monitor compliance using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and digital databases, and vehicles found without a valid certificate will face penalties.
Additionally, the policy doubles parking charges at authorised facilities to discourage the use of private vehicles during the peak pollution season. Parking facilities operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will remain exempt from this increase to encourage public transport usage.
The framework also targets office operations, mandating that both government and private offices operate with only 50 percent physical attendance. The remaining staff will work from home. Private organisations have also been advised to encourage carpooling, staggered office timings, and public transport.
Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not comply with BS-VI emission norms will face entry restrictions between November 1 and January 31. This rule exempts CNG vehicles, electric vehicles, ambulances, fire brigade, and police vehicles.
To control dust, commercial high-rise buildings, malls, hotels, and office complexes with a built-up area exceeding 3,000 square metres must install anti-smog guns or mist systems. Construction sites larger than 1,000 square metres are also required to install mist systems. Dust-generating construction and demolition activities, along with vehicles carrying construction materials, will face tighter restrictions.
The government will step up drone surveillance to detect open garbage, leaf, and plastic burning, particularly at night. Resident Welfare Associations, housing societies, and commercial establishments will be held responsible for preventing waste burning on their premises.
Violators of these new rules face penalties under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which may include fines, environmental compensation, sealing of premises, and prosecution.
According to government data, Delhi's winter AQI has averaged between 312 and 342 over the past three years, with peak levels hitting 461 to 494. This has prompted the shift from reactive emergency steps to advance planning.
