Delhi has introduced an annual pollution control plan that imposes seasonal restrictions on offices, construction, vehicles, parking fees and fuel supply from November to February.
The Delhi government has officially notified a new annual pollution control plan that will come into effect every year from November 1 to February 28 to tackle worsening air pollution during the winter months. The plan introduces restrictions on office attendance, construction activities, vehicle entry, parking charges and fuel supply to help improve air quality.
Hybrid Work Policy for Offices
Government offices and privately run organisations will have 50% attendance in person from November 1 till January 31, while the rest of the workforce will telecommute.
The government expects that the hybrid work schedule will help reduce vehicular movement on Delhi’s streets, especially in winter months when pollution levels tend to spike.
Restrictions on Dust-Generating Construction
Furthermore, this plan also puts certain limitations on most of the construction activities that create dust from November 1 to January 31. Dust-producing construction is said to be one of the main reasons for the poor air quality during winter months.
Construction sites will still be monitored by the authorities for compliance with the new guidelines.
Parking Fees to Double During Winter
In order to reduce the use of cars, fees for parking in Delhi are going to be doubled from November 1 until February 28. The objective is to increase the use of public transportation.
It is expected that increased parking fees will result in reduced use of vehicles during air pollution emergencies.
Entry Restrictions for Older Vehicles
The pollution control measures also include restricting the entry of vehicles which do not have BS-VI norms from entering Delhi between November 1 and January 31. This is an attempt by the government to curb the pollution emitted by older vehicles.
Fuel Only for Vehicles with Valid PUCC
During the active pollution control period, petrol pumps will not provide fuel to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). This measure is expected to improve compliance with vehicle emission standards and encourage regular pollution checks.
Annual Winter Pollution Strategy
The recently introduced system forms an annual system for dealing with air pollution in Delhi. The idea is to lower the amount of pollution through the imposition of restrictions on vehicles, construction sites, and working hours at offices during those times of the year when air quality becomes poorer because of weather conditions.
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