Delhi-NCR Mandates 50% Office Capacity and Construction Restrictions to Combat Air Pollution

NEW DELHI: In an unprecedented preventive step, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas has ordered government and private offices to operate with a maximum of 50 percent physical staff strength from November 5 to 20. The remaining employees are mandated to work from home.

The order, issued on October 30 by CAQM Member Secretary Tarun Kumar Pithode under Section 12 of the CAQM Act, 2021, applies to the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi as well as the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Industrial establishments and essential services where this arrangement is not feasible have been exempted from the mandate.

Historically, early to mid-November has witnessed severe air pollution episodes in the region. An analysis of historical daily Air Quality Index (AQI) data from 2018 to 2025 by the commission revealed a recurring pattern of elevated pollution levels entering the 'Severe' and 'Severe+' categories. These spikes are driven by local emission sources, seasonal agricultural residue and biomass burning, and other episodic events, compounded by adverse meteorological conditions such as low wind speeds, a shallow atmospheric boundary layer, and reduced vertical mixing.

To mitigate the source emission load and minimize pollutant accumulation during this critical window, the CAQM has also restricted dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction activities across the entire NCR. However, exemptions have been granted for projects related to railways, metro services, airports, interstate bus terminals, hospitals, water supply and sanitation, national security, defence-related activities, and projects of national importance. Linear public projects including highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, and telecommunication are also covered under these restrictions.

In a parallel move, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a separate order directing the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and State Pollution Control Boards of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to immediately issue show-cause notices for closure to non-compliant industrial units. The directive targets industries covered under Clause 21(i) of CAQM Direction No. 98 that have failed to place work orders for the installation or retrofitting of Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs) to meet the revised norm of 50 mg/Nm3, or have not obtained adequacy assessment reports or exemption certificates.

Authorities have been instructed to issue closure directions to units failing to produce satisfactory evidence of work orders within a stipulated period of five days. These units will remain closed until compliant work orders are placed and accepted. State boards and committees are also required to submit weekly status reports to the CPCB regarding actions taken, including the revocation of consent to operate and electricity disconnections through local DISCOMs and District Magistrates.

"The mandatory 50% capacity cap for offices and restrictions on construction in the Delhi-NCR region introduce significant operational shifts for businesses during November. While these measures are essential for public health and environmental control, organizations must proactively leverage remote working frameworks to maintain business continuity. For industrial units, strict compliance with emission norms and APCD retrofitting is no longer optional; businesses must prioritize regulatory alignment to avoid sudden operational shutdowns and legal liabilities." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes