50% WFH, PUC check at pumps, double parking fees every winter to curb pollution

New Delhi: The city has introduced a permanent anti-pollution framework during winters, effective every year from Nov 1 to Feb 28, with mandatory rules governing vehicles, construction sites, parking fees and office attendance.In a gazette notification, Delhi govt has mandated the framework, which has been issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Consolidating all previous winter pollution orders into a single framework, it enforces compulsory Pollution Under Control (PUC) check on cars, a ban on non-BS VI vehicles entering the city, mandatory 50% work from home in offices, construction curbs, double parking fees, anti-smog systems in large buildings and strict action against open burning of waste, with penalties for violations.According to the action plan, petrol pumps across Delhi will dispense fuel only to vehicles carrying valid PUC certificates, with violators liable for penalties through ANPR and electronic verification systems. From every Nov 1 to Jan 31, all non-Delhi vehicles below BS-VI emission standards will be barred from entering the city. Those running on CNG and electric are exempt; so are emergency vehicles. To reduce traffic congestion and emission, parking charges at authorised sites will be doubled during winters.

Govt and private offices will operate with only 50% physical staff. Offices will also have to follow staggered timings to ease peak-hour traffic. In case of govt offices, the notification states, “All administrative secretaries and heads of departments shall attend office regularly with not more than 50% staff physically present in office. The remaining 50% shall work from home, provided the administrative secretaries and heads of departments can call officers/officials to office, as required to ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential and emergency public services.

”Govt has also imposed a ban on construction and demolition activities that generate dust from Nov 1 to Jan 31, with a complete halt on most construction work between Dec 10 and Jan 20, barring essential public infrastructure and emergency projects. Vehicles carrying construction material will also be prohibited from entering the city during this peak-pollution period.To control dust, all commercial high-rise buildings exceeding an area of 3,000 square metres will have to install anti-smog guns or mist systems by Aug 15, while large construction sites above 1,000 sq m must also put up mist systems.The notification places responsibility on residents’ welfare associations (RWAs), housing societies, institutes and establishments to prevent open burning of waste, biomass, leaves and garbage, warning of environmental compensation, prosecution and sealing of premises for violations.Govt said the measures are aimed at protecting public health while ensuring continuity of essential services. It clarified that stricter measures under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will continue to override these directions, whenever invoked. The notification has no mandate for school operations, which, however, have specific provisions under GRAP.