The Delhi government on Wednesday unveiled a permanent winter pollution master plan that will automatically come into force every year from November 1 to February 28. The framework includes 50 per cent work-from-home for offices, a ban on dust-generating construction and demolition activities, denial of fuel to vehicles without a valid PUC certificate, double-parking charges, and curbs on polluting vehicles to combat the capital’s recurring winter air pollution crisis.
The government said the move replaces the need for repeated seasonal notifications and creates a predictable framework for pollution-control measures during the months when Delhi‘s air quality typically deteriorates sharply in the winter months.
FUEL ONLY FOR VEHICLES WITH VALID PUC
One of the key measures under the winter pollution action plan is a year-round restriction on fuel supply to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. The rule will apply at petrol pumps, CNG stations and LPG outlets across Delhi.
Authorities will verify compliance through physical checks as well as digital databases linked to vehicle records. Oil companies, transport authorities and enforcement agencies have been tasked with implementing the system.
Compliance will be verified not only through physical certificates but also via vehicle databases and other electronic systems to strengthen enforcement.
50% WORK-FROM-HOME, STAGGERED OFFICE TIMINGS
To reduce vehicular congestion and emissions, only 50 per cent of employees in Delhi government and private offices will be allowed to attend workplaces at any given time between November 1 and January 31, while the remaining staff will work from home.
The government has also prescribed staggered office timings. Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices will function from 8:30 am to 5 pm, while Delhi government offices will operate from 10 am to 6:30 pm during the winter period.
Private establishments have been directed to encourage carpooling, ride-sharing and greater use of public transport.
Essential services, including healthcare, emergency services, public transport, power and water supply, sanitation, disaster management and pollution-control agencies, will remain exempt.
CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION ACTIVITIES TO FACE CURBS
The Delhi government has announced a ban on demolition work and open civil construction activities that generate dust from November 1 to January 31 every year.
However, public infrastructure and other essential projects will be exempt. Finishing work, plumbing, electrical installations and similar activities within project sites will continue, subject to compliance with dust-control norms and waste-management rules.
Open storage or dumping of construction and demolition waste outside project sites has also been prohibited.
TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS DURING PEAK POLLUTION PERIOD
The plan envisages even stricter measures during the most pollution-sensitive period between December 10 and January 20.
During this phase, only government projects deemed essential for public utility or emergency purposes will be allowed to continue.
Vehicles carrying construction materials such as sand, gravel, bricks, cement and debris will not be permitted to enter Delhi.
PARKING CHARGES TO DOUBLE
To discourage private vehicle use, parking charges at authorised parking facilities across Delhi will be doubled from November 1 to February 28.
However, parking facilities operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will remain exempt to encourage public transport usage.
ANTI-SMOG SYSTEMS MANDATORY FOR LARGE BUILDINGS
For the first time, the government has made anti-smog measures mandatory for large commercial buildings.
Commercial complexes, malls, hotels, office buildings and institutional structures with a built-up area of more than 3,000 square metres and a height of G+5 or above will have to install anti-smog guns or mist systems by August 15.
Construction sites larger than 1,000 square metres will also be required to deploy dust-suppression systems.
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OPEN BURNING OF WASTE, BIOMASS
The plan introduces institutional accountability for incidents of open burning of waste, leaves and biomass.
Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), housing societies, government and private institutions, contractors and maintenance agencies will be held responsible if open burning occurs within areas under their control.
Authorities can initiate action against both individuals and organisations found negligent.
Drone-based surveillance will also be deployed, particularly at night, to detect violations.
The announcement came after the Delhi Cabinet on Monday approved the new Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, under which electric cars priced up to Rs 30 lakh will be exempt from road tax and registration fees. The policy also mandates that only electric autorickshaws will be registered from January 1, 2027.
Under the EV policy, the registration of new petrol and CNG-powered two-wheelers will be phased out in favour of electric models from April 1, 2028, as the government seeks to promote cleaner transport and curb air pollution in the national capital.
WHAT DELHI GOVERNMENT SAID
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the permanent winter action plan was designed after analysing air-quality trends and winter pollution data over recent years.
According to the government, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) between November and mid-February ranged between 312 and 342 over the last three winter seasons, with peak AQI levels touching 461-494.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the policy would reduce uncertainty associated with varying restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) while ensuring timely and uniform implementation of anti-pollution measures.
“People used to face difficulties because of changing restrictions under different GRAP stages. The new system provides clarity and allows everyone to prepare in advance,” Sirsa said.
The government said the permanent framework incorporates revised GRAP provisions, directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management and orders issued by the Supreme Court, creating a single rulebook for Delhi’s winter pollution response.
– Ends
(with inputs from ANI)
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