New Delhi: To tackle rising pollution levels ahead of the winter season, the Delhi government on Monday announced a slew of measures, including doubling parking fees and directing offices to implement work from home.
For the period from November 1 to February 28, parking charges will be doubled, except at DMRC parking facilities. The increase in parking charges will not apply to electric vehicles (EVs).
Starting November 1, both public and private offices have been directed to implement work from home until February 28. Additionally, working hours for office-going employees of the MCD and GNCTD will be staggered to reduce road congestion during peak hours.
The decisions were announced after a meeting chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, which was attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and senior officials.
Announcing the measures, Sirsa said, “There would be restrictions on dust-generating demolition activity and outdoor civil construction activity from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027, but a complete ban on every kind of construction and demolition activity from December 10 to January 20 would be in place.”
The minister also emphasised that the “No PUCC, No Fuel” rule would be implemented more strictly going forward.
Entry of non-BS-VI vehicles would also be prohibited, the minister added.
He further said the government would encourage the use of public transport and has set a target of achieving higher daily footfall on buses and the Metro.
Various ministers, including Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, will visit pollution hotspot areas at various points to oversee mitigation measures and their implementation, according to officials.
Sources in the Delhi Secretariat said that, to curb dust generated during sweeping, mechanised sweeping would be undertaken. The government is expecting more sweeping machines to be delivered before the winter season.