Key Points
- 50% work-from-home mandatory for all government and private offices in Delhi-NCR, effective immediately.
- Complete ban on non-BS-6 vehicles entering Delhi, with heavy fines for violations.
- ‘No PUC, no fuel’ rule strictly enforced at all petrol pumps across the capital.
- ₹10,000 monthly compensation for construction workers affected by activity bans.
- Vehicles carrying construction materials prohibited from Delhi entry points.
- Emergency services, healthcare, and essential workers exempt from all restrictions.
The Delhi government has activated mandatory work-from-home rules requiring all private and government offices to limit physical attendance to a maximum 50% of their workforce. Labour Minister Kapil Mishra confirmed that compliance monitoring begins today, with inspections planned across the commercial districts of Delhi-NCR. Offices must maintain detailed attendance records showing rotational schedules for employees working remotely.
Emergency and frontline services remain fully operational without restrictions. This exemption covers hospital staff, pollution control departments, fire services, police personnel, public healthcare providers, transportation workers, and sanitation staff. Daily wage workers engaged in essential services also receive exemptions, ensuring critical city functions continue uninterrupted during the pollution crisis.
Financial Support for Construction Workers
Construction workers facing livelihood disruption from activity bans will receive ₹10,000 monthly compensation for the duration of GRAP-IV implementation. The Labour Department has accelerated worker registration through its online portal and designated camps at construction sites. Minister Mishra announced that payments will be directly transferred to registered workers’ bank accounts within seven days of application approval.
The registration drive has already enrolled over 50,000 workers, with mobile verification units positioned at major construction hubs across Delhi-NCR. Unregistered workers can complete documentation at any Labour Department office or designated municipal centers operating extended hours during the pollution emergency.
No PUC No Fuel Rule Enforcement
Starting today, Delhi’s 400+ petrol pumps will deny fuel to vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control certificates. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa deployed enforcement teams at fuel stations across the capital, with traffic police personnel stationed at major outlets to ensure compliance. The rule applies to all vehicles, including two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and commercial transports.
Long queues formed at petrol pumps after midnight as vehicle owners rushed to obtain PUC certificates before the deadline. Enforcement officials reported checking over 5,000 vehicles within the first six hours of implementation, with compliance rates reaching approximately 78% by morning rush hour. The government has warned that violations will result in fines up to ₹10,000 under the Motor Vehicles Act.
PUC Certificate Details and Process
The Pollution Under Control certificate requires a simple emission test at authorised PUC centres throughout Delhi-NCR. Fixed fees are ₹60 for two and three-wheelers, ₹80 for petrol four-wheelers, and ₹100 for diesel vehicles. For Bharat Stage IV and VI compliant vehicles, the certificate remains valid for 12 months, while older vehicles must renew every three months.
Delhi currently operates 950 authorised PUC testing centres, with extended hours during the pollution emergency. The Transport Department has launched a mobile app showing real-time availability and wait times at nearby centres, helping citizens avoid long queues.
Construction Material Vehicle Ban
All vehicles transporting construction materials, including sand, cement, bricks, and steel, are prohibited from entering Delhi starting today. The ban applies to both Delhi-registered and outstation vehicles, with strict checking at border entry points. Environment Minister Sirsa appealed to transporters to reschedule deliveries or use BS-6 compliant vehicles only.
The ban aims to reduce dust pollution, a major contributor to Delhi’s winter air quality crisis. Construction material transport through Delhi has been diverted to alternative routes via the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways, with traffic police guiding trucks at border checkpoints.
BS-6 Vehicle Restrictions
Delhi has implemented a complete ban on vehicles below BS-6 emission standards entering the city during GRAP-3 and GRAP-4 periods. The restriction, effective today, applies to all non-BS-6 vehicles regardless of registration state. Traffic police and transport department teams are conducting emission standard checks at 15 major entry points.
Violators face heavy fines and vehicle seizure under the Environment Protection Act. The government has installed automatic number plate recognition systems at key border points to identify and stop non-compliant vehicles, supplementing manual inspection teams.
Administrative Preparedness and Enforcement
The Transport Department has deployed 78-80 specialised enforcement teams at Delhi’s entry points, including Kundli, Rajokri, Tikri, Aya Nagar, Kalindi Kunj, Auchandi, Mandoli, Kapashera, and Bajghera toll plaza on the Dwarka Expressway. Each team includes transport inspectors, traffic police, and pollution control officers working in coordinated shifts.
Automatic sensors and CCTV cameras monitor vehicle emissions and number plates at major border crossings. Data is integrated with the central transport database to identify non-BS-6 vehicles in real-time. The government has also established a dedicated helpline for citizens to report violations and seek clarification about exemption criteria.
Current Air Quality Status
Delhi’s AQI remained between 450-490 across monitoring stations today, with Anand Vihar recording 498 and Punjabi Bagh showing 476. The severe category affects all age groups, prompting health advisories recommending minimal outdoor exposure. Schools have been advised to suspend outdoor activities, and vulnerable populations are urged to wear N95 masks outdoors.
The Air Quality Management Commission continues monitoring meteorological conditions, with no immediate relief expected until wind speeds increase over the weekend. Officials anticipate maintaining GRAP-4 restrictions for at least the next 72 hours, with daily reviews based on air quality trends.
