To curb pollution, Delhi Govt limits office attendance to 50% under GRAP Stage III

New Delhi | Air quality in Delhi and its surrounding areas continues to remain poor prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to introduce key changes in the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Under the revised guidelines, certain measures that were earlier implemented under Stage IV will now come into force at Stage III itself, with the aim of preventing further deterioration in pollution levels.

One of the most significant changes is related to office attendance. Under the revised rules, once GRAP Stage III is imposed, both municipal and private offices will be allowed to operate with only 50 per cent staff strength at the workplace. Earlier, this provision was applicable only under Stage IV. Authorities believe that early implementation of this measure will help control pollution more effectively.

The decision is primarily driven by concerns over vehicular emissions which are a major contributor to air pollution especially during periods of high pollution levels. Increased vehicular movement releases harmful pollutants into the air adversely affecting public health. To reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, work-from-home arrangements are being encouraged.
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In line with this, the Delhi government has issued an order mandating that no more than half of the employees should be physically present in private offices across the city. The remaining staff must work from home. This move is expected to reduce traffic congestion and lower vehicular emissions.

The government has also urged private institutions to adopt staggered working hours wherever possible, strictly enforce work-from-home norms, and minimise the movement of vehicles used for commuting to and from offices.

While strong winter winds over the past few days have led to a slight improvement in air quality across the National Capital Region (NCR), the overall situation remains a cause for concern.

According to data from air quality monitoring stations operated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), air quality index (AQI) levels in most parts of Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad continue to remain above 300. This places the region in the ‘Very Poor’ air quality category.

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