Delhi: WFH for 50% Govt Workers, Primary Schools Shut From Tomorrow As City Gasps For Clean Air

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'severe' zone for the second consecutive day on Friday, prompting Environment Minister Gopal Rai to issue a host of anti-pollution measures.

Delhi air quality has dipped severely in the past two days

Source : Getty

Amid rising pollution in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday ordered 50% of the staff of the Delhi government to work from home and said an advisory will be issued for private offices to follow the suit. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said primary schools would be closed from Saturday as the city's air quality remained in the "severe" zone for the second consecutive day.

The overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi stood at 445. The announcements by the Delhi government come a day after the Centre's anti-pollution panel banned entry of trucks other than electric and CNG ones in the national capital and ordered closure of all industries not running on clean fuels in NCR.

Construction works in public projects such as highways, flyovers, power transmission, pipelines in Delhi-NCR has also been banned. 

Here Are The Anti-Pollution Curbs Announced By The Delhi Govt:

1. All primary schools in Delhi will be closed from tomorrow and all outdoor activities for all classes above 5 will remain suspended. 
2. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)- IV will soon be implemented to curb pollution.
3. As recommended by the Commission for Air Quality Management, non-BS VI diesel-run light motor vehicles will be banned from plying in Delhi-NCR.
4. Intra-Delhi movement of commercial trucks is banned except for those carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services and all CNG / electric trucks.
5. Delhi-registered diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGV) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) will be banned to ply in Delhi except for those carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services.
6. All industries in NCR are to be closed, even in areas that do not have PNG infrastructure and supply but still running on fuels, other than the fuels as per the Standard list of approved fuels for NCR.
7. Ban on construction activities in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission, pipelines, etc.
8. 50% of Delhi government employees to switch to work from home till further orders. An order for private offices to follow soon.
9. Delhi government is also planning to enforce the Odd-Even scheme.
10. Delhi CM has announced that his government will provide a support of ₹5,000 per month to construction workers affected by the stoppage of work.