50% work from home mandatory in government and private offices in Delhi amid severe pollution

Amid deteriorating air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas, the Delhi government has made 50% work from home mandatory in all government and private offices in the national capital. Only essential services like health, police, banking etc. have been exempted from this.

In another major decision, state Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra said ₹10,000 will be directly transferred to the accounts of all registered and verified construction workers affected by the halt in construction work.

In view of pollution, two big decisions of Delhi government:

1. There will be ₹ 10,000 DBT in the accounts of all registered and verified construction workers affected by the stoppage of construction work.

2. 50% work from home mandatory in all government and private offices of Delhi, for essential services like health… pic.twitter.com/Lh3DNeItdt

— Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) 17 December 2025

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed GRAP-IV, including a ban on all construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR, after pollution levels increased rapidly on December 13.

Phase IV of GRAP brings the strictest restrictions in Delhi-NCR. Under this phase, entry of trucks into Delhi is stopped, except trucks carrying essential commodities or providing essential services. However, CNG, LNG, electric and BS-VI diesel trucks are allowed.

Plying of Delhi-registered diesel heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV and below) has been banned, except for essential services.

All construction and demolition activities are banned, including linear public projects like highways, roads, flyovers, power transmission lines, pipelines and telecommunication works, which are otherwise permitted in the lower phases.

Schools are required to run classes in hybrid mode (online and physical) not only for primary students but also for higher classes (VI to IX and XI) in Delhi and the worst-affected NCR districts, with students given the option to attend online where possible.

During winter, the Delhi-NCR region imposes restrictions under GRAP, which classifies air quality into four stages – Stage I (poor, AQI 201-300), Stage II (very poor, AQI 301-400), Stage III (severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage IV (severe plus, AQI above 450).