Delhi Tackles Air Pollution Crisis: WFH Orders, Fuel Ban, and Stricter Vehicle Rules from Thursday

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In a bid to combat the severe air pollution crisis in Delhi, the city government has implemented a series of stringent measures, effective from Thursday. The new rules include a hybrid work-from-home (WFH) policy, a ban on vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, and restrictions on old cars. According to the Delhi Labour Minister, all government and private institutions must switch to a hybrid WFH mode, with not more than half of their staff attending the workplace physically. The rule, however, excludes emergency workers, daily-wage labourers, and essential services. Construction workers will be compensated with ₹10,000 for the days affected by the restrictions. The government has also intensified its crackdown on polluting vehicles. From Thursday, vehicles without a valid PUC certificate will not be provided fuel at petrol pumps. The PUC certificate is a simple emission check issued at authorised centres, costing ₹60 for two and three-wheeled vehicles, ₹80 for four-wheeled vehicles, and ₹100 for diesel-driven vehicles. Additionally, vehicles carrying construction materials will not be allowed entry into Delhi, and all vehicles below the BS-6 category, registered outside Delhi, will be barred from entering the city when GRAP 3 and 4 are in place. The Delhi Traffic Police and transport department's enforcement teams will be deployed at petrol pumps and borders to enforce the ban. The city government has also announced plans to launch its own carpooling app to curb vehicular pollution. The measures come as the Delhi-NCR air pollution crisis has been termed a 'total failure' by the Supreme Court, with the AQI remaining 'very poor' in the city for the next two days.