In a decisive move to tackle the escalating air quality crisis, authorities in the national capital have mandated a significant reduction in the workforce present at all offices. The directive requires both private and government establishments to function with only half of their employees working on-site.
What the New Directive Mandates
The order, issued on 25 November 2025, stipulates that all offices must operate at 50% capacity on-site. The remaining staff members are required to work from home. This measure is a direct response to the dangerously high levels of air pollution engulfing the city, which have pushed the air quality index into the 'severe' category.
The Trigger: GRAP Level 3 Activated
This significant step was triggered after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to implement Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The CAQM is the central body responsible for coordinating air pollution control efforts in the Delhi-NCR region. The invocation of GRAP's third stage indicates a serious deterioration in air quality and automatically sets into motion a series of pre-defined, stringent actions designed to curb pollution sources.
Implications and Broader Impact
The immediate effect of this order is a drastic reduction in the number of commuters on Delhi's roads, a major contributor to vehicular emissions. By enforcing a large-scale work-from-home model for half the workforce, the government aims to lessen traffic congestion and, consequently, the pollution generated by vehicles. This move is part of a larger basket of restrictions that come into effect under GRAP Stage 3, which also typically includes a ban on certain construction activities and the operation of polluting industries.
The decision underscores the severity of the annual pollution problem that plagues Delhi, especially during the winter months. It highlights the administration's shift towards proactive, graded measures to protect public health, even if it means disrupting normal economic and administrative routines. Residents are advised to stay indoors as much as possible and use protective masks when going outside.
