In a decisive move to combat a dangerous spike in air pollution, the Delhi government has activated a fresh set of stringent restrictions across the national capital. This action comes as the city's air quality index (AQI) remained in the 'severe' category for three days in a row, posing significant health risks to its residents.
Hybrid Work Model and Office Restrictions
The cornerstone of the new directives is a mandatory shift to a hybrid work model for all offices. Both government and private offices have been ordered to limit physical attendance to just 50% of their staff strength. The remaining employees are required to work from home, a measure aimed at drastically reducing the number of vehicles on the road and the associated emissions.
Transport and Vehicle Enforcement
Parallel to the work-from-home order, the authorities have tightened the noose on polluting vehicles. Restrictions have been placed on the entry of certain categories of vehicles into the city, though the specific types were not detailed in the initial order. Furthermore, enforcement has been intensified to ensure all vehicles plying on Delhi's roads possess a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. Random checks are expected to increase significantly to penalize violators.
Supreme Court Pressure and GRAP-4 Framework
These newly announced steps function as an addition to the existing Stage-IV measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) already in force by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The situation has garnered the attention of the highest court in the land. The Supreme Court has pulled up the CAQM, urging the panel to devise a comprehensive and effective long-term strategy to tackle the perennial air pollution crisis that engulfs Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) every winter.
The implementation of these curbs underscores the severity of the environmental and public health emergency. With the AQI hovering in the severe zone, the government's focus is on immediate reduction of emission sources. The success of these measures hinges on strict enforcement and public cooperation, as Delhiites brace for another period of toxic air and disruptive, yet necessary, pollution control protocols.
