Delhi Pollution Crisis: 50% of the government employees work from home as AQI hits 'severe' levels

Delhi is facing a disturbing level of air pollution. The Air Quality Index has reached the "severe" levels at over 450 in multiple cities of the capital. In response to the hazardous air quality, the Delhi government has announced something big: 50 percent of its employees will work from home. This decision forms part of the efforts to fight the worsening pollution levels in Delhi-NCR and has already triggered Stage IV activation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the most stringent level for air pollution control.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai confirmed that half of the government workforce will work from home today. There is a scheduled meeting with 1 PM for more details. Other measures also are being applied by the government for less severe impact from severe air pollution with staggered office timings and school for classes 10 to 12.

Today, air pollution in Delhi-NCR has been attributed to vehicular emissions and industrial pollutants. Along with the work-from-home order, the government has banned BS-IV and above petrol vehicles, medium and heavy goods vehicles, except those in essential service, and BS-III petrol vehicles from plying on the roads of Delhi.

These newest restrictions followed hazardous levels of the AQI, which negatively affected the health of residents, especially vulnerable sections of the population, such as children and the elderly as well as people afflicted by pre-existing conditions. The decision to have government employees work from home is another immediate measure to reduce traffic and pollution brought about by the possible office commutes.

Delhi's air pollution crisis has been an ongoing challenge, and with it, the government has come up with emergency solutions like cloud seeding with IIT Kanpur in a move to help relieve the situation. Although preparations for cloud seeding began earlier this year, the operation's official meeting yet has not taken place.

In the meantime, the government urges residents to limit outdoor activities and safe practices as the situation develops. It is part of a 50 percent work-from-home policy-the latest step in the management of air quality in the city and public health.

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