Half lockdown in Delhi!: 50% of staff will work from home, the government announced, advisory was issued in Gurugram too

Restrictions are being imposed given the increasing pollution in NCR including Delhi. Delhi government has announced that now 50 percent of the employees in government offices will work from home and 50 percent will come to the office. As the pollution level is increasing in the capital, restrictions are being imposed by the government on things. Grape-4 has already been implemented. Schools and colleges have been closed. Now, keeping in mind the health of the employees, they have been asked to work from home.

Government employees will work from home in Delhi.

Giving information on X, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote that to reduce pollution, the Delhi government has decided to work from home in government offices. 50 percent of the employees will work from home. For its implementation, a meeting will be held with the officials at 1 pm today in the Secretariat.

Work from home facility in Gurugram too.

On the other hand, given the increasing AQI in Gurugram, the district administration on Tuesday issued an advisory for work from home. In this advisory issued by Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar, corporate and private sector companies have been asked to allow 50 percent of employees to work from home. Along with this, the Deputy Commissioner has banned the physical presence of children in all Anganwadi centers till further orders.

Schools closed in Delhi-NCR.

As soon as air pollution reached the very severe category in Delhi, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi ordered the closure of schools up to class 12th. All classes will run online. Also, among the NCR districts, the administration has decided to close schools up to class 12th in Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Noida. Talking about colleges, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jawaharlal Nehru University also decided to conduct online classes.

Which vehicles are banned

The most prominent measures under the GRAP 4 restrictions include a ban on the entry of trucks into Delhi. In which vehicles carrying essential goods have been kept as an exception. Besides, commercial vehicles running on clean fuels like LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric power are exempted from the restrictions. Meanwhile, non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi are also banned, except those running on CNG, electric power, and BS-VI diesel. Under GRAP 4, medium and light commercial vehicles registered in Delhi that run on diesel or BS-IV are also banned, except for vehicles carrying essential commodities. There are no new restrictions on private vehicles.

Restrictions apply across NCR.

These restrictions will apply not just in Delhi but also in adjoining areas like Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. Those found violating the rules will have to pay a fine of Rs 20,000. All other private vehicles that have BS-IV petrol and BS-VI diesel certification and above will be allowed to ply in the city without any restrictions during this period.

What are the restrictions on private vehicles?

Vehicle owners in the capital region are now under strict surveillance as authorities step up efforts to tackle the rapid rise in pollution levels in the city. Vehicle owners must carry a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate before taking their vehicle out. If not, they may have to pay a hefty fine. The Delhi Traffic Police has increased its crackdown on vehicles not complying with the rules manifold. More than 2.70 lakh challans have been issued against violators till October 31 this year.

Driving without a valid PUC certificate is a serious offense and attracts a fine of up to Rs 10,000. The move is part of a wider set of measures to reduce vehicular emissions, which contribute significantly to Delhi's poor air quality. Vehicle owners should regularly check and renew their PUC certificates to avoid penalties.

All this is closed in Grape-4.

- All trucks coming from outside Delhi will be banned from entering. However, CNG and electric trucks carrying essential goods are exempted from the ban.

- Ban on medium and heavy diesel-powered goods vehicles registered in Delhi. Vehicles carrying essential goods will be exempted.

- Diesel-powered four-wheelers will be banned in NCT Delhi and NCR. However, emergency vehicles are exempted. Only BS-6 vehicles can run in this category.

- Ban on industries in NCR. Where there is no facility of PNG fuel and fuel outside the list authorized by the government is being used, then there will be a ban. However, industries related to milk and dairy products and medical equipment will be exempted.

- Ban on construction and demolition activities. Apart from this, ban on other activities including flyovers, highways, bridges, and pipelines. The central government can allow central employees to work from home.

- NCR state governments can allow working from home with 50 percent capacity in public, corporate, and private offices.

- State governments can close schools and colleges along with non-emergency commercial activities.

- State government can implement an odd-even scheme

- Ban on diesel generator sets