Delhi Govt Orders 50% Staff Cap in Offices as AQI Hits Hazardous Levels

The Delhi government on Monday ordered all private offices in the national capital to operate with only 50% of their staff physically present, while the remaining employees must work from home. The directive, issued by the Department of Environment & Forests, aims to reduce vehicular emissions amid dangerously high pollution levels.

Key Guidelines for Private Offices

• Private offices across Delhi must ensure no more than 50% physical attendance.

• Remaining employees must work remotely.

• Offices have been advised to adopt staggered timings and minimise employee commuting.

• Essential and emergency services — hospitals, healthcare, fire services, public transport, electricity, water, sanitation — are exempt from the order.

Air Quality Remains Alarming

Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 382 (‘very poor’) on Monday, with 15 CPCB monitoring stations recording AQI above 400 (‘severe’).
The capital has remained consistently in the ‘very poor’ category for a week:

• Sunday: 391

• Saturday: 370

• Friday: 374

• Thursday: 391

• Wednesday: 392

• Tuesday: 374

• Last Monday: 351

CPCB Classifications:

• 0–50: Good

• 51–100: Satisfactory

• 101–200: Moderate

• 201–300: Poor

• 301–400: Very Poor

• 401–500: Severe

Government Response

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said pollution-control measures are being implemented with strict, round-the-clock monitoring.
The government has already introduced staggered office timings for MCD and GNCTD staff to reduce peak-hour traffic emissions.
Delhi has been under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) since November 11.