New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management has directed restrictions on dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction across the National Capital Region from November 5 to 20. State government and private offices in Delhi and five adjoining districts must operate with up to 50% of staff attending physically, with specified exceptions.
The October 30 order directs the concerned departments and agencies of NCR state governments and the Delhi government to implement the measures during this period to prevent and control air pollution.
The construction restriction exempts projects related to railways, Metro services, airports, inter-state bus terminals, hospitals, water supply and sanitation, national security and defence, and projects of national importance.
The order specifically says the restriction also applies to linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines and telecommunications.
The office-attendance direction covers the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. The remaining staff are to work from home. Industrial establishments and essential services where this arrangement is not feasible are excepted.
CAQM cited an examination of daily air-quality data for November from 2018 to 2025, which showed recurring early- to mid-November pollution episodes, with severe and severe-plus levels on certain days. It said local emissions, agricultural-residue and biomass burning, and adverse weather conditions contribute to the seasonal build-up.
The commission described the measures as preventive interventions before and during the historically observed peak pollution period. It issued the directions under Section 12 of the CAQM Act, 2021.
