The Delhi government on Tuesday announced that its comprehensive Winter Action Plan to combat air pollution will come into effect from November 1, introducing restrictions on polluting vehicles, construction activities and fuel sales, alongside work-from-home arrangements and technology-driven monitoring.
The measures, announced under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, will remain in place until February 28, 2027, with specific restrictions applicable during different periods of the winter season.
The plan includes a 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy, restrictions on the entry of vehicles from outside Delhi that do not comply with BS-VI emission standards, measures to control construction dust and provisions for 50 per cent work-from-home arrangements.
๐๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฝ๐ผ๐น๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐ต๐ถ๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ๐
Under the proposed restrictions, petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards will be barred from entering the national capital between November 1 and January 31.
The framework provides exemptions for categories including CNG and electric vehicles, emergency services and vehicles engaged in government work.
The government will also enforce the 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy, under which vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates will be denied fuel at filling stations.
The measures are aimed at reducing vehicular emissions, a major contributor to Delhi's deteriorating air quality during winter.
๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ-๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ-๐ต๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ผ๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐
The action plan provides for staggered office timings and work-from-home arrangements to reduce traffic congestion and emissions.
Government and private offices may be required to operate with up to 50 per cent of employees working remotely, depending on the applicable restrictions.
Essential and emergency services will be exempted from the attendance-related measures.
The government also plans to encourage carpooling and greater use of public transport, including electric buses and the Delhi Metro.
Efforts will be made to strengthen last-mile connectivity to reduce dependence on private vehicles.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฑ๐๐๐ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต
Construction and demolition activities will face tighter regulation, with dust-control requirements applicable at project sites.
The government plans to deploy artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems to identify violations and strengthen enforcement.
Large construction sites and commercial high-rise buildings will be required to use anti-smog guns, mist suppression systems and other dust-control equipment.
Additional restrictions may be introduced during periods of severe pollution, particularly between December 10 and January 20.
Authorities will also monitor the transportation of construction materials to prevent dust emissions.
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ
Under the broader winter pollution framework, parking charges at authorised facilities are scheduled to double between November 1 and February 28.
The measure is intended to discourage unnecessary use of private vehicles and encourage commuters to shift towards public transport.
The government will also strengthen surveillance against open burning of garbage, leaves and other waste materials.
Resident welfare associations, contractors and institutions have been directed to prevent such activities, while drone-based monitoring and field inspections are expected to support enforcement.
๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
In a video message shared on X, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged Delhi residents to participate in efforts to control pollution.
She said the government had prepared the Winter Action Plan in advance to ensure timely implementation of preventive measures.
"We decided what to do and what not to do throughout the winter season. A Winter Action Plan has been developed from November 1 to February 28," Gupta said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that government intervention alone would not be sufficient to address the pollution problem and called for collective responsibility.
"We will fulfil our responsibility together. Our Delhi, our responsibility," she said.
The winter measures will operate alongside the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which provides for additional restrictions depending on prevailing air quality.
Delhi routinely experiences a sharp deterioration in air quality during winter due to a combination of vehicular emissions, dust, regional pollution sources and unfavourable meteorological conditions.
The government's advance announcement is intended to give residents, businesses and transport operators time to prepare for restrictions before the peak pollution season.