Delhi allows 50% work from home for govt employees amid severe air pollution

In response to Delhi’s severe air pollution, the Delhi government has announced that 50% of its employees will work from home. This decision follows the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the “severe” threshold, with many areas in Delhi-NCR recording AQI levels above 450.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai confirmed the move, stating that the government aims to reduce pollution by minimizing the number of people commuting. A meeting with officials will be held to implement the plan. The order also introduces new office timings for government departments. Delhi government offices will now operate from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm, while Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices will run from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. This arrangement will stay in effect until February 28, 2025.

Earlier, the government had already implemented staggered office timings to address the worsening air quality. The Central Secretariat Service (CSS) officers had also raised concerns about the negative health impact of the toxic air. They demanded work-from-home options, staggered hours, and air purifiers in office buildings to combat the pollution’s effects on employees.

The CSS Forum wrote to the Department of Personnel and Training, urging immediate measures to protect employees’ health. The letter highlighted that the poor air quality was causing respiratory problems, eye irritation, fatigue, and reduced workplace productivity. The association stressed that the worsening AQI, which remains at hazardous levels, poses a severe risk to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing conditions.

This new directive is part of broader efforts to mitigate the severe health impact of pollution on government workers and ensure their safety as the city faces continued air quality challenges.