Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Delhi Announces Winter Pollution Curbs, WFH and Construction Bans
Delhi is preparing for more air pollution during the winter.
The government has created a Winter Action Plan for 2026-27.
Some workers may work from home half of the time to reduce traffic.
Different government offices will start and finish at different times.
Dusty demolition and outdoor construction will be stopped from November 1 to January 31.
All construction and demolition will be banned from December 10 to January 20.
More people will be encouraged to use the Metro and buses.
Officials will add air-quality stations and enforcement teams.
Cameras and an AI-enabled control centre will help find pollution and rule violations.
Delhi’s Winter Action Plan 2026-27 will begin preventive pollution measures as winter approaches.
A 50% work-from-home arrangement and staggered office timings are planned during the winter pollution period.
Dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction will be prohibited from November 1 to January 31.
A complete ban on construction and demolition activities will run from December 10 to January 20.
Monitoring will expand to 60 air-quality stations, supported by 334 enforcement teams and AI-enabled systems.
- Who
- The Delhi government, led on this announcement by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
- What
- A Winter Action Plan 2026-27 with work-from-home, staggered timings, construction restrictions, transport measures and expanded pollution monitoring.
- When
- The measures are planned for the approaching winter; specified construction restrictions begin November 1, with a complete construction and demolition ban from December 10 to January 20.
- Where
- Delhi, with coordinated action also required across the National Capital Region.
- Why
- To prevent and reduce winter air pollution from vehicles, road dust, construction, industry, open burning and traffic hotspots.
- Plan
- Winter Action Plan 2026-27
- Work from home
- A 50% work-from-home arrangement is planned during the winter pollution period.
- Office timings
- MCD offices will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; GNCTD offices from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Construction restrictions
- Dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction will be prohibited from November 1 to January 31.
- Complete construction ban
- Construction and demolition activities will be completely banned from December 10 to January 20.
- Air monitoring
- Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations will increase from 47 to 60.
- Enforcement
- Delhi plans to deploy 334 enforcement teams.
- Transport targets
- Average daily Metro ridership is targeted to rise from 65 lakh to 72 lakh, and DTC ridership from 37 lakh to 42 lakh.