Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Delhi Announces Winter Pollution Plan With Parking, WFH, Construction Curbs
Delhi is preparing for air pollution that often becomes worse in winter.
The government will make parking more expensive so fewer people use private cars.
Half of the workers in government and private offices will work from home.
Different government offices will start and finish at different times to reduce traffic.
Dust-producing demolition and outdoor construction will be stopped for part of the winter.
All construction and demolition will be stopped during an even shorter period.
Officials say the plan will also address pollution from vehicles, dust and other sources.
The government says clean air efforts should continue throughout the year.
Delhi will double authorised parking charges from November 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027, excluding Delhi Metro Rail Corporation facilities.
Government and private offices will have 50% of employees work from home from November 1 through February 28.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Delhi government offices will operate from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction will be prohibited from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027.
All construction and demolition activities will be banned from December 10, 2026, to January 20, 2027, amid broader pollution-control efforts.
- Who
- The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with affected offices, businesses and employees.
- What
- The government announced higher parking charges, staggered office hours, 50% work from home and construction restrictions to reduce winter air pollution.
- When
- Most measures begin November 1, 2026, and continue through February 28, 2027; construction restrictions have additional periods through January 31, 2027.
- Where
- Delhi, with pollution also linked in the articles to crop-residue fires in neighboring Punjab and Haryana.
- Why
- The measures aim to reduce vehicle emissions, traffic congestion and dust during Delhi’s winter pollution season.
- Parking charges
- Authorised parking charges will double from November 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027.
- Parking exception
- The increase will not apply to facilities owned and managed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
- Work from home
- Government and private offices will have 50% of employees work remotely from November 1 through February 28.
- Office hours
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Delhi government offices: 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
- Construction restrictions
- Dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction will be prohibited from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027.
- Complete construction ban
- All construction and demolition activities will be banned from December 10, 2026, to January 20, 2027.
- Meeting
- Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reviewed the measures at Paryavaran Bhawan with Bhupender Yadav and Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
