Air pollution in the country's capital Delhi and the entire NCR has taken the worst form ever. The continuously deteriorating climate since Diwali has now moved beyond 'Severe' to 'Hazardous / Severe Plus' category. According to the latest data, the air quality index (AQI) has been recorded as high as 494 at several monitoring centers in the capital—meaning Delhi's air has now come straight to the radar on the maximum scale of 500. Due to the thick blanket of poisonous smog, visibility has become extremely low in the morning and people are finding it difficult to breathe. Helpless in the face of the deteriorating situation, the administration has taken a big step to control the number of vehicles and pollution on the roads and has implemented the system of Work From Home (WFH) for 50 percent of the employees. Big decision of Delhi government and CAQM: In which offices 50% work from home is implemented? In view of the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and 'severe' pollution in the capital, the Delhi government has strictly implemented the 50% work from home policy with immediate effect. Orders have been issued in various ministries and departments of the Delhi government, including the departments of Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, that only 50 percent of the employees will be physically present in the offices, while the remaining 50 percent of the employees will work from home (WFH). Apart from this, as per the order of CAQM, by 20 November 2026, instructions have been given to operate government and private offices in Delhi as well as in major districts of NCR—Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar), Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat—with 50% capacity and to give work from home to the remaining staff. However, hospitals, fire brigade, police, water supply, sanitation, metro-railway and other essential services have been kept out of this ban. Pollution reached 'severe' to 'dangerous' level in more than 16 areas, AQI close to 500. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, pollution at more than 16 air monitoring stations in the capital has been recorded in the 'severe' (above 401) to 'severe plus/dangerous' (between 450 to 500) category. In areas like Anand Vihar, Wazirpur, Jahangirpuri, Bawana, Narela, Rohini, Mundka and ITO, fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) has exceeded the norm several times and the AQI has reached close to 494 at many places. Meteorologists say that due to slowing down of wind speed, falling temperature and smoke coming from the surrounding areas, pollutant particles have become trapped in the lower atmosphere, due to which the entire Delhi-NCR has turned into a gas chamber. Major restrictions and arrangements implemented in Delhi-NCR At a glance Area / System (Restriction Parameter) Applicable rules and administrative orders (November 2026) Government and private offices (Office Attendance) 50% employees in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad will be on Work from Home (WFH) Staggered Timings of offices MCD office from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Delhi Government Office 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM Construction and Demolition Activities (C&D Activities) Strict ban on all dust-raising construction and demolition works till November 20, 2026 Vehicular Curbs Strictness on operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers, no fuel without valid PUC Exempted Services Hospital, Police, Fire Service, Railway-Metro, Airport, Electricity and Water Supply Normal Health experts' warning: The biggest danger for children, elderly and respiratory patients Pulmonologists (respiratory disease specialists) of major hospitals of Delhi have warned that when AQI reaches close to 450 to 500, it proves to be extremely fatal not only for the sick people but also for the lungs and heart of completely healthy persons. There has been a sharp increase in the number of patients suffering from shortness of breath, sore throat, severe burning sensation in the eyes, asthma attacks and headache in OPD. Doctors have advised that people should go out of the house only when absolutely necessary, use N95 or N99 masks compulsorily while going out, avoid morning/evening walks completely and keep drinking sufficient amount of lukewarm water to keep the body hydrated.
