Air pollution has reached the "severe" category...
On Wednesday, 20 November 2024, the Delhi government announced that 50 percent of staff will work from home as air pollution is still very high.
Air pollution levels in the national capital have breached the "severe" threshold, with the Air Quality Index above 450. This high AQI has activated Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan - the most stringent level aimed at tackling hazardous pollution.
"The Delhi government has decided to work from home in government offices. 50 percent of employees will work from home. A meeting will be held with officials at 1 pm in the Secretariat," announced Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai.
Recently, the government of Delhi announced staggered office timings for its offices and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
A ban has been imposed on BS-IV and older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles (MGVs and HGVs) registered in Delhi, except those providing essential services. Similar bans apply to BS-III petrol vehicles as well.
Schools for Classes 10 to 12 have been temporarily closed to minimize exposure for students.
Last year, the Delhi government collaborated with IIT Kanpur to explore cloud seeding as an emergency measure. Preparations for this year's operations began in August, but a meeting on this is yet to take place.
Edited By: Tanvi Walia
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