Work-from-home kicks in sooner, Delhi govt tells pvt firms to have 50% staff onsite

The changes in GRAP measures were triggered after hearings in the top court on November 17 and 19. The order dated November 21 noted that the court “observed that the Commission may take proactive actions based on consultation with stakeholders for preventing further deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR”.

The CAQM emphasised that these changes are effective immediately. “All agencies responsible for implementation of GRAP are now required to take note of the modifications made in the Schedule of GRAP and implement the same immediately,” the order states.

GRAP is a set of pollution-control restrictions that take effect in stages as air quality deteriorates. With Delhi already under GRAP Stage III, most pollution curbs — including staggered working hours for government and municipal offices — have already been implemented. Stage I was invoked on October 14, Stage II on October 19 and Stage III on November 11. With the revised schedule now notified, agencies across Delhi, NCR districts in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, and central institutions have been directed to adjust their enforcement accordingly.

What has changed

Stage II measures shifted to Stage I

Several measures that previously applied only when AQI reached the ‘Very Poor’ category will now start when it enters the ‘Poor’ category.

These include ensuring uninterrupted power supply to discourage the use of diesel generators, smoothing traffic flow by deploying personnel at congestion points, issuing public alerts on pollution levels and health advisories, and augmenting public transport by adding CNG and electric buses and increasing Metro frequency. The order also directs agencies to “introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel”.

Stage III measures shifted to Stage II

Staggered office timings for government and municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar will now begin at an earlier stage than before.

State governments have the option to apply staggered timings to other NCR districts as well. The Centre has also been allowed to take a decision on staggering its office timings across Delhi-NCR.

Stage IV measures shifted to Stage III

Work-from-home will now kick in one full stage earlier. The order states that NCR governments “can take a decision on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength and the rest to work from home”. The Centre may similarly decide work-from-home for central government employees.