Delhi air pollution severe; work-from-home for half workforce, schools shift to hybrid mode
Indian authorities have ordered work from home for half the workforce in Delhi after imposing strict anti-pollution curbs, as air quality in the capital slipped into the "severe" zone on Saturday evening.
The Delhi Directorate of Education also directed all schools to conduct classes for students up to Class IX and XI in a hybrid mode in the light of the deteriorating air quality in the capital.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 448 at 7pm on Saturday, firmly placing it in the severe-plus category.
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This marked a sharp decline from Friday, when the 24-hour average AQI stood at 349, classified as very poor.
Forecasts from the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (AQEWS) suggest little immediate relief.
The air quality is expected to remain in the severe range on Sunday with only a marginal improvement to very poor levels likely by Monday.
Directions have been issued to all government offices in Delhi and its neighbouring areas and to private offices in the city to operate at 50% capacity, with the remaining staff required to work from home in order to minimize plying of vehicles which result in emission of greenhouse gas from fossil fuel.
In an official order, the government directed that all administrative secretaries and heads of departments would attend office regularly with no more than 50% staff strength physically present.
"The remaining 50% staff shall work from home, provided that the Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments can call officers/officials to the office, as required to ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential and emergency public services," the order reads.
Likewise, the order stipulated that all private offices operating within Delhi shall function with no more than 50% staff physically attending the workplace.
Authorities said the work-from-home directive aims to reduce vehicular movement and curb further emissions as emergency measures remain in force across the capital.
