Construction work closed for six weeks in Delhi to prevent air pollution

The Delhi government has announced imposing strict restrictions in New Delhi, the capital of India, to control the severe air pollution in the winter season. As part of this construction and building demolition work will remain completely closed throughout Delhi from December 10 next to January 20, 2027. Before that demolition work that creates dust and outdoor civil construction work will remain banned from November 1 to January 31.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa highlighted various aspects of the winter air pollution control plan on Monday (September 28). He said these decisions have been taken with the target of implementing preventive measures before the pollution situation reaches a dangerous level.

Along with closing the construction work multiple steps have also been taken to reduce the use of private cars. The fee of the authorized parking of Delhi will be doubled from November 1 next to February 28, 2027. However the parking owned and operated by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will not come under this decision.

The announcement of introducing changed work arrangements for the employees of government and private offices has also been given to reduce pollution. The arrangement of working from home for 50 percent employees of government and private institutions will be kept from November 1 to February 28. At the same time the offices of Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) will run from 8:30am to 5pm and the offices of Delhi government from 10am to 6:30pm.

Besides the Delhi government has informed of implementing more strictly the rule of stopping fuel supply to the vehicles without valid pollution control certificate or PUC (Pollution Under Control Certificate) to control pollution. There will also be restrictions on the entry of the vehicles registered in outside states and those that do not meet the BS-6 emission standard from November 1 to January 31.

The quality of the air of Delhi deteriorates rapidly every year in the winter. The situation becomes worse as the polluted particles remain stuck near the surface of the earth due to cold and less wind. The Delhi government is implementing these steps phase by phase before the start of winter this time to control the dust of construction work, the smoke of vehicles and other polluting sources.