The restrictions by Delhi govt, involve transitioning offices to hybrid model, prohibiting access for specific vehicles, and requiring a compulsory PUC certificate.
Tighter restrictions to tackle air pollution in Delhi are starting today after the city’s air quality index (AQI) fell into the ‘severe’ category this week.
The restrictions, revealed by the Delhi government, involve transitioning offices to a hybrid model, prohibiting access for specific vehicles, and requiring a compulsory PUC certificate.
The new measures are alongside the GRAP-4 restrictions declared by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) after the city recorded an AQI in the ‘severe’ category for three straight days since Saturday, December 13.
What are Anti-Pollution Restrictions from the Delhi Govt.?
The Hybrid Work Model for Offices (Delhi Govt) was announced by Delhi’s Labour Minister Kapil Mishra. The Government and Private Offices must utilise a Hybrid Working from Home model either from Thursday, or face penalties. Certain exceptions apply to this regulation: Emergency Workers and Daily Wage Workers.
As per the directive, every private office operating in the National Capital Territory of Delhi must guarantee that a maximum of fifty percent of their employees report to the workplace in person, while the remaining staff are required to work from home.
This does not include emergency and frontline personnel, such as those employed in hospitals, agencies engaged in combating air pollution, the fire service, and other critical services.
The regulation will likewise not be applicable to public and private health services, transportation, and sanitation services.
Prohibition on vehicle entry: Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh declared that all vehicles not conforming to the BS-VI standard and registered outside of Delhi will be barred from entering the city during the implementation of GRAP 3 and 4.
Starting Thursday, enforcement teams from the Delhi Traffic Police and transport department will be stationed at petrol stations and border points to implement the ban.
The final order, released on Wednesday, indicates that the limitation will be effective only while Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is activated.
The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, lifted the protection against coercive measures for BS-3 and lower vehicles in the national capital.
The environment minister of Delhi has stated that vehicles transporting construction materials will be prohibited from entering Delhi.
“Vehicles transporting construction supplies into Delhi have likewise been prohibited. I urge individuals arriving from outside Delhi to bring vehicles that meet Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission regulations,” Sirsa informed ANI.
Mandatory PUC certificates: Manjinder Singh Sirsa has stated that starting Thursday, vehicles lacking a PUC certificate will be denied fuel at petrol stations.
A PUC certificate signifies a Pollution Under Control certificate granted following an emission test of vehicles at approved PUC centers throughout the national capital.
The PUC certificate costs ₹60 for two and three wheeled vehicles, and ₹80 for four wheeled vehicles. For vehicles powered by diesel, the price of a PUC certificate is ₹100. It is applicable for 12 months for vehicles that meet Bharat Stage IV and Bharat Stage VI standards.
