Delhi govt mandates 50% WFH, allows only BS-VI vehicles to curb pollution

After being blanketed in dense fog, the Delhi government took necessary measures to curb the pollution in the national capital. The government has made it mandatory for 50 per cent of employees in both government and private sectors to work from home, starting Thursday (December 18).  

Yesterday, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “Only BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi to be permitted to enter from Thursday.”

VIDEO | “Only BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi to be permitted to enter from Thursday”, says Delhi Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa).

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/ovu6goCRmF

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 16, 2025

“I apologise for the pollution in Delhi. We are doing better work than the dishonest AAP government, and we have reduced AQI each day,” he further added.  

Labour Minister Kapil Mishra also emphasised that this step aims to reduce daily commuting, thus cutting down vehicular emissions. He warned that institutions failing to implement the mandate would face penalties.

Focusing on the hardships that the construction workers are facing, Mishra announced a ₹10,000 financial aid package for those who have lost work due to the restrictions.

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The efforts come as a part of the ongoing Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage III measures. GRAP III has been in effect for the past 16 days to reduce vehicular emissions and the grey air surrounding the capital.  

However, employees working in essential services, such as healthcare, emergency services, fire departments, and those directly involved in pollution control, will be exempt from the work-from-home rule.