Vehicle curbs, construction ban, WFH: Delhi's winter pollution plan kicks in

As Delhi braces for another winter of toxic air, a sweeping set of pollution-control measures comes into force across the capital from today. The restrictions include barring older vehicles registered outside Delhi, suspending most outdoor construction activities, doubling parking fees and capping physical attendance at government and private offices at 50 per cent.

The restrictions will remain in force for varying periods, with some extending until February 28, even as Delhi recorded its lowest October average AQI in eight years. The city’s monthly average AQI stood at 166 in October 2026, compared with 223 in October last year.

However, with winter setting in, the government is stepping up enforcement to prevent air quality from deteriorating in the coming months.BAN ON ENTRY OF NON-DELHI REGISTERED VEHICLES BELOW BS-VI

Under the new rules, vehicles registered outside Delhi that meet BS-IV or older emission standards will be barred from operating in the capital from November 1 to January 31.

CNG and electric vehicles, along with ambulances, fire tenders, police vehicles and other notified exempt categories, will be allowed to ply.

ANPR cameras installed at Delhi’s entry points and other key locations will be used to identify vehicles violating the restrictions. E-challans will be issued against non-compliant vehicles, while the traffic police may also impound them as per rules.

Dedicated teams will conduct physical inspections to ensure the restrictions are followed.

Construction and demolition activities will also face restrictions. All dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction work will remain prohibited from November 1 to January 31, except for specified essential public infrastructure projects that meet prescribed conditions.

Indoor finishing, plumbing and electrical work will be allowed, provided dust-control standards are followed.

The curbs will become stricter between December 10 and January 20, when construction and demolition activities will be completely prohibited, barring specified exemptions.

Teams from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), municipal bodies and other agencies will inspect construction sites. Unauthorised activities could invite immediate stop-work notices, environmental compensation penalties, sealing and other legal action.PARKING CHARGES DOUBLED

To discourage private vehicle use, parking fees at authorised parking lots across Delhi will be doubled from November 1 to February 28.

Parking facilities owned and managed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will be exempt from the hike.50% WORK-FROM-HOME MANDATE

Government and private offices will also have to limit physical attendance to 50 per cent between November 1 and January 31, with the remaining employees working from home. Essential and emergency services will be exempted as per prescribed norms.

Office timings have also been staggered in an effort to reduce traffic congestion. Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices will function from 8.30 am to 5 pm, while Delhi government offices will operate from 10 am to 6.30 pm.

The restrictions will be enforced by multiple agencies, including the Transport Department, Delhi Traffic Police, DPCC and municipal authorities.

An AI-enabled Integrated Command and Control Centre will monitor enforcement activities, camera feeds, violations, e-challans and action taken at construction sites. Special teams have been directed to respond immediately to reports of violations.DELHI RECORDS LOWEST OCTOBER AQI IN 8 YEARS

The crackdown comes against the backdrop of an improvement in Delhi’s air quality figures.

According to data released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the capital recorded an average AQI of 166 in October 2026, its lowest October reading in eight years.

The figure was lower than the 223 recorded in October 2025, as well as the corresponding readings in 2024 (234), 2023 (219), 2022 (210), 2021 (173), 2020 (265), 2019 (234) and 2018 (269).

Delhi’s average AQI between January 1 and October 31 stood at 167, compared with 170 during the corresponding period in 2025. The city recorded 220 days in the ‘Good to Moderate’ category, with a daily average AQI below 200, during the first 10 months of 2026.

This was higher than the 200 days recorded in 2025, 201 in 2024 and 206 in 2023. Only 2020, with 224 such days, recorded a higher count.

Average PM2.5 concentration between January 1 and October 29 stood at 69 micrograms per cubic metre, down from 72 during the same period last year. However, average PM10 concentration rose to 171 micrograms per cubic metre from 166 in 2025.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said it is working with stakeholders to prevent, control and reduce pollution across Delhi-NCR. It added that efforts would be intensified to further improve air quality.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has appealed to residents, vehicle owners, construction agencies, institutions, resident welfare associations and commercial establishments to comply with the new restrictions.

She urged people not to bring restricted vehicles into the capital, stop prohibited outdoor construction activities and use public transport or carpool wherever possible. Residents have also been asked to avoid burning waste, dry leaves or other materials in the open.

The Chief Minister further appealed to citizens to report pollution-related violations to the concerned agencies and cooperate with enforcement teams.- Ends