Delhi's air turns 'hazardous' as AQI hits 494; 16 stations in 'severe' zone
Delhi has implemented Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan as air quality reached hazardous levels with an AQI of 494. Government departments have been instructed to allow 50% of staff to work from home to mitigate the impact of severe smog.
Why it matters
Severe air pollution in major urban centers poses significant public health risks and necessitates emergency administrative interventions.
NEW DELHI: With air pollution worsening across the national capital, Delhi Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has directed 50% of the workforce in his departments to work from home, while Transport minister Pankaj Singh has also issued similar instructions to departments under his charge, official sources said on Friday.The move follows the implementation of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), under which the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has asked the Delhi government and other National Capital Region (NCR) state governments to consider allowing public, municipal and private offices to function with 50% staff strength, with the remaining employees working from home.Stage III of GRAP is invoked when the Air Quality Index (AQI) enters the severe category, ranging from 401 to 450 under the specified action plan."Going by CAQM guidelines on air quality, heads of departments are free to take decisions regarding allowing work from home.…
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