Delhi is not able to breathe; LG VK Saxena announces staggered timings for Delhi govt, MCD employees

In response to the severe air pollution crisis in Delhi, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has implemented staggered office timings for government employees to mitigate the impact of hazardous air quality levels. This move comes after the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) officers called for work-from-home options, staggered working hours, and the installation of air purifiers in office buildings due to the hazardous pollution levels in the capital.

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At 1 pm on Monday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached a hazardous 490, a concerning level that prompted authorities to take swift action. Staggering work hours forms part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), aimed at safeguarding public health in Delhi-NCR. This initiative is crucial given the alarming AQI figures in the region.

Under the new schedule, which will remain in effect until February 28, 2025, all offices under the Government of NCT of Delhi and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will operate with staggered hours. Offices under MCD will function from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, while those under the Delhi government will operate from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.

In a related development, the Supreme Court has urged all states in the National Capital Region (NCR) to consider closing schools for all students up to class 12 due to the deteriorating air quality. The Court has also mandated that NCR states present their GRAP-4 implementation plans at the next hearing.

The Supreme Court additionally directed states in Delhi-NCR to immediately set up teams to enforce GRAP-4 restrictions, which will remain in effect even if the AQI drops below 450. These measures are aimed at reducing the hazardous smog that has enveloped the region, with Delhi’s AQI hitting its highest level of the year on Monday.

A dense blanket of smog was observed across northern India, with Delhi’s areas near AIIMS and Pragati Maidan seeing AQI readings in the “very poor” category, further intensifying the need for urgent pollution control measures.