India reduces office attendance by 50% to combat pollution in Delhi

Authorities in Delhi have begun implementing a package of stringent measures to combat air pollution, including reducing office attendance by 50%, doubling parking fees, expanding work from home, and imposing restrictions on vehicle movement and construction. The measures took effect on Sunday as part of a winter government plan.

Authorities in the Indian capital Delhi have begun implementing a package of stringent measures to combat air pollution during the winter season, including reducing actual employee attendance in government and private institutions to 50%, with the other half working from home, exempting essential and emergency services. The measures also include doubling parking fees, expanding work from home, and imposing restrictions on vehicle movement and dust-causing construction activities. The measures took effect on Sunday as part of a government plan aimed at reducing pollution levels that typically rise during the cold months. Air quality monitors recorded a concentration of fine particulate matter of 201 micrograms per cubic meter, according to Agence France-Presse. Private institutions have been asked to encourage their employees to use public transportation and carpooling. The measures also include adjusting working hours in government institutions to ease traffic pressure during peak hours.