India
Delhi‑NCR to Suspend Construction and Demolition from Nov. 5‑20 to Reduce Air Pollution
The Indian government has ordered a halt to construction and demolition work across Delhi‑NCR from November 5 to November 20 to curb air pollution as the city’s air quality is expected to fall into the ‘poor’ category from November 1. The order also directs state and private offices to operate with up to 50 % of staff physically present, with the remainder working from home, except for industrial establishments and essential services where this is not feasible. Exemptions are granted for activities related to railways, metro services, airports, interstate bus terminals, hospitals, water supply and sanitation, national security, defence, and projects of national importance. The restriction also covers linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, and telecommunications. The decision follows historical data showing that mid‑November pollution peaks, with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels reaching ‘Severe’ and ‘Severe+’ on certain days. Delhi’s air quality has recently improved after overnight rainfall, with an AQI of 133 in the ‘Moderate’ category on Friday, but the Central Pollution Control Board reports AQI above 200 in the ‘Poor’ category on Wednesday and Thursday. The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts that the city will remain in the moderate category until October 31, then deteriorate to the poor category from November 1 for the next six days. Delhi’s traffic police have also introduced new restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for vehicles entering the capital from November 1, allowing only BS‑VI, CNG, and electric vehicles, along with exempted vehicles, to operate in the city. The measures aim to reduce pollution from road dust, vehicle emissions, and industrial sources during the winter months.