GRAP 1 in Delhi: Impact on NCR offices? WFH or work as usual? Know about restrictions and bans today

Following the deterioration of air quality, pollution restrictions were introduced in Delhi-NCR under Phase I of GRAP. These are the first GRAP curbs of the season focused on dust, vehicle emissions and waste incineration.

Delhi’s AQI reached 244 at 2 pm on October 21, entering the “poor” category. On October 20, it was 179 in the “moderation” category. CAQM said forecasts indicated poor air quality would continue in the coming days.

Mandatory WFH?

Offices are not subject to the mandatory work from home (WFH) order at this stage. Phase I does not require reduced attendance or changes to office hours for office workers.

Quick answers to key questions

•5 QUESTIONS

No. Phase I does not require limited office attendance or changes in offices. Employers are encouraged to arrange for shared commuting, employees are encouraged to use public transport or carpool.

Delhi’s AQI rose to 244 on October 21, from 179 the previous day, entering the “poor” category. Phase I GRAP is used when the AQI is between 201 and 300, with forecasts showing poor air quality to continue.

Yes, as long as the sites follow dust control rules and include construction materials and waste during storage and transportation. Projects with an area of 500 square meters or more must meet registration and monitoring requirements; work on non-compliant projects cannot continue.

No general ban on passenger cars is imposed. Authorities must enforce PUC requirements and existing restrictions on obsolete vehicles; visibly polluting vehicles may be impounded or penalized.

Open burning of biomass and municipal waste is prohibited, as is the use of coal or firewood in tandoors at hotels, restaurants and open canteens. These restaurants must use electricity, gas or other clean fuels, and diesel generators cannot be used as regular power sources.

Employers are encouraged to arrange shared commuting for employees to reduce road traffic. Employees are encouraged to use public transportation or carpool. Public transport services should be expanded.

Read also | Delhi’s AQI has slipped into the ‘poor’ category since Wednesday.

Mandatory staggered timing for specific government agencies appears in Phase II. Under Phase III, governments must decide whether to allow offices to operate with 50% attendance.

The remaining employees would work from home under these conditions. Phase I itself does not contain any requirement.

Other restrictions and prohibitions

Construction and demolition activities can continue provided the sites comply with dust control rules. Materials and waste must remain covered, even during transport.

Projects with an area of at least 500 square meters must meet registration and monitoring requirements. Work on projects that do not meet these requirements cannot continue.

Open burning of biomass and municipal waste is prohibited. Illegal dumping of waste in the open is also prohibited. Authorities must regularly collect waste and prevent landfill fires.

Read also | GRAP 1 restrictions, bans in Delhi: Impact on cars, trucks, hotels, construction

Vehicles must comply with pollution rules with stricter controls for Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. Visibly polluting vehicles face impoundment, maximum penalties, or both. Existing restrictions on outdated petrol and diesel vehicles must be enforced.

Stage I does not impose a blanket ban on passenger cars. However, certain interstate and intercity buses face restrictions in Delhi-NCR. Only electric, CNG and BS-VI diesel buses qualify from the listed states.

These include Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It also includes Jammu and Kashmir.

Hotels, restaurants and open-air restaurants cannot use coal or firewood in tandoors. They must use electricity, gas or other clean fuels. Industry must comply with emission limits and use approved fuels.

Read also | Delhi to Palwal in 45 minutes from 3 hours? How a new expressway could ease traffic

Diesel generators cannot be used as normal sources of electricity. Their operation is still subject to capacity limits, emission controls and extraordinary exceptions. Existing court orders regarding firecrackers must also be enforced.

GRAP Grade I includes AQI values between 201 and 300. Higher grades impose additional restrictions as pollution worsens.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the authorities are implementing an 11-point action plan. He identified dust control, electric vehicles and vehicle emissions among the government’s priorities.