Delhi Govt Changed Office Hours Amid Alarming Pollution

In a direct move to combat rising air pollution levels, the Delhi government has announced a change in the operating hours for its departments and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices for the upcoming winter season.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the staggered working hours on Friday, confirming the new timings are proposed to be in effect from November 15, 2025, to February 15, 2026.

Staggered Hours to Ease Peak Traffic

The decision was made to address the severe traffic congestion caused by the current minimal 30-minute gap between the opening and closing times of the two administrative bodies. Heavy peak-hour traffic is a significant contributor to the capital’s deteriorating air quality.

The current timings and the newly proposed winter schedule are as follows:

The new schedule aims to more evenly distribute the traffic load throughout the morning and evening, thereby reducing vehicular emissions during the worst of the pollution season.

AQI Remains ‘Very Poor’

The directive comes as air quality across the National Capital Region (NCR) continues to remain in the hazardous zone, marked by a thick layer of smog.

• Delhi’s AQI: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)’s Sameer app recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing the 300-mark. The 24-hour average AQI stood at 322 as of 4 pm on Friday, placing the city firmly in the ‘very poor’ category.
• Dominant Pollutant: PM2.5 remains the dominant pollutant. The transport sector is expected to contribute approximately 15% to PM2.5 levels over the weekend.
• NCR Status: The NCR region is similarly affected, with Ghaziabad recording an AQI of 314 and Noida recording an AQI of 306, both falling into the ‘very poor’ category.

The Air Quality Early Warning System has cautioned that the air quality in Delhi is likely to remain in the ‘very poor’ category over the coming days, underlining the urgency of the government’s response.