Delhi AQI Enters 'Poor' Zone, Winter Pollution Plan Announced, Work From Home Eyed

Delhi's air quality slipped into the 'poor' category with the Air Quality Index touching 216 ahead of Dussehra and Diwali festivities, prompting the Delhi government to roll out its Winter Pollution Plan. Enforced from 1 November to 28 February, the plan introduces strict measures to curb vehicular emissions, construction dust, and traffic congestion across the national capital. Key initiatives include a ban on non-BS6 vehicles registered outside Delhi, strict enforcement of the 'no PUC, no fuel' mandate at petrol pumps, deployment of artificial intelligence-powered cameras to monitor construction and waste burning, and a 50% work-from-home advisory for government and private offices. Public transport is being augmented with additional electric buses, increased metro trips, and improved last-mile connectivity. Ground reporting also highlighted government preparations to shift schools to hybrid or online modes if pollution levels escalate further during winter.