As Delhi braces for another winter of toxic air, the government is rolling out a sweeping set of pollution-control measures from today. The restrictions include barring older vehicles registered outside the capital, suspending most outdoor construction activities, doubling parking fees and capping physical attendance at government and private offices to 50 per cent.The restrictions will remain in force for different periods, with some measures continuing until February 28.
Special enforcement teams, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and an AI-enabled Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) will be deployed to monitor violations and ensure the rules are followed, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).The measures come even as Delhi has recorded its lowest average October Air Quality Index (AQI) in eight years. The city’s monthly average stood at 166 in October 2026, significantly lower than the 223 recorded in the same month last year.
However, with winter setting in, the government is tightening its enforcement measures to prevent air quality from deteriorating further.- Ends