50% of employees granted ‘work from home’; half the workforce to return to offices starting November 5; construction activities halted.
To curb rising pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, the Gurugram administration has taken stringent measures. Construction activities that generate dust will be prohibited in the district from November 5 to November 20. Additionally, employee attendance in both government and private offices has been restricted.
Ban on Construction Activities
The administration has taken a major decision to mitigate the escalating air pollution in Gurugram. From November 5 to November 20, all construction and demolition activities that generate dust will be suspended across the district. This directive has been issued in accordance with the guidelines of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh issued an order to this effect on Tuesday. The ban encompasses construction work related to highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, pipelines, and other public infrastructure projects.
Only 50% of Employees to Attend Office
In light of the pollution levels, the administration has also issued directives for government and private offices. Haryana government offices and private companies are permitted to call a maximum of 50% of their staff to the office; the remaining employees must work from home. This initiative aims to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads and help control pollution.
Exemptions for Certain Projects
The Gurugram administration has exempted specific essential services and projects from these restrictions. These include construction work related to railways, the metro, airports, hospitals, water supply, sanitation, and national security. Furthermore, industrial units and essential services are also exempt, meaning operations linked to critical facilities may continue as usual.
Action Against Violations
The administration has stepped up monitoring to ensure compliance with these orders. The concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and officials from the Pollution Control Board will conduct daily inspections of construction sites. If anyone is found to be in violation of these rules, action will be taken against them under the Commission for Air Quality Management Act, 2021.
