Delhi to Double Parking Fees, Ban Outside Cars and Halt Construction to Fight Smog
Delhi BJP protests against pollution Image credit The Raisina Hills
By KUMAR VIKRAM
The Delhi government has notified stringent anti-pollution measures effective from November, including a ban on entry of most private vehicles registered outside Delhi, mandatory 50% work-from-home for offices, higher parking charges and restrictions on construction activities.
New Delhi, July 1, 2026 — The Delhi government has notified a sweeping set of anti-pollution measures that will come into force from November 1 as part of its winter action plan to tackle air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The notification, published in the Delhi Gazette (Extraordinary), introduces restrictions on the entry of private vehicles from outside Delhi, mandates work-from-home for half the workforce in government and private offices during a specified period, and imposes a near-total ban on construction activities.
Private Vehicle Entry Curbs
From November 1 to January 31, private petrol and diesel cars registered outside Delhi will not be allowed to enter the national capital.
However, the restriction will not apply to: Vehicles powered by CNG, LNG or electricity; Emergency and essential service vehicles, including ambulances, fire tenders and police vehicles; and Any other category of vehicles specifically exempted by the Delhi government’s Environment Department.
The Transport Department, Delhi Police and civic agencies have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the restrictions.
Parking Fee Hike
To discourage the use of private vehicles, parking charges at all MCD-managed parking lots will be doubled from November 1 to February 28. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been asked to issue detailed operational guidelines.
Work-From-Home for Offices
The notification also prescribes staggered office timings and mandatory work-from-home arrangements.
Between November 1 and February 28: MCD offices will function from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm; Delhi government offices will operate from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm; and further, from November 1 to January 31, both government and private offices must ensure that physical attendance does not exceed 50% of their workforce.
Government departments have been instructed to maintain essential services while limiting office attendance. Private establishments have been advised to adopt staggered timings, implement work-from-home policies and encourage employees to use carpooling, public transport and other sustainable modes of commuting.
The order exempts essential services such as healthcare institutions, emergency services, prisons, public transport, electricity, water supply, sanitation, municipal services, the judiciary, pollution control agencies and other notified public utility services.
Construction Ban
The notification imposes stringent restrictions on construction activities. From November 1 to January 31, all non-essential civil construction activities will remain prohibited, except projects of national importance and activities within enclosed construction sites that comply with pollution-control norms.
From December 10 to January 20, construction and demolition activities will face an even stricter prohibition, with exemptions only for critical government infrastructure projects and emergency works.
Restrictions on Construction Material Vehicles
During the stricter construction ban period, vehicles carrying construction materials, including sand, cement, bricks, concrete, steel and other related materials, will also be barred from entering Delhi unless specifically exempted for projects of national importance.
Pollution Control Push
The notification is part of Delhi’s annual winter pollution mitigation strategy aimed at reducing vehicular emissions, controlling dust pollution and limiting emissions from construction activities during the peak smog season.
Authorities have been directed to monitor compliance closely and ensure coordinated enforcement across departments.
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