As air pollution levels continue to rise in Delhi, the state government has announced two major steps to protect public health and provide relief to people whose livelihoods have been affected. The measures are part of the government’s effort to reduce pollution while also supporting workers who are facing financial difficulties due to restrictions.

The first major announcement is financial assistance for construction workers. Since construction activities have been suspended to control dust and pollution, many workers have lost their daily income. To help them, the Delhi government will provide Rs 10,000 to each registered and verified construction worker whose work has been affected. This money will be sent directly to their bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. Officials said this step is meant to give immediate relief to workers and help them manage basic expenses during the shutdown period.

The second important measure is related to office work. The government has made it mandatory for 50% of employees in both government and private offices across Delhi to work from home. This rule has been introduced to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, which in turn can help lower vehicular pollution and reduce people’s exposure to harmful air. At the same time, offices have been asked to follow flexible working hours so that traffic congestion during peak hours can be avoided.

However, the government has clarified that essential services will not be affected by these rules. Sectors such as healthcare, jails, public transport, electricity, and other critical services have been exempted, as their continuous operation is necessary for public welfare.

These decisions are part of Delhi’s broader pollution-control plan under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Construction work in the city remained suspended for 16 days while Delhi was under GRAP Stage 3 restrictions. Officials said that compensation related to GRAP Stage 4 will be reviewed once the pollution curbs are lifted. They also added that the registration portal for construction workers is still open, allowing more workers to sign up and become eligible for financial assistance.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality showed a slight improvement on Wednesday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 328. Despite this improvement, the air remained in the ‘very poor’ category, and many parts of the city continued to be covered in thick smog, especially during early morning hours. Visibility remained low, raising concerns for residents.