- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced plans to introduce anti-pollution measures, including allowing 50% of government employees to work from home, as air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR exceeded acceptable limits by over 17 times.
As dense smog resulted in restrictions on trucking, the closure of construction sites, and the suspension of school activities, the AAP-led government has decided that half of its employees will work remotely. “To combat pollution, the Delhi government has decided to implement work from home for government offices. A meeting will be held today in the Secretariat to discuss its implementation,” Rai stated in a post on X.
प्रदुषण कम करने के लिए दिल्ली सरकार ने सरकारी दफ़्तरो में वर्क फ्रॉम होम का लिया निर्णय
50% कर्मचारी करेंगे घर से काम
इसके इम्पलिमेंटेशन के लिए सचिवालय में आज दोपहर 1 बजे अधिकारियों के साथ होगी बैठक
— Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) November 20, 2024
In an interview, Rai mentioned, “A meeting with Delhi officials is scheduled for today to discuss immediate actions. We aim to implement work from home while ensuring that essential services, including emergency operations, continue without disruption.”
Rai emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing Delhi’s contribution to pollution in the National Capital Region while maintaining critical services. He also discussed ongoing discussions about the possible implementation of an odd-even vehicle scheme to reduce emissions.
He criticized the BJP for its lack of urgency in addressing the pollution crisis in North India, despite the party’s governance in neighboring states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and at the national level. “The BJP’s responsibility is significantly greater than that of the AAP in Delhi. The BJP-led governments in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and the Centre must take action,” he asserted.
Rai expressed frustration over the central government’s inaction, noting that the Delhi government has not received a response regarding its request for an emergency meeting to discuss the pollution crisis. “We regret having to write letters for a meeting, yet there has been no reply,” he added.
He urged the BJP to end its “inactivity and negligence” and promptly convene a meeting to take decisive measures against the escalating pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR.
As of 9 A.M. on Wednesday, Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 424, categorized as ‘severe’, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). On Tuesday at 4 P.M., it was noted at 460, also in the ‘severe’ range. In nearby areas, Gurugram’s AQI was 384, Faridabad’s was 268, Ghaziabad’s was 352, Greater Noida’s was 344, and Noida’s was 316.
