Gurugram, Nov 3: Gurugram will impose a fresh set of anti-pollution measures from November 5, including a temporary halt to outdoor construction and demolition activities and a 50 per cent work-from-home requirement for government and private offices, Storyboard18 reported. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) announced the restrictions for a 15-day period, from November 5 to November 20, in line with directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), aimed at curbing dust pollution, reducing vehicular emissions and easing traffic congestion.

Source: Storyboard18

Under the office advisory, government and private establishments will be required to ensure that no more than half their employees attend the workplace, with the remaining workforce operating remotely. Industrial units and essential services that cannot function through remote working will be exempt. MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said departments and agencies had been instructed to make the necessary arrangements before the restrictions take effect, and inspections will be conducted during the period to monitor compliance, The Times of India reported via Daily Jagran.

Source: The Daily Jagran (TOI report)

Nov 5–20Period the construction halt and WFH rule will run
50%Maximum staff allowed to attend offices in person
284Gurugram AQI in CPCB-based readings on Tuesday morning
6Jurisdictions covered by the office rule: Delhi plus 5 NCR districts

What stops, and what is exempt

The CAQM order, dated October 30 and issued under Section 12 of the CAQM Act, 2021, directs that dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction be restricted across the entire NCR, Webindia123 reported. The restriction also covers linear public infrastructure projects, including highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission lines, pipelines and telecommunication works. Exemptions apply to railway and metro projects, airports, inter-state bus terminals, hospitals, water supply and sanitation works, national security and defence-related activities, and projects of national importance. The 50 per cent office rule applies in the NCT of Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.

Source: Webindia123

Explaining the rationale, the CAQM cited historical daily AQI data for November from 2018 to 2025, which showed a recurring pattern of elevated pollution in Delhi-NCR in early to mid-November, with levels reaching the 'Severe' and 'Severe+' categories on certain days. The measures are preventive and will remain in force for the specified period, after which further action will depend on the pollution situation. Offices in Gurugram have been advised to prepare attendance schedules and work-from-home rosters ahead of the November 5 start.