NEW DELHI: As Delhi-NCR grapples with extremely severe air pollution levels, central govt offices in the region have been advised to follow staggered timings and encourage their officers and staff to practice car-pooling or use public transport to minimise vehicular pollution. The steps are part of actions being taken under Stage-IV (severe+ air quality) of the revised graded response action plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR.
“In view of the severe+ air pollution levels in Delhi, various ministries/departments/organizations of central govt are, hereby, advised to adopt the following measures in respect of offices located in Delhi-NCR, as part of the actions envisaged by the Commission for Air Quality Management under GRAP, till GRAP-IV is in force,” the department of personnel and training (DoPT) said in an office memorandum circulated to secretaries of central ministries and departments.
Officers and staff commuting to office in personal vehicles should be encouraged to pool vehicles and use public transport to minimise vehicular pollution, the DoPT said.
While asking central ministries, departments and organisations to adopt the measures as per their functional requirements, the DoPT told them to ensure that efficiency or productivity of staff is not adversely impacted in any manner.