Delhi recorded its most polluted start to October in four years, with the air quality index touching 166 on October 2.

The spike has pushed the government to announce a set of winter curbs starting November 1. Half of government and private-sector employees will work from home. Non-BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi will be banned from entering the city.

Parking charges at Delhi Metro stations will double. Office timings will be staggered. A No PUCC, No Fuel rule will apply at petrol pumps across the city.

Construction activity will face a ban from November. The winter action plan runs through February 2027. Construction dust, road dust and open burning are among the main local sources of pollution.

Delhi’s air quality typically worsens sharply in winter as local emissions combine with weather that traps pollutants near the ground.

The newly launched AI-based Integrated Command and Control Centre will monitor pollution sources in real time. AI cameras will watch more than 700 construction sites, and rapid-action Vayu Rakshak teams will patrol 39 divisions.