Kejriwal Govt To Re-schedule Office Hours In Delhi To Curb Air Pollution During Winters

Ahead of the upcoming winter season in the national capital, the Delhi government is mulling to re-schedule office hours as one of the measures to reduce congestion and air pollution across the city. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the development on Twitter, following a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.

"Met Hon'ble Lt Gov Delhi Shri Anil Baijal ji and briefed him about the steps planned by Delhi govt to reduce air pollution, including Odd Even (car rationing scheme)," the AAP leader tweeted. "He assured us of his support and suggested that opening/closing hours of offices be staggered. The Govt will definitely implement this," he added.

About today's meeting, Baijal said, "Met Hon'ble CM Delhi @ArvindKejriwal. Discussed measures to reduce air pollution and congestion in Delhi". "Requested to explore amongst other measures, option of staggered opening/closing hours of offices and other establishments to reduce congestion and resultant air pollution," he wrote on Twitter.

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Met Hon'ble @LtGovDelhi Shri Anil Baijal ji and briefed him about the steps planned by Delhi govt to reduce air pollution, including Odd Even

He assured us of his support and suggested that opening/closing hours of offices be staggered. The Govt will definitely implement this. https://t.co/tbY3WZZoql

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 25, 2019

Talking about the latest development, a government official said the modalities of the plan will be implemented anytime soon, but it is a temporary arrangement only to curb pollution in the city during winters.

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Under the current schedule, most of the government offices in Delhi resume between 8:30 am and 9:30 am for over one lakh employees across the city. Going by the proposed plan, the timing for opening and closing the government offices will be different from each other to combat high-level of air-pollution, which the city reel under every winter. However, every employee need to ensure eight working hours in a day.

Delhi, which is home to approximately 19 million people, has been reeling under the menace of pollution for the last few years. The region faced a major air quality crisis last year as pollution levels shot through the roof and even forced the shutdown of schools.

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To cope with the pollution-menace this year, the Kejriwal government, earlier this month, announced his government's seven-point 'Parali' Winter Action Plan. The measures to tackle pollution in Delhi includes a ban on fire-crackers, distribution of masks, mechanised sweeping of roads, tree plantation, a return of the much-debated odd-even car-rationing scheme and special plans for 12 pollution hot spots in the city.