Air pollution becomes a major problem in Delhi-NCR every winter. Cold weather, slow wind speed and increasing vehicle emissions can make pollution levels very high. To control this problem, the Delhi Government has started its Winter Pollution Action Plan 2026-27.

This plan started on 1 November 2026 and will continue until 28 February 2027. Under this plan, new rules have been introduced for vehicles, construction work, office attendance, parking charges and PUC certificates. You can read the official government update on Delhi's winter pollution measures.

The main aim of these rules is to reduce the use of private vehicles, control dust pollution and reduce traffic on roads. If you live in Delhi or any NCR area and travel to Delhi regularly, you should know about these five important rules.

1. Non-BS6 Vehicles Will Not Be Allowed to Enter Delhi

Under the winter pollution rules, petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards will not be allowed to enter Delhi from 1 November 2026.

This rule may affect vehicle owners travelling to Delhi from NCR areas like Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad.

BS-VI vehicles, along with CNG and electric vehicles, are exempt from this restriction. Emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire engines will also be allowed under the applicable exemptions.

This restriction will remain in place until 31 January 2027. So, it is better to check your car or bike's emission standard before travelling to Delhi. Read more about the non-BS6 vehicle entry restrictions.

2. Restrictions on Construction and Demolition Work

To reduce dust pollution in Delhi, strict rules have also been introduced for construction and demolition activities.

From 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027, demolition work and outdoor construction activities that create dust will be banned. Some important public infrastructure projects may get permission under special conditions.

Indoor work such as plumbing, electrical fitting and finishing work may be allowed, but workers will have to follow dust-control rules.

The government has also decided to make pollution-control rules stricter at construction sites. The aim is to control dust from construction work, as it can make air quality worse during winter. The Press Information Bureau's official update also covers these construction and demolition restrictions.

3. 50% Work From Home in Government and Private Offices

Office employees may also see some changes this winter. To reduce pollution and traffic, government and private offices have been asked to allow 50% of their staff to work from home.

This means only 50% of employees will be present in the office at one time, while the remaining employees will work from home. According to reports, employees may also get two work-from-home days every week.

Essential services will be exempt from this rule.

The Delhi Government has also changed office timings. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) offices will work from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Delhi Government offices will work from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM.

This step may help reduce the number of vehicles on roads during office hours and manage traffic better. You can check the full details of the work-from-home arrangement and revised office timings.

4. Public Parking Charges Will Double

To discourage the use of private vehicles, parking charges at authorised public parking areas in Delhi have been doubled.

This rule will remain in place from 1 November 2026 to 28 February 2027. The main aim is to encourage people to use public transport instead of private cars.

However, parking facilities operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) are exempt from this increase.

If you regularly use your car to travel to the office or market, the extra parking cost may affect your monthly travel budget. In such cases, options like the Delhi Metro and public buses can be useful.

5. No PUC, No Fuel Rule

Delhi has also started strictly following the No PUC, No Fuel policy from 1 November.

According to this rule, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will not get petrol, diesel or CNG at fuel stations.

To enforce this rule, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed at around 500 fuel stations in Delhi. These cameras will scan vehicle number plates and help check their PUC status.

Vehicle owners must keep their PUC certificates valid. If your certificate has expired, get it renewed before visiting a fuel station. The PIB's official announcement on the No PUCC, No Fuel campaign provides further information about ANPR-enabled fuel stations.

How Will These Pollution Rules Be Enforced?

The Delhi Government will use special enforcement teams, ANPR cameras and an AI-enabled Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) to implement these rules.

Vehicles that break the rules may receive e-challans. Authorities will also carry out checks at border areas to stop restricted vehicles from entering Delhi. The official PIB update on pollution enforcement measures provides additional details.

Why Are These Rules Important for Delhi-NCR?

Air quality in Delhi-NCR often becomes very poor during winter. Vehicle emissions, construction dust, industrial pollution and other sources all add to the problem.

That is why the government has included offices, parking areas and construction activities in its pollution control plan, instead of focusing only on vehicles.

These rules can show real results only when government agencies and local residents work together to control pollution. Using public transport, keeping a valid PUC certificate and avoiding unnecessary vehicle trips are some useful steps everyone can take.

Residents of Delhi-NCR should check the latest traffic updates and government notifications before travelling. This will help them avoid problems due to any new restrictions.