Ban on construction, demolition activities in Delhi-NCR from November 5-20: Union Minister

Delhi recorded 'poor' air quality on Thursday, October 29, 2026, with the AQI settling at 229, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav on Friday (October 30, 2026) announced that there will be a ban on construction and demolition activities in Delhi and NCR from November 5 to 20, with some exemptions.The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) will issue an order on Friday (October 30, 2026), the Minister said.While GRAP 1 remains in force, the CAQM is enforcing additional measures to make the overall actions on the air pollution in the region even more stricter.“This is our peak time (for air pollution). This will be for dust generating demolition and outdoor civil construction activities,” he said, adding that exemption will be given for projects of national importance.Earlier in June, the Delhi government issued a gazette notification banning dust generating demolition activity and outdoor civil construction activity in the city from November 1 to January 31. Exemption was given to essential public infrastructure projects.Such a fixed period ban on construction activities is not a usual measure taken by the CAQM. A senior official told The Hindu that this measure is being taken, considering that Deepavali is on November 8 and pollution from firecrackers is expected to increase.Also, pollution from stubble burning in the region is expected to peak around the same time, as harvesting is also underway, the official added.Work from home in High Vehicle Density (HVD) districtsThe CAQM is also expected to issue an order on 50% work from home for government and private offices in High Vehicle Density (HVD) districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budha Nagar.As per the June gazette notification by the Delhi government, 50% work from home is mandatory for government and private offices in Delhi from November 1 to January 31 , with some exemptions. Published - October 30, 2026 05:04 pm IST