In a significant move to tackle Delhi’s worsening air quality, both the Delhi Government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are set to implement staggered office hours starting November 15, 2025. This initiative aims to alleviate traffic congestion during peak periods, a major contributor to the alarming pollution levels in the National Capital Region.
The new schedule, announced on Friday, will be in effect until February 15, 2026. The government’s rationale behind this change is to create a greater time gap between the arrival and departure of employees from these major government bodies. Previously, the minimal difference in office timings led to concentrated traffic bottlenecks, exacerbating air pollution.
Under the revised timings, Delhi Government offices will shift from 9:30 am – 6:00 pm to 10:00 am – 6:30 pm. In contrast, MCD offices will commence their workday earlier, moving from 9:00 am – 5:30 pm to 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. This strategic adjustment is expected to distribute traffic load more evenly across morning and evening commutes.
The decision comes amidst a severe air quality crisis, with Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 322 on Friday, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. A majority of monitoring stations across the city recorded AQI levels above the 300-mark. PM2.5 has been identified as the primary pollutant, with transportation contributing significantly to its levels. Neighboring NCR cities like Ghaziabad and Noida also report grim air quality, highlighting the widespread nature of the environmental challenge.