Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday announced that the Delhi government and Municipal Corporation offices would follow staggered timings to help reduce air pollution and ease traffic congestion. The step, she said, is a preventive measure to curb vehicular emissions during peak hours.
The revised timings will remain in effect from November 15 to February 15, 2026. Under the new schedule, Delhi government offices will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 pm, while that of the Municipal Corporation will function from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Currently, both sets of offices work nearly in tandem, with only a 30-minute difference between their schedules, a factor that often leads to heavy traffic during peak commuting hours.
Rekha Gupta said the decision was taken following a meeting with senior scientific officers from the Department of Environment to assess the city’s worsening air quality. “During winter, pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 rise above normal levels, posing serious health risks. By staggering office timings, we aim to distribute vehicular movement more evenly throughout the day,” she stated.
The CM added that her government prefers proactive measures rather than reactive ones. “We do not believe in waiting for problems to escalate before acting. This initiative reflects our continued commitment to combat pollution and protect public health,” she said.
Officials noted that similar steps had been taken by previous administrations during severe pollution spells, but this is the first time the measure is being planned for the entire winter season.
CM Gupta has directed departments to strictly adhere to the new timings and to monitor traffic and air quality closely during the period.
She expressed confidence that the staggered schedule will help decongest the roads, lower emissions, and bring much-needed relief to Delhi’s residents.