Delhi-NCR (Delhi-NCR) The air quality is continuously deteriorating, due to which a dense blanket of smog has engulfed the entire area. air quality (AQI) after reaching dangerous levels of Graded Response Action Plan (G.R.A.P) Stage of-IV Has been implemented. In view of this, Gurugram district administration has issued a new and important advisory for corporate and private institutions. Under this, the timings of government offices have been changed.

#Advisory In view of the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi & NCR vide order dated 13.12.2025.

As per the directions, State Governments/ GNCTD may allow offices… pic.twitter.com/OdSjRSuPyI

— DC Gurugram (@DC_Gurugram) December 21, 2025

District Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram (DC) Through official instructions, has advised all private institutions and corporate offices of the district to allow their employees to ‘Work from Home’ (Work from Home) from 22 December 2025.WFH) Encourage for. This order will remain effective until further guidelines are issued. This step of the administration has been taken with the aim of reducing the number of vehicles on the roads and bringing down the pollution level.

Permission to work with 50% employees

CAQM Based on the order issued on 13 December 2025, the administration has clarified that in the current circumstances offices can be allowed to operate only with the presence of 50% employees. It has been advised to make working from home mandatory for the remaining 50% of the employees. This rule will apply to all non-essential services that can operate in digital mode.

collective war against pollution

DC Gurugram has described this initiative as a ‘collective effort’. The administration believes that if the corporate world follows this advice, it will not only protect public health but will also make a major contribution in reducing air pollution. Gurugram administration has warned that GRAP-IV Effectively implementing the measures is essential to improve the air quality of the area.

The administration has appealed to the general public and entrepreneurs to fulfill their responsibilities towards the environment and public health. If the pollution level does not reduce in the coming days, the administration may take even more stringent decisions. At present, all eyes are on improving air quality.

DC Said that this decision has been taken to control the level of air pollution and reduce traffic and congestion. He also issued a work-from-home advisory for private institutions to improve air quality and said that the timings have been changed temporarily and GRAP-IV Will remain in effect for a period of. DC Said that in view of the serious deterioration in air quality, CAQM By Delhi-NCR in the area GRAP-IV Has been implemented.

As per orders, G.R.A.P Stage-IV State government and city during Office timings will remain effective in all government offices of Gurugram district under Corporations/Councils/Committees. It said that the office timings under the state government will be from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, and the office timings under Gurugram and Manesar Municipal Corporation will be from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. It also said that the office timings under Sohna, Pataudi and Mandi Municipal Councils and Farrukhnagar Municipal Committee will also be from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

On the issue of pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court on Monday (December 1, 2025) asked whether the reason for pollution is only stubble burning. The court said that farmers are rarely in the court to present their side, hence it is easy to hold them completely responsible. The court said that even before stubble burning was done, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was never in such a bad category. Even during the Corona period, stubble was burnt, but this was not seen then.

According to the report of Bar and Bench, the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi has directed that the report should be presented in the court and told what is being done to deal with the other causes of pollution in Delhi-NCR. The court was hearing the long pending MC Mehta case, which involves air pollution and other environment related issues.

‘Only stubble burning cannot be held responsible for pollution’, said CJI
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has prepared an action plan to deal with the problem of pollution in Delhi-NCR. He said that a plan has been prepared to deal with the pollution caused by stubble burning, dust from vehicles, construction, road dust and burning of biomass. On this, CJI Surya Kant said, ‘I do not want to comment on stubble burning. It is easy to put the entire responsibility on him because farmers are hardly in court.

‘The stubble was burnt even during the Corona period, the situation was not like this then’, CJI said
CJI Surya Kant also said that stubble has been being burnt for a long time, but never before has Delhi’s air become so bad as has been seen in recent years. He said that stubble was burnt even during the Corona period, but even then the sky looked blue and stars were visible. Why? We need to pay attention to other factors also.

Court gave important instructions to deal with pollution
The CJI directed to submit a report within a week on what is being done to deal with other factors responsible for pollution. The CJI also said that both short term and long term plans should be given in the report. Justice Surya Kant said that no city was developed at this level to accommodate such a large population or with the idea that every house would have multiple vehicles. He said that the court should be told when and how the measures to tackle pollution will be implemented or are these measures just meant to be written on paper.

‘Hearing on Delhi pollution will be held twice every month’, said the court
The Chief Justice said that the case will be heard regularly and hearing will be held twice every month. He said that CAQM should re-review the measures to deal with pollution. It remains to be seen what impact the steps being taken have had. CJI Surya Kant also said that the next hearing will be on December 10.

The air of Delhi-NCR is continuously becoming poisonous. In such a situation, due to continuously increasing pollution in the air, the condition of people’s lungs is worsening. At the same time, the doctor says that the microscopic particles present in air pollution like PM 2.5, PM 10, nitrogen dioxide and ozone are gradually damaging the lungs. The risk increases even more for people who have the habit of smoking. In such a situation, the question arises that if the lungs get damaged due to pollution or smoking, can they recover again? So today let us tell you that if the lungs get damaged due to smoking habit or pollution, can they be cured again or not and what do the experts say about it.

How does pollution harm the lungs?

According to doctors, the pollutants present in the air reach the deep parts of the lungs through breath. This causes irritation, inflammation and oxidative stress which weakens the structure and capacity of the lungs. This risk is greatest for children, the elderly and people suffering from diseases like heart or asthma. The initial signs of lung damage include frequent dry cough or burning sensation in the throat. Apart from this, even doing light work causes shortness of breath. At the same time, heaviness in the chest or wheezing sound is also an early sign of bad lungs. Increasing mucus and feeling tired are also signs of bad lungs.

Can lungs recover after being damaged?

Experts say that the lungs have the ability to repair themselves. When a person lives in clean air, stays away from pollution or smoking, the functioning of the lungs can gradually improve. At the same time, improvement can be seen in the lungs within a few months to a few years. However, if the damage is very deep or chronic, such as COPD, it is difficult for the lungs to recover completely. But with proper treatment and precautions, its risk can be reduced to a great extent. According to experts, if a person quits smoking or tries to avoid pollution, the lung capacity starts improving within two weeks to 3 months.

What to do for lung health?

• Stay away from smoking and second hand smoke.
• Go out wearing an N95 or KN95 mask.
• Use an air purifier with HEPA filter at home.
• Do deep breathing or diaphragmatic breathing exercises.
• Drink enough water throughout the day, so that the dirt accumulated in the lungs can be cleared.
• Reduce outdoor activity during pollution days.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Like every year, the air of Delhi has become poisonous this time too during the Diwali season. On Monday, October 20, 2025, the air quality in the national capital was recorded as very poor for the seventh consecutive day. In the morning the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 400, which falls in the ‘severe’ category. This means that breathing air has now become dangerous for health.

While on one hand the air has made breathing difficult in Delhi, on the other hand the layer of poisonous foam in the Yamuna river of Delhi has made the situation more serious. On Sunday and Monday, a layer of thick white foam was seen floating on the surface of Yamuna in Kalindi Kunj area. This foam is covering the natural beauty of the river as well as pointing towards a serious environmental crisis.

Local residents say that every year before the Chhath festival, such foam forms in the Yamuna, which contaminates the water and spreads bad smell. According to scientists, this foam is formed due to industrial waste and untreated sewage falling directly into the river. These chemical substances contain harmful elements like detergent, phosphate and ammonia which produce foam and toxic gases in water.

VIDEO | Delhi: Toxic foam floats over Yamuna in Delhi. Visuals from Kalindi Kunj.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7, pic.twitter.com/4YmUVCtmKO

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 20, 2025

Supreme Court gives limited permission to green firecrackers

The Supreme Court has taken a big step to control pollution. The court has clearly said that only those firecrackers which have been approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) can be sold and burst in Delhi-NCR. These firecrackers cause up to 30% less pollution than traditional firecrackers and do not contain elements like sulfur or heavy metals.

However, the sale and use of serial fireworks is completely banned. The Supreme Court has also mandated that every green firecracker should have a QR code to verify that it is genuine and approved. Strict action will be taken against the sale or use of firecrackers without QR code.

When and for how long can crackers be burst?

The Supreme Court has set a fixed deadline for the use of green firecrackers. According to the order, their sale and burning will be allowed only from 18th to 20th October. On Diwali night, October 20, people can burn green crackers from 6 am to 7 pm and from 8 pm to 10 pm.

This time limit has been kept so that the level of pollution does not increase further. The court has also made it clear that if AQI is already in ‘severe’ condition in an area, then the local administration can ban both the sale and burning of firecrackers there.

Strict system of licensing and monitoring

Delhi Police has said that the orders of the Supreme Court will be strictly implemented. For this, 168 temporary licenses have been issued in the city so that green firecrackers can be sold at designated places only. Every retailer must ensure that they sell only NEERI approved and PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization) certified crackers.

Teams of police and administrative agencies have been formed to keep an eye on the sale. After Diwali, shopkeepers will be given two days to return the unsold firecrackers or destroy them safely. The licenses of those shopkeepers who do not follow the rules will be immediately suspended.

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