Bhubaneswar, Dec. 17 -- Delhi government has directed all companies, both government and private, to operate at 50 per cent work-from-home (WFH) capacity amid a worsening air quality crisis. Authorities warned that firms violating the directive will face fines.

The capital recorded one of the worst air quality levels this season on December 15, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 498 in the "severe plus" category. The spike followed a similar rise on the preceding day, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV-the strictest anti-pollution measures-to curb the crisis.

Under the new measures, constructi...