Delhi

NDMC fines 22 establishments in Lutyens Delhi for dust-control violations

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has imposed fines worth Rs 11 lakh on at least 22 construction sites in Lutyens Delhi this year for violating dust-mitigation norms and directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), according to official challan records. Among the penalised premises were prominent locations such as the Tamil Nadu Bhawan on Kautilya Marg, Assam Bhawan on S P Marg, multiple plots in Golf Links, Jor Bagh, Malcha Marg, Netaji Nagar, and Sardar Patel Marg, the data stated. Each site was fined Rs 50,000, indicating a uniform penalty structure for construction-related violations, the NDMC said The civic body said challans were issued for non-compliance with mandatory dust-control measures at construction sites, as well as for violations of NGT directions. All violators were served notices under relevant sections of the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994, primarily sections 249 and 250. Additionally, NDMC data on civic enforcement between January and November 20

Delhi-NCR jurisdiction ambiguities helping criminals evade trial, says SC

Last week, the apex court stressed the urgent need for an effective legal mechanism to deal with inter-state complications that frequently derail trials in grave offences under Central Penal Laws

Pollution settles in when wind stops and emissions persist: Bhupender Yadav

Bhupendra Yadav said that air quality has shown improvement on several days, but adverse meteorological conditions during December continue to pose challenges

Rekha Gupta attack case: Court frames attempt to murder charges against 2

A court here on Saturday ordered framing of attempt to murder charges against the two accused in the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at a public event earlier this year, saying there was a prima facie case against them. Additional Sessions Judge Ekta Gauba Mann was hearing a case against Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai and Tahsin Raza Rafiullah Shaikh, who are accused in the case. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a 'Jan Sunwai' programme at her camp office in the Civil Lines area on August 20, with her office terming the assault a part of a "well-planned conspiracy to kill her". Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai (41), a resident of Rajkot in Gujarat, was arrested and booked under attempt to murder and other charges. Tahsin Raza Rafiullah Shaikh has been accused of hatching the conspiracy along with Khimjibhai to attack the chief minister. In the order, the judge said, "I am of the considered view that prima facie all the ingredients for the offence punishab

Delhi EV policy framework ready, likely to roll out next financial year: CM

The Delhi government has prepared a comprehensive framework for an electric vehicle (EV) policy, which is likely to be rolled out from the next financial year, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday. She asserted that the policy will play an effective role in curbing pollution and modernising the transport infrastructure in the national capital. To reduce pollution levels and make the adoption of EVs seamless, the government is focusing on financial incentives, expansion of charging infrastructure and removal of highly polluting vehicles from the roads, she said. Addressing the issue of air pollution, the chief minister said emissions from vehicles are a major contributor to PM2.5 and PM10 levels, and adoption of EVs would directly reduce the pollutant load. Under the forthcoming policy, adequate subsidies will be provided to bridge the price gap between petrol and diesel vehicles and EVs, she said, adding that the Delhi government has already abolished road tax and registrati

100K PUC applications received in 3 days amid anti-pollution curbs in Delhi

More than one lakh vehicle owners applied for Pollution Under Control certificates in the last three days amid intensified enforcement against polluting vehicles in the national capital, Delhi Transport and Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Saturday. Singh said the BJP government is working on long-term and data-driven solutions to address air pollution in the national capital, asserting that transport-related emissions contribute around 20-25 per cent to Delhi's overall pollution. Singh said that in the last three days, a large number of people have come forward to obtain PUC certificates. Over one lakh people registered for PUC certificates during this period, including more than 40,000 on December 19 alone, he added. The minister said officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and police are deployed at petrol pumps with cameras used to monitor vehicles. First-time violators are issued warnings, while repeat offenders face challans, he said, adding tha

Govt to install air purifiers in 10K classrooms: Delhi education minister

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Friday announced that air purifiers will be installed in 10,000 classrooms to ensure clean air for the students. Addressing a press conference, Sood said that the government is committed towards tackling the problem of pollution through long-term administrative measures. "We are not those who flaunt IIT degrees and do campaigns like Odd-Even or Gaadi On, Gaadi Off campaign. We are tackling the issue of pollution through long-term administrative measures," he said, taking a dig at the previous Aam Aadmi Party government. He added, "We want our children to study smart and also breathe smart air. In the first phase, air purifiers will be installed in 10,000 classrooms." The minister, who also holds the urban portfolio, said the Public Works Department, using the environment cess, will also procure mechanical road sweepers for each of the assembly constituencies.

Pigeon feeding under fire: Why bans are spreading across Indian states

As authorities cite health risks from pigeon droppings, cities like Mumbai and Bangalore move to restrict feeding, even as communities push back

Stray dogs case: Supreme Court to take up matter again on January 7

Responding to a petitioner in the stray dogs case who objected to some rules framed by the Delhi municipal corporation saying "inhuman" treatment was being meted out to them, the Supreme Court on Thursday said a video will be played in the next hearing, "asking you what is humanity". Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who is appearing in the stray dogs case, told a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that a three-judge special bench which was scheduled to assemble on Thursday to hear the matter was cancelled. "It will come on January 7," Justice Nath said. Sibal said, "The problem is that the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi), in the meantime, has framed some rules which are completely contrary". When the bench said it would consider the matter on January 7, Sibal said the authorities will implement the rules in December itself. "They will be implementing it and they will be removing the dogs. They don't have shelters," he said. Justice Nath said, "It is alright Mr Sibal.

BS-VI rules in Delhi explained: What they mean for your vehicle | Delhi air pollution | Delhi AQI

As Delhi tightens pollution controls under GRAP, vehicles that do not meet BS-VI emission norms are facing fresh restrictions. Here’s detailing what BS-VI means

Delhi to overhaul PUC system, roll out carpool app to curb air pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government would provide ₹2,700 crore over a ten-year period to the MCD for procuring mechanical road sweepers and litter pickers

Severe air pollution dents Delhi retail trade, footfall falls: CTI

Rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR has begun to severely impact retail trade in the national capital, with a sharp decline in market footfall, traders' body Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) said on Wednesday. Brijesh Goyal, chaiman of CTI, said, "As the air quality in Delhi slipped into the 'severe' category and it got widespread coverage across television, newspapers and social media, people are increasingly cautious about stepping out, resulting in shoppers are avoiding markets. This has led to a visible slowdown in business activity." According to the CTI, while nearly three to four lakh people from the National Capital Region (NCR) earlier visited Delhi markets daily for shopping, the number has now dropped to around one lakh due to worsening pollution levels. Goyal said the organisation has written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, expressing concern over air pollution and its adverse impact on trade. With Christmas and New Year approaching, markets usually witn

Waterlogging and pollution 'legacy' problems, says Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said her government has got legacy problems like waterlogging and pollution and is working to find their solutions. Gupta inspected the desilting work at Sunehri Nala here and slammed the previous Congress and Aam Aadmi Party governments over pollution and drainage issues. "The Sunehri Nala was built, but there was no entry point for workers to clean it. We are desilting drains. Be it waterlogging, silt in the drain or pollution, we have only got legacy problems. The government is working to find solutions to problems. We have installed mist sprayers, but it will take time for results to be visible," she told reporters. Hitting out at Congress and AAP, she said they were in power for 15 and 10 years, respectively, but did not do anything. "They only did the work of giving pain to Delhiites while we are working to heal the sufferings of people," she added. She was accompanied by Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma during the inspection. He

13 dead, 25 inured as several buses catch fire on Delhi-Agra Expressway

Uttar Pradesh woke up to thick smog on Monday morning, as air quality deteriorated in different parts of the state and visibility dropped sharply

Delhi govt approves reorganisation of 11 revenue districts into 13

In a significant move aimed at making governance simpler and citizen-centric in the national capital, the Delhi government has approved the reorganisation of the existing 11 revenue districts into 13 new districts. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday. For many years, the boundaries of revenue districts did not align with those of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, NDMC, and Delhi Cantonment Board, repeatedly causing delays in service delivery, difficulties in land record management, and inconsistencies across departmental jurisdictions, said an official statement. After the reorganisation, the boundaries of all 13 districts will fully align with those of the MCD, NDMC, and the Delhi Cantonment Board, bringing clarity to governance and improving inter-departmental coordination, it said. The gazette notification will be issued within 15 days with the government looking to operationalise the new districts by the end of t

Putin in India: The real agenda behind the summit

Vladimir Putin’s two-day India visit is packed with symbolism — but the real story is what’s being negotiated: defence upgrades, nuclear energy, oil and payment routes, and a plan to rebalance trade.

ITO most feasible for Delhi govt's proposed twin-tower project: Officials

The Delhi government is expected to finalise ITO as the location for its proposed twin-towers, as it has received consent of the Income Tax (IT) department for sharing 4.5 acre land for the project, officials said on Tuesday. Delhi PWD minister Parvesh Verma held a meeting in which the issue of twin-tower was discussed by officials of his department and the Income Tax department. "A meeting was held today with the ACS (PWD) and the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax regarding the Twin Tower matter. Senior officials from both departments were present," said the minister in a post on X. All key points were discussed in detail and clear directions were issued to take the necessary steps in a coordinated and effective manner, he stated. "There are several options available to us. But ITO has emerged as the most feasible location after all our discussions. Especially with cooperation from the Income Tax department now, we have availability of a bigger plot to come up with ...

Sahkar Taxi Cooperative begins soft launch of Bharat Taxi in Delhi, Gujarat

Sahkar Taxi Cooperative has started beta consumer trials of its Bharat Taxi ride-hailing app in Delhi and parts of Gujarat, pitching a driver-owned model with Metro integration and safety tie-ups.

Delhi on high alert ahead of Russian President Putin's India visit

Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, multiple security agencies have been placed on high alert with authorities preparing an extensive security grid covering his route and engagements in the national capital, official sources said on Tuesday. Putin is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on December 4 for two-day visit. Though the Russian president's detailed itinerary has been finalised, the exact details of his stay, including the location where he will be lodged, have been withheld due to stringent security requirements. The police sources said all agencies involved in the security arrangements have been instructed to maintain continuous surveillance throughout the high-profile visit. "From the time of his arrival till his departure, every movement will be monitored by multiple security agencies. We are coordinating minute-to-minute movement details in real time," a source said. The source also said that top-ranking officers of Delhi Police will oversee the secur

Delhi govt offers free coaching for JEE, NEET, others to over 2K students

The Delhi government is offering free professional coaching to 2,200 meritorious government school students for JEE, NEET, CLAT, CA and CUET under the Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Vidya Shakti Mission, Education Minister Ashish Sood announced on Monday. The mission aims to empower students' aspirations, ensure emotional well-being and build future-ready schools across the capital, an official statement said. This scheme, which was announced in the budget, has a budget allocation of Rs 21 crore. It reserves 50 seats per course for female students in JEE, NEET, CLAT, and CA Foundation, while CUET-UG will offer 1,000 seats, with 150 reserved for girls. Coaching will be provided through empanelled institutions, including Aakash Institute, Narayana Academy, KD Campus and Ravindra Institute, it said. Students will receive classroom coaching, live sessions, study material and test preparation support after school hours and on weekends. Calling it a "turning point in Delhi's public