Page 6 - Delhi Government

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta casts vote, urges high turnout in MCD bypolls

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday cast her vote for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) bye-elections and urged citizens to participate in large numbers, calling voting a democratic duty that strengthens governance and development. Gupta, who voted at her local booth along with her family, described the act as fulfilling her "democratic responsibility". "Voting is an integral part of the sacred process of our democracy, and our active participation further strengthens democratic values," she said in a post on X in Hindi. Highlighting that bypolls are being held in 12 wards of the city, she appealed to all eligible voters to reach polling stations without fail. "Each of your votes plays a decisive role not only in determining the direction of local governance but also in laying a strong foundation for the overall development of Delhi, good governance, and transparency," she said. Polling began on Sunday morning amid tight security and will conclude at 5.30 pm. The ..

Delhi's inflation stays below national average in 2024-25: Govt report

The inflation rate in Delhi remained substantially lower than in other metro cities and the national average last year, especially in the fuel and light group, according to a government report. The report prepared by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics of the Delhi government, however, showed that the inflation rate rose in the food & beverages and housing sectors. The report assessed the Consumer Price Index (Industrial Workers IW) between Delhi and 14 other metros. These were Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Indore, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Amritsar and Lucknow. The report said that during 2024-25, CPI (IW), Kolkata, recorded the highest increase (3.6 per cent) while it was (3.4 per cent) at the All India level, followed by Mumbai (3.0 per cent), Delhi (1.8 per cent), and no change was observed in the case of Chennai. Among the selected cities assessed by the report, Delhi had the third lowest Consumer Price Index .

Hot-air balloon rides to begin Saturday in Delhi at DDA's Asita Park

Delhiites can experience the hot-air balloon rides from Saturday at Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) Asita Park near the ITO area, officials said. Earlier this week, Lt Governor VK Saxena launched the facility from Banseera Park near Sarai Kale Khan. "Due to an ongoing event at the Baansera Park, the rides will be launched for the public from Asita Park," a DDA official said on Friday. In July, the DDA had finalised a private agency to conduct these activities at four locations, including the Yamuna Sports Complex, the Commonwealth Games sports complexes, and two other sites along the Yamuna Bank at Asita and Baansera. The facility will be available from Saturday, and the ticket will be Rs 3,000 per person, excluding taxes, for a ride around 120 feet in the air. The trips would range from seven to 12 minutes, with each ride having a holding capacity of four people, officials added. According to the officials, each day, four hours of flying time will be allowed, and the private

Delhi govt declares Farhan Akhtar's 120 Bahadur tax-free; know ticket price

Farhan Akhtar's 120 Bahadur has been declared tax-free in Delhi, CM Rekha Gupta declared on Thursday. It was released in hit theatres on Friday, Nov 21 and is based on the 1962 Battle of Rezang La

Delhi to get hot-air balloon rides this weekend: Check date, timings, price

Delhi is set to introduce hot-air balloon rides at Baansera Park this weekend, with services expanding to multiple locations soon. Here's all you need to know about it

Delhi air pollution protests: 15 held for pepper spray use, Hidma slogans

The protests came amid worsening air quality in the national capital, which has been covered in haze and grey skies for almost a month

Delhi breathes toxic air, AQI likely to remain 'very poor' till Wednesday

The air quality in the national capital remained in the 'very poor' category on Sunday with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 391, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed. According to the CPCB's Sameer app, 19 monitoring stations in Delhi reported 'severe' air quality and the remaining 19 stations recorded 'very poor' air quality with readings above 300. Delhi's air quality is likely to be in the 'very poor' category from Monday to Wednesday, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe', according to the CPCB. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 26.7 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 10.4 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The humidity level was recorded at 68 per cent at 5.30 pm. The weather department has foreca

Delhi govt advises private offices to allow 50% employees to work from home

The Delhi government on Saturday directed private offices to operate with 50 per cent on-site staff and to allow the remaining employees to work from home as a precautionary measure under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III. The advisory follows directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), officials said. Delhi's air quality remained 'very poor' for the ninth consecutive day on Saturday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 370, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. A total of 11 monitoring stations in Delhi logged readings in the 'severe' category. The government has asked private offices to operate with 50 per cent strength on site and to allow the remaining employees to work from home as a precautionary measure under the GRAP Stage III, an official statement said. They have also been asked to widely disseminate the advisory and ensure effective implementation across all branches. GRAP is a framework designed to tack

Delhi govt notifies admission schedule for pvt schools for 2026-27 session

The Delhi government on Saturday notified the admission schedule for entry-level classes in private schools for the 2026-27 academic session, for which forms will be available from December 4 and the first list of selected candidates will be released on January 23. According to a circular issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE), schools will have to upload their admission criteria and points for open seats (other than EWS/DG/CWSN categories) by November 28. The last date for submitting application forms in schools is December 27, it stated. The circular stated that schools must upload the details of all applicants on January 9, followed by the marks allotted to each child under the points system by January 16. The first list of selected students, along with the waiting list, will be published on January 23. Parents can raise queries regarding point allocation from January 24 to February 3. The second list will be issued on February 9, it stated. The circular added that the ..

Rekha Gupta lays foundation stone for 1st Atal canteen in Delhi's Timarpur

The Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, on Friday laid the foundation stone of the first "Atal" canteen in the Timarpur area here, marking the fulfilment of a key promise made by the BJP. The Delhi government has planned to open 100 such canteens, named after the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with an aim to provide affordable meals to underprivileged people, with two meals a day for just Rs 5 per person, officials said. The initiative is an example of the BJP government's respect for the working-class families, Gupta said. Opening Atal canteens across the national capital was one of the poll promises of the BJP in the Delhi Assembly polls held in February this year. The chief minister was accompanied by the Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood during the laying of the foundation stone ceremony at JJ Cluster in Sanjay Basti. Gupta, later in a post on X, said, "In just eight months, a strong step has been taken to fulfil another promise made with Delhi. An extensive .

Delhi govt waging war on pollution, citizens must join effort: Sirsa

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Wednesday the government is waging a war against pollution and urged people to join its efforts to improve the city's air. He said 62 new pollution hotspots have been identified, and work is underway to address them. Solid waste, road dust, construction activity and traffic congestion are the main factors pushing Delhi's air quality index higher, Sirsa told reporters. "Sixty-two hotspots have been identified that contribute to pollution caused by garbage and dust. All Delhi government ministers, under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's instructions, are inspecting these hotspots," he said. He appealed to residents to support the drive to make Delhi free of garbage, dust, and pollution. "Delhi government is waging a war against pollution. This needs to be fought together, and I appeal to people to join in to make Delhi garbage, dust and pollution-free," he said. Sirsa inspected one of the hotspots in the Palam area along with the

Delhi govt to repair 500 km of major roads by March 2026, says PWD Minister

The Delhi government will repair 500-km-long stretches of roads across the national capital by March 2026, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma said on Monday. The minister made an inspection visit in south Delhi's Lajpat Nagar and Amar Colony areas along with local MLAs and PWD officials. "By March, the Delhi government will repair 500 kilometres of major road stretches across the national capital, tenders are being floated. The broken roads, slip roads, footpaths and foot overbridges (FOBs) are also being repaired," Verma said while talking to reporters. Every year the city suffers from air pollution during the winter months, and one of the factors for the pollution is the dust generated on roads from moving vehicles. "We have received Rs 800 crore from the central government, which is being utilised. Further, we also have an assurance from the Centre for more fund allocation in the future after this fund is spent on road and repair work," Verma further said. Earlier this year, under the

SC demands details on Delhi's AQI monitoring systems amid accuracy concerns

The court issued directions after amicus curiae pointed to reports and videos alleging that water was being sprinkled near AQI monitoring stations, potentially distorting readings

Delhi CM announces over ₹200 cr development push for Kirari-Najafgarh

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday announced that projects worth more than Rs 200 crore are being launched in the Kirari-?Najafgarh belt, which will play a decisive role in resolving long-pending infrastructural challenges in the area. She was addressing the Tridev Conference of the BJP organised at Dichau Kalan in the Najafgarh area. Addressing the gathering, the chief minister described the 'Tridevs' -- Panna Pramukhs (in-charges of electoral-roll page), Booth Pramukhs and Shakti Kendra convenors -- as the backbone of the organisation. She said that the dedication and hard work of these workers over the years have played a pivotal role in accelerating development across the Kirari-Najafgarh region. Gupta emphasised that the Delhi government has prioritised the development of village and colony areas by providing adequate budgetary resources to all MPs and MLAs. As a result, major projects related to drains, roads, sewerage and other essential civic facilities have gained

Three Pitampura metro stations in Delhi to get new names for local identity

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said that three metro stations in Pitampura will be renamed for the sake of local identity. She made the announcement while attending the Shresth Bharat Sampark Yatra in Haiderpur village here. The yatra was taken out in honour of the martyrs of the Rezang La battle, fought by the Indian Army against the invading Chinese forces in the winter of 1962 at over 16,000 ft above mean sea level. In all, 114 army men of the 13 Kumaon Regiment died in that battle. Later, in a post on X, the chief minister said Haiderpur village is emerging as a symbol of a developing Delhi, where tradition is honoured, and modern amenities are accorded the highest priority. "For the convenience of travellers and to clearly reflect the local identity, the proposed Uttari Pitampura Station in the QU Block will now be named Uttari Pitampura-Prashant Vihar Metro Station," Gupta said. The proposed Pitampura North Metro Station will be named Haiderpur Village Metro ...

Delhi CM orders installation of citywide compactors for waste disposal

Delhi government will install compactors and machines for disposal of solid waste across the city, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Tuesday. After chairing a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, Gupta said several decisions, including the installation of compacters, were taken. According to an official statement, she said the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) will provide land for the installation of high-capacity compactors in different parts of the city. Modern machines will be installed to process this waste initially across all Assembly constituencies and later expanded to individual wards, the chief minister added. Officials have also been instructed to conduct field visits at least once a day to monitor proper implementation of steps to ensure cleanliness in the city, the statement said. In the meeting, Gupta directed that dustbins be installed across the city and that all damaged or broken ones be replaced immediately, it

Delhi health minister asks govt hospitals to ensure adequate medicine stock

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh on Saturday issued directions to ensure uninterrupted availability of medicines and medical equipment in all Delhi government hospitals, and to provide proper treatment and courteous care to every patient visiting them. Chairing a review meeting with medical directors and superintendents of government hospitals at the Delhi Secretariat, Singh emphasised that maintaining adequate stock of all essential and life-saving medicines is a top priority for the government. Senior officials from the Health Department also attended the meeting, according to a statement. "Medical directors and superintendents must ensure that every patient visiting the hospital receives proper treatment and all essential medicines," the health minister said. He directed the hospital heads to submit their requirement for essential medicines and medical equipment for the remainder of the financial year 2025-26 to the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) within 10 days, to ...

DTC to expand its EV charging infrastructure for heavy commercial vehicles

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is preparing to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure by establishing charging facilities for heavy commercial vehicles at nine depots across the city, officials said on Saturday. This initiative aligns with the Delhi government's plan to fully convert the public transport fleet to electric vehicles within the next year and a half. The DTC has begun setting up the charging infrastructure at the following depots: Rohini Sector 37, Keshopur, Nangloi, Kalkaji, Sukhdev Vihar, Nand Nagri, Ghazipur, and Hasanpur, according to a transport department officer. The estimated cost for the charging infrastructure at these depots is over Rs 31 crores. It will include 1600 KVA compact substations and 240 KW chargers, which will be capable of charging hundreds of buses and other heavy commercial vehicles, he said. "Tenders have been floated, inviting contractors approved by government agencies for the work. The civil and electrical works wi

Congress slams Delhi govt's cloud seeding experiment, calls it 'cruel joke'

The Congress on Sunday took a swipe at the Delhi government over its cloud seeding experiment for improving air quality and said getting slight improvement in a limited area for a day or two as is now being claimed is a "cruel joke". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the Delhi government has spent Rs 34 crore on the winter cloud seeding experiment in order to improve air quality. On December 5, 2024, the Union Minister of State of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, had answered a question in the Rajya Sabha saying that three specialised agencies -- the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCT, the Central Pollution Control Board, and the Indian Meteorological Department -- had clearly advised against winter cloud seeding to improve air quality in Delhi, Ramesh said. Then on October 31, 2025 --- that is just the day before yesterday -- the well-known and prestigious Centre for Atmospheric Sciences at IIT Delhi issued a detailed report

Delhi govt steps up pollution drive; Sirsa reviews measures at Anand Vihar

The Delhi government has stepped up its winter action plan to tackle pollution across the city, with enhanced monitoring and on-ground action at 13 identified pollution hotspots. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday inspected the Anand Vihar area, one of the city's most polluted zones, to review ongoing dust control, traffic management and road repair measures, an official statement said. Sirsa also visited the Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station near the Anand Vihar Metro Station. During the inspection, he directed officials to deploy additional traffic personnel to decongest roads, ensure buses halt only at designated bays, and operate movable anti-smog guns and mist sprayers during peak hours. The minister took note of a long-pending patch of unpaved road at the entrance of the Anand Vihar bus terminal, which, he said, had been neglected for years due to the presence of trees. Calling it "a classic examp