Page 20 - Delhi-ncr

Traffic snarls in several parts of Delhi due to Christmas celebrations

Traffic snarls were reported from several parts of Delhi on Monday as people thronged markets and churches to celebrate Christmas. The Delhi Traffic Police asked commuters to avoid Mathura Road and Lodhi Road. "Due to high footfall and the parking issue in Sunder Nursery, Nizamuddin traffic is affected on Mathura Road and Lodhi Road near Neela Gumbad. Commuters are advised to avoid this stretch," the traffic police wrote on X. Earlier in the day, police said the churches and cathedrals of the national capital expecting heavy congregation of devotees include the Sacred Heart cathedral near Gol Dak Khana, St Thomas church (Mandir Marg), Free church (Sansad Marg), Cathedral church (in front of the Rashtrapati Bhawan), St Martin's church (Delhi Cantonment), St Thomas church (R K Puram) and St Mary's Knanaya church (Vasant Kunj). Commuters also took to X to complain about the traffic situation across the city. Heavy traffic was reported from the Miraj cinema area at Subhash Nagar towar

Office demand jumps 92% in Oct-Dec in top 6 cities in 2023: Colliers

Office space demand surged 92 per cent during October-December period across six major cities on better demand of workspace from corporates and coworking operators, according to Colliers India. Real estate consultant Colliers India report shows that gross leasing of office space stood at 20.2 million square feet in the fourth quarter of this calendar year from 10.5 million square feet in the year-ago period. Helped by strong demand during the December quarter, the total leasing of office space rose 16 per cent to 58.2 million square feet during the 2023 calendar year from 50.3 million square feet last year. Colliers tracks office demand and supply of 6 cities -- Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune. Gross leasing or absorption does not include lease renewals, pre-commitments and deals where only a letter of intent has been signed. According to the data, the office space leasing in Bengaluru rose 58 per cent to 5.5 million square feet during October-December .

BluSmart raises $24 million via issue of equity rights to fund expansion

Electric vehicle ride-hailing service and charging infrastructure network operator BluSmart on Thursday said it raised USD 24 million (Rs 200 crore) through issue of equity rights to its existing investors for funding the company's expansion. The latest funding round saw participation through over-subscription of equities by existing investors, founders and the leadership team, BluSmart said in a statement. Currently, the platform operates over 5,500 electric vehicles in the domestic market. It owns and operates over 4,000 EV chargers across its 34 charging superhubs. The platform said it aims to scale to a fleet size of around 8,000 EVs across Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru by next year. "BluSmart has raised USD 24 million (Rs 200 crore) in a new equity round in December 2023," the company said in a statement. "We will continue to expand our brand promise of zero ride denials, on time service and clean mobility to more geographies. The overwhelming support for the rights issue by our ..

NCAP funds remain largely unused in Delhi-NCR cities, govt data shows

Cities in Delhi-NCR and covered under the National Clean Air Programme have utilised less than 40 per cent of the funds allocated to curb air pollution levels, the Centre informed Parliament on Thursday. According to data presented by Union Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey, the central government released Rs 428.61 crore to Delhi, Noida, Alwar, Meerut, Faridabad and Ghaziabad between 2019-20 and 2023-24. Of this, only Rs 170.58 crore (around 40 per cent) has been utilised. Delhi received Rs 38.22 crore but utilised only Rs 10.77 crore. Similarly, Noida utilised only Rs 0.95 crore of the Rs 26.42 crore allocated to it under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Alwar utilised a meagre Rs 0.04 crore from its allocation of Rs 15 crore. Meerut and Ghaziabad, receiving funds under the 15th Finance Air Quality Performance Grant, utilised Rs 81.93 crore and Rs 76.89 crore from their allocations of Rs 139.19 crore and Rs 136.25 crore, respectively. The NCAP, laun

ED searches in Delhi-NCR, Punjab against Chandigarh-based Parabolic Drugs

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted fresh searches at about a dozen locations in the Delhi-NCR and Punjab as part of a money laundering investigation against a Chandigarh-based pharmaceutical company and its promoters linked to an alleged bank fraud, official sources said. The first round of searches in this case against the company -- Parabolic Drugs-- were carried out in October. The central agency had earlier arrested Parabolic Drugs promoters Vineet Gupta (54) and Pranav Gupta (56), who are also the co-founders of the Sonepat-based Ashoka University, and CA Surjeet Kumar Bansal (74) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Guptas stepped down from their posts at Ashoka University in 2022 after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against them and the company in 2021 for their alleged involvement in a bank loan fraud of Rs 1,626 crore. The ED filed a money laundering case against them in January last year. The

CNG price hiked by Rs 1 per kg in Delhi-NCR from today: Check new rates

The price of compressed natural gas (CNG) has been increased to Rs 76.59 per kg in Delhi-NCR; the new price of CNG in Noida is now at Rs 82.20 per kg, and Rs 81.20 per kg in Greater Noida

Milk bank, AI-driven civic monitoring among proposals in MCD's next budget

The MCD's budget for next fiscal will see the establishment of its first Lactation Management Unit, or Milk Bank, and use of Artificial Intelligence for monitoring of civic amenities. The civic body has in its budget estimates for 2024-25 provisioned funds for construction of around 20 school buildings in different zones of the city. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Saturday presented a budget estimate of Rs 16,683.02 crore for the year 2024-25 with estimated income to be Rs 15,686.99 crore. The civic body saw a spike of Rs 400 crore in the revenue, as it earned Rs 2,417 crore in the financial year 2022-23 -- the highest revenue in the history of the Corporation through property tax, according to the MCD. The MCD's first milk bank will be set up in Swami Dayanand Hospital, it said. The corporation has proposed a pilot project for Preet Vihar, East Patel Nagar, and Kotla Mubarakpur wards for the extension of civic services through artificial intelligence. It proposed to const

Gender parity in Delhi's higher education declined in in 2020-21: Data

The gender parity index in higher education in the national capital declined to 1.04 in 2020-21 from 1.16 in 2018-19, according to data published by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics. Gender parity index (GPI) is defined as the ratio of number of females to males enrolled in a given stage of education. The index ideally should be between 0.97 and 1.03, as per the report 'Women and Men in Delhi 2023'. However, the number of female students per 100 male students in important educational programmes in Delhi has shown a rise. Comparing the data recorded across various higher education courses in 2012-13 and 2020-21, it was observed that the GPI increased from 0.84 to 0.9 in PhD, 0.73 to 1.02 in postgraduate, 1.03 to 1.11 in undergraduate, 0.51 to 0.73 in PG Diploma and 0.53 to 0.84 in Diploma programme in regular mode of education. Of the total students in Delhi, around 90.1 per cent opted for general course as compared to technical or professional courses which include 92 p

MCD targets to get 1.5 million properties geo-tagged in next two months

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi on Thursday said the AAP-led MCD has set the ball rolling for creating a "proper database" of property tax records using cutting-edge technology and it aims to get 15 lakh properties geo-tagged in the next two months. At a press conference held at the Civic Centre here, Oberoi said those who get their properties geo-tagged will get a "rebate". She said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has already begun the process to geo-tag properties in the city. "In the last seven days, 20,000 properties have been geo-tagged, and the target is to have 15 lakh properties tagged in the next two months. The priority is to include four lakh non-residential properties," she said. Oberoi said the MCD aims to achieve this geo-tagging target by January 30 with the help of a mobile application. "The geo-tagging will generate a unique address, unique code, and the portal will have a proper database of records related to property tax and such tax payers," she told ...

Thailand-based MQDC plans to develop luxury housing projects in Delhi-NCR

Thailand-based realty firm MQDC, which is present in co-working space in India, plans to develop luxury housing projects in Delhi-NCR and is in talks with local builders for joint development. MQDC India, Indian arm of Thailand-based Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC), has one operational co-working facility in South Delhi. It is launching second co-working facility 'Whizdom Club India, at Golf Course Road, Gurugram, on Friday. "We plan to develop luxury housing projects in Delhi and Gurugram. We are in talks with local developers. We are evaluating few sites," MQDC India Country Director Chulamas Jitpatima (Amy) told reporters here. She hoped that the company would be able to announce its partnership early next year with local developer. Amy expects to launch its first residential project by 2025. MQDC is also inviting Indian investors to buy flats in its various properties at Bangkok. It is showcasing its properties to HNIs (High Networth Individuals) here this ...

Delhi to implement of Grap-I,Grap-II restrictions strictly: Gopal Rai

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said all the departments concerned have been directed to ensure strict implementation of restrictions under GRAP Stage-I and Stage-II following a weather department prediction that pollution levels in the national capital might fluctuate. Addressing a press conference, Rai said, "Keeping the improved pollution levels in mind, GRAP-III restrictions have been removed. However, the weather department has predicted that the pollution level could fluctuate if the wind speed slows. To avoid such a situation, all the departments concerned have been directed to ensure strict implementation of GRAP-I and GRAP-II restrictions." "The ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles have been removed and restrictions on construction and demolition lifted," Rai added. "Instructions have been given to sprinkle water on the identified roads everyday and use mechanical sweeping machines continuously. Water is being sprayed with 215 mobile anti-smog gu

Delhi RERA withdraws order banning listing new property after meeting L-G

The Delhi Real Estate Regulatory Authority withdrew its September order directing sub registrars not to register properties in violation of building bylaws, hours after its top brass met Lt Governor V K Saxena on Tuesday, officials said. Earlier in the day, Saxena met the chairman and members of Delhi RERA along with the chief secretary and divisional commissioner at Raj Niwas over the issue. "The LG impressed upon and requested the RERA to revisit its order in view of the hardship it is causing to common people in Delhi," said a Raj Niwas official. A fresh order issued by Delhi RERA secretary stated, Considering the various facts on record, the Authority has decided to withdraw its order dated 11.09.2023 with immediate effect." During the meeting with RERA chairman and members, the LG brought to their notice the "acute problems and harassment" being faced by the residents of Delhi in a wide ranging discussion regarding the "repercussion of its order", the Raj Niwas official said.

Stage III restrictions revoked in Delhi-NCR after air quality improves

The Centre on Tuesday ordered the revocation of restrictions under Stage-III of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect, following improvement in air quality. The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region, met on Tuesday in view of the significant improvement in the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR. The air quality forecasts by the India Meteorological Department/Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology do not indicate the average air quality of Delhi to move to severe' category in the coming days for which forecast is available, the CAQM said. The Centre's pollution control panel had invoked the Stage III restrictions on November 2, directing a halt on non-essential construction work, stone crushing and mining in Delhi-NCR. Under this stage, restrictions were also imposed on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in

'Make in UP' push: Special enclaves for women entrepreneurs on the cards

The Yogi government has announced an array of financial incentives, including a stamp duty waiver for women entrepreneurs

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Delhi air quality expected to improve in next two days, says Gopal Rai

The air pollution in the National Capital declined to 'very poor' category from severe, with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recording at 393

Coal-based power plants aggravating air pollution in Delhi-NCR: Report

Non-compliance of thermal power plants in Delhi-NCR with emission standards is contributing significantly to air pollution in the region, according to a new analysis. The study by environmental think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) focuses on particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide emissions from the 11 thermal power plants (TPPs) in Delhi-NCR and is based on their environmental status reports sourced from the website of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), a technical arm of the Union Ministry of Power, from April 2022 to August 2023. According to studies, the TPPs account for around eight percent of the PM2.5 pollution in Delhi-NCR. "Delhi-NCR cannot achieve the clean air benchmark and safeguard public health if continuous sources of pollution, such as thermal power plants, continue to emit pollutants at high levels. These plants have struggled to meet the standards, primarily due to continually shifting compliance deadlines, says Anumita ...

Delhi air pollution: Gopal Rai to hold review meeting with DPCC today

The air quality in the national capital continued to hover in the 'very poor' category on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at over 350 in several areas

AQI expected to improve in next 2-3 days: Delhi Environment Minister Rai

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday said the city's air quality, as per experts, is expected to improve in the next two to three days and hence the state government has decided to continue with GRAP III regulations. The minister said the Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to improve from the "very poor" category in the coming days but the ban on certain vehicles will continue under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III regulations. "Under GRAP III, BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel vehicles are still banned," Gopal Rai told PTI. "Scientists are saying that the air quality will improve in the coming 2-3 days. As per the present conditions, it was decided that GRAP III regulations will continue in Delhi for now," he said. The minister further informed that the restrictions under GRAP IV have been modified and now include a ban on BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel vehicles with All India Permit, which were allowed to enter Delhi earlier. If Delhi air quality deteriorates in fu

85% of Delhi-NCR residents reluctant to retrofit DG sets with CNG: Survey

Around 85 per cent of Delhi-NCR residents who have a personal or society generator running on diesel are unwilling to retrofit it with CNG, according to a survey carried out by a digital community-based platform. The survey by LocalCircles said that despite the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which banned the use of diesel generator sets from October 1 to December 31, 2023, as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat air pollution in the region, there is significant resistance among residents. The survey received more than 22,000 responses from Delhi National Capital Region residents located in the cities of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. To ease concerns over power disruptions in essential sectors in the NCR, the CAQM in September granted a three-month reprieve for the use of DG sets in nine critical categories of emergency services till December 31. The survey sought to know "How are you/your society complying with