Page 23 - Delhi-ncr

DMRC ramps up surprise checks in Delhi Metro to curb 'objectionable acts'

With a string of controversial videos made in Delhi Metro trains and premises going viral in the last several months, DMRC chief Vikas Kumar has appealed to people to refrain from engaging in "objectionable" activities and said steps were being taken to curb such incidents. In a interview with PTI, Kumar also said squads do "surprise checks" from time to time and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is "trying its best" to check these activities. Seeking fame, some metro riders in the past have often resorted to gyrating on some popular numbers inside train coaches or at platforms, while someone else filmed it. In other cases, videos have emerged on social media platforms such as Instagram where young couples have been filmed getting intimate in a train. On one occasion, a video of a young woman in a skimpy dress had gone viral on X, triggering an online debate on public decency and freedom of an individual. Kumar, the managing director of the DMRC, said security personnel canno

Ensure ban of private polluting buses in Delhi: AAP govt to authorities

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai directed the transport department on Friday to conduct a special drive to prevent the entry of private polluting buses into the capital. The minister reviewed the implementation of air pollution control measures at the Sarai Kale Interstate Bus Terminal and found buses from other states flouting the ban imposed on BS IV diesel vehicles under the Centre's Graded Response Action Plan. "We have found that private buses from other states have been violating the ban and have directed the transport department to run a special drive to check the entry of such vehicles into Delhi," he told reporters. Citing experts' views, Rai said that a slight improvement in meteorological conditions might lead to marginal relief but urged agencies to remain alert. Strict restrictions, including a ban on construction work and the entry of polluting trucks into the capital, under the final stage (Stage IV) of the Centre's air pollution control plan, known as the Graded

Delhi pollution: Special Task Force monitoring GRAP execution, says govt

Minister Gopal Rai shared that so far, teams have carried out on-site inspections of 3895 construction sites under GRAP in view of the worsening air quality in Delhi.

Delhi pollution row: LG Saxena attacks Delhi, Punjab govts over crisis

Lt Governor V K Saxena on Thursday targeted AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab over air pollution in the city, saying Delhi can do little to stop smoke from stubble-burning from other states. He also highlighted that the problem in the national capital can be mitigated by reducing "dust that our unrepaired roads, unpaved pavements and construction sites cause" and curbing vehicular emissions. Saxena said the national capital can do little to stop crop residue smoke from other states and added "blaming others should not be alibi for gross inaction over years." Saxena also accused the Punjab government of "playing truant." "We can do little to stop crop residue smoke from other States, apart from pleading with them. Despite States, especially Punjab playing truant, we are, but petitioners for mercy. AQI yet hovers around 400, making the capital gasp," he said in a post. Delhi's air quality fluctuated between "very poor" and "severe" categories on Thursday as unfavourable meteorolog

'Odd-even' scheme if pollution reaches 'severe' plus levels: Delhi govt

Nine out of 11 state capitals analysed in India recorded higher pollution in the first 12 hours after Diwali celebrations this year as compared to last year.

Delhi traffic updates: Police issue advisory for Diwali, Dhanteras. Details

This year, Dhanteras will be celebrated on November 10 and Diwali falls on November 12. Areas including Chandani Chowk, Khari Baoli, Connaught Place will likely see congestion.

Delhi govt planning to induce artificial rain to combat air pollution

Due to the surge in the pollution level in Delhi, the government is planning to induce artificial rain in the national capital to reduce the AQI. Check the latest update

64% Delhi-NCR residents do not support odd-even scheme: LocalCircles

A survey by LocalCircles said that 56% of those surveyed in Delhi-NCR oppose one or more exemptions in the odd-even scheme

Delhi air quality 'severe', farm fires account for one-third pollution

Air quality in Delhi and its suburbs dropped to the severe category again on Wednesday morning, with smoke from post-harvest paddy straw burning in neighbouring states accounting for one-third of the air pollution in the national capital. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 421, worsening from 395 at 4 pm on Tuesday. Despite a marginal dip, the concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory system and triggering health problems, exceeded the government-prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by seven to eight times in the capital. It was 30 to 40 times the healthy limit of 15 micrograms per cubic metre set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Several cities across the Indo-Gangetic plains reported hazardous air quality. Neighbouring Ghaziabad (382), Gurugram (370), Noida (348), Greater Noida (474), and Faridabad (396) also reported hazardous air quality. According to data from the Decision Support System,

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Delhi-NCR's air quality 'severe': Schools closed, WFH ordered, traffic curbed

Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning were recorded around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit, as a toxic haze persisted over the region >

Delhi air pollution: Centre defers stricter curbs, says AQI declining

The central government on Friday deferred implementation of stricter measures under the final stage of the air pollution control plan, saying curbs under Stage III were implemented only a day ago and the air quality index in Delhi-NCR is already showing a declining trend. Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index stood at 468 on Friday which falls in the "severe plus" category, a stage at which all emergency measures, including a ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all types of construction, are mandated to be initiated and enforced in the National Capital Region. These measures constitute the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan and should ideally be activated at least three days prior to the Air Quality Index surpassing the 450-mark in the capital, as outlined in a policy document prepared by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). However, during a review meeting, the CAQM decided to monitor the air pollution situation for a day or more befo

Delhi-NCR air pollution today, 3 Nov: Government bans construction work

The air quality of Delhi NCR continues to worsen, with AQI at several places reaching alarming levels. Authorities imposed a ban on construction work and restrictions on diesel and petrol vehicles

As AQI turns 'serve' in Delhi, Centre bans non-essential construction work

The Centre's pollution control panel on Thursday issued directions to ban non-essential construction work in Delhi-NCR and the entry of diesel-guzzling trucks into the capital as the air quality in the city entered the 'severe' category. This action comes as part of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) -- the Centre's air pollution control plan that is implemented in the region during the winter season. Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 402 at 5 pm. At a meeting to review the air quality situation in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for developing strategies to combat pollution in the region, said that the pollution levels are only "expected to increase further" owing to unfavourable meteorological and climatic conditions. GRAP categorises actions into four stages: Stage I - 'Poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'Very Poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'Severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - 'Severe Plus' (AQI .

CAQM invokes third stage of Grap as air quality worsens in Delhi-NCR region

The sub-committee reviewed the air quality scenario in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by IMD and IITM

Severe air quality alarm in Delhi-NCR area due to surge in stubble burning

The smoky haze shrouding Delhi thickened on Thursday, obscuring the skyline and hiding the sun, due to a surge in farm fires and unfavourable weather conditions, prompting doctors to issue warnings about breathing issues being aggravated. Scientists have warned of a spike in pollution levels in Delhi-NCR over the next two weeks. This is concerning as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in many areas has already breached the 400-mark to enter the severe category. An official from the India Meteorological Department reported that visibility reduced to just 500 metres at the Safdarjung Observatory around 7 am, gradually improving to 800 metres as temperatures increased during the day. Cold temperatures create stable atmospheric conditions, known as temperature inversions, where a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the ground, allowing the accumulation of pollutants. At 3 pm, the city's AQI reached 378. The 24-hour average AQI was 364 on Wednesday, 359 on Tuesday, 347 on Monday, 325 on ..

Delhi-NCR air pollution today: Delhi's air turns hazardous, check updates

Delhi AQI remains in the very poor category. Low wind speed and continuous stubble burning are the key reasons behind poor air quality

Onion Price Today: Azadpur mandi price falls, no relief in retail prices

The wholesale price of onions in Azadpur Mandi plunged to Rs 30-40 per kg. No relief in retail prices in Delhi NCR so far, but the government is selling onions at subsidised prices

Luxury home sales costing above Rs 1.5 cr in Delhi-NCR jump 2-fold: Anarock

Delhi-NCR has witnessed over two-fold jump in sales of luxury homes priced above Rs 1.5 crore to 13,630 units in January-September this year on better demand and supply, according to Anarock. Real estate consultant Anarock's data showed that 6,210 luxury homes were sold during January-September last year. The trend was more or less similar across seven major cities tracked by Anarock. Sales of luxury residential properties jumped more than two times to 84,400 units across seven major cities during January-September this year from 39,300 units in the corresponding period of the last year. Anarock Chairman Anuj Puri said the luxury housing segment has been growing rapidly on demand surge after the COVID pandemic. The supply in this segment too has improved. Post-COVID, the concept of home ownership has strengthened. People are also upgrading to better and bigger homes. As per the Anarock data, Hyderabad saw over three-fold surge in sales of luxury homes to 13,630 units during ...

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