Page 3 - Delhi-ncr

Air quality turns 'severe' in Delhi as smog thickens; AQI crosses 400 mark

Stubble smoke, low humidity and stagnant winds have trapped pollutants close to the surface, worsening Delhi's smog, with conditions expected to deteriorate further over the next 48 hours

Air purifier sales surge as Delhi-NCR battles severe air pollution

With Delhi-NCR in the grip of severe air pollution, sales of air purifiers have spiked and the number of enquiries gone up, especially after Diwali. The air-purifier category, which is yet to achieve a scale and expand beyond metropolitan areas, routinely witnesses a spike in sales around Diwali, when the AQI (air quality index) worsens. Delhi's air quality improved slightly on Wednesday morning but remained in the "poor" category with an overall AQI of 273, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). On Tuesday, the city recorded an AQI of 294 at 4 pm, a marginal drop from Monday's reading of 301, which fell under the "very poor" category. Demand for air purifiers picked up sharply from early October, ahead of Diwali. We have seen strong traction across omnichannel platforms, with retail continuing to play a pivotal role in driving offtake, Eureka Forbes Chief Growth Officer Anurag Kumar told PTI. Eureka Forbes has witnessed a high double-digit year-on-year growth f

Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor' despite cloud seeding trials

With several hotspots across Delhi clocking an AQI over 300, authorities have tightened vehicle entry norms and intensified monitoring amid rising winter pollution

Traffic restrictions placed in Delhi ahead of Chhath Puja celebrations

Anticipating that thousands of devotees would gather at various ghats for Chhath Puja in the next two days, Delhi Traffic Police on Sunday announced traffic restrictions and diversions across several parts of the city. According to the advisory, traffic flow is expected to be affected from Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning on roads adjoining major Chhath Puja ponds. Commuters have been advised to avoid stretches near ghats and use public transport wherever possible. In east and northeast Delhi, major gatherings are expected at the Gandhi Nagar Chhath Poojan Samiti Naav Ghat near the Old Iron Bridge, Purvanchal Nav Nirman Sangtan Ghat and Satyamev Jayate Ghat near Geeta Colony, each likely to draw more than 45,000 devotees. The DND Yamuna Khadar and Chhath Ghat near Shastri Park are also likely to witness heavy footfall. Slow movement of traffic is anticipated near Geeta Colony, IP Extension and Shastri Park, the advisory said. In Bhajanpura, commercial vehicles will not be allowe

Cloud seeding on Oct 29: Delhi ready for first artificial rainfall trial

After a successful trial in Burari, CM Rekha Gupta said Delhi could see its first artificial rain on October 29 through cloud seeding to reduce post-Diwali pollution

Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor' days after Diwali celebrations

Delhi-NCR continued to choke as AQI remained high, with Anand Vihar's AQI at 428; GRAP Stage-II measures remain in force amid weak winds and limited pollutant dispersion

Seven rescued from Delhi building after blaze caused by Diwali firecrackers

Seven people were rescued after a fire broke out in a four-storey residential building in west Delhi's Mohan Garden area on Diwali night, an official said on Tuesday. A call regarding the fire on the first and second floor of the building was received at 10 pm on Monday. The fire started in domestic articles due to firecrackers and seven people were rescued, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official said. "Six fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the fire was brought under control by 11.30 pm," the official said. Shekhar, an eyewitness, told PTI, "A fire broke out in the building at night when firecrackers were being burst. We were on the terrace at the time. My brother's flat is here. Thankfully, everyone was rescued safely." He said that the first two floors were the most affected. Maya, a relative of one of the building residents, told PTI, "My brother-in-law owns a flat in this building. The fire broke out suddenly and we still don't know exactly how it started. By the time w

Delhi fire services handle 269 calls on Diwali night, no major mishap

The Delhi Fire Services received 269 emergency calls on Diwali night, an official said on Tuesday. However, no major accidents including loss of life or major injuries were reporters, he said. A senior DFS officer said the department remained on high alert throughout the festival, with all fire stations and quick response teams deployed across the city. "We received 269 fire calls till midnight. Fortunately, no major incidents were reported," the officer said. Most of the calls were related to minor blazes caused by firecrackers and diyas. The DFS had earlier cancelled all leaves of its staff and ensured that all vehicles and fire-fighting equipment were checked and kept ready for prompt response. The officer said detailed planning had been done in advance to ensure public safety during the festive period. "The Delhi Fire Services plays a crucial role during Diwali in combating fire-related incidents and ensuring the safety of citizens," the officer said, adding that last year, t

Delhi breathes 'very poor' air on Diwali morning; Stage II curbs imposed

Delhi-NCR records 'very poor' air quality with AQI above 300 on Diwali; CM Rekha Gupta urges citizens to use only green crackers in the city

Green cracker nod to boost diwali fireworks use by 40% in Delhi-NCR: Report

The Supreme Court order, allowing the sale and bursting of green crackers in Delhi-NCR region, may increase the number of families bursting fire crackers by 40 per cent as compared to the last year, raising fears that 'regular fireworks' could also make a comeback, a LocalCircles study said. The study, conducted among more than 38,000 residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad, said "34 per cent of families in Delhi-NCR surveyed are likely to burn crackers this Diwali; half of them may also burn regular crackers in addition to the green ones." Of the total number of people surveyed, 17 per cent said they would burst only green crackers, while another 17 per cent said they would use both green and regular crackers, the study noted, indicating that the illegal sale and use of conventional fireworks may persist despite restrictions. The study added that the rise comes after the apex court's order of October 15, which permitted the sale and bursting of only ...

Traders, RWAs welcome SC nod for green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR

Traders and residents' welfare associations on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court's order permitting the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali, and urged the authorities to ensure strict enforcement to prevent any misuse. Paramjeet Singh Pamma, chairperson of the Sadar Bazaar Traders Association, said the decision has brought relief to shopkeepers ahead of Diwali. "We are happy that the court has given this relaxation. It will help revive business activity during the festive season and attract more buyers to the markets," he said. Some traders said they are awaiting further clarification from the authorities on the modalities for sale and licensing of firecrackers to avoid confusion before the festive period. In a significant relaxation ahead of Diwali, the Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during the festival, subject to specific conditions. The court said that use of green crackers will be .

SC allows 5 days trial for green fire crackers in Delhi-NCR; reserves order

CJI-led bench has allowed the bursting and sale of NEERI-approved green firecrackers for five days during Diwali in Delhi-NCR, with strict time limits and enforcement measures to curb pollution

SC reserves verdict on green firecracker sale, use across Delhi-NCR

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta suggested that the Supreme Court allow the bursting of green crackers to be permitted from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali under strict conditions

Realty's next address: NCR's growth arteries pulse via SPR, Sohna

Part-I of this three-part series dives into Delhi-NCR's SPR, Sohna, Dwarka Expressway, and Jewar Airport leading the charge

Delhi-NCR office leasing rises 2.5x in Jul-Sep on strong corporate demand

The Delhi-NCR property market witnessed a 2.5 times jump in net leasing of office spaces during the July-September period on better demand for premium workspaces from corporates, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Net leasing jumped to 3.79 million (37.9 lakh) square feet in the third quarter of this calendar year from 1.52 million (15.2 lakh) square feet in the year-ago period. Net absorption is a key indicator of real estate demand, representing the net change in occupied office space. Delhi-NCR contributed 23 per cent to the total net leasing of office spaces across the top eight cities during the July-September quarter. Net leasing of office space rose 35 per cent across eight major cities to 16.25 million (162.5 lakh) square feet during the third quarter of this calendar year from 12.08 million (120.8 lakh) square feet a year ago. With 44.3 million (443 lakh) sq ft of net absorption recorded in the first nine months of 2025, the market has already achieved nearly 87 per cent .

SC ends ECC exemption for vehicles carrying essential goods into Delhi

The Supreme Court has withdrawn a decade-old exemption for commercial vehicles carrying essential commodities from paying the Environment Compensation Cess (ECC) before entering Delhi. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria passed the order on September 26, which was made public recently. The court held that the earlier exemption, granted in October 2015, was creating "genuine operational difficulties" and undermining the purpose of the levy. The bench allowed the application of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), seeking the removal of "the exemption granted to commercial vehicles carrying Essential Commodities viz. Vegetables, Fruits, Milk, Grains, Egg., Ice (to be used as food item), Poultry Items...laden vehicles from ECC in pursuance to this courts order dated 09.10.2015". The civic body submitted that on account of the exemption granted by this court, serious difficulties are faced as vehicles are required

Delhi HC dismisses a petition for 'fabricated, AI-generated content'

In a dispute over delayed possession of flats in Gurugram, GWA had filed a petition and attempted to support it by quoting old judgments

Bomb threats in Delhi, Bombay HCs trigger evacuations, disrupt proceedings

Following similar alerts, both courts were evacuated, hearings suspended, and bomb disposal squads deployed as authorities carried out thorough searches

India's top metros double urban footprint in 30 yrs; Pune, Bengaluru lead

A new report shows India's biggest cities have grown fast in 30 years, with Pune and Bengaluru leading the way as they add new homes, offices, roads and become key growth centres

NCAP directs Delhi, Noida to improve pollution control fund utilisation

A central panel monitoring the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has directed the municipal corporations of Delhi and Noida, which are lagging in pollution control fund utilisation, to take immediate corrective measures. The decision was taken at the 18th meeting of the Implementation Committee (IC) under NCAP, held on August 21 and chaired by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) chairman, to review and oversee the programme's implementation. The committee said that "all implementing agencies must accelerate fund utilisation, ensuring that it is not below 75 per cent in any city", according to the minutes of the meeting published recently. Launched in 2019, NCAP is India's first national initiative to set clean air targets, aiming for a 40 per cent reduction in particulate pollution by 2026, using 2019-20 as the base year. Of the cities covered under NCAP, 82 receive direct funding from the Union environment ministry, while 48 cities and urban agglomerations with population