Page 172 - Delhi

Delhi records air quality in 'very poor' category for third consecutive day

Delhi recorded its air quality in the very poor category for the third consecutive day on Monday and it is likely to deteriorate further in the coming days due to unhelpful meteorological conditions, forecasting agencies said. The capital's 24-hour average air quality index worsened from 339 on Sunday to 354 on Monday. It was 381 on Saturday. Farm fires in Punjab rebounded -- 2,487 incidents were reported on Monday as compared to 599 a day ago. However, their share in Delhi's PM2.5 pollution dipped from 18 per cent on Sunday to 14 per cent on Monday, according to data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute and SAFAR, a forecasting agency under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences. Delhi government on Monday decided to reopen primary classes from November 9 and revoke the order asking 50 per cent of its staff to work from home in view of improvement in the city's air quality over the last two days. However, plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi wi

Delhi air quality recorded at 326, to deteriorate further: Forecast

Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital Delhi on Monday morning came down and stopped at a 'very poor' category, after continuing to slide from the 'severe' category

State EC to convene all-party meeting tomorrow ahead of MCD polls

Ahead of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls, Delhi State Election Commission convened an all-party meeting on Monday

Delhi air pollution: Lifting of curbs a hasty decision, say experts

Revoking curbs imposed in Delhi-NCR under the final stage of an action plan to combat air pollution could prove to be a hasty decision, experts said on Sunday and advised caution. Their reaction came after the Centre's air quality panel directed authorities on Sunday to lift the ban on plying of non-BS VI diesel-run light motor vehicles in Delhi-NCR and entry of trucks into the capital imposed under the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The restrictions were imposed three days ago. A decision on reopening primary schools and revocation of the order asking 50 per cent of government staff to work from home is likely to be taken at a high-level meeting to be chaired by Delhi Environment minister Gopal Rai on Monday, an official said. Environmentalist Vimlendu Jha said it could be too soon to revoke curbs as the air quality has improved a wee bit due to favourable wind speed and will go back to the 'severe' category in a couple of days. "These are knee jerk reacti

Delhi's AQI in 'very poor' category; minimum temp 3 notches above average

The overall air quality in the national capital was recorded in the "very poor" category on Sunday, while the minimum temperature settled at 17.5 degrees Celsius, three notches above the season's average. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 1.10 pm stood at 341. The areas in the national capital which recorded an air quality index in the "very poor" category included Alipur with its AQI at 357, Shadipur at 321, NSIT Dwarka at 348, DTU Delhi at 306, ITO at 335, Sirifort at 351, Mandir Marg at 333, RK Puram at 365 and Aya Nagar at 333. North Campus DU recorded an AQI of 343, Mathura Road 324, PUSA 304, IGI Airport 332, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 351, Nehru Nagar 362, Patparganj 359, Ashok Vihar 357, Sonia Vihar 372, Jahangirpuri 370, Rohini 361, Narela 364 and Bawana 373. Meanwhile, Punjabi Bagh, Lodhi Road and Dilshad Garden recorded "poor" AQI at 272, 278 and 284, respectively. An AQI between zero and 50 is conside

68 new coronavirus cases in Delhi, 1 death; positivity rate 1.37%

Delhi recorded 68 fresh COVID-19 cases on Saturday with a positivity rate of 1.37 per cent, and one more person died due to the viral disease, according to the data shared by the health department here. With these new cases, Delhi's COVID-19 tally has risen to 20,06,511 while the death toll due to the infection rose to 26,512. Delhi recorded 54 coronavirus cases on Friday with a positivity rate of 1.22 per cent, and two deaths. The city recorded zero death and 65 COVID-19 cases on Thursday with a positivity rate of 1.29 per cent. The national capital had recorded 58 Covid cases on Wednesday with a positivity rate of 1.03 per cent. The city had reported 63 cases of the infection with a positivity rate of 1.18 per cent on Tuesday. The fresh cases came out of the tests conducted the previous day. The number of active cases stands at 298 while the number of patients in home isolation is 202. Of the 8,773 Covid beds in the city hospitals, only 49 are occupied.

Gold trading at Rs 50,280 per 10 grams, silver selling at Rs 60,000/kg

The price of 10 grams of 22 carat gold in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai is Rs 46,240, Rs 46,140, and Rs 47,160, respectively.

GRAP IV: Delhi govt bans entry of trucks to monitor air pollution, says Rai

A special task force will be formed for the hotspots, while a total of 33 teams have also been formed to monitor industrial pollution

Delhi municipal polls to be held on Dec 4: State Election Commissioner

Polling for the municipal election in Delhi will be held on December 4 while the votes will be counted on December 7, State Election Commissioner Vijay Dev announced on Friday. The Model Code of Conduct comes into force in the national capital from Friday itself, he said. "Voting for the municipal polls in Delhi will be held on December 4 while the results will be announced on December 7. The filing of nominations will begin from November 7 and the last date for the same is November 14," Dev said at a press conference.

440% rise in reporting of major crimes in Delhi in 10 years, says report

Reporting of major crimes in the national capital has increased by 440 per cent in the last 10 years from 2012 to 2021, according to a report. The report launched by the Praja Foundation on 'State of Policing and Law & Order in Delhi' also highlights the pendency in the investigation of cases as well as trial proceedings in Delhi. No immediate reaction was available from the Delhi Police on the report. According to the report, registered crimes of theft and chain snatching have increased by 827 per cent and 552 per cent respectively from 2012 to 2021. While registered crimes of molestation, rape and kidnapping/abduction have increased by 251 per cent, 194 per cent and 39 per cent respectively. The report further stated that 41 per cent of total rape cases were registered under POCSO Act in 2021. In the same year, it has been seen that 91 per cent of total kidnapping and abduction victims were children while the conviction rate was 38 per cent for crimes against women and only 52 .

Over 100 transport teams to be deployed to ensure trucks don't enter Delhi

A total of 120 teams of the transport department will be in action at Delhi's entry points to ensure that trucks, apart from those carrying essential items, do not enter the national capital, officials said on Thursday. With Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) a notch short of entering the "severe plus" category, a central panel directed authorities on Thursday to ban the plying of four-wheeled diesel light motor vehicles in the city and the adjoining NCR districts and the entry of trucks into the capital as part of the anti-pollution measures under the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). However, BS-VI vehicles and those used for essential and emergency services have been exempted, according to an order issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). With a spike in the pollution levels, the enforcement teams of the transport department are fully involved in ensuring that the anti-pollution measures are implemented. "The teams will be deployed at the ent

Delhi tops EPFO coverage chart, Tripura and Assam at the bottom

Haryana is at the third spot with 35.3 per cent of its working population under EPFO, followed by Karnataka (29.6 per cent) and Uttarakhand (26.7 per cent)

Raaj Anand takes oath as Delhi minister after Rajendra Gautam's resignation

Aam Aadmi Party MLA Raaj Kumar Anand was on Thursday administered oath as a minister in the Delhi government by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in a ceremony at Raj Niwas. Anand took the oath in presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. "Administered the oath of office and secrecy to Raaj Kumar Anand as Minister in GNCTD. I convey my best wishes to him and hope that he will work for the betterment of Delhi and its People," Saxena tweeted after the oath ceremony. The Patel Nagar MLA was inducted into his Council of Ministers by Kejriwal after Rajendra Pal Gautam's resignation. Gautam who held charge of social welfare minister resigned last month from the post after he was embroiled in a controversy over his presence in a religious conversion programme.

Kejriwal inaugurates four Mahila Mohalla Clinics exclusively for women

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday inaugurated four Mahila Mohalla Clinics, developed as special primary healthcare facilities exclusively for women

Centre working to make Delhi grand city with all facilities: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cited his government's measures to boost the capital's development and took a veiled swipe at the AAP dispensation here, wondering how much money should have been spent on advertising these measures of the Centre. Inaugurating 3,024 new flats for those from the Economically Weaker Sections, Modi said poverty was long considered an issue for the poor to deal with but they are now at the centre of his government's policies as his is a "garibon ki sarkar" (poor people's government). He cited the boost to the Metro service, the length of which has increased to nearly 400 km from 190 km in the national capital region since his government came to power. He also mentioned the work on highways around the capital city and other infrastructure measures besides pro-poor decisions. The central government is working to make Delhi a grand city fitted with all the facilities expected of the country's capital, Modi said. Addressing the beneficiaries of the

100 special mohalla clinics for women to be opened in Delhi: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced that 100 special mohalla clinics for women will be opened in the national capital. Inaugurating four 'mahila special mohalla clinics', he said children below 12 years and women will get free of cost treatment at these facilities. The mohalla clinic system is one of the flagship initiatives of the Kejriwal government and it is aimed at boosting primary healthcare in the city. "Four mahila mohalla clinics, special clinics for women where gynaecological services, tests and medicines will be available free of cost for them and children under the age of 12 years, are being opened today," Kejriwal said. "In the first phase, 100 such clinics will be opened for women and children," he said, adding that doctors and staff at these facilities will be women. The chief minister, however, did not comment on a timeline for opening of these clinics. On an average, each mohalla clinic handles 116 patients a day and together a total of ov

Delay, cost escalation in building EWS flats to be inaugurated by PM: Cong

The Congress on Wednesday alleged a six-year delay and 68-per cent cost escalation in the construction of 3,024 flats for Economically Weaker Sections as part of a slum rehabilitation project in Kalkaji. The project will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday evening. The in-situ slum rehabilitation in 376 Jhuggi Jhopri clusters is being undertaken by the Delhi Development Authority in line with the prime minister's vision to provide housing for all, a PMO statement said on Tuesday. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said in a press conference that the project was planned and started by the Delhi government headed by Sheila Dikshit. The BJP is taking credit for her work, she said. Subhash Chopra, former urban development minister, said the project was the "brainchild" of the Congress and Sonia Gandhi. "You can see full-page advertisements about the inauguration of the scheme with the beaming face of the prime minister. Modiji is fond of ribbon cutting but

Delhi CM announces Rs 5,000 aid to workers amid ban on construction work

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday directed Labour Minister Manish Sisodia to provide Rs 5,000 each as financial aid to labourers due to pollution-related ban on construction activities in the city. With pollution levels worsening, the Centre's air quality panel had on Saturday directed authorities to impose a ban on construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR, except in essential projects, and other curbs under the GRAP III. "Construction activities have been stopped across Delhi in view of pollution. I have directed Labour Minister, Sh Manish Sisodia, to give Rs 5000 pm as financial support to each construction worker during this period, when construction activities are not permitted," Kejriwal tweeted. The AAP government had also in the past provided financial help to registered construction workers in Delhi during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One out of every three Indians 'middle class'; to double by 2047: Report

The report released by PRICE added that the share of middle class in the total population rose from 14 per cent in 2004-05 to 31 per cent in 2021-22

Delhi: PM Modi to inaugurate 3024 newly constructed EWS flats at Kalkaji

The Delhi Development Authority has undertaken three such projects at Kalkaji Extension, Jailorwala Bagh, and Kathputli Colony.