Page 2 - Delhi

Delhi air quality improves slightly, AQI returns to 'poor' category

Delhi saw a marginal respite in air quality on Monday as the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to 244, in the poor' category, after lingering in the very poor' range a day earlier. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board's Sameer app showed that four stations recorded very poor' air quality, with Chandni Chowk logging the worst AQI at 321, while 25 stations remained in the poor' category and nine recorded moderate' air quality. According to the CPCB classification, an AQI between zero 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'. The Decision Support System indicated that Delhi's pollution load was led by transport at 13.7 per cent, followed by peripheral industries at 11.4 per cent, residential sources at 3.3 per cent, construction at 1.2 per cent and waste burning at one per cent. Among NCR districts, Jhajjar contributed the highest at 19.6 per cent, followed by Sonip

Delhi riots conspirators must face strictest punishment: CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision refusing bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, saying those responsible for pushing the city into violence must face the harshest punishment. The Supreme Court on Monday refused bail to Khalid and Imam in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots, but granted relief to five other accused, citing a "hierarchy of participation". A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria said there was a prima facie case against Khalid and Imam under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. "We welcome the court's decision. The court has rejected the bail applications of Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, who are accused in the Delhi riots case. Those who pushed Delhi into the fire of riots should receive the strictest possible punishment," Gupta told PTI Videos. A strong message should be sent to political parties that supported those involved in th

Four AAP MLAs suspended from Delhi Assembly for three days

Four Aam Aadmi Party MLAs were suspended on Monday for the remaining three days of the Delhi Assembly's winter session. The legislators -- Sanjeev Jha, Som Dutt, Kuldeep Kumar and Jarnail Singh -- were penalised for disrupting Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's address. The first session of the year began with Saxena's speech, which was interrupted by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs protesting against the air pollution levels in the city. Following the protests, Speaker Vijender Gupta ordered several opposition members to be marshalled out of the House. When the House reconvened after the address, PWD minister Parvesh Sahib Singh moved a resolution for the suspension of the four MLAs. "Those member who caused disturbance, such as Sanjeev Jha, Kuldeep Kumar, Som Dutt and Jarnail Singh, should be suspended for the remaining three days of the session," Singh said while reading the resolution. The House subsequently passed the motion. Speaker Gupta said the AAP MLAs showed contempt towards th

'Unfortunate': Umar Khalid's father as SC denies bail in Delhi riots case

Umar Khalid's father S Q R Ilyas said it was "unfortunate" that the Supreme Court denied bail to his son in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy matter, saying there was a prima facie case against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. "No comments. It is unfortunate. I have nothing to say. The judgement is there, and I have nothing to say," Ilyas said. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria, however, granted bail to activists Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad in the case. Meanwhile, Umar Khalid's friend Banojyotsna, in a post on X, said that Umar was happy that others had got bail. "'I am really happy for the others, who got bail! So relieved', Umar said. 'I'll come tomorrow for Mulaqat', I replied. 'Good good, aa jana. Ab yahi zindagi hai'. #UmarKhalid" she posted on X. On Dece

Delhi's toxic winter air may be carrying drug-resistant superbugs: Study

Researchers at JNU warn that Delhi's winter smog could be harbouring drug-resistant bacteria, compounding health risks already posed by some of the world's worst air pollution

Delhi moves to end rabies deaths with mandatory reporting and tracking

By declaring human rabies a notifiable disease, Delhi aims to tighten surveillance, ensure early treatment and move closer to its goal of zero human deaths from rabies

65% of Delhi's air pollution in 2025 originated from outside the city: CREA

As much as 65 per cent of Delhi's air pollution in 2025 originated from outside the city, mainly from other NCR districts, while local sources accounted for the remaining 35 per cent, a study said. According to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), accessed by PTI, winter-period inputs from the Decision Support System indicated that pollution transported into the national capital outweighed emissions generated within the city during 2025. Winter-period source attribution figures showed that vehicular emissions accounted for nearly half of Delhi's local PM2.5 pollution, surpassing contributions from industry, construction and other combustion sources, even as transboundary pollution remained the dominant overall contributor. "Transboundary pollution from NCR districts and neighbouring states plays a major role in Delhi's air pollution. Delhi's geographical location also makes it vulnerable, as northerly and north-westerly winds carry polluted air from

Delhi riots case: SC verdict on Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam bail on Jan 5

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case on January 5. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria will pronounce the verdict. On December 10, the top court reserved its verdict on separate pleas of the accused after hearing arguments from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for Delhi Police, and senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi, Siddhartha Dave, Salman Khurshid and Sidharth Luthra, appearing for the accused. Umar, Sharjeel and the other accused were booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), an anti-terror law, and provisions of the erstwhile IPC for allegedly being the "masterminds" of the 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured in northeast Delhi. The violence erupted during widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the Natio

Red Fort blast: Accused Bilal Malla sent to judicial custody till Jan 16

A Delhi court on Saturday remanded Dr Bilal Naseer Malla, one of the accused in the November 10 Red Fort blast case, to judicial custody for 13 days till January 16. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) produced Malla at the Patiala House Court amid tight security on Saturday, upon the expiry of his 8-day NIA custody granted on December 26. Mediapersons were barred from covering the proceedings. The accused was produced before Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna, who sent Malla to judicial custody till January 16. NIA arrested Malla in Delhi on December 9 and termed him a key accused in the conspiracy. According to the NIA probe, Malla knowingly provided logistical support to Dr Umar-un-Nabi, the suicide bomber who was driving the explosive-laden i20 car that blew up outside the Red Fort on November 10, killing 15 people. Malla is also accused of destruction of evidence related to the terrorist attack, the agency said on December 9. The NIA has arrested n

Datanomics: House demolitions double in 7 years; rehab remains scarce

In 2023, Delhi accounted for the highest share of evictions at 53 per cent, followed by Gujarat at 30 per cent and Assam at 4 per cent

Bharat Taxi to roll out by January-end after successful pilot in Delhi

The cooperatives-backed ride-hailing service Bharat Taxi will be officially launched in Delhi and other cities by the end of January, following an encouraging response during its soft launch, a senior cooperation ministry official said on Thursday. The digital platform, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd, was introduced in the capital on a pilot basis on December 2, 2024. "We have received a very good response for the Bharat Taxi service during the soft launch. The official launch will be done by month-end," Panjak Kumar Bansal, Additional Secretary in the Cooperation Ministry, told PTI. The service has been recording an average of 5,500 rides daily, including 4,000 from the airport and 1,500 from other locations across cab, auto and bike categories, Bansal said. More than 1.4 lakh drivers have registered on the app so far. Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd is promoted by eight leading cooperative organisations -- Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), IFFCO, KRIB

Delhi NCR tops Zomato orders in 2025, outpaces Mumbai and Bengaluru

Zomato's year-end data for 2025 shows Delhi NCR as its busiest market, logging over 40 million more orders than Mumbai and Bengaluru, driven by campuses, festivals and transit hubs

PM Modi to inaugurate exposition of sacred Piprahwa Relics on Jan 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 3 will inaugurate an exposition of the sacred Piprahwa Relics, which will be hosted at a heritage site in Delhi, officials said. The relics, discovered in the late 19th century, are widely believed to be associated with the mortal remains of the Buddha, enshrined by the Shakya clan, they said. The Ministry of Culture, in a statement, said it is organising "a landmark cultural exposition titled 'Lotus Light: Relics of the Awakened One', showcasing the revered sacred Piprahwa Relics along with significant associated antiquities". The exposition underscores India's enduring civilisational connection with the teachings of the Buddha and its commitment to preserving and presenting its rich spiritual heritage, officials said. The prestigious exposition will be inaugurated by Modi on January 3 at the Rai Pithora cultural complex here, the ministry said. The recent repatriation of the relics and the public display reflect India's continued efforts t

Delhi govt sets up expert committee to tackle capital's hazardous air

The Delhi government has constituted an expert committee to provide independent ideas, suggestions and solutions to tackle the capital's chronic air quality crisis, officials said on Monday. The committee is key to the government's five-pronged pollution-control strategy, which focuses on innovation, scientific management of dust and solid waste, action against polluting industries, reduction of vehicular emissions, and long-term efforts to make Delhi greener and healthier. Officials said the move marks a departure from earlier approaches that relied largely on regulatory orders without structured expert consultation. To ensure faster execution of pollution-related decisions, the government has also set up the Implementation Committee on Control of Air Pollution (ICCAP), aimed at translating expert recommendations and government schemes into effective on-ground action. According to officials, the Special Expert Committee comprises 11 members, including former secretaries, former ..

AAP alleges BJP-ruled MCD ignored SC ban on tolls, worsening pollution

With pollution levels surging in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday accused the BJP of not shutting down toll plazas. There was no immediate reaction from the BJP-ruled Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) or the party itself. AAP Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj pointed out that despite a Supreme Court ban on toll tax collection within Delhi, vehicles are still being stopped at toll plazas, leading to congestion, avoidable emissions and a steady deterioration of air quality across the city. "Hopeless Situation. Against the directions of Supreme Court, vehicles are being stopped for collecting toll tax at all tolls. These toll barriers around Delhi have become Hotspots for spreading pollution in Delhi. Why can't the BJP ruled MCD & Delhi Govt do their basic works instead of nautanki?" Bharadwaj wrote on X. Sharing a video from the Ghazipur toll plaza, Bharadwaj highlighted the on-ground reality through an AAP karyakarta who visited the site. In the video, the AAP ...

Delhi weather today: Dense fog disrupts flights and trains in Delhi, IMD issues orange alert

Persistent dense fog across Delhi and large parts of north India has disrupted flight and train services. The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert, warning of continued low visib

Poor response to Delhi hot air balloon rides pushes organisers to go online

Looking at the lukewarm response to the recently launched hot air balloon rides in Delhi, the organisers are now planning to set up an online ticket booking system to boost sales. Since its public opening almost a month ago on November 29, the tethered hot air balloon rides at the Baansera Park near Sarai Kale Khan have seen a sluggish response from Delhiites. Only those visiting the Baanseera Park are buying tickets. People are not coming especially for the rides. Since the launch, we have operated for 1-2 hours each Saturday and Sunday, Mukesh Yadav, associate vice-president of Rajas Aerosports and Adventures, the company conducting the rides, told PTI. We plan to set up an online ticketing system soon to increase awareness and convenience for people wanting to take the rides, he said. Adding another recreational activity to the city's landscape, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) launched the hot air balloon rides for the public at the Baansera Park on November 29. There was

Delhi eateries tighten fire and crowd safety norms ahead of New Year rush

With New Year celebrations expected to draw heavy crowds across the capital, restaurants and clubs in Delhi are stepping up fire and crowd safety measures, including deploying extra staff and conducting frequent mock drills. The heightened vigilance comes after the Delhi Fire Service launched a citywide inspection drive of restaurants, hotels and clubs, particularly in view of the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, officials said. The inspections focus on checking the functionality of fire-fighting equipment, accessibility of emergency exits and compliance with building by-laws, they said, adding that the exercise follows the Goa nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives. An advisory has been issued to all member establishments to tighten safety protocols, Manpreet Singh, treasurer of the National Restaurant Association of India, said. "We have advised our members to take all necessary precautions, including checking all equipment, ensuring exit doors are clear and functional

MCD to set up 14 additional C&D waste dumping sites with surveillance

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi will soon identify 14 additional construction and demolition (C&D) waste dumping sites and equip them with CCTV surveillance and mist spray systems, an official said on Friday. At present, 132 such sites are already available, and the process of identifying 14 additional locations under the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Framework is underway, top civic body officials told PTI. The official added that to strengthen monitoring and dust control, CCTV cameras equipped with automatic number plate recognition systems and mist sprayers will be installed at all sites. The CCTV cameras will be installed for surveillance to check illegal dumping and ensure better management, the official said. A grant of Rs 7.1 crore has been approved for installing the cameras and for improvement works at 106 sites, he added. Meanwhile, enforcement against open burning has been stepped up this year, with nearly 375 challans issued so far in 2025 and ...

Delhi Police files chargesheet against key aide of gangster Kapil Sangwan

The Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet against a key member of the gang led by fugitive gangster Kapil Sangwan, alias Nandu, officials said on Friday. The chargesheet was filed against Manoj Yadav, alias Kaira, a close associate of the gangster. Yadav was previously arrested under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and is judicial custody. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Harsh Indora said the action is part of an intensified crackdown on organised crime networks operating in the national capital and neighbouring states. According to the officer, Yadav played a crucial role in providing sensitive information about businessmen and other potential targets to the gang for extortion. He was also responsible for arranging illegal weapons for shooters hired by the syndicate. Yadav was arrested on October 7 in a case registered at the Crime Branch police station. During the investigation, police traced his links to several criminal activities allegedly ..