Page 72 - Delhi

Centre holds off stricter curbson pollution as Delhi AQI crosses 400-mark

Amid worsening air quality, the Centre on Wednesday decided to hold off the implementation of stricter measures to curb pollution in Delhi-NCR as forecasts suggested that the situation may improve. Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday breached the 400 mark, a level requiring authorities to invoke stricter curbs under Stage 3 of the Centre's air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). "CAQM Sub-Committee for operationalisation of GRAP met today and took stock of the air quality situation, and meteorological forecast and the projected air quality index by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology," a statement said. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) forecasts suggesting an improvement in the air quality, the Sub-Committee unanimously decided to watch the situation for a day or more, before invoking Stage 3 of GRAP. The .

Republic Day: 14,000 personnel to guard parade, says Delhi Police

About 14,000 security personnel will be deployed in and around Kartavya Path where the Republic Parade will take place on January 26, Delhi Police officials said on Wednesday. Extensive arrangements have been made for the safety and security of the 77,000 invitees expected at Kartavya Path to watch this year's parade, they said. During a press conference at the Delhi Police headquarters, Special Commissioner of Police (Security) Dependra Pathak said professional, robust and flawless security arrangements have been put in place all around Delhi for Republic Day. The police has ensured that peace prevails in Delhi's "vulnerable" areas following Monday's consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Peace is being maintained in the border areas with help of interstate coordination, he said. Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order, Zone II) Madhup Tiwari said at least 77,000 invitees are expected at the parade. "We have divided the New Delhi district, where the parade will

Delhi's chief electoral officer rejects speculation over LS poll dates

The internal note circulated by the office of Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer with April 16 as the tentative "poll date" to help officials schedule various activities "in the build-up" to elections

Delhi has not received any rainfall in January so far, shows IMD data

The national capital has not received any rainfall in January so far an unusual occurrence when compared to previous years, according to IMD's data. In the last seven years, Delhi saw one to six days of rain in January where normal rainfall during the month is 8.1 mm at Safdarjung Observatory, the India Meteorological Department data showed. However, there has been no rain in the city in January with seven days to go in the month. Last year in January, Delhi received 20.4 mm of rain, more than the normal of 19.1 mm, IMD data showed. In January 2022, the city received 88.2 mm of rain, more than the normal of 21.7 mm. Before this year, the winter of 2016 saw a deficit in rainfall. Delhi has experienced five cold day conditions and five cold wave conditions in January so far, the highest in the last 13 years, according to IMD data. The national capital, which recorded 6.9 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, is experiencing cold day conditions and dense fog in the morning and during the ...

Traffic movement in central Delhi hit due to R-Day parade dress rehearsal

Commuters were stuck in traffic jams near India Gate in central Delhi on Tuesday as vehicular movement was affected due to a full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade. Traffic was affected on C-Hexagon, Ashoka Road and Rafi Marg near Krishi Bhawan. Traffic police personnel were deployed on these routes to manage the movement of vehicles. The traffic was also affected on Outer Ring Road and near the Pragati Maidan tunnel, Sarai Kale Khan, ITO. Motorists had a harrowing time getting to their destinations and many reached late. A woman who was coming from south Delhi to Connaught Place said she got stuck in heavy traffic near Kartavya Path. "It takes me around 20 minutes to reach Connaught Place but today it took me around 35 to 40 minutes," she said. Some commuters said there were long queues at entry and exit gates of the Central Secretariat metro station as many tried to ditch the traffic. Delhi Police had issued an advisory on Monday informing people about road closures

Water supply hit in parts of north Delhi due to interconnection work: DJB

Water supply was affected for hours on Monday in several areas of north Delhi due to a shutdown for a water line maintenance work, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) said in a statement. "Due to interconnection of 700 mm diameter water line by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Ltd near Ghanta Ghar, Shakti Nagar, the shutdown for 12 hours is required on Monday from 9 am to 9 pm. "Due to this the water supply will be affected in Kamla Nagar, Roop Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, New Chandrawal village, Shakti Nagar, Sindhora Kalan (partly), Sanjay Nagar (partly), Malka Ganj etc.," the DJB said in an advisory. Residents are advised to store sufficient quantity of water in advance according to their requirement. Water tanker will be available on request, it said.

Delhi's winter peak power demand reaches all-time high of 5,816 MW

The unrelenting cold conditions in Delhi pushed the city's peak winter power demand to its highest-ever level of 5,816 megawatts (MW) on Monday morning, discom officials said. The previous 'winter' records in Delhi were 5,798 MW on January 19, 5,726 MW on January 17 and 5,701 MW on January 12. The discoms had estimated the peak power demand in Delhi to be 5,760 MW. The power demand reached 5,816 MG at 10.52 am on Monday, according to the city. This is the sixth time in January this year that Delhi's winter power demand has surpassed last year's peak of 5,526 MW recorded on January 6, 2023, the officials said. A BSES spokesperson said the discoms of the company BRPL and BYPL met the peak power demand of 2,526 MW and 1,209 MW respectively on the day without any glitches. The Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) met the highest winter peak power demand of 1,826 MW in its distribution area of North Delhi, a company spokesperson said. So far this month, the peak power deman

Delhi Police issue traffic advisory for Jan 23-31 ahead of 'Bharat Parva'

The Delhi Police on Monday issued a traffic advisory for Bharat Parv, scheduled to be held at Red Fort during January 23-31. Food courts and handicraft stalls will be set up at 15 August Park and Madhav Das Park for the general public, it said. Like earlier, this edition of Bharat Parv will showcase the Republic Day tableaux, performances by Armed Forces bands, cultural performances by zonal cultural centres and state/Union Territory troupes, a pan-India food court and crafts bazaar, pavilions of state governments and central ministries, among others, it stated. "The inaugural function of Bharat Parv will be held on Tuesday and it will be open to the general public till January 31. As per past experience, it is expected that the event will also attract a large number of visitors on all days from 12 pm to 10 pm. Many VIPs/VVIPs will also visit Red Fort on this occasion," according to the advisory. Traffic is being diverted from Chatta Rail Crossing, Subhas Park T-point, Shanti Van .

DDA released Rs 460 cr to 2,300 bidders in housing scheme in record time

The Delhi Development Authority has released more than Rs 460 crore to over 2,300 bidders in its recent and ongoing housing scheme in record time, according to an official statement on Sunday. Lt Governor VK Saxena had instructed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to credit Earnest Money Deposits (EMDs) in the bank accounts of applicants within 15 days to ensure that they do not face harassment and red tape, it stated. "In a record of sorts, that is indicative of the changing work culture at the DDA, the agency has already released more than Rs 460 crore deposited with it as EMD by about 2,300 bidders in its recent and ongoing housing scheme. In doing so, the DDA has bettered many private and corporate builders and real estate companies," the statement said. "Saxena had directed the DDA to ensure that EMDs are released to the applicants within 15 days and asked for strict compliance to procedures that ensured that no applicant has to approach the DDA for his EMD or is harassed by

Ram temple event: Delhi govt schools to be closed in first half of Jan 22

Delhi government schools will remain closed in the first half of Monday in view of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, according to an order. However, schools having classes in the evening will start at 2:30 pm on January 22 and will finish according to their usual timings but not later than 5.30 pm, the order issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE) on Sunday said. This arrangement is only for January 22, it said. "In accordance with the order issued by the Services Department of GNCTD declaring half-day closure (up to 2.30 pm) of all Delhi government establishments on January 22 to enable employees to participate in the celebrations of Ram Lalla 'Pran Pratishtha' being held at Ayodhya, all government schools running in general and morning shifts are ordered to remain closed on Monday," the DoE said. The "Pran Prathishta" (consecration ceremony) of the idol of Ram Lalla will start at 12:20 pm and is expected to end by 1 pm. ITL Public School principal Sudha Achar

Refurbishment work of runway 28/10 complete at Delhi airport, says DIAL

Delhi airport operator DIAL on Saturday said it has completed the refurbishment work of the runway 28/10. The final work on the technical integration of the runway RWY 10/28, also known as the second runway, is underway and will be completed very soon, according to a release. In recent weeks, there has been a significant impact on flight operations due to low visibility conditions because of fog. Against this backdrop, there were also concerns expressed about RWY 10/28 being non-operational. After the refurbishment, the runway was scheduled to be operational on January 19, but due to some "unforeseen technical issues" system integration could not be completed. "It is expected to be completed in 8 to 10 days. DIAL is working diligently with its partner Honeywell to complete the process soon," the release said. DIAL also said the newly constructed fourth runway of the airport will be CAT III compliant on January 26. CAT III pertains to flight operations in low visibility condition

Central govt hospitals in Delhi to remain closed till 2:30 pm on January 22

All four Central government-run hospitals, including AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, in Delhi will remain closed till 2:30 pm on January 22, on the occasion of the consecration ceremony at Ram temple, but critical and emergency services will be functional. According to an official notice by AIIMS, Delhi, the central government has declared January 22 as a half-day holiday till 2.30 pm. It is notified for information of all the employees that the institute will remain half day closed till 2.30 pm on January 22. All Chiefs of Centres, Heads of the Departments, Units and Branch Officers are requested to bring this to the notice of all staff working under them, it said. "...all critical clinical services shall remain functional," it said. All appointments are being rescheduled and critical clinical services will remain functional, an AIIMS official said. If any patients come, we will try to accommodate them. Evening OPDs will be functioning, the official said. According to a circular

Weather impacts schooling, make hybrid learning plan: Atishi to officials

Noting that schooling gets affected due to weather conditions such as heat wave and fog, Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Saturday directed officials to prepare a hybrid learning plan for schools. They were directed to make it by bringing together the Delhi Model Virtual Schools (DMVS) programme and the physical school model of the Delhi government, an official statement said. Through DMVS, the Delhi government aims to make all schools hybrid so that students' education does not get affected due to weather conditions, the minister said. "Schooling in Delhi gets frequently disturbed due to adverse weather like heat waves during summer and fog in winter. Through DMVS, we will make all Delhi government schools hybrid so that our children's education does not suffer from vagaries of weather," Atishi said. "For those children who cannot reach school, the Delhi government is taking the finest education to them through DMVS," she said. Started in 2022 by the AAP government, DMVS curren

President of UN General Assembly Francis to pay five-day visit to India

President of UN General Assembly Dennis Francis will kick-start a five-day visit to India beginning Monday during which New Delhi is expected to press him to make forward movement in long-pending reform of the Security Council. Besides holding talks with his Indian interlocutors in New Delhi, the top UN official will also travel to Jaipur and Mumbai. In Mumbai, Francis will pay floral tributes at the 26/11 memorial, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Saturday, announcing his visit from January 22-26. It said the visit by the President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly (PGA) to India will also be an opportunity to enhance the country's collaboration with the global body. "The PGA's visit to India presents a unique opportunity to strengthen India-UN ties and especially with the General Assembly, which is the most representative organ of the United Nations," the MEA said in a statement. The UN official is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with External Affair

Ram temple event Highlights: Nadda gets invite, to visit after Jan 22

As the Ram temple consecration draws closer, Delhi government has announced that it will organise a three-day Ramlila program starting Saturday, January 20

Pran Pratishtha: Delhi L-G okays half working day for govt offices on Mon

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had sent the proposal for half-day closure to the Lt Governor, CM office officials said

Six die, 1 injured as fire breaks out in multi-storey building in Delhi

Six people were charred to death and one was injured when a fire broke out in a multi-storey building in northwest Delhi's Pitampura area on Thursday evening, officials said. The cause of the fire, which broke out on the first floor of the building, is yet to be ascertained, they said. A call was received at 8 pm about the blaze at plot no. 37, ZP block, Pitampura and eight fire tenders were pressed into service, the fire officials said. Seven people were rescued with the help of local police and rushed to Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital. Six of them, including four women, were declared dead at the hospital, a Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official said. Another DFS officer said the fire was doused in an hour and the cooling operation was underway. A police officer said the fire broke out on the first floor of the building and the smoke engulfed the three floors above it. According to preliminary information, those killed in the incident were from two different families. The deceased were

Fewer western disturbances causing foggy and cold winter, says IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) added that strong jet streams were also causing the cold conditions

HC refuses to stay notice asking Moitra to vacate govt accommodation

The Delhi High Court Thursday refused to stay the eviction notice issued to expelled Lok Sabha member of TMC Mahua Moitra asking her to vacate her government accommodation. Justice Girish Kathpalia said no specific rule has been brought before the court which would deal with the eviction of members of Parliament from government accommodation after they cease to be MPs. "To conclude, in view of the pendency of the issue of expulsion of petitioner (Moitra) before the Supreme Court and the issue of extension of time to vacate the government accommodation being inextricably linked with that, coupled with the fact that as on date petitioner has no right, this court is not inclined to invoke jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India at this stage to restrain the operation of the impugned eviction order. Accordingly, the application stands dismissed," the court said in its detailed order. The court listed the petition of Trinamool Congress leader in which she has challeng

At least four charred to death as fire breaks out in house in Delhi

At least four people were charred to death when a fire broke out in a house in northwest Delhi's Pitampura area on Thursday evening, fire officials said. One person is missing, they said. A call was received at 8 pm from ZP block, Pitampura about the blaze and eight fire tenders were pressed into service, the fire officials said. A Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officer said four people died in the fire and one person is missing. The fire has been doused and the cooling operation is underway, the officer said. Police personnel and rescue teams were also present at the spot.