New Delhi

Delhi gears up to raise SDRF, battalion of 1,100 personnel proposed

The Delhi government has speed up the process to raise a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for efficient and quick response to natural and man made calamities, in the wake of recent Satya Niketan building collapse incident that claimed seven lives. In a meeting of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta with senior National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officials at the Delhi Secretariat, necessary inputs were gathered for the state-of-the-art SDERF team, the CMO Delhi said on Thursday. The NDRF officials briefed the chief minister on various aspects of setting up the disaster response force in Delhi. They said a battalion of the SDRF could be raised in Delhi, comprising upto 1,100 personnel, it said in a statement. The battalion would function under the state government and in the event of a disaster, would be able to reach the site quickly and carry out effective relief and rescue operations, the chief minister said. The NDRF would provide the necessary training to personnel of the propos

MPD-2047 promises accessible Delhi, but experts flag missing disability KPI

The new Master Plan for Delhi (MPD-2047), notified recently, speaks repeatedly of barrier-free streets, universal access and inclusive public spaces for persons with disabilities but experts have flagged that the plan is missing a disability Key Performance Indicator (KPI) in its framework. They have raised concerns about whether these scattered commitments can translate into a city that is genuinely navigable end-to-end for persons with disabilities (PwDs), given the absence of a dedicated accessibility indicator in the Plan's own monitoring framework. The master plan, prepared by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and unveiled by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal on August 20, states that all building structures, irrespective of land use, shall adhere to space standards for a barrier-free built environment. It calls for pedestrian infrastructure to be designed as inclusive civic spaces prioritising the elderly, children and persons with disabilities (PwD). I

NDMC apologises for waterlogging, plans measures to prevent recurrence

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday apologised to residents for rain-triggered waterlogging in several parts that come under it and said it will strengthen its systems to deal with such situations in the future. NDMC chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said in a post on X that the civic body was able to clear waterlogging within 15-20 minutes under normal circumstances, but in at least three to four locations on Tuesday, the water took more than an hour to drain. The national capital received heavy rainfall on Tuesday, leading to waterlogging and disruption in several parts. More than 72 mm rainfall was recorded in less than two hours, which Dwivedi described as unexpected, but he said the intense spell could not be treated as an excuse for the disruption faced by residents. "I sincerely apologise to everyone in the NDMC area who faced difficulties due to waterlogging instances on August 25," he said. Dwivedi said the civic body would undertake a series of short- and ...

Sabyasachi set to expand Delhi footprint with new Mehrauli flagship store

Sabyasachi will open a 26,000-sq-ft Mehrauli flagship on August 25, doubling its Delhi footprint as the capital contributes about 30% of global revenue

Delhi Master Plan 2047: How housing, transport and land use may change

From higher-density development around Metro corridors to slum rehabilitation, Delhi's new Master Plan aims to expand housing while making better use of limited land

AI on India’s highways | Here’s what it means for drivers

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is deploying the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) across 1,205 km of highways in Delhi-NCR. But what is ATMS

Fire breaks out at Parikrama Restaurant in Delhi, no injuries reported

A fire broke out in the kitchen chimney of a restaurant in New Delhi's Barakhamba road on Tuesday afternoon, prompting authorities to rush seven fire tenders to the spot, an official said. The Delhi Fire Services said that it received a call at 3.40 pm regarding the fire at the iconic Parikrama, The Revolving Restaurant. "We rushed seven fire tenders to the spot and the fire was doused by 4 pm," the DFS officer said. Further details are awaited.

Chinese FM Wang Yi to attend BRICS NSA meeting in New Delhi next week

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the meeting of the National Security Advisors of BRICS countries to be held in New Delhi on June 22-23, Beijing announced on Thursday. The BRICS National Security Advisors Meeting is a high-level platform that brings together the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of the 11 BRICS member-states to exchange views on key security challenges. Wang Yi will attend the meeting upon invitation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing in Beijing. Wang will exchange views with other BRICS member states on the current international security situation and major international and regional issues, Lin said. The Chinese foreign minister is also a member of the Political Bureau of the ruling Communist Party of China and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission. The meeting will also discuss joint responses to traditional and non-traditional security challenges and make preparations for the BRICS summi

West Asia crisis set to dominate BRICS foreign ministers' meeting this week

The escalating crisis in West Asia and its impact on the global energy supply chain are expected to dominate deliberations at a two-day meeting of BRICS foreign ministers to be hosted by India this week. While Tehran has informed New Delhi that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to attend the May 14-15 conclave, sources suggest his plans could change if the situation in the region changes dramatically. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will skip the meeting as his presence is required in Beijing for US President Donald Trump's three-day state visit, which coincides with the BRICS gathering. Chinese Ambassador to India Xi Feihong will attend the meeting on Wang's behalf, Beijing announced on Tuesday. Foreign ministers of several BRICS member states including Russia's Sergey Lavrov have already confirmed their participation, the sources said. The BRICS foreign ministers will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India, as the chair of the BRICS, is hosting the conclave of t

Live music is finding a new audience in smaller, candlelit settings

With Candlelight Concerts, the idea of music is expanding to forts, tombs and churches

Holi 2026: Delhi Metro schedule, start and end timings on festival day

Delhi Metro services will begin late in the day on Holi. On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, train operations on all lines will start at 2:30 pm. After the delayed start, services will function normally

Traffic restrictions issued near Rajghat in New Delhi for official event

Traffic movement in and around Rajghat and adjoining areas of the national capital will remain regulated and diverted for a brief period on Tuesday morning in view of an official function at Mahatma Gandhi Smriti Sthal. The event, scheduled to be attended by several dignitaries, will be held between 9.15 am and 12.30 pm, during which special traffic arrangements will be in place to ensure its smooth conduct, according to a traffic advisory. Diversions will be imposed "as and when required" at key junctions, including at ITO Chowk, Delhi Gate, Guru Nanak Chowk, Shantivan Chowk, Rajghat DTC Depot and IP Flyover, the advisory stated. Several major road stretches are likely to be impacted due to the movement of VIP convoys and security arrangements. These include Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg-ITO Chowk-Delhi Gate stretch, the Shantivan Chowk-IP Flyover stretch, and Asaf Ali Road between Delhi Gate and Netaji Subhash (NS) Marg. Traffic restrictions may also affect the route from Shantivan Cho

CAQM conducts special inspection of industrial units in Naraina Cantonment

During the inspection drive, all locations mentioned in the complaint were visited, and every industrial unit found operational at the time of inspection was examined

NDMC begins Khan Market makeover with Middle Lane upgrade, granite flooring

The New Delhi Municipal Council on Saturday began a major upgrade of Khan Market with the laying of the foundation stone for the improvement of the market's Middle Lane, a long-pending demand of traders and visitors. Linking the project to the vision of Viksit Bharat-2047, NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Chahal said the NDMC Budget 2026-27 places strong emphasis on redeveloping prominent markets, with Khan Market receiving "special and sustained attention". Under the vision of 'Developed India, Developed Delhi and Developed NDMC', a new beginning has been made at Khan Market with renewed energy in the new year, he said, adding that the market, once known for various issues and known for "Khan Market Gang", is now being developed in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development model. Officials said the Middle/Back Lane project will include granite flooring and integrated service ducts for civil and electrical utilities. The work forms part of the upgradation and improvement of the

Delhi World Book Fair 2026: All about ticket price, theme, dates and more

The New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 is back to Bharat Mandapam honoring Indian military history. With 9 days, the fair brings readers a big collection from books to ideas and conversations

Delhi extends school closure till 15 January as cold wave intensifies

Delhi schools will stay shut till January 15, 2026, due to severe cold wave, dense fog and poor air quality. The Directorate of Education extended winter holidays to protect students across the city

Republic Day 2026: How to book tickets for January 26 parade, other events

On January 26, 2026, India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day. Official ticket sales for the Republic Day Parade and other events began on January 5, according to the Ministry of Defence

Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam denied bail by SC in 2020 Delhi riots case

The Supreme Court said there was sufficient prima facie material to invoke UAPA against Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, while granting conditional bail to five other accused in the case

Delhi Metro runs first-ever train as special service on 23rd anniversary

The Delhi Metro on Thursday operated its first-ever train, TS#01, as a special service to mark the anniversary of the commencement of passenger services on the network in 2002. The train was run on the 8.3-km Shahdara-Tis Hazari section, where Delhi Metro services were inaugurated more than two decades ago, enabling passengers to relive the experience of the historic inaugural run, according to a statement. TS#01 was decorated with flowers and a commemorative banner on the occasion, while passengers travelling on the special service were greeted with flowers, it said. The Delhi Metro began operations in 2002, starting a journey that has since grown into one of India's largest and most successful urban mass transit systems. December 24 marks the completion of 23 years of its operations. TS#01 continues to remain in active service. Originally introduced as a four-coach train, it was expanded to six coaches in 2014 and further to eight coaches in 2023 to meet rising passenger demand,

No major Indian city achieved safe air quality levels in a decade: Study

The study also shows that meteorology and geography are adding to the persistent winter smog, especially across the Indo-Gangetic region