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New Delhi, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a significant policy shift aimed at curbing vehicular pollution in the National Capital Region, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has amended its earlier directive to enforce a phased ban on refuelling End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles. The revised order, issued on July 8, responds to operational concerns raised by the Delhi government and introduces a new implementation timeline for Delhi and five high-density NCR districts. Under the amended Direction No. 89, fuelling of EoL vehicles -- defined as diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years -- will be prohibited from November 1, 2025, in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat. The ban will extend to the remaining NCR districts from April 1, 2026. Vehicles identified through Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems or other mechanisms will be subject to legal action, including impounding and disposal under the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) Rules, 2021, and other applicable policies of the respective state governments and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). The decision follows a detailed review of challenges cited by the Delhi government, including technological limitations in the ANPR system, lack of integration with neighbouring states' databases, and concerns over legal uniformity under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Officials also warned that a fragmented rollout could encourage fuel smuggling from adjacent districts. The Transport Departments of the GNCTD and NCR states are responsible for ensuring the proper installation and operation of ANPR systems. They must conduct timely system trials, train personnel, and widely disseminate the directive among stakeholders, including fuel station operators, to ensure strict compliance through robust enforcement. All agencies involved in the phase-out of EoL vehicles are required to submit monthly progress reports to the Commission detailing actions taken toward fleet liquidation. Despite the concerns raised, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, which have consistently upheld the ban on overaged vehicles in the NCR. The CAQM emphasised that EoL vehicles remain a serious threat to air quality and public health, and that enforcement must proceed with urgency. This directive marks a decisive step in Delhi-NCR's ongoing battle against air pollution, with the CAQM making clear that compliance will be mandatory and closely monitored.
Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir's Road Transport Corporation (RTC), a crucial backbone of public transportation, has raised serious concerns over the barring of its buses from entering Srinagar city limits. The move has triggered alarm within the Corporation, with officials cautioning about significant disruptions to public transport services and daily commutes, alongside substantial financial losses for the RTC. The restriction, in effect since November 4 when the maiden session of the Assembly commenced, is causing a daily revenue loss of Rs. 4 lakh to the Corporation. In a lette ...Read More >
Taking an eco-friendly step, the University of Jammu has announced a ban on the entry of four-wheelers on the campus with effect from 5 December. Taking an eco-friendly step, the University of Jammu has announced a ban on the entry of four-wheelers on the campus with effect from 5 December. Prof Prakash Antahal, Chief Proctor, said that the University had been planning for a long time to implement this Green Campus initiative. However, the decision was delayed due to non-availability of a designated parking slot. Now that the parking facility is ready, the University has taken this decisive ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, Dec 18 (PTI) Ahead of BJD's 28th foundation day on December 26, its chief Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday urged members to remain dedicated to serving the people of Odisha, while the party announced a mass demonstration in Bhubaneswar on January 6 to highlight the price rise of essential commodities and other issues. Patnaik asked party supporters to "raise voice against the BJP government's 'anti-people' policies" and also highlight the impact of high inflation, which hits the poor and middle class. "The party leaders and workers need to create awareness among people on the state B ...Read More >
Delhi's air pollution continues to worsen, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting a hazardous 490, despite the government's 21-point plan to tackle the issue. The city’s residents are struggling to breathe, even indoors, and hospitals are overwhelmed with patients facing respiratory problems. The pollution crisis is exacerbated by the lack of cooperation among Delhi and neighboring states, and the central government, with each blaming the other. This pollution not only threatens public health but also jeopardizes Delhi's economic future, as it could drive away professionals and harm business ...Read More >
Hit by economic slowdown and poor infrastructure, industrialists from Jharkhand's key industrial districts -- East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Seraikela-Kharsawan -- are looking to the newly formed state government for revival and support. The industrial zones of Adityapur, Gamharia, Kandra, and Chandil have been grappling with inadequate infrastructure, including poorly maintained roads, lack of bridges, erratic water supply, and unreliable power. Entrepreneurs in these regions hope the new administration will address these issues and work toward improving the state's industrial ecosystem ...Read More >
New Delhi: The CAG report, which Aam Aadmi Party leaders are denying as false, was indeed accepted as true by the Delhi government lawyer in the High Court when he blamed the LG office for leaking it to the public. Justice Sachin Datta of the Delhi High Court, who was hearing a petition by the BJP MLAs, said the government should have promptly placed the CAG reports before the house for discussion. "The way you dragged your feet raises doubts about your bonafides. You should have promptly forwarded the reports to the speaker," Justice Datta said, "and had a discussion in the house. The timel ...Read More >
Uttarakhand (Dehradun) [India], May 19 (ANI): The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in the hilly districts of Uttarakhand, effective today and tomorrow. In light of this warning, the Uttarakhand Police have issued a safety advisory for pilgrims undertaking the Chardham Yatra. Pilgrims are advised to exercise caution while travelling, consider the weather conditions, and call 112 in case of any emergency." Authorities are working to ensure public safety and minimise disruptions," said the police authorities. In light of the forecast, the Uttarakh ...Read More >
Listening to the sounds of nature such as birdsong reduces stress levels - but the sound of traffic increases them, new research shows. The research lends support for anyone who is a firm believer in the curative powers of a walk in the countryside or through a forest. In a study, 68 volunteers listened to three three-minute soundscapes: a nature soundscape recorded at sunrise in West Sussex, the same soundscape combined with 20 mile per hour road traffic sounds, and the same soundscape with 40 mile per hour traffic sounds. General mood and anxiety were assessed before and after the soundsc ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Lieutenant governor VK Saxena has given his approval to the reconstitution of Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, paving the way for govt to prepare a scheme to provide compensation to the construction workers who lost work due to the implementation of GRAP IV provisions. The board was not in place for the last couple of years. While giving his nod to its reconstitution, LG directed that immediate steps should be taken to implement Supreme Court directions to provide subsistence allowance to workers affected due to restrictions on construction activities be ...Read More >
For the second consecutive day on Monday (December 2, 2024), Delhi's air quality showed a slight improvement although it remained in the 'poor' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 273 in the morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's 24-hour average AQI on Sunday stood at 285, an improvement to the 'poor' category and a welcome relief following 32 consecutive days of 'very poor' and 'severe' air quality (AQI over 400). The city's air quality was last recorded in the 'poor' category on October 29 with an AQI of 268, according to the CPCB. Farm fires ris ...Read More >
Delhi residents breathed easier Thursday as air quality improved to 'moderate' after a month of severe pollution. The AQI dropped to 161, though some areas still experienced 'poor' air quality. Cooler temperatures and mist accompanied the improved air, with the minimum temperature reaching 9 degrees Celsius. The Supreme Court maintained GRAP-IV restrictions, demanding compensation for construction workers from NCR states.Residents in Delhi took a sigh of relief on Thursday as the air quality inde ...Read More >
New Delhi: The BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel vehicle ban has been lifted in Delhi after the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to the moderate category. The Supreme Court allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to ease restrictions due to the improvement in the national capital's air pollution situation. Delhi had been facing high pollution levels, which led CAQM to enforce Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The court has now asked the commission to apply GRAP Stage 2. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 31 (PTI) The national capital wrapped up a rather warm January with Friday's maximum temperature reaching 27 degrees Celsius, making it the city's warmest day in the month since 2019. The month's average maximum temperature was 21.1 degrees Celsius, a notch above the long-period average of 20.1 degrees Celsius, marking it as Delhi's warmest January since 2019. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, nighttime temperatures were also higher than usual. The average minimum temperature for the month settled at 8.5 degrees Celsius, a notch above the LPA of 7.5 deg ...Read More >
Guwahati, Jan 31 (PTI) The Gauhati High Court has issued notices to the Assam government and its various departments over rampant rat-hole coal mining and asked them to furnish what steps they have taken to stop the unlawful activity. Taking suo motu cognizance of the Dima Hasao coal mining tragedy, the high court registered a public interest litigation on Monday and issued notices the next day to seven government departments, including the office of the chief secretary. "The court has taken note of various reports which suggest that around more than 200 rat-hole mines are in operation in Um ...Read More >
Delhi is facing worsening pollution and erratic weather patterns, with the air quality regularly reaching dangerous levels. This is partly due to climate change, with temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming. The industrial revolution has played a significant role, contributing to the rise in global temperatures. The effects are already being felt, with 2024 witnessing record-breaking heat in India. Despite this, there is little action from society or leadership, with courts repeatedly stepping in to address issues like pollution and farm fires. The need f ...Read More >
The Supreme Court on Monday (December 2, 2024) refused to relax emergency measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) dealing with air pollution in the national capital till it noticed a downward trend in the AQI level. A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih further sought the presence of the chief secretaries of NCR states to appear through video-conferencing to inform it whether or not any compensation was paid to the construction workers who were without work owing to the restrictions. Delhi air pollution: Air quality in Capital plunges to 'very po ...Read More >
UP School holiday: Due to cold waves and low temperatures, schools in several districts of Uttar Pradesh remain closed. Authorities are closely monitoring the weather to make decisions about reopening. In some areas, the weather is still unfavorable, allowing students to enjoy holidays until January 25, 2025. As per orders from District Magistrate Chandra Vijay Singh, all schools in Ayodhya for classes up to 5 will remain closed until January 25, 2025. Students from classes 6 to 12 must attend classes from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This order applies to aided, recognized, and schools of all boards ...Read More >
At Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, on Monday, a teacher played the role of a vegetable seller, complete with props, while students acted as buyers. "How much is this vegetable for?" asked the teacher, setting off lively exchanges -- all over a laptop screen. Advertisement https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/08/1x1.png This roleplay session, part of an online lesson about markets and vegetables, is one of many such creative strategies teachers are adopting as schools across Delhi shift to remote learning due to hazardous air pollution levels. The air quality in Delhi plummeted to "se ...Read More >
In a miraculous turn of events, a seven-year-old boy who was kidnapped from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district more than 30 years ago has reunited with his family. IMAGE: Raju was kidnapped when he was seven-year-old from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district. Photograph: ANI Now 38, Raju shared his ordeal and said that after being abducted in September 1993, he was handed over to a truck driver who took him to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. "The kidnappers kept me in a room located in the middle of a barren area, where I was forced to take care of sheep and goats. Each night, I was chained and locke ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to grant anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. The matter was heard by a bench consisting of justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma. "What is the grave crime she has committed? She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed 302 (murder). She is not an NDPS offender", said the bench. "You should have a system or software. You complete the investigation. She has lost everything and will not ge ...Read More >
Kolkata: On the 13th day of teachers' protest outside Bikash Bhavan, the protesting teachers split among themselves and formed a new platform. At least 2,500 protesters stood by the chief minister, as stated in a press conference by education minister Bratya Basu on Monday. Reacting to a question from media, Basu said in Titagarh, "I will trust those who have written to me expressing their faith in the chief minister."The new organisation formed was named the West Bengal Untainted Teachers Associ ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava on Thursday outlined an urgent need to curb plastic pollution as it negatively impacted marine life, suffocated terrestrial ecosystems, leached harmful chemicals into soil and water. In addition, it contributed significantly to air pollution when burnt, he said. The statement came on the occasion of World Environment Day and was uploaded on the NGTs website. Shrivastava said that plastic had become an indispensable part of our lives, yet its convenience masked a devastating reality. "This nonbiodegradabl ...Read More >
American entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, known for his quest to reverse aging, experienced the effects of Mumbai's air pollution during his India tour. Promoting his book Don't Die, Johnson detailed his discomfort despite using air purifiers and masks. He adhered to his rigorous health routine, carrying all his meals and supplements for the six-day trip. The visit included an exclusive meetup with prominent figures like Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, showcasing his dedication to health and longevity advocacy.Bryan Johnson, the American entrepreneur renowned for his anti-aging mission, has drawn atten ...Read More >
Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 3 (ANI): Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya on Tuesday wrote to the officers of neighbouring districts--Bulandshahr, Amroha, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar--requesting them to stop Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at their district borders. The Sambhal DM addressed the letter to the Police Commissioners of Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad, along with the Superintendents of Police (SP) of Amroha and Bulandshahr. "On November 24, a remaining survey was conducted, following which members of the Muslim community staged massive p ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has held the Aircraft Act was "a complete code" to deal with the safety and security of civil aviation and aerodromes whereas the state police could only forward probe material to the authorised officer to decide on lodging a complaint. The significant verdict, ruling out any significant role of state police in dealing with the airport violations cases, came from a bench comprising Justices A S Oka and Manmohan on an appeal of the Jharkhand government. The state government challenged the Jharkhand High Court judgement which quashed the FIR against BJP MPs Nishika ...Read More >
Times of India's Edit Page team comprises senior journalists with wide-ranging interests who debate and opine on the news and issues of the day. Over time, govts' failure to improve Delhi's air quality is bound to impact its economic primacy About three weeks ago, Delhi govt told NGT it was implementing its 21-point winter action plan involving about 30 govt depts to mitigate air pollution. It would be laughable were the situation not so serious. Yesterday, Delhi's AQI shot to over 490 on a scale of 500 at 26 of Delhi's 37 monitoring stations - even though personal diesel vehicles were off t ...Read More >
In a big win for the Uttar Pradesh government, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the validity of land acquisition initiated by Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) for the integrated development of the Yamuna Expressway and its adjoining areas in Gautam Budh Nagar. Rejecting a batch of appeals and the cross-appeals filed by the landowners and YEIDA, a Bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said that the objective of the acquisition was to integrate land development with the Yamuna Expressway's construction, thereby promoting overall growth and serving t ...Read More >
Delhi's air quality continues to deteriorate with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 304, falling under the "very poor" category. Several areas, including Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Mundka, reported severe pollution levels, significantly impacting visibility and health. The National Capital Region (NCR) also saw poor air quality, with areas like Noida and Ghaziabad in the "poor" range. The Supreme Court upheld restrictions under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb pollution. Authorities urge residents to limit outdoor activities and take health precautions as smo ...Read More >
Entrepreneur and managing director of Homestays and villas and Mangalya destination weddings, Siddharth Bakaria, was the latest victim of the horror show that the city has turned into. Delhi's air and its declining quality have unfortunately become the hallmark of the general discourse of the country towards the end of the year and almost all throughout Winter. Lungs are Burning To no one's surprise, the Winter of 2024 is no different, with the landlocked capital city breaking the most undesirable records, very early on in the season. According to reports, Delhi and its neighbouring region ...Read More >
Dehradun: A person, who completes his age of 59 years and 6 months, can now apply for an old age pension on the social welfare department's pension portal. The applicants will start receiving pension from the end of the month in which he completes the age of 60 years following the approval of his application form. This is meant to ensure that the elderly people can get the benefits of old age pension on time. The department launched a campaign to identify the eligible person for the pension According to Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Neeraj Khairwal, his department launched a month-l ...Read More >