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New Delhi, Dec 17 (UNI) The Delhi government will begin strict enforcement of the 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy from Thursday onwards and bar non-BS VI outstation vehicles from entering the national capital, as part of stepped-up measures to combat worsening air pollution. Addressing stakeholders, including representatives of petrol pump dealers' associations and senior traffic police officers, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government was intensifying action on multiple fronts to curb pollution ahead of a challenging air quality forecast in the coming days. "Our government is fighting Delhi's war against pollution on four clear fronts vehicular, dust, industrial and solid waste. The forecast for the coming week, based on last year's data, indicates difficult air quality levels, but our efforts are continuous and determined to ensure cleaner air for every citizen," Sirsa said. He directed authorities to ensure that no fuel is supplied to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, with enforcement supported by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, voice alerts at petrol pumps and police deployment. Fuel dealers were instructed to strictly comply with the directive. "Pollution control is our shared responsibility. Supplying fuel to vehicles without a valid PUC certificate is prohibited. All dealers must ensure that no vehicle owner receives fuel without the certificate," the minister said. Senior Delhi Police officers informed the meeting that 580 police personnel would be deployed at 126 checkpoints, including border points, supported by 37 Prakhar Vans. Enforcement teams from the transport department will also be stationed at petrol pumps and border checkpoints to ensure effective implementation. The minister stressed that enforcement should be carried out smoothly and courteously. "This campaign is not meant to cause inconvenience, but to make Delhi's air breathable again," he said, urging drivers to obtain PUC certificates from nearby centres where required. Appealing to citizens and fuel dealers, Sirsa said cooperation was essential. "Please do not argue or create disputes with officers or pump staff. Delhi's air is our shared heritage. Every Delhiite must ensure their vehicle's PUC certificate is up to date. More than a rule, it is a collective responsibility." From Thursday, non-BS VI vehicles registered outside Delhi will be turned back at border checkpoints, he added. The government is also exploring technological interventions to reduce traffic congestion and vehicular emissions. Sirsa said discussions were underway with Google Maps to develop an integrated traffic management system, including signal integration and identification of congestion hotspots. "This collaboration will allow us to use live traffic data to identify emerging hotspots, decongest roads faster and reduce vehicular idling emissions," he said. The government plans to identify at least 100 traffic hotspots and implement structured interventions to ease congestion. Officials have been directed to prepare detailed implementation plans and assess the effectiveness of the proposed measures for review in the next meeting. A carpooling application is also being considered to promote shared mobility. Meanwhile, the Public Works Department(PWD) has launched a permanent pothole-monitoring mechanism through a third-party survey agency to ensure repairs within 72 hours under an annual rate contract model. An independent agency will also collect year-round data on potholes and conduct audits of pollution-control measures on the ground.
New Delhi: Following a directive from the Delhi Police Commissioner to strictly enforce number plate regulations, the traffic police have launched a widespread crackdown on vehicles with improperly displayed or decorative number plates. As of May 2025, more than 27,000 drivers have been booked for violations.The enforcement drive targets non-standard number plates that use unusual fonts, colours, religious symbols, or caste and community slogans. According to official data, there were 17,795 violations recorded in 2024, including 14,624 challans and 3,171 notices. In comparison, the numbers ha ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) The Delhi government has rolled out guidelines for tree officers to enforce certain sections of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994, officials said. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said Section 8 of the DPTA mandates that no tree shall be felled, removed or disposed of without prior permission from the tree officer. However, it provides an exception for emergency cases, where a tree poses an immediate danger to life, property or traffic, he explained. In such situations, RWAs, land-owning agencies, individuals or responsible agencies may act wit ...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 >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) Former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain was questioned by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) for over five hours on Friday in connection with a graft case related to the construction of classrooms in city government schools under the previous AAP dispensation. Sources said Jain was evasive in his replies and might be called for questioning again. Jain, who was the Public Works Department (PWD) minister in the AAP government, termed the case "politically motivated". According to the sources, Jain was given a written questionnaire with 29 questions. "He tried to put the bla ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 7 (PTI) In an effort to rejuvenate the Yamuna, the Delhi government is working on an action plan to improve the environmental flow of the river by increasing water discharge from various sources, officials said on Saturday. Treated water from the Coronation Pillar and Yamuna Vihar Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) will be discharged into the Yamuna downstream at Wazirbarad, for which the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will develop a conveyance system. The survey work was completed and a detailed project report is being finalised, officials said. E-flow is the minimum quantity of water fl ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): In view of rising pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. The action came after Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 209, which falls under the 'Poor' category. The decision was a comprehensive review by the CAQM Sub-Committee, which convened on Saturday and reviewed the air quality scenario in the region, as well as the IMD/IITM forecasts and air quality index of Delhi comprehensively. 'The AQI of Delhi has shown an increa ...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 >
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 8 (VOICE) BJP MP Ramvir Bidhuri on Wednesday slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders for their sit-in protest outside the Flagstaff Road house that was used as his official residence by Arvind Kejriwal when he was the Chief Minister of Delhi, urging them to "have patience" as the so-called 'Sheesh Mahal' would soon be opened to the public. The remarks followed AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj's protest after being denied entry to the Flagstaff Road bungalow by the Delhi Police. The AAP leaders had arrived at Arvind Kejriwal's former official residence on Flagsta ...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 >
Haridwar: A woman politician has been arrested for allegedly letting her boyfriend and others repeatedly rape her 13-year-old daughter in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The horrifying crime, which occurred between January and March, was exposed when the minor bravely confided in her father, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of the accused. The accused was arrested with her boyfriend and one more. According to police reports, the minor was gang-raped multiple times, often in the presence of her mother. The minor, who had been living with her father following her parents' separat ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...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 >
Bhubaneswar, June 5 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday urged the people to resolve to end plastic pollution and maintain a healthy, clean environment. "Today, let us pledge to eliminate plastic pollution and create a healthier, cleaner environment for our citizens," Majhi said while addressing the state-level World Environment Day event. He noted that plastic has become an integral part of our lives, especially single-use plastics. Stressing that plastic waste must be ad ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
New Delhi: Just as the Bharatiya Janata Party completes 100 days in power in Delhi, reports have surfaced that chief minister Rekha Gupta will soon shift from her private residence in Shalimar Bagh to government-allotted bungalow at the Raj Niwas Marg in Civil Lines, where her other Cabinet colleagues have been allotted residences. The renovation work of her official residence is underway in full swing. It is pertinent to mention here that this residence allotted to CM Gupta is not the same controversial 'Sheesh Mahal' where former CM Arvind Kejriwal lived when Aam Aadmi Party was in power. M ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The government has approved shifting of Gurgaon's Kherki Daula toll plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway (NH-48) to Pachgaon, a place beyond Manesar, paving the way for easy commute for lakhs of office goers.When the plaza is moved to Pachgaon, over 15 kilometres from Gurgaon, commuters travelling between Delhi and Manesar also won't have to pay toll. Locals have been demanding its removal since 2014.TOI has learnt that Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari has approved the plan, and to ensure the new spot doesn't see any congestion, the National Highways Au ...Read More >
The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi Police has registered an FIR against former health ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain of the Aam Aadmi Party, citing serious allegations of large-scale corruption in health projects undertaken by the Delhi government. This development follows approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which came on a detailed complaint which was lodged on August 22, 2024, by former Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta. The complaint highlighted significant irregularities and suspected corruption in multiple health infrastructure projects ...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 >
Lucknow: Authorities on Tuesday carried out a seven-hour demolition drive at the 185-year-old Noori Masjid in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, as part of a highway widening project on the Banda-Bahraich route. About The Action The action, involving five bulldozers, began at 8 am and continued until 3 pm, during which a portion of the mosque was also razed. Heavy security was deployed, including forces from multiple police stations, DSP-level officers, and a Rapid Action Force (RAF) unit. The area around the mosque in Lalauli town was sealed off within a 500-meter radius, and around 25,000 residents ...Read More >
New Delhi: Former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination, has moved the Supreme Court for anticipatory bail. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma is scheduled to hear the plea on January 15. Khedkar has challenged the December 23 2024 Delhi High Court order which refused to grant her anticipatory bail. The high court said a strong prima facie case was made out against Khedkar and an investigation was required to unearth the "larger conspiracy" to manipulate the system ...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 >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a joint operation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) have eliminated As'ad Abu Sharaiya, a senior leader of the Mujahideen terrorist organization in Gaza, and another terrorist, Mahmoud Muhammad Hamid Kuhail. According to the IDF, Abu Sharaiya was directly involved in the October 7, 2023, massacre, infiltrating Kibbutz Nir Oz, and was responsible for the abduction and murder of several Israeli citizens, including Shiri, Ariel, Kfir Bibas, and Nattapong Pinta. He also played a role in recruiting operatives for terror attacks against Israel and I ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: In a major move aimed at reducing pollution and improving urban transport in Hyderabad, the Telangana government has approved the introduction of 65,000 new eco-friendly auto rickshaws within the city limits and the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The decision, driven by Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and aligned with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's vision, is expected to contribute to environmental sustainability and employment generation. The state issued GO No. 263 relaxing the long-standing cap on new auto rickshaw permits within Greater Hyderabad. For over two decades, restriction ...Read More >
A major portion of George Road in Thoothukudi has become a nightmare for drivers due to the presence of large potholes. This key stretch which has not undergone any restoration for several years has become a significant source of hardship for daily commuters. The road, which comes under the State Highways department, serves as one of the major connections between the Bypass and Beach Road. Bala, an autorickshaw driver, who has been driving on this stretch for over 15 years says, "The road has been in this poor condition for years as it is not frequently used by higher authorities." He added ...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 >
New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) The Delhi Police has stepped up security arrangements across the national capital to maintain law and order and ensure peaceful celebration of Eid ul-Azha on Saturday, an official said. To maintain law and order during festivities, elaborate deployments have been made in sensitive areas, with the Rapid Action Force (RAF), paramilitary forces, and local police teams mobilised. Multiple check posts have been set up across Delhi, and electronic surveillance has been intensified to monitor suspicious activity. A senior police officer said, "Strict vigilance is being maint ...Read More >