Page 6 - Delhi

Delhi pollution crisis fuels CNG, BS-6 vehicle demand during wedding season

The enforcement of Stage IV of GRAP, which bans BS-3 and BS-4 diesel vehicles, has disrupted travel and transportation, particularly for those engaged in the wedding business. The Central Pollution Control Board imposed GRAP-IV measures after Delhi's air quality index (AQI) entered the 'severe' category on Sunday. The restrictions, which came into effect at 8 AM Monday, aim to curb pollution caused by older diesel vehicles. However, the measure has had unintended consequences. Travel agencies report a sharp rise in demand for BS-6 and CNG vehicles, including cars like Ertiga, Innova, and traveller buses, as they scramble to meet commitments made before the ban. "The wedding season has added to the pressure. Many vehicles were pre-booked months in advance, and with this sudden ban, we had to scramble to adjust," said Sewak Tuar, a travel agency owner. "We are struggling to arrange new vehicles, the petrol, CNG, and BS-6 compliant ones, as weddings and transportation needs are bein

Adani cos tried to enter Delhi power sector but Kejriwal stopped them: AAP

The Adani group tried to enter Delhi's power sector but was stopped by then chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh claimed Thursday and stressed the need for accountability after industrialist Gautam Adani was charged in the US for alleged bribery and fraud. The billionaire industrialist has been charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay over USD 250 million (about Rs 2,100 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange of favourable terms for solar power contracts. This was concealed from the US banks and investors from whom the Adani group raised billions of dollars for the project, the prosecutors have alleged. The Adani group denied the charges, saying the allegations by US prosecutors are baseless and the conglomerate is compliant with all laws. It also said that all possible legal recourse will be sought. In a press conference, Singh claimed that Adani Green Energy secured power supply contracts in several states, including .

HC directs Delhi govt to see representation on survey of homeless people

Past reports highlight significant urban inequities, showing the need for targeted interventions

Delhi's Khan Market 22nd most expensive retail location globally: C&W

Delhi's upscale Khan Market has retained the 22nd rank in a global list of most expensive high-street retail locations with an annual rent of USD 229 (over Rs 19,000) per sq ft, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Via Monte Napoleone in Milan, Italy, has become the most expensive main street globally with an annual rent of USD 2,047 per sq ft, beating New York's Upper 5th Avenue (49th to 60th Sts) which commands a rental of USD 2,000 per sq ft a year. Global real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield on Thursday released the 34th edition of its flagship retail report 'Main Streets Across The World 2024' that focuses on headline rents in 138 best-in-class urban retail locations across the globe. The global index ranks the most expensive destination in each market. With rents at USD 229 per square foot annually (around Rs 19,330), Khan Market retains its position on the prestigious global list and continues to be India's most expensive high street, the consultant said. Khan Market

Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections, Delhi's AQI, and more

Nandini milk to launch on Nov 21 in Delhi to rival Amul, other brands

By launching Nandini milk in Delhi, Karnataka Milk Federation aims to capture a share of the competitive North Indian dairy market, in direct competition with Amul

Delhi has become gangster capital, criminals have no fear of law: CM Atishi

Alleging "deteriorating" law and order situation in the national capital, Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah and said Delhi has become the "gangster capital". The allegations come after the chief minister met parents of a 28-year-old man, who was killed in northeast Delhi's Sunder Nagari last week. Atishi also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the affected family. A 28-year-old man died after he was stabbed in the neck on Friday night allegedly by two brothers, minutes after the victim and his relative rebuked and stopped the duo from harassing a woman at Sunder Nagri in northeast Delhi. The police had arrested both accused after the murder. "Delhi has become 'gangster capital'. criminals, extortionists, goons have no fear left. They feel they can open fire, kill someone, stab someone but the police won't do anything. I want to know from country's Home Minister Amit Shah that when Delhi's law and order comes under him then what he is d

Delhi's AQI in severe category: Govt staff to work from home | Delhi air pollution | Air quality

Vintage car owners in Delhi get relief as LG issues protective orders

Delhi LG VK Saxena directs enforcement agencies to refrain from coercive action against bona fide vintage vehicles

Is Delhi's AQI 500 or 1500? Here is why you find conflicting readings

Confused by Delhi's AQI readings of 500 and 1,500? Different scales and methods explain the gap. Here's why both figures capture a harsh reality

HC orders attachment of Delhi's Himachal Bhawan as govt fails to clear dues

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered the attachment of the Himachal Bhawan in Delhi for the recovery of Rs 150 crore that the state government owes to a power firm, Seli Hydropower Electrical Company. Passing the order on Monday, a single-judge bench of Justice Ajay Mohan Goel said the company may take appropriate steps for auction of Himachal Bhawan located in central Delhi's Mandi House area thereof. The case pertains to the 340 MW Seli Hydropower Electric Project on the Chenab river in Lahaul and Spiti district. The state government awarded the project to Seli Hydro Electric Power Company Limited/Moser Baer and issued the Letter of Allotment (LOA) on February 28, 2009, following which the firm deposited the upfront premium of Rs 64 crore. However, the project did not materialise. The state government cancelled the LOA and ordered forfeiture of the upfront premium. The company challenged the decision before an arbitrator which ruled in its favour and asked the government

Air emergency in Delhi: AQI exceeds 1,500; smog halts life, schools closed

According to Swiss air technology firm IQAir, AQI readings across Delhi ranged from 1,300 to 1,600 on Monday morning

Delhi chokes due to severe-plus air pollution; GRAP-IV restrictions imposed

Zepto expands cafe service to major cities; eyes Rs 1k cr revenue run-rate

Quick commerce platform Zepto on Monday said announced the rollout of its cafe service in major cities and said it targets a revenue run-rate of Rs 1,000 crore by 2026. It will serve through over 120 Cafes at stores across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and soon in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune, a company statement said. "We have cracked 10-minute delivery with high-quality food preparation processes, which is why we are seeing strong customer love. Over the past year, our team has meticulously researched and sourced state-of-the-art equipment for our cafes, including coffee machines that employ handcrafted brewing techniques," Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha said. Serving the concept of a quick meal for today's fast-paced urban lifestyle, the online cafe features a diverse menu with over 148 items, including freshly brewed chai, coffee, all-day breakfast, pastries, and savoury snacks, promising a 10-minute delivery service, it added. Zepto Cafe was launched in April 2022 as a division of Zepto,

'Politics on pollution': Atishi blames Centre as Delhi gasps for air

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi blamed farm fires in neighboring states - excluding Punjab, where her party also governs - for the capital's air crisis

AAP a sinking ship: Delhi Congress chief after Gahlot's resignation

Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav on Sunday called the Aam Aadmi Party a sinking ship after its senior leader and Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot quit the party. While Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said many of the issues consistently raised by his party have now been pointed out by Gahlot in his resignation letter. Yadav said that two of the reasons cited by Gahlot in his resignation letter to former chief minister and party chief Arvind Kejriwal were the AAP government's failure to clean the polluted Yamuna river and the corruption in the construction of the 'sheeshmahal'. The BJP had dubbed Kejriwal's former official residence 6 Flagstaff Road as 'sheeshmahal', alleging that he spent crores on luxury items and modern facilities. Gahlot has also heaped more charges on Kejriwal by mentioning the "embarrassing and awkward controversies like the 'sheeshmahal' which are now making everyone doubt whether we still believe in being the AAM AADMI", Yadav said. The AAP has lost t

GRAP Stage-4 restrictions to come into force from Monday in Delhi-NCR

The Centre's air quality panel has announced stricter pollution control measures for the Delhi-NCR under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), effective from 8 am on Monday, including a ban on truck entry and a temporary halt on construction at public projects. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued the order as Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened, reaching 441 at 4 pm and rising to 457 by 7 pm due to unfavourable weather conditions. According to the order, no trucks will be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will also be prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones. Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for those in essential services, the panel said. All construction activities, including highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines an

FGD installation can cut SO2 emissions by 67% at power plants in NCR: Study

Installing the flue-gas desulfurisation (FGD) technology in 12 coal-based thermal power plants within a 300-km radius of Delhi could lead to a dramatic 67 per cent reduction in sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions, a new study has found. The study conducted by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said there are 11 coal-based thermal power plants within a 300-km radius of Delhi -- Dadri TPP, Guru Hargobind TPS, Harduaganj TPS, Indira Gandhi STPP, Mahatma Gandhi TPS, Panipat TPS, Rajiv Gandhi TPS, Rajpura TPP, Ropar TPS, Talwandi Sabo TPP and Yamuna Nagar TPS. Additionally, the Goindwal Sahib power plant, located just outside this 300-km radius in Punjab, is also considered when making decisions about thermal power plants around Delhi. Between June 2022 and May 2023, these plants released 281 kilotonnes of SO2?? into the atmosphere. However, with the integration of the FGD technology, this figure could be reduced to just 93 kilotonnes annually, the study said. Despite a

Over 600 development projects carried out in Delhi villages in 7 months

Over 600 development projects have been undertaken in the villages of the national capital within seven months of the launch of Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan (DGA), a statement said on Saturday. Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recently reviewed the progress and status of projects undertaken in the villages of Delhi under DDA's 'Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan' (DGA), it said. According to the statement released by the Raj Niwas office, there is a provision of more than Rs 960 crore for the DGA. It was informed during the meeting that a total of 642 projects related to infrastructure development and improvement of civic amenities were being undertaken, it stated. The projects began in these villages after the inauguration of DGA in March by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and have, thereafter, been moving at a steady pace. Out of the 642 projects being undertaken, 111 had already been completed, 296 were in the advance stage of completion and 118 were in the early stages of implementation. A to

Delhi bans BS-III petrol, BS-IV diesel four wheelers amid rising pollution

Violators will face prosecution under Section 194(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, and a Rs 20,000 fine