The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV has already been implemented in Delhi-NCR. (Express photo by Abhinav Saha)Delhi-NCR Air Pollution Highlights, November 7: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recommended the suspension of Delhi Pollution Control Committee Chairman Ashwani Kumar for allegedly stopping a study to ascertain pollution sources in Delhi and shutting down an anti-smog tower, news agency PTI reported. Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had also alleged that a study to find the reasons behind Delhi’s polluted air had been stalled, allegedly because Kumar first questioned the project cost and then the findings of the study.
In other news, physical classes up to class 9 will remain suspended in Noida till November 10 on account of the poor air quality in the National Capital Region, the district administration ordered Tuesday. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV has already been implemented in Delhi-NCR, with the air quality index, recorded at 394 on Tuesday morning, remaining in the ‘very poor’ category.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government will consider the Supreme Court’s directives while making a decision on the odd-even car rationing scheme, news agency PTI quoted Environment Minister Gopal Rai as saying. “We also learnt about the Supreme Court’s observations so we have decided to study the court’s directives and move forward according to its suggestions on odd-even,” he said. Speaking after the high-level meeting chaired by CM Arvind Kejriwal yesterday, Rai had announced the odd-even scheme in the city between November 13 and 20. As part of the scheme under GRAP-IV stage, private vehicles with registration plates ending in odd numbers could run on odd dates, and even numbers on even dates.
Why has Delhi’s air quality worsened? Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am showed only marginal improvement at 394, settling in the higher end of ‘very poor’ category. Unfavorable wind conditions, including a reduction in wind speed and dip in temperature have contributed to this deterioration. As part of the Centre’s air pollution control plan, when the AQI surpasses the 450-mark, all emergency measures outlined, such as prohibiting polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and various construction activities, must be implemented in the NCR.
At Lok Nayak Hospital, Friday. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday made a recommendation to the NCCSA for the suspension of senior IAS officer and DPCC chairman Ashwani Kumar, for allegedly stopping a study to ascertain pollution sources in Delhi and shutting down an anti-smog tower, government officials said. Earlier, sources in the government had claimed that a file with the chief minister's recommendation to suspend Kumar was sent to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena for his approval. (PTI)
The Delhi University's English Department has revised the hike in fee for its PhD programme after coming under fire from students and teachers. In a notification issued on Tuesday, the department announced that the fee has been reduced to Rs 17,118 from Rs 23,968 earlier. Any excess payment already made by students will be adjusted at the time of the next payment, it added. (PTI)
Speaking on the Supreme Court's observations on the Delhi-NCR air quality index, Aam Aadmi Party leader Sushil Gupta said that the Haryana government had not proposed a viable solution to stubble burning "whether it's providing subsidies to farmers for stubble management or establishing machinery", news agency PTI reported. He further added that penalising the farmers was not the answer to the problem.
The Delhi government will study the Supreme Court order on the odd-even formula and make a decision based on the same, news agency PTI quoted Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai as saying. "In view of the rising air pollution in Delhi, the odd-even car rationing scheme will be enforced from November 13-20," Rai said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced that the AAP government in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had decided to provide a Diwali bonus of Rs. 7000 to all Group D, C and Group B non-gazetted employees. He said that the raw employees will also be provided a bonus of Rs.1200. Praising this decision, Kejriwal said that the MCD was going good work in the city.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said that it would move court against the decision of the Aam Aadmi Party-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to regularize 5,000 sanitation workers.
“The Aam Aadmi Party has bypassed the statutory committee through unlawful means and passed proposals in the MCD house, and in this context, the Bharatiya Janata Party will go to court. The AAP will have to pay the price for it,” MCD Leader of Opposition Raja Iqbal Singh of the BJP said in a statement Monday.
The house of Municipal Corporation on October 31 passed the proposal to regualrise 5,000 sanitation workers amid protests from Opposition parties.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai, after chairing a meeting on the odd-even scheme, said: 'We had a meeting on odd-even today with officials in the Transport Department, Traffic Police and Environment department, on implementation of the odd-even scheme. We saw some observations of the SC on odd-even. After the SC order comes, we will study it. What it says will be incorporated and then details on odd even will be presented after the order is out.'
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai is chairing w meeting with Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot and officers from the concerned Departments at Delhi Secretariat to formulate the plan of implementing the Odd-Even scheme in Delhi.
On Supreme Court's order to Punjab govt to stop stubble burning, Former Punjab Dy CM and Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said, "Supreme Court should first end pollution of Delhi and Haryana. Earlier Kejriwal used to defame us but now it's their govt in Punjab. It's GoI's responsibility. The farmers of Punjab who give grains to the country are being defamed today." (ANI)
The Supreme Court directed the Delhi government to ensure that municipal solid waste is not burnt in open. (PTI)
Supreme Court pulled up Punjab government to stop the stubble burning, and observed:“We want it (stubble burning) stopped. We don't know how you do it, it’s your job. But it must be stopped. Something has to be done immediately."
In backdrop of the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up the Punjab government on the issue of stubble burning, saying that the issue cannot be a ‘political battle’ every time. “I happened to travel through Punjab over the weekend and widespread fires both sides of the road proper. Where is the reduction… suddenly you have sought to shift the blame on other states. It’s obvious why… But this can’t be a political battle all the time,” observed Justice S K Kaul.
Long-term exposure to pollution is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, heart attacks, etc.
Does Delhi's Odd-even scheme for curbing vehicular pollution help the situation? Anona Dutt explains here.
Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi Monday held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners of all 12 zones, giving instructions to maintain strict vigilance on activities throughout Delhi in accordance with the guidelines issued under GRAP stage 4.
“Situation of air pollution situation in Delhi is not good. The air quality index is at its peak. In view of pollution, we have instructed all the officials of MCD to strictly implement the pollution related rules. Strict instructions have been given to everyone to implement the guidelines of Grape-4,” Oberoi said while giving a statement to the press.
“The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Government are working together to curb pollution…special efforts are being put into curbing pollution at the 13 identified hotspots where the air quality index is highest…monitoring on the ground has been increased,” Oberoi said.
Apprehending the possibility of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest in relation to the excise policy case, the AAP Monday said he will continue to run the city even if he is behind bars.
A discussion with AAP councillors in Delhi, the Punjab CM and MLAs, and the organisation across the country will be held to discuss the decision taken on Monday.
AAP had maintained that the excise case was “false” and there was no proof to link party leaders to any wrongdoing. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and party communications in-charge Vijay Nair have been arrested in the matter.
Neither has been granted bail. Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also expressed the possibility of other leaders being arrested. He also said the ministers will visit Kejriwal in jail if need be for directions regarding the government’s functioning.
More than an estimated 12.5 lakh four-wheelers will go off Delhi’s streets in a bid to curb air pollution as part of the odd-even road rationing scheme right after Diwali.
The rule will also apply to vehicles registered outside Delhi too. Announcing the scheme’s implementation following a review of the situation by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Environment Minister Gopal Rai termed it one of the futuristic decisions taken by the AAP government in Delhi to reduce pollution since assuming power.
“It is being anticipated that pollution may increase in Delhi after Diwali. Keeping this in mind, the odd-even formula will be implemented from November 13 to 20. Odd-Even will be in effect for one week starting from the day after Diwali,” Rai announced at a press conference.
Rai added that a detailed action plan will be developed in collaboration with departments, including Transport and the Traffic Police, on Tuesday — on odd days, only vehicles with licence plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 will be allowed, while on even days, vehicles ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 will be allowed to operate.
Pollution levels in the national capital remains a concern as a toxic haze blankets the city’s air. Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am showed marginal improvement at 394, in the lower end of ‘very poor’ category. The air quality in Delhi was recorded to be in the ‘severe’ range since Friday.
The Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority and Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav has issued orders announcing that classes till primary level (class 5) in Gurgaon will now be conducted online to protect children from pollution. This decision has been issued by the District Administration, Gurgaon, based on the recommendations of the Air Quality Management Commission and the Pollution Control Commission.
Students in pre-school, pre-primary, and primary classes will not face any interruption in their education. School administrators are instructed to continue online classes.
This order will be effective from November 7th in all private and government educational institutions in the district, and it will remain in effect until further notice, said the administration.
Tremors were felt in the Delhi-NCR areas after a 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal. This is the second time in barely three days that the region has been rocked by a quake.
CM Arvind Kejriwal convenes a meeting of all AAP MLAs at the Delhi Legislative Assembly in regards to the ED summons issued to him regarding the excise policy case.
The meeting has been convened in light of speculation regarding the CM's possible arrest.
The Delhi High Court Monday stayed till February 1, 2024, an order of a magisterial court summoning Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, for the alleged violation of the Representation of the People Act (RPA) by enrolling in voter lists of two assembly constituencies.
On August 29, Metropolitan Magistrate (Tis Hazari) Arjinder Kaur had summoned Sunita Kejriwal on November 18. She had moved the HC seeking quashing of the summoning order.
While issuing notice to the complainant/respondent no. 2, BJP leader Harish Khurana, on the plea, a single-judge bench of Justice Amit Bansal said Monday, “In the meanwhile there shall be stay of the operation of the impugned (summoning) order till the next date of hearing.” The plea is next listed on February 1, 2024. (Read More)
All schools in Delhi have been directed to suspend physical classes, barring classes 10 and 12, until November 10 in view of rising pollution levels, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Monday.
Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning were recorded around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit, as a toxic haze persisted over the region for the seventh consecutive day.
On Sunday, Delhi Education Minister Atishi had announced closure of primary classes of all schools until November 10 and said schools have the option of teaching online for classes 6 to 12. However, all government and private schools opted to hold physical classes for classes 6 to 12. (PTI)
Decisions taken by the Delhi Government to tackle the issue of air pollution in a meeting chaired by CM Arvind Kejriwal earlier today:
Odd-even car rationing scheme to be implemented in Delhi from November 13-20
Schools directed to suspend physical classes, barring classes 10 and 12, until Nov 10 in view of bad air quality
Call on work-for-home order for 50 per cent of staff in govt and private offices in Delhi to be taken later
What is the odd-even scheme?
First introduced by the AAP government in 2016 to control vehicular pollution, the scheme is recommended under Stage IV or the ‘severe plus’ category of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which has not yet kicked in in Delhi. As part of the scheme, private vehicles with registration plates ending in odd numbers could run on odd dates, and even numbers on even dates.
Last year, Stage IV of GRAP was imposed on November 3, when the forecast pointed to the possibility of the AQI entering the ‘severe plus’ category.
If wind speed ranges between eight to 12 kmph as per the forecasts, then we can expect the situation to get better: AAP minister Gopal Rai says after high-level meeting.
"Call on work for home order for 50 per cent staff in govt and pvt offices in Delhi to be taken later"
Highest alert issues under GRAP-IV stage of pollution control plan.
24,471 challans issued under GRAP-II stage, says Gopal Rai
Travelling mostly on foot from the stretch behind Red Fort - Rajghat - ITO - Pragati Power Plant - IP Estate - Millennium Park near Sarai Kale Khan on the Ring Road, the LG inspected pavements, footpaths, central verges and yards of the Power Plant and Millennium Bus Depot which are understood to be the source of much dust pollution leading up to higher PM 2.5/10 levels
LG House officials said Saxena found that the pavements and footpaths were covered with thick layers of dust and loose silt at several places which were flying off with passing vehicles causing even more pollution
Taking strict note of this, the LG, according to officials, directed the departments concerned to immediately clear the pavements and streets of dust.
The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed a lower court summons to Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, for allegedly violating the law by getting herself enrolled in voter lists of two assembly constituencies.
Justice Amit Bansal issued notice to the State as well as the complainant on Sunita Kejriwal's plea challenging the trial court order asking her to appear before it on November 18 in connection with the allegation.
“Meanwhile, there shall be a stay on the operation of the impugned order,” the court ordered as it listed the matter for further hearing on February 1.
BJP leader Harish Khurana has alleged in his complaint that the chief minister's wife has violated the provisions of the Representation of the People (RP) Act.
Khurana claimed Sunita Kejriwal was registered as a voter on the electoral rolls of Sahibabad assembly constituency (parliamentary constituency Ghaziabad), UP, and also in the Chandni Chowk assembly constituency in Delhi, which was in violation of Section 17 of the RP Act. PTI
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal chairs the high-level meeting on pollution in the Delhi Secretariat.
Ministers Gopal Rai, Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj and officers from the concerned departments also present in the meeting.
Visuals from near Arun Jaitley Stadium:
The Delhi High Court has said that the pros and cons of medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) in rape cases will be explained in Hindi and English to the minor victim and her guardian.
A single judge bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in its November 4 order observed that the explanation of the language spoken and understood by the victim and her guardian is of utmost importance. Read the full report here
The JNU administration will not impose any fine on students who were part of the 2019 protests against fee hike at the administrative block of the in the university, officials said on Monday.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University will withdraw all the notices issued against the protesting students in the matter, vice chancellor Shantishree Pandit told PTI.
"The competent authority of the university has decided not to impose fine on students who were found to be involved in the 2019 protest," Pandit said.
In 2019, protests erupted in JNU after the administration announced a hike in hostel fees. Several students were served notices in this regard based on the the Chief Security Officers' complaint. A proctoral inquiry for this was slated to be held on November 9.
The students had demanded the withdrawal of the draft hostel manual, in which service charges of Rs 1,700 were introduced and the one-time mess security fee, which is refundable, hiked from Rs 5,500 to Rs 12,000.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for a high-level meeting on Monday amid rising pollution levels in the national capital.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai and other related departments will be part of the meeting.
The minimum temperature in the city settled below the season's average at 13.5 degrees Celsius on Monday.
The relative humidity at 8.30 am stood at 98 per cent.
The weather office has forecast a mainly clear sky for the day with the maximum temperature expected to settle at 31 degrees Celsius.
In view of the festive season, the Delhi government announces a bonus of Rs 7,000 to all Group B non-gazetted and Group C government employees. CM Arvind Kejriwal in a video through his Twitter account made the announcement benefitting about 80,000 employees under these brackets. "A total of Rs 56,000 crores will be spent to provide this bonus," he added.
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said: "In the Economic Survey 2022-23, the central government said that the air quality in Delhi has been the best in the last eight years. CAQM data also shows that there is a reduction in stubble burning in Punjab by 50 to 67 per cent."
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday decided to invoke Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect to prevent further deterioration of air quality.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal calls a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on the issue of increasing pollution. Environment Minister Gopal Rai and other officials of all concerned departments will attend this meeting.
Stringent curbs, including a ban on entry of polluting trucks, came into effect in Delhi on Sunday as its air quality entered the 'severe' category for the second time in three days.
GRAP categorises actions into four stages: Stage I - 'Poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'Very Poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'Severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - 'Severe Plus' (AQI 450). The city's AQI stood at 440 at 7 am on Monday.
Several cities in neighbouring Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have also reported hazardous air quality. Neighbouring Ghaziabad (413), Gurugram (369), Noida (403), Greater Noida (396) and Faridabad (426) also reported hazardous air quality at 7 am.
AQI was 436 at 8 am, still in the 'severe' category, and a little below the 454 recorded at 4 pm on Sunday. Highest AQI in the city --482-- was recorded at Wazirpur, followed by 478 at Bawana and Rohini.
There will be traffic restrictions in parts of Delhi on Monday from 12 noon till midnight for the Cricket World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, officials said.
The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory on Sunday stating that no vehicle would be allowed to be parked on Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, JLN Marg and Ring Road from Rajghat to the I.P. flyover on November 6.
"There will be diversions or restrictions on Bahadurshah Zafar Marg and JLN Marg. No heavy vehicles and buses will be allowed on the roads from Daryaganj to Bahadurshah Zafar Marg and from Guru Nanak Chowk to Asaf Ali Road," it said.
The advisory said commuters should avoid the following roads -- Rajghat to JLN Marg, JLN Marg from the Kamla Market roundabout to Rajghat, Asaf Ali Road from Turkman Gate to Delhi Gate and Bahadurshah Zafar Marg from Ramcharan Aggarwal Chowk to Delhi Gate. (PTI)
Delhi's air quality index remained in the 'severe' category on Sunday with the maximum temperature settling at 31.5 degrees Celsius, a notch above the season's average.
According to the data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) was 448 at 7 pm.
No relief is likely on Monday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast no rainfall in the city which could improve the AQI by forcing down air pollutants.
According to the IMD, there will be shallow fog on Monday morning and the maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 31 and 15 degrees Celsius. (PTI)
Four representatives of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) and 12 hostel presidents have received an inquiry notice for protesting outside the Vice Chancellor's residence, according to an official notification.
No immediate response from Proctor Satish Gargoti was available in this regard.
The students have been directed to appear before the proctor on November 7 for the inquiry.
The inquiry has been called based on a complaint received by the chief security officer regarding the involvement of these students in a protest in front of the VC's residence on September 19.
"Students of JNUSU and hostel presidents demonstrated outside the residence of the vice chancellor after water supply in at least five hostels were halted for several days," one of the students who have received the notice and JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh said.
"Till date, some of these hostels which house around 700-800 students face shortage of water with the supply running for only five hours a day," she claimed.
JNUSU has called for a meeting of all students' organisations on Sunday to discuss the matter. The students' union will visit the proctor's office on Monday for negotiation. (PTI)
Two men were killed while they were trying to make firecrackers at their home in North Delhi on Saturday. According to the police, Gaurav Kumar, 20, and his friend Sahil Singh, 21, sustained severe burn injuries during the blast in their home in the Tikri Khurd village in Narela and died.
The police said they received a call on Saturday from Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra (SRHC) Hospital and the doctors there said the two men were “brought dead” to the hospital late in the night.
Read on.
The Delhi High Court has directed the city government and civic authorities to ensure compliance with the decision of the Supreme Court on strict implementation of law for eradication of manual scavenging.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma observed that the top court has passed various directions on the issue, including enhanced compensation amount of Rs 30 lakh for sewer deaths and minimum Rs 20 lakh compensation in case of permanent disability.
“The apex court has issued various other directions to ensure that the practice of manual scavenging stands completely eradicated. The Government of NCT of Delhi, the Delhi Jal Board, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and all other authorities are directed to strictly comply with the judgment delivered by the Hon'ble Supreme Court,” said the bench, also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, in a recent order. (PTI)
A 25-year-old man received multiple stab injuries on his neck and hand in an alleged attack by two men in Delhi's Nihal Vihar, police said on Sunday.
According to police, a PCR call was received on Saturday evening that a man received multiple stab injuries on his neck and hand after two men attacked him near Hanuman Mandir.
"A police team was dispatched to the location, which got to know that the victim had been shifted to a hospital. He was identified as Hashim, a resident of Nagloi," said a senior police official.
Police said Hashim told them that he was attacked by two unknown men all of sudden over unknown reasons.
An FIR under sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 34 (criminal act done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention) of the IPC has been lodged, police said.
"We are scanning the CCTV footage to know about the sequence of events. The accused will be arrested soon," said the police officer. (PTI)
A woman was severely injured after a Pitbull attacked her outside her house in the Swaroop Nagar area of Delhi on Friday. According to the police, the woman, Riya Devi, who works as a doctor at a local clinic, had objected to the dog peeing and defecating outside her house when its owner allegedly unleashed it on her.
As per Devi’s complaint, she was standing outside her house on Friday afternoon when she saw the Pitbull defecating. She also alleged she was chased and the dog bit her multiple times.
Continue reading.
A CISF jawan saved the life of a 58-year-old man, who fell unconscious at a Delhi metro station, by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedure on him, an official said Sunday.
The incident took place at the Nangloi station around 12:30 pm on Saturday.
The man fell unconscious just after he underwent a physical security check at the entry of the station and noticing this, on-duty CISF constable Uttam Kumar immediately performed the CPR on the passenger, following which he regained consciousness.
The man was rushed to a nearby hospital for further treatment along with his family members who were called to the station, the official said. (PTI)
To curb the rising pollution in the national capital, the Delhi Fire Services has joined hands with the Delhi government to spray water at several hotspots, officials said on Sunday.
"A total of 12 fire engines have been pressed into service to curb pollution. These fire tenders have already started sprinkling water at different locations which have been identified as hotspots," Atul Garg, Director of Delhi Fire Services, said. Garg said he was hopeful that sprinkling water might be able to bring some respite to citizens.
A toxic haze lingered over Delhi for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday as pollution levels once again reached the 'severe plus category' due to unfavourable wind conditions, particularly calm winds during the night. (PTI)
Child Rights and You (CRY), a non-profit organisation aimed at ensuring children’s rights and holistic development, will set up STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) centres in Delhi with the approval of the Directorate of Education.
The two schools where the centres will be set up are Government Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Dr. Ambedkar Nagar and Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya (Jijabai) School, Kondli. Read more
Two men were killed while they were trying to make firecrackers at their home in North Delhi on Saturday. According to the police, Gaurav Kumar, 20, and his friend Sahil Singh, 21, sustained severe burn injuries during the blast in their home in the Tikri Khurd village in Narela and died.
The police said they received a call on Saturday from Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra (SRHC) Hospital and the doctors there said the two men were “brought dead” to the hospital late in the night. Read more
Delhi reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 461 at 9 am on Sunday, placing it within the severe category. The national capital was blanketed in haze while registering a minimum temperature of 15.8 degrees Celsius, which was one degree higher than the usual norm.
Due to persistently high pollution levels, primary schools in Delhi will remain closed until November 10, Delhi Minister Atishi announced on Sunday.
In light of this situation, students in Grades 6-12 are being provided the choice to transition to online classes.
A Hindustani classical music night in the backdrop of the newly renovated tomb of Quli Khan in Mehrauli, a Sufi night at the Bhooli Bhatiyari ka Mahal in the Ridge forest: With such events, the Delhi government’s Art, Culture and Language department is set to bring the lesser-known monuments of the city to life.
In the first step towards resurrecting people’s interest in Delhi’s rich archeological heritage and India’s Sufi tradition, an event at the recently renovated Mehrauli Archaeological Park hosted a cultural evening on Saturday.
A discussion around acquainting people with Delhi’s heritage, which has been inhabited for 1,000 years, was also held, with historian Swapna Liddle and author Sohail Hashmi talking about the need for better access and information about the hundreds of monuments scattered across the city. “Delhi is like a living architectural museum. If we are able to ensure better coordination, improve facilities and conveniences for visitors, it can become the biggest money spinner. There is no city in the world like Delhi,” said Hashmi.
Read more
As the NCR sees its annual spike in pollution levels, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai flagged what he said was non-compliance by neighbouring states with directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Rai wrote to Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav asking that compliance with a ban on entry of BS III and BS IV diesel buses into Delhi be ensured. “I went to Anand Vihar yesterday and all UP buses are polluting ones… the BJP governments are not listening to CAQM’s directions,” Rai said Saturday.
When asked about the implementation of its directions, an official at the CAQM said, “Ensuring compliance to the desired levels is difficult, but it is not an issue… For enforcement, we have been engaged with CPCB and PCBs. There are flying squads… Besides restrictions, temporary closures of units are ensured till they comply with norms. We just implemented GRAP and are yet to get figures on compliance. State governments must ensure compliance. For other directions, there is a procedure for review. There are sub-committees, subject-specific meetings are held, and periodic reports are sought on level of compliance.”
Experts, meanwhile, have a to-do list for the Commission.
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