An order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said that the currently permitted and restricted activities in the national capital amid the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak will continue till the end of this month. Stay with TOI for all the latest updates
11:27 (IST) Nov 16
Fully vaxxed 5 months ago, 71-year-old Gurugram man dies of Covid
A 71-year-old man who was admitted to a private hospital with Covid died on Sunday, the first fatality linked to the infection in Gurugram since August 24. The man was fully vaccinated and had taken his second shot of Covishield around five months ago.
10:53 (IST) Nov 16
Delhi’s air quality remains in ‘very poor’ category for third consecutive day
Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, with the air quality index being recorded at 396.The air quality index in neighbouring cities stood as follows — Ghaziabad (349), Greater Noida (359), Gurugram (363) and Noida (382) — in the morning.
10:36 (IST) Nov 16
Air pollution situation: Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and adjoining areas to begin from 10am onwards via video conferencing. Chief secretaries and other officials of states, and environment bodies such as DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee) to also attend.
09:58 (IST) Nov 16
One Indian passenger detained after Customs Department at IGI Airport in Delhi seized 2.5 kg gold worth over a crore concealed in the life jacket, this morning. It was placed under the seat on a Spicejet flight from Dubai. Probe underway
09:38 (IST) Nov 16
Operation milap: Delhi Police helps missing boy from Gwalior reunite with his family
A 15-year-old boy from Gwalior was reunited by Delhi Police after he was spotted roaming around by a patrolling team near Sarai Kale Khan red light here in the national capital.Constable Shankar and Constable Manish were on patrolling duty on the intervening night of November 12-13, they spotted the boy on a bicycle roaming near Sarai Kale Khan red light. He was shivering due to cold weather, informed Delhi Police
08:41 (IST) Nov 16
Two women found dead at house in southeast Delhi
Two women, working as maids, were found dead at a house in South East Delhi’s Jangpura area on Monday. Police have registered a murder case in this regard.Around 9.45 am, police received a call about the incident. The caller said that the two women, who were working as maids, were lying unconscious at her house in Jangpura Extension. “Our staff rushed to the spot and met the lady caller who stated that two of her maids Mina Rai (35) and Sujala (40), both natives of Darjeeling, were lying dead in the house,” an officer said.
08:23 (IST) Nov 16
Two labourers died after the wall of an under construction building collapsed on them, last night (November 15). The incident took place in building 835, Sector 20. Contractor and another labourer absconding. Search under way: Rann Vijay Singh, additional DCP, Gautam Budh Nagar
08:11 (IST) Nov 16
Testing time for schools as CBSE term exams start today
The Central Board for Secondary Education Term 1 exams begin on Tuesday for Class XII and Wednesday for Class X.The schools have arranged for photocopy machines, taking care to stock extra ink cartridges and papers because they are required to print out optical mark recognition (OMR) answer sheets and do not want to be caught at a disadvantage.
07:42 (IST) Nov 16
Ready for lockdown, but neighbours must do same for better results: Delhi govt
As people continue to gasp for breath in the city, Delhi government informed the Supreme Court of its readiness to impose a lockdown to curb pollution but suggested a complete lockdown in Delhi-NCR to fight the air crisis.
07:23 (IST) Nov 16
BJP targets Delhi govt on air pollution, says ready to work together
Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta and leader of opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri claimed on Monday that the AAP government’s failure in tackling pollution had turned the capital into a gas chamber.The Supreme Court had also chided the AAP government over the issue, they said. “The AAP government blames the Centre or the municipal corporation for pollution and, when it does not serve the purpose, it starts pinning the blame on neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab,” Gupta said.
07:18 (IST) Nov 16
Delhi: More time to women drivers for e-auto registration
The Delhi government on Monday extended the last date to apply for electric autorickshaw registration for women drivers. While the transport department has received close to 20,000 applications, it wants more women drivers to come forward to fill the 33 per cent reserved slots.
07:11 (IST) Nov 16
200 trees de-concretised in south Delhi, HC told
The south corporation on Monday informed Delhi high court that it has deconcretised 1,200 trees in an area and has launched a special drive to ensure all such trees are freed.In an affidavit filed before Justice Najmi Waziri, the corporation said it had identified 1,736 trees in Vasant Vihar that require removal of concrete. “In 70 trees, nails and wires strung around have been removed and in 24 trees, anti-termite medicine has been sprayed,” the civic body stated.
07:07 (IST) Nov 16
Delhi gasps as AQI remains very poor
The air quality continued to remain in the “very poor” category with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 353 on Monday.Though farm fires were high at 3,125, the share of stubble burning to PM2.5 reduced to 10 per cent as winds slowed down. However, the contribution of farm fires is predicted to rise on Tuesday.
07:04 (IST) Nov 16
Delhi: Farm fire share in PM2.5 close to 50 per cent in peak season
The daily percentage of emissions from harvest-stubble burning in the PM2.5 pollutants in Delhi varied from 25 per cent to 48 per cent between November 4 and November 13, the highest on a single day being 48 per cent on November 7, according to SAFAR data.
22:17 (IST) Nov 15
Covid: Currently permitted & restricted activities to continue till Nov-end, says DDMA order
An order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Monday said the currently permitted and restricted activities in the national capital amid the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak will continue till the end of this month. (PTI)
21:31 (IST) Nov 15
Two maids hailing from Darjeeling, West Bengal were found dead at the residence of their employers in Delhi’s Jangpura Extension today evening, Delhi Police says, adding that a case was registered & “the investigation is in premature stage”. (ANI)
21:16 (IST) Nov 15
Contribution of stubble burning in worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR remains unclear in SC
While Solicitor General Tushar Mehta during the hearing claimed that the stubble burning only contribute 10 per cent of the air pollution, senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioners seeking action to curb air pollution, pointed out that the Centre’s Sunday meeting had recorded a finding that stubble burning is responsible for 35-40 per cent in Delhi air pollution. (PI)
20:47 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi LG reviews ‘use of tech in policing’
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday reviewed the usage of technology in policing with Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana and other senior officers. (IANS)
19:34 (IST) Nov 15
Door-to-door ration: SC refuses to interfere with Delhi HC order
The Delhi HC had on September 27 cleared the way for the implementation of the doorstep delivery of ration scheme, against which the Centre moved the Supreme Court.
18:34 (IST) Nov 15
As per the bulletin, the national capital has 337 active cases while the total case tally touched 14,40,440. The positivity rate in the metropolis is 0.04 per cent and the cumulative positivity rate is 4.78 per cent. (ANI)
18:28 (IST) Nov 15
A smog gun sprinkles water on the road to ‘curb’ pollution amid heavy smog near ISBT Ring Road in Delhi on Monday.
17:45 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi Police says it has registered two FIRs in connection with an incident of a brawl between two groups of students on JNU campus on Sunday evening, based on the complaints of the two groups. (ANI)
16:48 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi records 16 cases of coronavirus and a death in a day. Positivity rate 0.04 per cent: Health bulletin. (PTI)
16:11 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi govt contends before SC that now-a-days everything is being delivered home including liquor and there is nothing wrong in delivery of food grains at the doors of poor people under Public Distribution System.
16:07 (IST) Nov 15
SC refuses to interfere with Delhi High Court interim order on door-to-door supply of food grains and Delhi govt also assures that the scheme will not be implemented till Monday when the matter will be further heard in HC.
15:20 (IST) Nov 15
“GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi) is ready to take steps like complete lockdown to control the local emissions. However, such a step would be meaningful if it is implemented across the NCR areas in neighbouring states. Given Delhi’s compact size, a lockdown would have limited impact on the air quality regime,” the Delhi government said in an affidavit. (PTI)
15:07 (IST) Nov 15
Ready to impose complete lockdown in Delhi to control air pollution: AAP govt to SC
Ahead of the hearing on air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the AAP government has told the Supreme Court that it was ready to take steps like complete lockdown to control air pollution. The Delhi government has told the top court that such a step, however, would be meaningful if it is implemented across the NCR areas in neighbouring states.
14:56 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi Traffic Police cracks down on pollution with teams at 170 spots
The Delhi Traffic Police has intensified its crackdown against pollution violators and those still plying old vehicles with deployment of teams at 170 locations across the city, officials said on Sunday.
14:33 (IST) Nov 15
Two mobile education vans launched in Noida
On the day of Childrens’ Day, Noida police launched two mobile education vans for children who are unable to go to schools. The vans are equipped with books, LCD screens, sound systems, CCTV cameras and sanitisation facilities. Each vehicle will reach out to 50-60 children regularly with support from the local police stations at predetermined spots.
14:24 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi recorded total of 5277 dengue cases this year including 2569 recorded in the last week. A total of 9 deaths so far: Anti Malaria Operations (HQ), South Delhi Municipal Corporation.
14:15 (IST) Nov 15
Ghaziabad’s dengue tally this month nears 180, officials expect respite as winter sets in
There seems to be no let up in dengue with 12-15 cases reported daily over the last few days across Ghaziabad. On Sunday, 10 new dengue patients, including two children and four women, were reported in the district, of whom four were admitted to differents hospitals, officials said.
14:08 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi: Pollution a double whammy for firemen
For firefighters, the rising pollution has become an additional burden over and above their occupational hazard. Apart from dealing with hazardous gases while dealing with fires, they have to breathe in toxic air in the open.
13:50 (IST) Nov 15
Couple, two kids injured as LPG cylinder catches fire in Delhi
Four members of a family, including two children, sustained burn injuries after a gas cylinder caught fire at their house in Delhi’s Nangloi area on Monday morning, officials said. (PTI)
13:08 (IST) Nov 15
SC slams Delhi govt on lame excuses; warns audit on earning, spending on popularity slogans
The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Delhi government saying it is passing the buck to Municipal Commissioner and warned it of auditing the revenue it’s earning and spending on popularity slogans.
12:45 (IST) Nov 15
We’ve told SC them that we’re ready for a lockdown…possible only when there’s lockdown in NCR regions too. We’re ready to take all measures with Centre, States; will follow whatever SC directs. Joint-action plan is needed.
Gopal Rai, Delhi Environment Minister
12:38 (IST) Nov 15
A daily wager demands the Delhi government withdraw its order. “There is no work. How will we eat? We don’t have money, nor are we getting any from contractors,” he said. (ANI)
12:33 (IST) Nov 15
Doctor who? Recognition for man who helped Delhi breathe easier
An ace clinician, mentor to hundreds of top doctors, trendsetter and researcher whose pathbreaking study gave Delhi a chance at fighting pollution, Dr Jitendra Nath Pande was all these and more. The pulmonologist succumbed to Covid-19 in May 2020 but he was remembered with gratitude when being conferred the Padma Shri last week.
12:13 (IST) Nov 15
SC asks Centre, states to take decisions as to which industries, vehicles and power plants can be stopped for time being
11:50 (IST) Nov 15
‘Consider work from home for employees’
Matter adjourned for November 17. Supreme Court asks the Centre and states of NCR region to consider work from home for the employees in the meantime; also asks chief secretaries of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana to be present for tomorrow’s emergency meeting by the Centre.
11:49 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai calls meeting of Delhi Metro and DTC
Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai to hold a meeting with Delhi Metro and DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) officers today. Strengthening of public transport in wake of pollution crisis and hike in fare of Delhi Metro and DTC will be taken up for discussion.
11:45 (IST) Nov 15
SC directs Centre, Delhi and other neighbouring state to impose work from till the hearing is concluded.
11:43 (IST) Nov 15
Supreme Court concludes that major culprits of air pollution are transport, industries, vehicular traffic apart from stubble burning in some areas.
11:43 (IST) Nov 15
What drastic measures you propose to take to deal with emergent air pollution situation in Delhi: SC asks Centre
11:42 (IST) Nov 15
There is no basis for hue and cry about farm fires when stubble burning contributes to only 4 per cent of air pollution: SC
11:41 (IST) Nov 15
Call emergency meeting of Delhi and neighbouring state on air pollution: SC to Centre
SC directs Centre to call an emergency meeting of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and UP on Tuesday for taking urgent measures about persuading farmers to stop stubble burning, action needed to stop non-essential vehicular traffic, industrial pollution and dust control measures.
11:37 (IST) Nov 15
SC seeks action plan from Centre, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi by tomorrow
SC said since farm fires contribute only 4-10% to pollution, the states can persuade the farmers not to burn paddy stubble. “Don’t take action against farmers, persuade them,” the SC said. SC sought action plan from Centre, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi within a day.
11:31 (IST) Nov 15
Supreme Court asks Centre and state government to respond by tomorrow evening over which industries can be stopped, which vehicles can be prevented from plying and which power plants can be stopped, & how you can provide alternative power by then.
11:26 (IST) Nov 15
SC took exception to Delhi government passing the buck to MCD and said, “if such lame excuses are given, then it would be compelled to audit the Delhi government to find out how much money is spent by it to popularise its slogans and messages.”
11:25 (IST) Nov 15
SC asks Delhi government why only 69 mechanised sweeping machines to clean the roads allowing the dust pollution to continue to be a major source of pollution. Delhi government said it was for the municipal corporations of Delhi to augment the machines.
11:22 (IST) Nov 15
Supreme Court observes that the major cause of air pollution in Delhi are dust, heavy vehicular traffic and industries; timely steps by the government can help in keeping the pollution to manageable levels, says SC.
11:16 (IST) Nov 15
SC said without all these scientific studies and expert views, it is common knowledge that vehicular traffic, industries and dust are the major pollutants in cities. If you take timely steps, the pollution can be kept to manageable levels, it said.
11:15 (IST) Nov 15
Dos and Don’ts as Delhi chokes
11:13 (IST) Nov 15
After Centre conceded that farm fires contributed 10% for the pollution in Delhi and northern states, SC said there was absolutely no basis for the hue and cry about farm fires causing pollution. “The major causes are dust and heavy vehicular traffic,” the SC said.
11:13 (IST) Nov 15
SG said experts are on the job and if needed a lockdown would be declared if the air quality turns for the worse. Prior to that trucks entry into Delhi will be banned and the thermal power stations would be asked to stop operating till the situation improves.
11:12 (IST) Nov 15
How the air quality has worsened this month
11:06 (IST) Nov 15
SC said the measures mentioned by Centre are all long term steps. “What drastic steps, scientifically proven, is being taken to bring down pollution,” the bench asked.
11:05 (IST) Nov 15
Petitioner Aditya Dubey’s counsel Vikas Singh said just because of coming elections in Punjab, neither Centre nor AAP government are saying anything against farm fires. But, CJI-led bench said it is not on elections or politics but on taking of measures to bring down pollution.
11:05 (IST) Nov 15
Solicitor general Tushar Mehta told a bench of CJI N V Ramana and Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant that dust is major cause of pollution now and praised Delhi government for doing utmost in undertaking intensive sprinkling measures and stopping construction activities.
11:03 (IST) Nov 15
Centre tells SC that stubble burning at present is not the main cause of pollution in Delhi and northern states as it contributes only 10% of the pollution. SC had on Saturday corrected the Centre and Delhi government when it said stubble burning is the main cause of noxious air.
11:02 (IST) Nov 15
SC hearing under way
Delhi government on Monday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court and said it was ready for complete lockdown in the city but it would be effective only if other neighbouring cities follow the same. In its affidavit, the AAP govt claimed that there is no meaning of imposing lockdown to curb pollution only in the national capital. Hearing the SC is still under way.
10:54 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi: Pollution a double whammy for firemen
10:53 (IST) Nov 15
‘Lockdown in Delhi meaningful only if imposed in neighbouring cities too’
Delhi Government tells Supreme Court that it is ready to impose complete lockdown in Delhi to control air pollution; suggested the court that it would be meaningful if lockdown is implemented across the NCR areas in neighboring states.
10:49 (IST) Nov 15
“We are ready to consider this step if the same is mandated for the entire NCR areas by the Government of India or by the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas,” said the Delhi government.
10:47 (IST) Nov 15
“The Delhi government is ready to take steps like complete lock down to control local emissions. However, such a step would be meaningful if it is implemented across the NCR areas in neighbouring states. Given Delhi’s compact size, a lock down would have limited impact on the air quality regime,” says the affidavit.
10:47 (IST) Nov 15
A lockdown is needed for the neighbouring areas of Delhi too, which come under the National Capital Region (NCR), the AAP government has said in its affidavit.
10:40 (IST) Nov 15
AAP govt to submit a proposal today in SupremeCourt regarding pollution lockdown in Delhi to protect citizens from toxic smog.
10:21 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi: Traffic diversions in place for India International Trade Fair
Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory for the India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan. Motorists have been told to avoid Bhairon Road and Mathura Road till November 27. Visitors to the fair have also been requested to use public transport due to insufficient parking space.
10:15 (IST) Nov 15
Railways Passenger Reservation System to remain shut for six hours for next seven days
As part of Railways’ efforts to normalize passenger services and revert back in a phased manner to the pre-covid levels of service, the Railways Passenger Reservation System (PRS) will be shut down for six hours during the lean business hours of the night for next seven days. (ANI)
10:09 (IST) Nov 15
RO plants to hotels, water at 35 spots in Ghaziabad fail safety test
Chief medical officer Dr Bhavtosh Shankhdhar has written to the district administration after water samples collected from at least 35 establishments, including RO plants and hotels, failed the safety standard test. The water sampling tests were conducted by the health department, in a joint operation with various civic bodies, between September and October across the district.
10:03 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi’s AQI improves marginally but remains in ‘very poor’ category
Following the action after being nudged by the Supreme Court to curb the rising air pollution in the national capital, Delhi’s air quality on Monday witnessed marginal improvement as the air quality in the capital city reached the lower end of ‘very poor’ category with Air Quality Index (AQI) at 318 (overall), according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
09:48 (IST) Nov 15
Back to containment? Gurugram may seal three areas as positivity rate sees uptick
The health department has proposed three containment zones in the city as Covid cases have started to rise again. There has also been a marginal increase in positivity rate — from 0.2% to 0.5% — in the past one month. In the first 14 days of November, Gurgaon has added 120 fresh Covid cases, 77 of which are active at present.
09:36 (IST) Nov 15
I am pained beyond words. The demise of Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare leaves a major void in the world of history and culture. It is thanks to him that the coming generations will get further connected to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His other works will also be remembered.
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
09:34 (IST) Nov 15
Gurugram: Worker swallows piece of gold to repay debt
A worker at a jewellery production factory in IMT Mnesar has been arrested for allegedly swallowing 1.6 gram of gold on Saturday.
09:13 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi: Fire breaks out at house in Nangloi; 3 fire tenders at spot
According to the fire department, they received calls about the incident around 7.26am and three fire tenders were rushed to the spot which was at the Laxmi Park area in Nangloi.
08:53 (IST) Nov 15
Fire breaks out at B- 65, Laxmi Park in Nangloi, due to an LPG cylinder. 3 fire tenders rushed to the site. Four persons sustained burn injuries: Fire Department
08:24 (IST) Nov 15
Gopal Rai: Curbs aimed at bringing down dust, vehicular pollution
After chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced certain restrictions to curb pollution, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said the environment department has issued orders on Sunday regarding closure of schools, stopping construction activities and work from home for government employees under the Environment Protection Act of 1986.
07:58 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi: Driverless operations on metro’s Pink Line all set to begin by end of this year
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is likely to start “driverless” train operations on its longest corridor—Pink Line (Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar)—by the end of this year. With the addition of Pink Line, DMRC’s driverless network, which currently includes the 37-km-long Magenta Line (Botanical Garden-Janakpuri West), would become part of the world’s longest automated Metro networks.
07:57 (IST) Nov 15
Delhi: 15,000 flats to be on offer in DDA’s new scheme next month
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is all set to launch a new housing scheme next month and on offer would be around 15,000 flats, sources said.
07:56 (IST) Nov 15
As air turns fouler, Haryana asks schools in 4 NCR districts to shut for a week
The Haryana government on Sunday directed four NCR districts — Gurugram, Faridabad, Jhajjar and Sonipat — to shut down schools and halt construction activity for the next seven days in the wake of deteriorating air quality.
07:55 (IST) Nov 15
One more Covid-19 death in Delhi, positivity rate at 0.07%
Delhi recorded 36 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday and one death from more than 54,000 tests, with a test positivity rate of 0.07%, according to data shared by the health department.
07:54 (IST) Nov 15
At wind’s mercy, Delhi breathes a sigh of relief, AQI ‘very poor’
The capital got some relief on Sunday with air quality improving from “severe” to “very poor” category. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 330 against 437 on Saturday. It is likely to remain in the “very poor” category for the next few days.
