DELHI (national capital territory)

A long-standing land dispute involving three government departments—the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Land & Development Office (L&DO), and the Public Works Department (PWD)—has led to major action near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque adjacent to Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi. A joint survey has revealed large-scale encroachment on government land, prompting demolition and further investigation into the ownership of the land on which the mosque stands. According to officials, the survey found that 36,428 square feet of MCD land and 2,512 square feet of PWD land had been encroached upon. The mosque and an adjoining graveyard together occupy around 7,343 square feet. The encroached areas included structures such as a banquet hall, parking facilities, a private diagnostic cen...

On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is set to launch its Premium Housing Scheme 2026, offering a total of 582 properties across various categories. The scheme includes HIG, MIG, LIG, Janta and EHS flats, along with car and scooter garages, catering to a wide range of homebuyers in the national capital. According to DDA officials, the registration process for the scheme will begin on January 14 at 11:00 am and will continue till February 13, while the final submission can be completed by February 16. The e-auction schedule will be announced on February 19, followed by a demo of the e-auction process from February 20 to 22. The actual e-auctions will be conducted in phases from February 23 to 27, depending on the category of flats. Prope...

Book lovers have a reason to rejoice as the World Book Fair begins today at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, with free entry being offered for the first time. The much-awaited literary event promises a rich experience for readers of all ages, with special attractions for children, interactive sessions with renowned authors, and a wide range of historical and contemporary literature. Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), the fair is spread across Halls 2 to 6 of Bharat Mandapam and will remain open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. Visitors can enter through Gates No. 4 and 10. Those travelling by metro are advised to deboard at Supreme Court Metro Station, from where free shuttle bus services are available, especially from Gate No. 10. Special Focus on Children A major highlight ...

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing its leaders of deliberately targeting a woman Chief Minister and attempting to malign her image through false narratives and personal attacks. Speaking in the Delhi Assembly while concluding the discussion on the vote of thanks to the Lieutenant Governor’s address, CM Gupta said that a few words spoken by her inadvertently were turned into “political weapons” by AAP leaders. “My mistakes were unintentional, but you are committing mistakes deliberately,” she remarked, drawing a clear distinction between human error and what she termed as calculated political conduct. The Chief Minister alleged that AAP leaders were uncomfortable seeing a woman Chief Minister working round the cloc...

Delhi Police have arrested one more accused in connection with the stone-pelting incident that occurred near Turkman Gate during an anti-encroachment drive, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 12. The violence had erupted during a municipal corporation operation to remove encroachments near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque. According to police officials, the latest arrest was made on Friday. Additional Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan said that the accused has been identified as 36-year-old Mohammad Imran. “Further investigation is underway and strict security arrangements will remain in place in the area,” he said. In view of the incident and Friday prayers, security was placed on high alert in Turkman Gate and surrounding localities. A large number of police pers...

The Delhi Government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, inaugurated the ‘Atal Canteen’ in Pitampura on the occasion of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 101st birth anniversary. This initiative aims to provide nutritious meals at just ₹5 to the city’s poor, laborers, and low-income families. CM Gupta Shares Her JoyCM Rekha Gupta shared a photograph of the newly inaugurated Atal Canteen on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Serving meals and receiving the love and blessings in return is an experience that will stay with me forever.” Atal Canteen Launched in Shalimar BaghThe Chief Minister inaugurated the Atal Canteen in Shalimar Bagh and noted that hot, nutritious meals are available for just ₹5. Inspired by the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of Antyodaya, this initiative...

Tackling the severe pollution crisis in Delhi and the NCR region will require a massive investment of ₹8–10 lakh crore, according to experts. Measures such as road paving, promotion of electric vehicles, and adoption of cleaner industrial technologies will necessitate both government funding and private sector participation. Comprehensive Plan NeededTo effectively reduce pollution, authorities must implement a comprehensive plan that includes: Reconstruction and paving of roads to control dust emissions. Establishing a widespread electric vehicle infrastructure. Electrifying public transport systems. Enforcing strict emission standards and using only high-quality fuels. Providing government subsidies and incentives to encourage adoption of clean technologies. Offering...

In a bid to tackle increasing traffic congestion and pollution, the Delhi government is considering the relaunch of a shared taxi service across the capital. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is set to hold discussions with app-based cab operators to roll out the initiative, with a focus on electric vehicles and enhanced safety measures for women passengers. Reducing Traffic, Ensuring ConvenienceThe shared taxi service, suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to reduce the number of vehicles on Delhi roads while ensuring commuters enjoy affordable, safe, and comfortable travel. Government officials are exploring adjustments in aggregator policies to facilitate the initiative, allowing fewer vehicles to serve more passengers efficiently. Promoting Electric MobilityAs part of the plan, a...

Once famous for its tailors and long queues of customers getting shirts and pants stitched, Meherchand Market in Delhi has now undergone a striking transformation. The bustling market, originally established by refugees after Partition, is gradually evolving into a modern shopping plaza where people now line up outside cafes instead of tailor shops. A Market Born from PartitionMeherchand Market’s origins trace back to post-Partition Delhi. Refugees from Pakistan set up roughly 240 temporary stalls in Lodi Colony. By 1964, these were replaced with 152 permanent shops, officially christened Meherchand Market. The market became known as “Delhi’s Wonder Market”, where around 20 tailors worked together, rapidly altering clothes for customers. For decades, tailoring remained the market’s core...

Air quality in the national capital has worsened once again, reaching severe levels in several areas. Residents are struggling to breathe through the toxic air, and visibility on roads was notably low during early morning hours. Critical Pollution Levels RecordedAccording to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), areas like Akshardham and Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 410, placing them in the severe category. Other hotspots included Dhaula Kuan at 252 AQI and ITO at 379 AQI. On Friday evening, the city’s 24-hour average AQI was 332, compared to 234 on Thursday. Rapid Deterioration on SaturdayOn Saturday morning at 11 am, AQI stood at 320, up from 218 the previous day at the same time. By 2 pm, many areas had entered the severe category: Jahangirpuri recorded 40...