DELHI (national capital territory)

The North Shahdara zone of Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) has sealed five factories in the Joharipur area for violating regulations. These units, engaged in e-waste processing and plastic molding, were ordered to shut down immediately. Authorities had warned that failure to comply would result in sealing the entire premises. Police Deployed to Maintain OrderTo ensure the operation proceeded smoothly, police were deployed at the sites. While there were minor protests from local stakeholders, law enforcement successfully maintained control throughout the sealing process. Notices Sent to 200 Factory OwnersAdministrative officer Ramashankar stated that emissions from such factories, including smoke and chemicals, pose serious health hazards by contaminating surrounding air. Consequent...

Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has become the first airport in India to achieve the prestigious ‘Water-Positive’ status, serving over 40 million passengers annually. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) announced that the airport now returns more water to nature than it consumes, marking a significant milestone in sustainable infrastructure. Recognition by NITI AayogThe accolade was formally presented at the Water Innovation Summit, where DIAL was honoured under the NITI Aayog–CII Water Neutrality Framework. This recognition positions IGI Airport as a global leader in sustainable and water-conscious airport infrastructure. Commitment to Environmental SustainabilityDIAL CEO, Videsh Kumar Jaipuriar, said, “Achieving Water-Positive status demonstrates our strong commitm...

The Delhi government has announced plans to issue 2.89 lakh new ration cards, as part of an ongoing verification process of existing cardholders. This move aims to remove names of individuals who are ineligible for free ration, including those who pay income tax. Verification of Existing Cardholders UnderwaySince March-April 2025, the government has been conducting e-KYC verification of Delhi’s 17.5 lakh existing ration cardholders. Preliminary results indicate that over 1.71 lakh individuals were ineligible, continuing to receive subsidized ration despite being income taxpayers. The verification also uncovered thousands of deceased beneficiaries still receiving rations, and around 80,000 duplicate entries in the system. Comprehensive Verification to Clear the ListFollowing e-KYC, th...

Despite continuous efforts by the government and authorities to curb pollution, Delhi’s air quality has again deteriorated sharply. After showing slight improvement over the past two days, the city’s air has slipped from the ‘Poor’ category back into the ‘Very Poor’ bracket. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 331 at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, signaling a rise in pollution levels across the national capital. Hotspots Record Alarming AQI LevelsSeveral monitoring stations recorded dangerously high concentrations of particulate matter. Bawana reported an AQI of 387, Anand Vihar 381, Wazirpur 362, Burari 361, and RK Puram 356—all falling in the ‘Very Poor’ category. IGI Airport remained comparatively better, yet its AQI of 269 ...

This year, Delhi-NCR experienced significantly less smoke from crop stubble. Yet, air pollution in the capital remains alarmingly high during the winter months. Vehicular emissions and industrial activities have emerged as the primary contributors to the deteriorating air quality. According to Sharanjeet Kaur, Deputy Program Manager of the Clean Air Unit at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), new pollution hotspots are emerging across the region. Decline in Crop Stubble PollutionSmog formation in smaller towns across the NCR has intensified, even as the duration of smog has increased. Floods in Punjab and Haryana this year led to a significant reduction in stubble burning incidents. On most days, stubble-related pollution contributed less than 5% of the total. However, betw...

Delhi and much of northern and central India are expected to face harsher-than-usual winter conditions this season. According to Dr. Mrityunjay Mahapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cold wave has arrived earlier this year, and temperatures are likely to remain below normal across most parts of the country. Colder Days Ahead Around 90% of India is expected to experience maximum temperatures that are normal or lower than average, meaning daytime temperatures will feel colder than usual. However, in some northwestern, northeastern, and Himalayan foothill regions, daytime temperatures may remain normal or slightly above normal. Minimum temperatures in central India, adjoining peninsular regions, and northwestern states are expected to be below n...

The financial burden of electricity subsidies in Delhi is steadily increasing. Sources indicate that in the fiscal year 2025-26, the total expenditure on electricity subsidies by the Delhi government may exceed ₹4,000 crore. Initially, the government had allocated ₹3,849 crore for electricity subsidies this year. Additional ₹361 Crore Sought for Subsidy Payments The Power Department has requested an additional ₹361 crore in the revised budget to cover pending subsidy payments. Officials state that this extra amount is necessary to meet the outstanding dues. Over the past decade, spending on electricity subsidies has nearly tripled. This year’s initial allocation of ₹3,849 crore represents an increase of approximately ₹250 crore compared to the previous fiscal year, during which th...

Despite heavy spending on cleaning efforts, the Yamuna River in Delhi continues to face severe pollution. The central government informed Parliament that the main reasons behind the river’s deteriorating condition include untreated sewage discharge, delays in treatment plant projects, and insufficient waste recycling capacity. Delhi Jal Board Spends Over ₹5,500 Crore According to the Ministry of Water Resources, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has spent ₹5,536 crore over the past three years on Yamuna cleaning initiatives, but significant improvement remains elusive. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Water Resources, Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, stated that as of August 2025, 414 MLD (million liters per day) of sewage in Delhi remained untreated. Growing Waste and R...

In a significant consumer protection ruling, the State Consumer Commission has dismissed the appeal of a pharmaceutical company, upholding the decision of the District Consumer Commission that had penalized the firm for misleading advertising. Compensation Ordered for Misleading Promotion The District Commission had directed the company to pay ₹45,000 in compensation, including ₹5,000 for legal expenses, to a consumer from Pul Prahladpur, who had been misled by a promotional campaign claiming a chance to win a 25-gram gold or silver coin upon purchasing “Revital Capsules.” The consumer, believing in the advertisement, waited for years for the promised reward, enduring significant stress, mental anguish, and inconvenience. Company Failed to Provide Evidence The Delhi State Consu...

In a serious security alert, an IndiGo flight traveling from Kuwait to Hyderabad was diverted to Mumbai after authorities received a threatening email indicating the presence of a “human bomb” on board. The threat, received at Delhi Airport, was treated with utmost seriousness by airport officials. Emergency Landing and Security Measures The flight safely made an emergency landing at Mumbai Airport, where stringent security protocols were immediately implemented. Special security teams and emergency responders were deployed, and authorities closely monitored the situation to ensure passenger safety. Details regarding the number of passengers on board have not yet been released. IndiGo Airlines has not issued an official statement on the incident. Previous Bomb Threats Highlight Ri...