DELHI (national capital territory)

New Delhi: The quiet of Sunday morning in Aya Nagar was shattered by the sound of gunfire as masked assailants in a car murdered 55-year-old Ratan Lohia, who was on his way to a local dairy. The incident, reportedly stemming from a long-standing family feud, has triggered tension in the area, prompting police to heighten security. Details of the ShootingAccording to DCP Ankit Chauhan, police received a distress call at around 6:25 AM reporting shots fired in the Aya Nagar area. Upon arrival, officers discovered Ratan’s lifeless body riddled with bullets. The attackers reportedly fired 60–70 rounds before fleeing the scene. Sources indicate that this murder is connected to a previous killing six months ago at CDR Chowk, Chhatarpur, where Ratan’s son Deepak, currently in jail, allegedl...

New Delhi: In the early hours of Sunday, a high-speed car crashed into a tree near Narela Industrial Area, leaving one woman dead and five others injured. All occupants of the vehicle were reportedly returning home after attending an event. Details of the AccidentAccording to Outer North DCP Hareeshwar Swami, the police received a call at approximately 5:14 AM reporting the accident near Ghoga Crossing on Narela-Bawana Road. On reaching the site, officers found a Haryana-registered Froxx car collided with a roadside tree. Eyewitness Sanjeev informed the police immediately after witnessing the crash. All occupants were rushed to the hospital, where the woman, identified as Jyoti from Kundli, Sonipat, was declared dead. The other injured are undergoing treatment at Saroj Hospital, Pita...

New Delhi: Delhi-NCR has witnessed the most significant improvement in air quality in the past eight years, excluding the COVID-19 lockdown period. From January to November 2025, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 187, marking a notable decline compared to previous years. According to official data, the number of severely polluted days has also decreased. Only three days this year saw AQI crossing 400, compared to 11 days in 2024, 12 days in 2023, and 17 days in 2021. Moreover, no day in 2025 recorded AQI above 450. Decline in Particulate Matter LevelsThe average PM2.5 level in Delhi was 85 µg/m³, the lowest since 2018 and comparable to 2020 levels. By comparison, PM2.5 levels were 98 in 2024, 90 in 2023, 95 in 2021, and 103 in 2018. The PM10 average also dropped to 183 µg/...

New Delhi: The six-storey zonal office of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) at Madhuban Chowk, Rohini, has been flagged for serious fire safety lapses. Following an inspection, the Fire Department has refused to issue the No Objection Certificate (NOC), warning that the building is completely unsafe until deficiencies are addressed. Inspection Reveals Multiple ShortcomingsDuring a routine fire safety inspection, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer identified several critical safety issues in the building. The DDA had applied for a fire NOC through its Assistant Engineer, but the fire team found that the building lacked essential fire escape routes and safety measures. The Deputy Chief Fire Officer clearly stated that the NOC cannot be granted until all identified shortcomings are recti...

New Delhi: Delhi’s pollution levels remain alarming as the Air Quality Index (AQI) once again crossed 350 on Friday. Although stronger winds during the afternoon offered brief relief, several areas in the capital recorded AQI levels above 400, raising health concerns for residents. Air Quality OverviewAccording to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s AQI was 369 on Friday, with a morning peak of 381 at 9 AM. Afternoon winds helped slightly reduce pollution levels, but the overall air quality remains in the “very poor” category. Hotspots Across the CapitalSeveral localities recorded critically high AQI levels, including: Rohini: 418 RK Puram: 416 Punjabi Bagh: 408 Nehru Nagar: 415 Mundka: 417 Jahangirpuri: 409 Dwarka Sector-8: 419 Ashok Vihar: 4...

New Delhi: Despite an early start to winter this year, Delhi has experienced neither fog nor significant cold. Residents have even felt warmth in the afternoon sun, raising questions about the city’s unusual weather patterns. Experts say that winter in Delhi is normally influenced by two factors: rainfall and fog. Both have been largely absent this November. Weather DataOn Friday, the maximum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 25.9°C, slightly below the seasonal average by 0.1°C. The minimum temperature was 11.1°C, which is 2.2°C lower than normal. Humidity levels ranged between 46% and 100%. Fog Missing This SeasonTypically, Delhi experiences fog on 12 days in November, 19 days in December, and 21 days in January, along with about 6 mm of rainfall in November. However, this year, ...

New Delhi: Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the “very poor” category for the 15th consecutive day. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an AQI of 338 at 7 AM on Saturday, a slight improvement from Friday’s 385, but still indicative of unhealthy air conditions for the city’s residents. The 24-hour average AQI on Friday stood at 369, reflecting persistently high pollution levels throughout November. Pollution Adds to Winter ConcernsExperts warn that air quality is unlikely to improve significantly in the coming week, as weather conditions are inhibiting the dispersion of pollutants. Stagnant air is causing smoke and dust to linger near the ground, leaving residents with little relief. Meteorologists and air ...

New Delhi: Campaigning for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) by-elections in 12 wards came to a halt on Friday evening, ahead of polling scheduled for 30 November. The Election Commission has officially enforced the silence period, during which no political campaigning is permitted. Final Day of CampaigningOn the last day of campaigning, all political parties held public meetings and roadshows across the 12 wards to reach out to voters. However, following the close of campaign activities on Friday evening, the silence period came into effect and will continue until the conclusion of polling. Silence Period and Dry Day RulesThe State Election Commission has barred the publication of opinion polls until the evening of polling day. Additionally, a dry day has been enforced in Del...