DELHI (national capital territory)

New Delhi: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is facing an unprecedented challenge as the city’s daily waste generation has surged dramatically over the past few months. Until April 2025, Delhi produced around 11,300 tons of waste per day. However, starting May 2025, this figure has skyrocketed, and by October 2025, daily garbage output had crossed a staggering 136,550 tons. MCD Zones Under StrainThe increase is being observed across all 12 MCD zones and 250 wards. Currently, the MCD can effectively manage only 11,300 tons of daily waste. Of the total waste, approximately 7,000 metric tons are being processed or disposed of using various methods. The remainder is being sent to landfill sites, as the corporation has no alternative disposal options. Among the 12 zones, eight a...

New Delhi: The United Nations (UN) has revealed in its latest report that the world has become predominantly urban, with 81% of the global population now residing in cities. This marks a significant rise from 2018, when only 55% of people lived in urban areas, highlighting the rapid pace of urbanization. Urban Population Set to Rise Further by 2050According to the UN’s World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report, 45% of the urban population now lives in large cities, while 36% resides in towns. Consequently, the population living exclusively in villages has dwindled to just 19%. Projections indicate that by 2050, around 83% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. Key Drivers of UrbanizationThe report identifies two main reasons behind this urban shift: Mass Migration: Mi...

New Delhi: In a major step to protect citizens’ personal information, the Delhi government is set to introduce an “Aadhaar Vault” to safeguard data shared while applying for government services. The new system will ensure that Aadhaar numbers and other sensitive personal details remain secure and cannot be leaked. A Strong Measure Against Digital FraudThe Aadhaar Vault will store citizens’ information—including Aadhaar numbers, names, addresses, and photographs—in an encrypted format using unique tokens. Government departments will access the data only in this encrypted form. This initiative is aimed at preventing digital fraud resulting from data leaks. Enhanced Data Privacy and SecurityAccording to senior government officials, the system will ensure that sensitive information of ap...

New Delhi: The legal process to extradite fugitive diamond businessman Mehul Choksi, accused in the ₹13,000 crore bank fraud, has now entered its decisive phase. Sources reveal that the CBI has identified the officers who will travel to Belgium to bring Choksi to India if his appeal is rejected. Choksi had already been granted extradition to India by the Antwerp Court in Belgium. Challenging this decision, he filed an appeal in the Belgian Supreme Court. The final verdict on this appeal is scheduled for 9 December 2025. The CBI is optimistic that the ruling will favor India, paving the way for his swift return. Both the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the CBI, have completed all preparations for the extradition process. CBI Prepares for Swift...

New Delhi: A shocking incident in Patel Nagar left a paan shop owner dead after he was stabbed by a 19-year-old over a dispute about a free cigarette. The main accused, Mohammad Mehtab, alias Raja, a resident of Faridpuri, was apprehended by the police within 24 hours following an encounter in which he sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg. Incident DetailsOn the night of 24 November, Rajendra Kumar (40), running a paan shop in Patel Nagar, was attacked with a knife after he refused to provide cigarettes for free. The injured shopkeeper was rushed to RML Hospital but was declared dead by the doctors. Following the murder, Patel Nagar police immediately registered a case and formed a special team under Inspector Naveen Kumar, supervised by ACP Sunil Kumar, to investigate the crime. ...

New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events in West Patel Nagar, Delhi, police engaged in a shootout with murder accused Mehtab on Wednesday morning. According to reports, as the police team approached to apprehend the suspect, Mehtab opened fire, prompting the officers to return fire. In the ensuing crossfire, Mehtab sustained gunshot injuries and was immediately hospitalized. Sources reveal that the Delhi Police team had been conducting a manhunt for Mehtab in connection with a shocking murder that took place on Monday night. A group of assailants reportedly attacked a man with a knife following a dispute over a robbery, resulting in his death. Mehtab’s name surfaced during the investigation, and an FIR was promptly registered. Acting on updated intelligence, police moved in to arrest ...

New Delhi: In a major crackdown under the ‘Drug-Free India’ initiative, Delhi Police have secured freezing orders against 84 narcotics offenders over the past three years, confiscating assets worth ₹31.81 crore, including property, jewelry, and cash. Police officials stated that freezing or seizure actions have been completed against 64 individuals, while proceedings against the remaining 20 are still underway, suggesting the total value could rise further. The operations have been conducted under Section 68 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Targeting Profits Behind Drug TradeAuthorities emphasized that the drug trade is primarily profit-driven, and disrupting its financial base is a crucial part of anti-narcotics enforcement. Under Chapter 5-A of the NDPS...

New Delhi: The Delhi government is set to roll out e-District services across all areas of the capital through Common Service Centers (CSCs). Residents availing these services will need to pay an additional fee of just ₹30 per application. So far, 68 services from various government departments have been integrated into the system, and the plan is to expand this to a total of 75 services, with testing ongoing for the remaining services. Plan to Expand CSC Services Across the CapitalThe initiative aims to make government services accessible to residents who may not be familiar with digital applications for certificates, government schemes, or other official documents. The new CSC-based system is considered an alternative to the previous government’s doorstep delivery program. How the ...

New Delhi: The ash plume from a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia passed over the Delhi-NCR region on Monday night and continued towards China by Tuesday. Despite crossing over Delhi, the ash, which remained at a very high altitude, had no significant impact on air pollution levels or visibility in the city. Officials noted that the plume’s effects were only noticeable in air traffic at high altitudes. Visibility Improves After Several DaysTuesday witnessed improved visibility in the capital after several days of smog. The smog layer remained thin, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped from 380 to 353. Authorities said that favorable wind conditions near the surface contributed to cleaner air. The volcanic ash remained approximately 14 kilometers (45,000 feet) above Delhi, preventing any ...

New Delhi: Adventure enthusiasts in Delhi can now enjoy hot air balloon rides at the Bansera Bamboo-Themed Park, developed by DDA along the Yamuna river. The rides are set to begin this Saturday, offering aerial views of the city and the river at an altitude of up to 55 meters (150 feet). Cost and DurationEach ride will last between 7 to 12 minutes and will cost ₹3,000 per person, excluding applicable taxes. Both children and adults will be charged the same rate. The rides are scheduled in morning and evening slots, lasting 2–2.5 hours each, and will operate throughout the year, except during adverse weather conditions. Trial by LG VK SaxenaLieutenant Governor VK Saxena tested the ride on Tuesday, accompanied by Captain Rita, confirming the safety and readiness of the experience. Fol...