DELHI (national capital territory)

New Delhi: The contamination of the Yamuna River is not solely the result of Delhi’s drains. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has stated that a significant share of the pollution originates from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The DJB has raised the issue with the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) and has written to both state governments on November 10, highlighting their role in worsening the river’s condition. According to the letter, industrial waste discharged from Panipat and Sonipat in Haryana increases both pollution and ammonia levels in the Yamuna. Elevated ammonia regularly triggers water supply crises in Delhi, the DJB noted. 32% of Najafgarh Drain Pollution Comes From UP and Haryana As per DJB officials, 682–700 MGD (million gallons per day) of wastewater flows from the Najafgarh D...

New Delhi: The repercussions of the blast near the Red Fort are now echoing through Delhi’s hospitality sector, with hotel owners reporting a sharp dip in occupancy. Fearful of security risks, nearly 30% of domestic and international tourists have cancelled their advance bookings, leaving several hotel rooms vacant during what is traditionally the busiest season of the year. Peak Season Turns Into a Slump Normally, hotel business in Delhi picks up after the monsoon, with September to January considered the peak tourist season. This period especially attracts large numbers of foreign travellers who book their stays months in advance. However, according to the Delhi Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association, the recent blast has dramatically shifted the scenario. Association President...

New Delhi: In an extraordinary medical achievement, doctors at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket performed six back-to-back marathon surgeries in a single day, giving a new lease of life to three critically ill kidney patients through a swap kidney transplant program. What makes the case exceptional is that the three donor families—coming from West Bengal, Delhi, and Bihar—were complete strangers, yet united to save each other’s loved ones. All Three Patients Were in Urgent Need of Kidney Transplants The patients—Shadab Ali (36) from West Bengal, Joginder Kumar (52) from Delhi, and Vinod Kumar (51) from Bihar—were in advanced stages of kidney failure and dependent on dialysis. Shadab suffered from IgA nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy, a condition where nerve communication...

New Delhi: In a major push to tackle rising dust pollution, the Delhi government has intensified surveillance across construction sites using video fencing technology. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that both online and offline monitoring systems are now in place to curb pollution caused by construction activities, industries, and vehicular movement. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has launched a self-assessment portal, directly linked with the building sanction process of municipal corporations. This system aims to ensure real-time monitoring and strict adherence to dust-control norms. 35 Teams Conducting Continuous Inspections Since October 15, as many as 35 DPCC inspection teams have been deployed across the capital. In the first phase, constructio...

New Delhi: With air quality in Delhi-NCR deteriorating once again, authorities are preparing to revise the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)—the region’s primary emergency mechanism to control air pollution. Following directives from the Supreme Court, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has begun consultations with all related agencies and stakeholders. The proposed changes may be implemented within this pollution season itself. The last major modification to GRAP was carried out in 2024. However, with smog levels rising and AQI frequently slipping into severe zones, CAQM is considering several steps that would be triggered at lower AQI ranges than before. Key Measures Likely to Be Shifted to Earlier Stages According to sources, the proposed revisions include: C...

New Delhi: In one of the biggest crackdowns on cybercrime, the Delhi Police has arrested hundreds of cyber fraudsters operating through mule bank accounts under its special ‘Operation CyHawk’. According to sources, the two-day operation resulted in the detention of more than 700 cyber criminals from Delhi and several other regions. The police, assisted by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (i4C), is expected to make a major announcement soon through an official press briefing. The massive operation, involving all district cyber police stations, concluded on Friday morning. Number May Cross 1,000; Interrogation Underway Sources revealed that interrogation of those detained is still ongoing and the final number of arrests is being compiled. Early estimates suggest the figure...

New Delhi: A new pollution trend has emerged in the national capital this winter, raising alarms for residents’ health. Analysis from think tank EnviroCatalyst shows that the highest PM2.5 levels between 1–18 November 2025 occurred from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., coinciding with the time when children head to school and adults commute to offices. Morning Pollution Peaks During the 6–9 a.m. window, PM2.5 levels reached 278 µg/m³, the highest for any three-hour period of the day. The second most polluted period was 3–6 a.m., when levels hovered around 275 µg/m³. Traditionally, the worst pollution levels occurred late at night from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., but this winter shows a distinct shift toward morning hours, when exposure is likely higher due to outdoor activities. Historical Comparison ...

New Delhi: In a move aimed at improving hygiene and infection control, Delhi government hospitals have implemented a daily color-coded bed sheet system, ensuring that each day of the week sees beds adorned with a different colored sheet. This initiative is part of the Centre’s ‘Kayakalp’ program for enhanced cleanliness and patient safety. Immediate Transparency in Cleanliness Under the new system, it will be immediately apparent whether a bed sheet has been changed, as each day is assigned a specific color. For example, Monday beds will have white sheets. Any deviation from the color schedule will indicate that the bed sheet has not been changed, ensuring stricter monitoring of cleanliness standards. Health Minister Speaks Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh stated that suf...

New Delhi: The historic lanes of Old Delhi are set to get a major facelift as the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government gears up for the planned redevelopment of Chandni Chowk. The initiative aims to restore the area’s lost glory and provide better facilities for residents and traders. High-Level Meeting at Delhi Secretariat On Wednesday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta convened a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat to discuss the revival of Shahjahanabad and the planned redevelopment of Chandni Chowk. Key participants included Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, senior officials from SRDC, PWD, Delhi Municipal Corporation, and Delhi Police. During the meeting, it was agreed that the redevelopment of the walled city is crucial to restore its ...

New Delhi: The historic Red Fort comes alive once again with a majestic celebration marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, offering Delhi residents and visitors a sense of peace amid recent tensions following the Delhi blast. The festivities began on Wednesday with a spectacular light and sound show, while the main events are scheduled from 23rd to 25th November. Grand Festivities at Red Fort According to the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC), the Red Fort complex will host daily light and sound shows until 25th November. A special museum has been created within the fort to showcase Guru Tegh Bahadur’s life and sacrifices. The main program includes a mega Kirtan Darbar where devotional hymns will resonate throughout the venue. The theme of th...