Kailash Gahlot, a veteran Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and minister in the Delhi Government has resigned, expressing deep concerns over the party's direction and internal issues, saying that the political goals within the party have overshadowed its core commitment to serving the people, ANI reported. Gahot accused the party's shift in focus from advocating for the rights of people to promoting its own political agenda, he claimed that the shift has hindered AAP's ability to provide basic services to the people of Delhi. He pointed out the unfulfilled vow of cleaning the Yamuna River, which currently remains more polluted than ever and showed concern over controversies like the 'Sheeshmahal' issue, which according to him has led the people to question whether AAP still upholds its commitment to being a party of the "Aam Aadmi", ANI cited. Kailash Gahlot resigned from the AAP, citing internal issues and unfulfilled promises, particularly the failure to clean the Yamuna River. He questioned the party's shift away from serving the people and toward political goals, which he claimed has hampered basic service delivery in Delhi. As per ANI, in a letter to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday, Gahlot said, "Let me start with sincerely thanking you for having given me the honour of serving and representing the people of Delhi as an MLA and a Minister. However, at the same time, I also want to share with you that today the Aam Aadmi Party faces grave challenges. Challenges from within, to the very values that brought us together to AAP." "Political ambitions have overtaken our commitment towards people, leaving many promises unfulfilled. Take for example the YAMUNA, which we had promised to transform into a clean river, but never got around to doing it. Now the Yamuna River is perhaps even more polluted than ever before. Apart from this, now there are many embarrassing and awkward controversies like the 'SHEESHMAHAL', which are now making everyone doubt whether we still believe in being the AAM AADMI." "Another painful point has been the fact that instead of fighting for people's rights we have increasingly only been fighting for our own political agenda. This has severely crippled our ability to even deliver basic services to the people of Delhi. It is now obvious that real progress for Delhi cannot happen if the Delhi Government spends the majority of its time fighting with the Centre," read the letter. Kailash Gahlot also announced his departure from the AAP, noting that his political career began with a dedication to serving the people of Delhi, and he intends to continue that mission, ANI cited. Gahlot also sent his best wishes to the AAP leadership for their health and future, while thanking his party colleagues and supporters for their support during his service. "I had started my political journey with the commitment to serve the people of Delhi and I want to continue doing that. This is why, I find myself left with no option but to step away from AAP and hence I resign from primary membership of Aam Aadmi Party. I wish you the best for your health and future. I also thank all my party colleagues and well-wishers for their wishes and kindness throughout this journey," said Gahlot, ANI cited. (With inputs ANI)
17 November,2024 03:38 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentDelhi woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Sunday morning, with air quality levels plunging to severe levels, leaving residents grappling with poor visibility and health risks, reported ANI. The dense haze, caused by a mix of local pollution and the seasonal crop burning in neighbouring states, choked the city's skies, triggering widespread concerns over Delhi's ongoing battle with air pollution. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) at 428 as of 8 am, placing it in the 'severe' category, reported ANI. Visuals from around the New Delhi Railway Station show a thick layer of smog blanketing the entire area. Likewise, drone visuals from the AIIMS area at 7.10 am show high-rise buildings in the area covered with smog, reducing visibility to the bare eyes, reported ANI. Drone shots from Mayur Vihar at 7.30 am show a smog-filled atmosphere engulfing the area as pollution levels continue to remain high. In Patparganj, the AQI was recorded at 439, categorized as 'severe' by the CPCB. Meanwhile, the Delhi airport took to its official handle to inform the flyers that low-visibility procedures are currently underway, reported ANI. "Low-visibility procedures are in progress at the Delhi airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are to contact the airline concerned for updated information," posted the handle on X. As the pollution level continues to remain high, a thick froth of toxic foam primarily caused by untreated industrial effluents, sewage discharge, and high phosphate levels from detergents, was observed in sections of the river near Kalindi Kunj and Okhla Barrage. The residents of Delhi continue to raise alarms as air quality levels in many areas remain in the "severe" category in multiple areas. The AQI for Anand Vihar was recorded at 457, Bawana at 471, CRRI Mathura Road at 471, DTU at 386, Dwarka Sector-8 at 445, ITO at 411, Jahangirpuri at 466, Lodhi Road at 374, Mundka at 463, Narela 444, North Campus at 427, Punjabi bagh at 447, RK Puram at 434, Shadipur at 457 and Wazipur at 463, according to SAFAR-India (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), reported ANI. The Delhi government implemented a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers from plying under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-III) in the national capital from Friday to combat deteriorating air quality, reported ANI. As per the government order, violators will face prosecution under Section 194(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, and a Rs 20,000 fine. This comes after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ordered the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-III) in Delhi-NCR from Friday at 8 am to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the national capital region after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi worsened and reached the severe category, reported ANI. GRAP III (Graded Response Action Plan) measures to mitigate the effects of air pollution in Delhi NCR include intensifying the frequency of mechanised sweeping of roads, daily water sprinkling along with dust suppressants, before peak traffic hours, on roads and right of ways including hotspots, heavy traffic corridors and proper disposal of the collected dust in designated sites, landfills. Additionally, all demolition works, earthwork for excavation and filling including boring & drilling works, and any transportation of demolition waste are banned with the implementation of GRAP III measures to fight air pollution. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR) is classified into four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi: Stage I -- 'poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II -- 'very poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III -- 'severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV -- 'severe plus' (AQI >450). This year, Stage III has been invoked much later than in 2023, when it was activated on November 2nd. The action plan, effective across the entire NCR, will supplement ongoing Stage-I and Stage-II measures already in place, reported ANI. The 11-point action plan under Stage III includes increased road sweeping, intensified water sprinkling with dust suppressants in high-traffic areas, and enhanced public transport services with differential pricing to encourage off-peak travel. (With inputs from ANI)
17 November,2024 03:29 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentNCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's bags were checked by the poll personnel at Baramati helipad in Maharashtra's Pune district on Sunday morning, according to his associate, reported PTI. Pawar was on way to attend a poll rally in Solapur, he said. The model of code of conduct is enforced in the state for the Maharashtra elections 2024 scheduled on November 20, reported PTI. "While Pawar saheb was on his way to Karmala poll rally in Solapur, his bags were checked at the Baramati helipad. After the due checking, he boarded the chopper and proceeded for the rally," the associate said, reported PTI. On Saturday, poll authorities checked the bag of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Maharashtra's Amravati district where he arrived for a poll rally. Later, former state minister and Congress' Teosa MLA Yashomati Thakur questioned the action of the poll authorities and asked why they were not checking bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah or Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, reported PTI. The issue of poll officials checking politicians' luggage entered electoral discourse after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray recently filmed his bags being inspected and shared the video of it, reported PTI. He also sought to know if the election officials had checked the bags of the chief minister, the state's two deputy CMs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Over the past few days, videos surfaced showing bags of Shah, CM Shinde, his deputies Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar being checked by poll authorities. Shah had in a post on X said the BJP believes in free and fair elections and follows all laid-down rules and protocols. After Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar posts video of checking of his bags Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's bags were checked by poll personnel on Wednesday while he was onboard a helicopter to travel for poll campaign, and the NCP leader said such measures are needed to ensure free and fair elections. Everyone should respect the law and support efforts to uphold the integrity of the country's democracy, Pawar said in a post on his X account and posted a video showing his bags being checked in his Baramati assembly constituency here. Earlier in the day, the Maharashtra BJP also posted a video on X showing checking of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' bags, and said merely holding the Constitution for "show" is not enough and one must also follow the constitutional system. The videos of the two leaders were posted to apparently blunt Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray's claims of being selectively targeted by poll authorities who checked his bags in the last two days. Thackeray had claimed his bags were inspected by the election authorities after he arrived in Latur and Yavatmal districts in the last two days to campaign for the November 20 state assembly elections. The Sena (UBT) leader had also asked if the same law would be applied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders of the ruling alliance during their campaign. (With inputs from PTI)
17 November,2024 03:22 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentIn a major boost to its military prowess, India has successfully flight-tested a long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha, an achievement that has put the country in a select group of nations having the weapon that can strike with extreme speed and evade most air defence systems, reported news agency PTI. The @DRDO_India has successfully conducted a flight trial of its long range hypersonic missile on 16th Nov 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha.Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has congratulated DRDO, Armed Forces and the Industry for successful flight… pic.twitter.com/wq7yM2YS9f — रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) November 17, 2024 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the missile test on Saturday under the country's first long-range hypersonic mission as a "stupendous" achievement and a "historic moment". The hypersonic missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 km, an official readout said. "India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of long range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha," Singh said on 'X'. "This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies," he said. Generally, the hypersonic missiles, capable of carrying conventional explosives or nuclear warheads, can fly in the range of five times the speed of sound (Mach 5 which is roughly 1,220 km) per hour at sea level. However, some advanced versions of hypersonic missiles can even fly at the speed of over 15 mach. At present, Russia and China are way ahead in developing hypersonic missiles while the US is in the process of developing a range of such weapons under an ambitious programme. Several other countries, including France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Iran, and Israel, are also pursuing projects to develop hypersonic missile systems. Defence Minister Singh also congratulated the DRDO, the armed forces and the industry for the "stupendous" achievement. The defence ministry said the missile was tracked by various range systems, deployed in multiple domains, reported PTI. "The flight data obtained from down range ship stations confirmed the successful terminal maneuvers and impact with high degree of accuracy," it said in the readout, reported PTI. This missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile complex, Hyderabad along with various other DRDO laboratories and industry partners, reported PTI. The flight-trial was carried out in the presence of senior scientists of DRDO and officers of the armed forces, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
17 November,2024 12:42 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of its long-range hypersonic missile on November 16, 2024, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the missile test on Saturday under the country's first long-range hypersonic mission as a "stupendous" achievement and a "historic moment". "India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of long range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha," Singh said on 'X'. "This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies," he said. Here's all you need to know about the long-range hypersonic missile: This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1500km for all the Services of the Indian Armed Forces. The missile was tracked by various range systems, deployed in multiple domains. The flight data obtained from down-range ship stations confirmed the successful terminal manoeuvres and impact with a high degree of accuracy. Generally, the hypersonic missiles, capable of carrying conventional explosives or nuclear warheads, can fly in the range of five times the speed of sound (Mach 5 which is roughly 1,220 km) per hour at sea level. However, some advanced versions of hypersonic missiles can even fly at the speed of over 15 mach. This missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad along with various other DRDO laboratories and Industry Partners. The flight trial was carried out in the presence of senior scientists of DRDO and the Armed Forces. At present, Russia and China are way ahead in developing hypersonic missiles while the US is in the process of developing a range of such weapons under an ambitious programme. Several other countries, including France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Iran, and Israel, are also pursuing projects to develop hypersonic missile systems. (With inputs from Agencies)
17 November,2024 12:38 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentWelcome to Mid-Day's Top News at this hour! We bring you a curated selection of the most significant and compelling news from around the globe. Stay informed with the latest developments in the nation, Mumbai, entertainment, sports, and more. Let's dive into the headlines shaping our world today. Maharashtra elections 2024: Liquor, cash worth Rs 546.84 cr seized In the past month, the highest seizure of cash, liquor, and drugs in connection with the upcoming elections came from Mumbai’s suburbs—Rs 146.61 crore. Mumbai suburbs comprise 26 Assembly constituencies. Read more. Mumbai: Fiancée, family booked for man’s suicide on Facebook Live Two months after chartered accountant Sandeep Paswan died by suicide in Deonar after taking to Facebook Live to blame his fiancée and her family, the police registered an FIR against them. Paswan, 33, had accused them of mentally torturing him and making false accusations of molestation against him. The victim was a resident of Govandi. Read more. Mumbai: ‘Mom’ robs actor’s wife out of nearly Rs 1 lakh via texts A celebrity’s wife was cheated out of Rs 65,000 by unknown fraudsters who hacked her mother’s mobile phone and impersonated her to request money. The woman who works at a film production house, received a WhatsApp message from her mother’s number on November 15, requesting Rs 65,000. Read more. It’s a wrap for Rajkummar Rao’s first full-fledged actioner 'Maalik' with Manushi Chhillar Four releases in 2024 have kept Rajkummar Rao busy, but he is in no mood to slow down. Last week, the actor wrapped up the shoot of Maalik in Kanpur. What makes the Pulkit-directed film special for the leading man is that it marks his first out-and-out action entertainer. Read more. Mohinder Amarnath hits out in new book 'Fearless', next one set to be more explosive For years, this writer kept hearing about Mohinder Amarnath’s yet-to-be-released-autobiography. So, when news filtered through last week of his memoirs being finally published, it was unsurprising yet surprising. Mohinder, Jimmy or Jumbo to friends, is all set to release Fearless - A Memoir, written in collaboration with his brother Rajender. Sunday mid-day got elder Mohinder and youngest Rajender (nicknamed Johnny) to talk about their new book, published by Harper Collins. Read more.
17 November,2024 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentStudents at Jawaharlal Nehru University, including engineering and management, will study traditional Indian knowledge as part of a newly-introduced elective course, according to varsity sources. The course will be offered across all schools and centres, with each department customising the content to suit its specific field. “Indian Knowledge Traditions” (IKT) refer to indigenous systems of knowledge developed in India over centuries, covering areas like Vedic sciences, ancient engineering, traditional medicine and philosophical texts. The University Grants Commission has been advocating for the inclusion of IKT in academic curricula as part of its efforts to acquaint students with India’s intellectual heritage and values. At JNU, engineering students will study traditional practices of engineering, while management students may delve into ancient economic and administrative systems under the new course, the source said. Schools and centres will design syllabi tailored to their disciplines, ensuring relevance for students. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 November,2024 08:18 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday formed a four-member committee to investigate the fire that broke out in the children’s ward of Jhansi’s Maharani Laxmibai Medical College. The committee has been tasked with identifying the cause of the fire and determining whether any negligence was involved. The government has also requested a report within seven days. The committee will be chaired by the director general of medical education and training, with the other members being the director (health) of medical health services, the additional director of electricity of medical health services, and an officer nominated by the director general of fire services. An order issued by Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, Principal Secretary of Medical Health, has asked the committee to investigate the primary cause of the fire, which is believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit. The committee will also provide recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future. “The committee will submit its investigation report to the government within seven days,” the order stated. The fire, which broke out around 10.45 pm on Friday, claimed the lives of at least 10 children and left 16 others critically injured. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 November,2024 08:16 AM IST | Lucknow | AgenciesAll security forces deployed in Manipur have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace in the state as the security scenario remained “fragile” in the past few days, the Union Home Ministry said on Saturday. A fresh cycle of violence erupted in Manipur last Monday after 11 suspected militants, who allegedly attacked a police station and adjoining CRPF camp with sophisticated weapons in Manipur’s Jiribam district, were killed in an exchange of fire. A day later, six civilians, including women and children were abducted by armed militants from the same district. The Home Ministry said strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. It said important cases have been handed over to the NIA for effective investigation. “The security forces have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace. Strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities,” it said. The Union Home Ministry requested the people to maintain peace, not believe in rumours and cooperate with the security forces to maintain law and order in the state. The ethnically diverse Jiribam, which was largely untouched by the clashes in Imphal Valley and the adjoining hills, witnessed violence after the mutilated body of a farmer was found in a field in June this year. Seeing the fragile situation, the Centre reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur’s six police station areas, including the violence-hit Jiribam on Thursday. “The security scenario in Manipur has remained fragile for the past few days. Armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have been indulging in violence leading to unfortunate loss of lives and disruption in public order,” the ministry said on Saturday. The police station areas where AFSPA has been reimposed are Sekmai and Lamsang in Imphal West district, Lamlai in Imphal East district, Jiribam in Jiribam district, Leimakhong in Kangpokpi and Moirang in Bishnupur. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 November,2024 08:00 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Press Council of India (PCI) marked the National Press Day 2024 with a special event held at the National Media Centre in New Delhi. The event was attended by Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr L Murugan, PCI Chairperson Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, and veteran journalist Kundan Ramanlal Vyas. The dignitaries reflected on India’s dynamic media ecosystem and discussed the challenges faced by the press. Vaishnaw, the chief guest and keynote speaker, who attended the event virtually, spoke about India’s vibrant media landscape, highlighting that the country is home to more than 35,000 registered newspapers, numerous news channels, and a rapidly expanding digital infrastructure. He credited investments in 4G and 5G networks for positioning India as a global leader in digital connectivity, with the lowest data prices in the world. However, the minister also pointed to four key challenges affecting the media and press in the digital age: Fake news and misinformation Vaishnaw said the dangers posed by fake news undermines public trust and threatens democracy. He questioned the adequacy of the 'Safe Harbor' provisions, introduced in the 1990s to shield digital platforms from being held accountable for user-generated content. “Shouldn’t platforms operating in a context as complex as India adopt a different set of responsibilities?” Vaishnaw questioned, underlining the need for a new framework that ensures accountability and protects the social fabric of the nation. Fair compensation for content creators The shift from traditional to digital media has financially impacted conventional media, which has invested heavily in journalistic integrity. Vaishnaw highlighted the asymmetry in bargaining power between digital platforms and traditional media outlets. “The efforts made by conventional media in creating content need to be fairly and suitably compensated,” he remarked. Algorithmic bias Algorithms on digital platforms, designed to maximise engagement, often promote sensational or divisive narratives. Vaishnaw pointed out the social consequences of such biases, especially in a diverse country like India, and urged platforms to find solutions that account for the impact their algorithms have on society. Impact of AI on Intellectual Property Rights The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has raised concerns about the rights and recognition of original content creators. Vaishnaw questioned how AI models, which generate content based on vast datasets, affect intellectual property rights. “Are the original creators being compensated or acknowledged for their work?” he asked, highlighting both the ethical and economic challenges posed by AI advancements. In his address, Vaishnaw called for open debates and collaborative efforts to tackle these issues and preserve the media's role as a pillar of democracy, contributing to the vision of a prosperous 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. While speaking at the event, Dr Murugan stressed on the importance of responsible journalism. He cautioned that fake news spreads “faster than a virus” and posed a serious threat to national integrity. Dr Murugan noted that smartphones have turned individuals into potential content creators and called for increased regulation to combat misinformation while balancing freedom of speech with responsibility. He also praised the government's initiatives, including the establishment of a Fact Check Unit within the Press Information Bureau (PIB) to counter false narratives. Meanwhile, Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, highlighted various government initiatives to support journalists, including accreditation, health and welfare schemes, and capacity-building programmes, while emphasising on the need for a fair, transparent, and sustainable press ecosystem that upholds "journalism as a beacon of truth", a platform for diverse voices, and a catalyst for positive societal change. Justice Desai discussed the challenges brought about by the expansion of digital media, blogs, and podcasts. She stressed the importance of ensuring timely and accurate news dissemination, particularly in the digital era while praising the PCI’s efforts to promote ethical journalism through initiatives such as the National Awards of Excellence, which this year recognised 15 journalists for their contributions. She also highlighted the PCI’s role in maintaining public trust and integrity in journalism.
16 November,2024 10:25 PM IST | New DelhiThe Delhi air pollution crisis worsened on Saturday with many areas coming in the "severe" category, even as authorities intensified their efforts by imposing penalties totalling around Rs 5.85 crore on the first day of anti-pollution measures under the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), news agency PTI reported. The city's 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm, stood at 417, making it the worst in the country. On Friday, the AQI level was 396. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air in the "severe" category poses risks to healthy individuals and severely impacts those with existing health conditions. According to PTI, of the 39 monitoring stations in the national capital, the data shared by CPCB showed that all except for Sri Aurobindo Marg reported air quality in the "severe" category, with AQI levels above 400. After Delhi, Jind in Haryana recorded the second-worst air quality with a reading of 394, while Bahadurgarh, also in Haryana, ranked third with a reading of 388. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe', and above 450 'severe plus'. Rs 4.85-crore fines collected from motorists in Delhi without PUC certificates As the third stage of GRAP came into force on Friday, authorities intensified action against violators with teams from the traffic police, transport department, and other agencies issuing fines, PTI reported. On Friday alone, the Delhi Traffic Police issued around 550 challans for violations, including a ban on Bharat Stage (BS)-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, imposing a fine of more than Rs 1 crore on the first day of restrictions. A penalty of Rs 20,000 is imposed on those violating this rule. Diesel and petrol inter-state buses, except for BS-VI diesel buses, are also banned from entering the national capital amid the Delhi air pollution crisis. The police also cracked down on vehicles without Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), issuing fines to 4,855 vehicles, totalling Rs 4.85 crore. A fine of Rs 10,000 is imposed on motorists without a valid PUCC. During an inspection of buses at the Kashmiri Gate inter-state bus terminal on Saturday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled neighbouring states were exacerbating air pollution in the capital by sending BS-IV diesel buses despite the ban. "The BJP governments are deliberately sending diesel buses to Delhi, which is prohibited under the current guidelines, to worsen air pollution," Rai said, pointing to Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. In response, Rai announced that a total of 84 enforcement teams from the Transport Department and 280 teams from the Traffic Police had been mobilised to ensure strict adherence to the ban. 'Stubble burning was the main contributor to the Delhi air pollution crisis' Additionally, a stringent ban on construction and demolition activities has been imposed, along with the suspension of mining-related activities and daily water sprinkling on major roads. Schools for classes up to 5 will shift to online mode after the weekend. The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages based on air quality: Stage 1 for "poor" air quality (AQI ranging from 201 to 300), Stage 2 for "very poor" air quality (AQI from 301 to 400), Stage 3 for "severe" air quality (AQI from 401 to 450), and Stage 4 for "severe plus" air quality (AQI above 450). Meanwhile, old age homes across the city are intensifying measures to protect the elderly, including strict restrictions on outdoor activities during peak pollution hours, mandatory mask use, and keeping oxygen cylinders on standby for emergencies. According to the Centre's Decision Support System for Air Quality Management, stubble burning was the main contributor to the Delhi air pollution crisis on Thursday, accounting for 37% of the total pollution. Vehicular emissions contributed approximately 12% to the overall pollution. The prominent pollutant was PM2.5, according to the CPCB. PM2.5 refers to fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less—about the width of a human hair. These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. (With PTI inputs)
16 November,2024 08:34 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
