<p>The Delhi government has issued schools a 117-point checklist for ensuring student safety in their premises and warned that there would be &quot;zero tolerance&quot; for any violation.</p>

<p>The checklist, including everything from toilets to cybersecurity, has been prepared in the wake of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/class-xi-student-murdered-pradyuman-wanted-exams-postponed-cbi-23720">the brutal killing of a schoolboy in a Gurgaon school </a>and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/new-delhi-five-year-old-raped-by-peon-inside-school-premises-accused-arrested-4843">the rape of a minor girl by a school attendant in Delhi</a>, officials said.</p>

<p>&quot;The checklist has been designed to encapsulate the minimum standards of school safety to emphasize zero tolerance against any violation in this regard.</p>

<p>Practicability of implementation and monitoring has been kept duly in mind,&quot; a senior official of Directorate of Education (DoE) said.</p>

<p>Among the points listed are school safety committees, monthly safety walks to identify loopholes in security in the premises, securing boundary walls with grills, CCTV surveillance, maintaining records of every entry into the school and restricting visitors.</p>

<p>&quot;All toilets should be well lit and have easy release lock from inside and no lock from outside. There should be no deployment of male staff in toilets for primary classes and all toilet visits of students up to Class 2 should be surpervised by a lady caretaker,&quot; the guidelines state.</p>

<p>The guidelines have been issued to all schools in the national capital.</p>

<p>The government has also directed that prior written consent be sought from parents for allowing children to stay back post school hours and co-curricular activities held beyond school timings be supervised by at least two teachers.</p>

<p>Visits to laboratories, sports room, auditorium, library, computer room, gymnasium and assembly hall and the like should be under direct supervision of relevant teachers.</p>

<p>Schools have also been asked to ensure cyber security in accordance with existing cyber and IT laws. This includes installation of firewall, filtering and monitoring mechanisms in all computers in the school premises, regular review of filtering and blocking policies and procedure and ensuring that children use computers under the supervision of teachers.</p>


The checklist, including everything from toilets to cybersecurity, has been prepared in the wake of the brutal killing of a schoolboy in a Gurgaon school and the rape of a minor girl by a school attendant in Delhi, officials said

The Delhi government has issued schools a 117-point checklist for ensuring student safety in their premises and warned that there would be "zero tolerance" for any violation. The checklist, including everything from toilets to cybersecurity, has been prepared in the wake of the brutal killing of a schoolboy in a Gurgaon school and the rape of a minor girl by a school attendant in Delhi, officials said. "The checklist has been designed to encapsulate the minimum standards of school safety to emphasize zero tolerance against any violation in this regard. Practicability of implementation and monitoring has been kept duly in mind," a senior official of Directorate of Education (DoE) said. Among the points listed are school safety committees, monthly safety walks to identify loopholes in security in the premises, securing boundary walls with grills, CCTV surveillance, maintaining records of every entry into the school and restricting visitors. "All toilets should be well lit and have easy release lock from inside and no lock from outside. There should be no deployment of male staff in toilets for primary classes and all toilet visits of students up to Class 2 should be surpervised by a lady caretaker," the guidelines state. The guidelines have been issued to all schools in the national capital. The government has also directed that prior written consent be sought from parents for allowing children to stay back post school hours and co-curricular activities held beyond school timings be supervised by at least two teachers. Visits to laboratories, sports room, auditorium, library, computer room, gymnasium and assembly hall and the like should be under direct supervision of relevant teachers. Schools have also been asked to ensure cyber security in accordance with existing cyber and IT laws. This includes installation of firewall, filtering and monitoring mechanisms in all computers in the school premises, regular review of filtering and blocking policies and procedure and ensuring that children use computers under the supervision of teachers.

Delhi government issues 117-point checklist to schools on student safety

<p>Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore flagged off the Delhi Half Marathon in the Capital&nbsp;on Sunday morning.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">At 10th <a href="https://twitter.com/runadhm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@runadhm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ADHMX?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ADHMX</a>. Hats off to ALL participants. Preparation for HM requires year-round dedication.<br />
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The giant awakens. India is becoming fitter.<br />
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Fitter India, better India.<br />
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Congrats to all winners &amp; participants. <a href="https://t.co/38y6G2Tw83">pic.twitter.com/38y6G2Tw83</a></p>
&mdash; Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ra_THORe/status/932088551658815490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Delhi High Court on Thursday gave the go-ahead for half-marathon as planned after the organisers assured the court that they have put in place a refund policy for those who want to opt out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The organisers also assured the court that they were prepared to deal with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pollution-levels-high-court-issues-notice-to-delhi-government-over-half-marathon-24172" target="_blank">any medical emergencies</a>.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi Half Marathon Elite category results(Men&#39;s): Ethopia&#39;s Birhanu Legese and Andahmlak Belihu came first and second respectively. USA&#39;s Leonard Korir stood third. India&#39;s Nitendra Rawat came tenth. <a href="https://t.co/IIrZAPHyww">pic.twitter.com/IIrZAPHyww</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932102142957051909?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-medical-association-writes-to-delhi-cm-asking-him-to-cancel-airtel-delhi-half-marathon-23638">The Delhi High Court had earlier issued a notice to the Delhi government,</a>&nbsp;the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), organisers of the half marathon event and the Delhi Police on a letter by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) requesting to postpone the event due to pollution.&nbsp;</p>


The Delhi High Court on Thursday had given the approval for half-marathon after the organisers assured the court that they have put in place a refund policy for those who want to opt out

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore flagged off the Delhi Half Marathon in the Capital on Sunday morning. At 10th @runadhm #ADHMX. Hats off to ALL participants. Preparation for HM requires year-round dedication. The giant awakens. India is becoming fitter. Fitter India, better India. Congrats to all winners & participants. pic.twitter.com/38y6G2Tw83 — Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) November 19, 2017 × The Delhi High Court on Thursday gave the go-ahead for half-marathon as planned after the organisers assured the court that they have put in place a refund policy for those who want to opt out. The organisers also assured the court that they were prepared to deal with any medical emergencies. Delhi Half Marathon Elite category results(Men's): Ethopia's Birhanu Legese and Andahmlak Belihu came first and second respectively. USA's Leonard Korir stood third. India's Nitendra Rawat came tenth. pic.twitter.com/IIrZAPHyww — ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2017 × The Delhi High Court had earlier issued a notice to the Delhi government, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), organisers of the half marathon event and the Delhi Police on a letter by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) requesting to postpone the event due to pollution.

Sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore flags off Delhi Marathon

<p>The national capital received some rainfall late Friday&nbsp;cleaning up some of the smog.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> witnessed overnight drizzle: Visuals from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajpath?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajpath</a> <a href="https://t.co/GP3gsdPC0J">pic.twitter.com/GP3gsdPC0J</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931700262271463425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Pollution levels decreased further on Friday as Delhi received rainfall in some parts of the city, and is expected to witness more such drizzles on Saturday as well, an official from the MET department told the media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Due to a disturbance in the western part of the country, overnight rain hit the national capital, reports say.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The approximate Air Quality Index of Delhi, which was measured at 363 on Thursday, decreased to 310 on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Rajpath after overnight drizzling: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>&#39;s Anand Vihar at 260, Punjabi Bagh at 251, Siri Fort at 236, Shadipur at 214 in Air Quality Index; all of them fall in &#39;Very Unhealthy category&#39; <a href="https://t.co/DIJh030LfO">pic.twitter.com/DIJh030LfO</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931701867918135296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>An AQI value between 301 and 400 is said to be under the &lsquo;very poor&rsquo; category of pollution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Levels of particulate matter also decreased throughout the day in Delhi-NCR after showing a slight high on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">49 trains delayed, 14 rescheduled and one cancelled: Visuals from New <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> Railway Station <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pollution?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pollution</a> <a href="https://t.co/1cq0W4oOnS">pic.twitter.com/1cq0W4oOnS</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931703944480309249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>As rains continue to hit the capital, the pollution levels and particulate matter are expected to decrease, making the air cleaner, reports added.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, as many as 49 trains were delayed while 14 rescheduled and one cancelled due to smog.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Due to a disturbance in the western part of the country, overnight rain hit the national capital

The national capital received some rainfall late Friday cleaning up some of the smog. #Delhi witnessed overnight drizzle: Visuals from #Rajpath pic.twitter.com/GP3gsdPC0J — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × Pollution levels decreased further on Friday as Delhi received rainfall in some parts of the city, and is expected to witness more such drizzles on Saturday as well, an official from the MET department told the media. Due to a disturbance in the western part of the country, overnight rain hit the national capital, reports say. The approximate Air Quality Index of Delhi, which was measured at 363 on Thursday, decreased to 310 on Friday. #Visuals from Rajpath after overnight drizzling: #Delhi's Anand Vihar at 260, Punjabi Bagh at 251, Siri Fort at 236, Shadipur at 214 in Air Quality Index; all of them fall in 'Very Unhealthy category' pic.twitter.com/DIJh030LfO — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × An AQI value between 301 and 400 is said to be under the ‘very poor’ category of pollution. Levels of particulate matter also decreased throughout the day in Delhi-NCR after showing a slight high on Thursday. 49 trains delayed, 14 rescheduled and one cancelled: Visuals from New #Delhi Railway Station #Pollution pic.twitter.com/1cq0W4oOnS — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × As rains continue to hit the capital, the pollution levels and particulate matter are expected to decrease, making the air cleaner, reports added. Meanwhile, as many as 49 trains were delayed while 14 rescheduled and one cancelled due to smog.

Overnight drizzle in Delhi may help ease up pollution

<p>CCTV footage has surfaced of a woman being assaulted at Delhi&#39;s ITO Metro station.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the video, the assailant can be seen first blocking the woman&#39;s path, and then attacking her.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The woman, a 25-year-old journalist, first fought him off, and then chased after him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;At first I thought he touched me by mistake but then he groped me again, after that it took me few seconds to gather myself and there were no security personnel around, otherwise I would&#39;ve caught him there,&quot; she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The attack took place on November 13.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The man has been arrested, and remanded in judicial custory&nbsp;for 14 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI reported that he had attacked another woman on November 13 and that he had been inebriated at the time.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ITO Metro molestation case: The accused had molested 2 girls, including a journalist on 13th November while he was in an inebriated state. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931451884736471041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


In the video, the assailant can be seen first blocking the woman's path, and then attacking her

CCTV footage has surfaced of a woman being assaulted at Delhi's ITO Metro station. In the video, the assailant can be seen first blocking the woman's path, and then attacking her. The woman, a 25-year-old journalist, first fought him off, and then chased after him. "At first I thought he touched me by mistake but then he groped me again, after that it took me few seconds to gather myself and there were no security personnel around, otherwise I would've caught him there," she said. The attack took place on November 13. The man has been arrested, and remanded in judicial custory for 14 days. ANI reported that he had attacked another woman on November 13 and that he had been inebriated at the time. ITO Metro molestation case: The accused had molested 2 girls, including a journalist on 13th November while he was in an inebriated state. #Delhi — ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2017 ×

WATCH: Woman attacked at Delhi Metro's ITO station, fights off assailant

<p>The National <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/install-rainwater-harvesting-system-in-two-months-ngt-to-delhi-schools-colleges-24362">Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday allowed</a> construction activities to resume in the national capital while asking the government to take preventive measures in order to control air pollution.</p>

<p>The NGT also lifted the ban on the entry of trucks in the Delhi. The Delhi High Court had allowed entry of trucks and removed the&nbsp;four-fold increase in parking fees on Thursday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">National Green Tribunal allows construction activities in the national capital, asks for preventive measures to be taken in order to control air pollution</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931390373363978240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&#39;&#39;Ban on entry of trucks has also been lifted, but should be properly regulated,&#39;&#39; news agency ANI reported quoting NGT.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prohibitory order on industries, burning of crops will continue to be in place, according to the NGT order.</p>

<p>The sprinkling of water will continue where particles are dense. The NGT has told Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to implement water sprinkling&nbsp;in their respective states.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kanpur: Fire Brigade Services &amp; Municipality sprinkled water on roads in Ghanta Ghar Chauraha in light of increase in pollution in the city. <a href="https://t.co/eFQybWKtSa">pic.twitter.com/eFQybWKtSa</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/931392351217491969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The NGT also directed Delhi and other neighbouring states to file a status report within two weeks.</p>


The NGT also lifted the ban on the entry of trucks in the Capital.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday allowed construction activities to resume in the national capital while asking the government to take preventive measures in order to control air pollution. The NGT also lifted the ban on the entry of trucks in the Delhi. The Delhi High Court had allowed entry of trucks and removed the four-fold increase in parking fees on Thursday. National Green Tribunal allows construction activities in the national capital, asks for preventive measures to be taken in order to control air pollution — ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2017 × ''Ban on entry of trucks has also been lifted, but should be properly regulated,'' news agency ANI reported quoting NGT. Prohibitory order on industries, burning of crops will continue to be in place, according to the NGT order. The sprinkling of water will continue where particles are dense. The NGT has told Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to implement water sprinkling in their respective states. Kanpur: Fire Brigade Services & Municipality sprinkled water on roads in Ghanta Ghar Chauraha in light of increase in pollution in the city. pic.twitter.com/eFQybWKtSa — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 17, 2017 × The NGT also directed Delhi and other neighbouring states to file a status report within two weeks.

NGT allows construction activities to resume in Delhi

<p>Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan has claimed that the high level of dangerous pollution surrounding Delhi is no cause for alarm.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, Vardhan has said that with just &#39;routine precautions&#39; the situation can get under control and there is no such <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-pollution-hits-dangerous-level-doctors-declare-health-emergency-6544">&#39;emergency&#39; which doctors have declared</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He has further gone on and justified that the &#39;Bhopal gas tragedy&#39; was, in actuality, an emergency and the situation right now is nothing close.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bhopal Gas tragedy, the world&#39;s worst industrial disaster took the lives of 25,000 people in 1984.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said in an interview with the media that &nbsp;&#39;the Bhopal situation was a real crisis, where you have to panic and see what to do&#39;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I&#39;m not saying we shouldn&#39;t do anything about it, everyone has to respond to what he is supposed to do. But there is no need to spread panic among the people,&quot; Vardhan told the media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>People took to Twitter in rage and expressed their thoughts.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Science &amp; environment minister Harsh Vardhan says don&#39;t spread panic on foul air, it&#39;s not like Bhopal gas leak, so no emergency. Take routine precautions. Yes sir, when your house develops cracks and begins to shake, be calm. Remember, it&#39;s not an earthquake</p>
&mdash; Subhendu Mukherjee (@subhendujee) <a href="https://twitter.com/subhendujee/status/930621985641529344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">No death certificate has the cause of death as pollution. No need to spread panic. Benchmark for an emergency is the Bhopal gas tragedy. And ladies and gentleman, this statement comes from Dr Harsh Vardhan, who was a former Health Minister. Slow Claps ??</p>
&mdash; Aayush Sharma (ANI) (@AayushPrime) <a href="https://twitter.com/AayushPrime/status/930500942960648192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In Delhi on Tuesday, levels of PM2.5 - the tiny harmful particulates which can cause health issues were around 400 according to the US embassy website, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/delhi-choking-government-calls-emergency-meeting-over-alarming-pollution-levels-8400">deep in the &quot;hazardous&quot; level.</a></p>

<p>Delhi is said to be the world&#39;s most polluted capital according to the WHO, exceeding pollution levels in Beijing.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


According to reports, Vardhan has said that with just 'routine precautions' the situation can get under control and there is no such 'emergency' which doctors have declared.?

Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan has claimed that the high level of dangerous pollution surrounding Delhi is no cause for alarm. According to reports, Vardhan has said that with just 'routine precautions' the situation can get under control and there is no such 'emergency' which doctors have declared. He has further gone on and justified that the 'Bhopal gas tragedy' was, in actuality, an emergency and the situation right now is nothing close. Bhopal Gas tragedy, the world's worst industrial disaster took the lives of 25,000 people in 1984. He said in an interview with the media that 'the Bhopal situation was a real crisis, where you have to panic and see what to do' "I'm not saying we shouldn't do anything about it, everyone has to respond to what he is supposed to do. But there is no need to spread panic among the people," Vardhan told the media. People took to Twitter in rage and expressed their thoughts. Science & environment minister Harsh Vardhan says don't spread panic on foul air, it's not like Bhopal gas leak, so no emergency. Take routine precautions. Yes sir, when your house develops cracks and begins to shake, be calm. Remember, it's not an earthquake — Subhendu Mukherjee (@subhendujee) November 15, 2017 × No death certificate has the cause of death as pollution. No need to spread panic. Benchmark for an emergency is the Bhopal gas tragedy. And ladies and gentleman, this statement comes from Dr Harsh Vardhan, who was a former Health Minister. Slow Claps ?? — Aayush Sharma (ANI) (@AayushPrime) November 14, 2017 × In Delhi on Tuesday, levels of PM2.5 - the tiny harmful particulates which can cause health issues were around 400 according to the US embassy website, deep in the "hazardous" level. Delhi is said to be the world's most polluted capital according to the WHO, exceeding pollution levels in Beijing.

'No need to panic, it's not Bhopal gas tragedy', says Harsh Vardhan on Delhi pollution

<p>The 37th India International Trade Fair was inaugurated in Delhi on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fair held at Pragati Maidan in the city will open to&nbsp;the general public on November 18.</p>

<p>The people can visit the fair between 9:30 am and 7:30 pm for the next nine days.</p>

<p>It will continue till November 27.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is held annually at&nbsp;Pragati Maidan in Delhi.</p>

<p>The first four days of the fair is reserved for business visitors.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Inaugurated the Health Pavilion at 37th India International Trade Fair, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The awareness initiatives like Health pavilion at IITF go a long way in strengthening preventive care &amp; inspire to adopt healthy habits to lead a healthy and productive life. <a href="https://t.co/6BjYsXkLdV">pic.twitter.com/6BjYsXkLdV</a></p>
&mdash; Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) <a href="https://twitter.com/JPNadda/status/930385515685273600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chairman CBDT Sh Sushil Chandra inaugurates Taxpayers&#39; Lounge at IITF at Pragati Maidan to facilitate taxpayers with PAN applications, e-filing of returns, view tax credit statement and other assistance as also educational material <a href="https://t.co/THArv5Q1r9">pic.twitter.com/THArv5Q1r9</a></p>
&mdash; Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/FinMinIndia/status/930392294775144448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Inaugurated KVIC pavilion at IITF Pragati Maidan.<br />
Your favourite Khadi products are here ..<br />
Plz visit and send your suggestions <a href="https://t.co/seMkLTbm5j">pic.twitter.com/seMkLTbm5j</a></p>
&mdash; Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/girirajsinghbjp/status/930414856968200193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Union Minister for Commerce &amp; Industry, Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/sureshpprabhu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sureshpprabhu</a> interacting with the media after inaugurating the Startup India theme pavilion, at the 37th India International Trade Fair (IITF), at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi <a href="https://t.co/UWg5BkeiT4">pic.twitter.com/UWg5BkeiT4</a></p>
&mdash; MIB India (@MIB_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/MIB_India/status/930365074312609793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Union Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/girirajsinghbjp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@girirajsinghbjp</a> inaugurates the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSMEExpo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSMEExpo</a> - 2017, at the 37th India International Trade Fair <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IITF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IITF</a>, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi <a href="https://t.co/s18bk4G7oY">pic.twitter.com/s18bk4G7oY</a></p>
&mdash; PIB India (@PIB_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_India/status/930427426986893312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Addressing the participants of domestic as well as foreign companies at Pragati Maidan in the inaugural ceremony of India International Trade Fair-2017. Stressed on the fact that boosting Ease of doing business will lead to ease of life for every Indian. <a href="https://t.co/0n2f7HDzTz">pic.twitter.com/0n2f7HDzTz</a></p>
&mdash; C R Chaudhary (@crchaudharymos) <a href="https://twitter.com/crchaudharymos/status/930370782944952320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We&#39;re at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IITF2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IITF2017</a> , Pragati Maidan , New Delhi. Visit the Aadhaar stall at Hall No. 12 for Enrolment or Update. <a href="https://t.co/XhGeboFpOO">pic.twitter.com/XhGeboFpOO</a></p>
&mdash; Aadhaar (@UIDAI) <a href="https://twitter.com/UIDAI/status/930337675210452992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Inaugration of GST Pavilion with Chairman Ms. Vanaja. N. Sarna at IITF, Pragati Maidan!<br />
Join us for exciting activities like Digital Wall, Selfie Booth and more interactive sessions! <a href="https://t.co/3sUYOVOe0T">pic.twitter.com/3sUYOVOe0T</a></p>
&mdash; CBEC (@CBEC_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBEC_India/status/930395203571212288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Take a virtual tour of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NamamiGange?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NamamiGange</a> pavilion Pragati Maidan Hall 18 L, Stall 16. See you there!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IITF2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IITF2017</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nitin_gadkari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nitin_gadkari</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dr_satyapal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dr_satyapal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/arjunrammeghwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@arjunrammeghwal</a> <a href="https://t.co/WVzxmJtChT">pic.twitter.com/WVzxmJtChT</a></p>
&mdash; Namami Gange (@cleanganganmcg) <a href="https://twitter.com/cleanganganmcg/status/930411073697497088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The India International Trade Fair was introduced in 1980.</p>

<p>The event is organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).</p>

<p>Over the years it has evolved as a major event for the business community.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The fair will be open to the general public from November 18 between 9:30 am and 7:30 pm

The 37th India International Trade Fair was inaugurated in Delhi on Tuesday. The fair held at Pragati Maidan in the city will open to the general public on November 18. The people can visit the fair between 9:30 am and 7:30 pm for the next nine days. It will continue till November 27. It is held annually at Pragati Maidan in Delhi. The first four days of the fair is reserved for business visitors. Inaugurated the Health Pavilion at 37th India International Trade Fair, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The awareness initiatives like Health pavilion at IITF go a long way in strengthening preventive care & inspire to adopt healthy habits to lead a healthy and productive life. pic.twitter.com/6BjYsXkLdV — Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) November 14, 2017 × Chairman CBDT Sh Sushil Chandra inaugurates Taxpayers' Lounge at IITF at Pragati Maidan to facilitate taxpayers with PAN applications, e-filing of returns, view tax credit statement and other assistance as also educational material pic.twitter.com/THArv5Q1r9 — Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) November 14, 2017 × Inaugurated KVIC pavilion at IITF Pragati Maidan. Your favourite Khadi products are here .. Plz visit and send your suggestions pic.twitter.com/seMkLTbm5j — Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) November 14, 2017 × Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Shri @sureshpprabhu interacting with the media after inaugurating the Startup India theme pavilion, at the 37th India International Trade Fair (IITF), at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi pic.twitter.com/UWg5BkeiT4 — MIB India (@MIB_India) November 14, 2017 × Union Minister @girirajsinghbjp inaugurates the #MSMEExpo - 2017, at the 37th India International Trade Fair #IITF, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi pic.twitter.com/s18bk4G7oY — PIB India (@PIB_India) November 14, 2017 × Addressing the participants of domestic as well as foreign companies at Pragati Maidan in the inaugural ceremony of India International Trade Fair-2017. Stressed on the fact that boosting Ease of doing business will lead to ease of life for every Indian. pic.twitter.com/0n2f7HDzTz — C R Chaudhary (@crchaudharymos) November 14, 2017 × We're at #IITF2017 , Pragati Maidan , New Delhi. Visit the Aadhaar stall at Hall No. 12 for Enrolment or Update. pic.twitter.com/XhGeboFpOO — Aadhaar (@UIDAI) November 14, 2017 × Inaugration of GST Pavilion with Chairman Ms. Vanaja. N. Sarna at IITF, Pragati Maidan! Join us for exciting activities like Digital Wall, Selfie Booth and more interactive sessions! pic.twitter.com/3sUYOVOe0T — CBEC (@CBEC_India) November 14, 2017 × Take a virtual tour of #NamamiGange pavilion Pragati Maidan Hall 18 L, Stall 16. See you there!! #IITF2017 @PMOIndia @nitin_gadkari @dr_satyapal @arjunrammeghwal pic.twitter.com/WVzxmJtChT — Namami Gange (@cleanganganmcg) November 14, 2017 × The India International Trade Fair was introduced in 1980. The event is organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). Over the years it has evolved as a major event for the business community.

37th India International Trade Fair inaugurated at Delhi

<p>As many as 233 challans have been issued against defaulters from November 9 to November 13 for carrying out construction activities in south Delhi, the area&#39;s civic body said today.</p>

<p>The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) in a statement said 135 challans were issued during the same period for burning of solid waste, garbage, dry leaves, plastic, and rubber.</p>

<p>The authorities had on November 8 ordered an immediate halt on civil construction works and banned the entry of trucks, except those carrying essential commodities, in the city as the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) announced that pollution levels have hit &#39;severe plus&#39; in the national capital.</p>

<p>&quot;Keeping in view the emerging severe smog and in compliance of the court directions, the SDMC has started taking action against the burning of solid waste, garbage, dry leaves, plastic, rubber, and construction activities,&quot; the statement said.</p>

<p>It said fine amounting to Rs 7 lakh was collected for the burning of waste and garbage, while Rs 1.16 crore was collected for challans issued for carrying out construction activities in south Delhi, the SDMC added.&nbsp;</p>


Keeping in view the emerging severe smog and in compliance of the court directions, the SDMC has started taking action against the burning of solid waste, garbage, dry leaves, plastic, rubber, and construction activities

As many as 233 challans have been issued against defaulters from November 9 to November 13 for carrying out construction activities in south Delhi, the area's civic body said today. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) in a statement said 135 challans were issued during the same period for burning of solid waste, garbage, dry leaves, plastic, and rubber. The authorities had on November 8 ordered an immediate halt on civil construction works and banned the entry of trucks, except those carrying essential commodities, in the city as the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) announced that pollution levels have hit 'severe plus' in the national capital. "Keeping in view the emerging severe smog and in compliance of the court directions, the SDMC has started taking action against the burning of solid waste, garbage, dry leaves, plastic, rubber, and construction activities," the statement said. It said fine amounting to Rs 7 lakh was collected for the burning of waste and garbage, while Rs 1.16 crore was collected for challans issued for carrying out construction activities in south Delhi, the SDMC added.

Challans worth Rs 1.16 lakh issued for construction activities: South Delhi Municipal Corporation

<p style="text-align: justify;">The National Green Tribunal today refused to exempt women and two-wheelers from the Delhi government&#39;s odd-even car rationing scheme and directed it to ensure that over 10-year-old diesel vehicles be taken off the roads without delay.<br />
The tribunal, which expressed concern over the high pollution level which was an &quot;environmental and health emergency&quot;, said the city should &quot;not gift infected lungs to its children.&quot;A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also asked the Aam Aadmi Party government here to identify the most polluted areas today itself and sprinkle water from high rise buildings.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The bench, however, allowed non-polluting industries who manufacture essential goods to operate.During the hearing, the NGT also asked what the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh doing other than blaming each other. &quot;What are UP, Haryana, and Punjab doing? All of you are just blaming each other. You cannot just shift blame,&quot; it said.The Delhi government withdrew its plea as the NGT was not convinced with its submission that the city did not have adequate public transport to cater to over 25 lakh commuters.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;&quot;Delhi government wishes to withdraw its application filed for modification of our order. They have the liberty to file a fresh plea. The application is disposed of,&quot; the bench said.<br />
The Delhi government had yesterday moved an application before the bench seeking modification of its November 11 order allowing odd-even scheme without exemptions.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Regarding functioning of industries in the National Capital Region (NCR), the bench said: &quot;we clarify that industries manufacturing essential commodities like eatables have been exempted from the prohibiting orders of the NGT.&quot;We also direct that the industries whose emissions are within the prescribed parameters and which are non-polluting and compliant to the directions can operate subject to verification.&quot;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">It also allowed the construction work of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway in the NCR, which will bypass Delhi on the eastern side, subject to an assurance by the senior-most officer of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) that no pollution would be caused.<br />
The tribunal noted that as per reports of the pollution control committees, two-wheelers caused greater pollution, and according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), approximately 30 percent pollution was caused by them.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&quot;If you permit 68 lakh two-wheelers to ply, what will be the extent of the pollution? You said thousands of buses were ordered but have not got a single bus yet. You wait for a crisis,&quot; the bench said.<br />
Expressing anguish over the plea seeking permission to exempt women drivers from the odd-even scheme, the NGT asked &quot;are you (Delhi government) not responsible for the safety of ladies who do not have cars and travel by metros and buses on a daily basis? Why can&#39;t you have a special ladies buses?&quot;<br />
Noting that particulate matter (PM) 10 was higher than 900, it said, &quot;You (Delhi government) are sprinkling water in trees. What you are supposed to do is to climb a multi-storeyed building and sprinkle water using fire equipment.&quot;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The bench, in the meanwhile, directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GNCT of Delhi, Transport department and pollution control boards to coordinate with each other in order to control pollutants in the air and take steps in accordance with its orders.<br />
The NGT had on November 11 given a conditional nod to the AAP government&#39;s decision to implement the odd-even scheme for five days from November 13, ordering that no exemption should be allowed to &quot;any person or officer and two-wheelers&quot;.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The government had then scrapped its plan to implement the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme after NGT said there will be no exemption for women, two-wheelers, and government servants.<br />
The NGT had said the odd-even scheme should be implemented &quot;without any default&quot; as and when the PM10 level goes above 500 microgrammes per cubic meter and PM 2.5 level crosses the limit of 300 microgrammes per cubic meter during a span of 48 hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>


Tribunal expressed its concern over the high pollution level which was an 'environmental and health emergency', said the city should 'not gift infected lungs to its children'

The National Green Tribunal today refused to exempt women and two-wheelers from the Delhi government's odd-even car rationing scheme and directed it to ensure that over 10-year-old diesel vehicles be taken off the roads without delay. The tribunal, which expressed concern over the high pollution level which was an "environmental and health emergency", said the city should "not gift infected lungs to its children."A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also asked the Aam Aadmi Party government here to identify the most polluted areas today itself and sprinkle water from high rise buildings. The bench, however, allowed non-polluting industries who manufacture essential goods to operate.During the hearing, the NGT also asked what the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh doing other than blaming each other. "What are UP, Haryana, and Punjab doing? All of you are just blaming each other. You cannot just shift blame," it said.The Delhi government withdrew its plea as the NGT was not convinced with its submission that the city did not have adequate public transport to cater to over 25 lakh commuters. "Delhi government wishes to withdraw its application filed for modification of our order. They have the liberty to file a fresh plea. The application is disposed of," the bench said. The Delhi government had yesterday moved an application before the bench seeking modification of its November 11 order allowing odd-even scheme without exemptions. Regarding functioning of industries in the National Capital Region (NCR), the bench said: "we clarify that industries manufacturing essential commodities like eatables have been exempted from the prohibiting orders of the NGT."We also direct that the industries whose emissions are within the prescribed parameters and which are non-polluting and compliant to the directions can operate subject to verification." It also allowed the construction work of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway in the NCR, which will bypass Delhi on the eastern side, subject to an assurance by the senior-most officer of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) that no pollution would be caused. The tribunal noted that as per reports of the pollution control committees, two-wheelers caused greater pollution, and according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), approximately 30 percent pollution was caused by them. "If you permit 68 lakh two-wheelers to ply, what will be the extent of the pollution? You said thousands of buses were ordered but have not got a single bus yet. You wait for a crisis," the bench said. Expressing anguish over the plea seeking permission to exempt women drivers from the odd-even scheme, the NGT asked "are you (Delhi government) not responsible for the safety of ladies who do not have cars and travel by metros and buses on a daily basis? Why can't you have a special ladies buses?" Noting that particulate matter (PM) 10 was higher than 900, it said, "You (Delhi government) are sprinkling water in trees. What you are supposed to do is to climb a multi-storeyed building and sprinkle water using fire equipment." The bench, in the meanwhile, directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GNCT of Delhi, Transport department and pollution control boards to coordinate with each other in order to control pollutants in the air and take steps in accordance with its orders. The NGT had on November 11 given a conditional nod to the AAP government's decision to implement the odd-even scheme for five days from November 13, ordering that no exemption should be allowed to "any person or officer and two-wheelers". The government had then scrapped its plan to implement the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme after NGT said there will be no exemption for women, two-wheelers, and government servants. The NGT had said the odd-even scheme should be implemented "without any default" as and when the PM10 level goes above 500 microgrammes per cubic meter and PM 2.5 level crosses the limit of 300 microgrammes per cubic meter during a span of 48 hours.

NGT refuses to exempt women, two-wheelers from odd-even scheme

<p>A thick cloud of toxic smog 10 times the recommended limit enveloped India&rsquo;s capital New Delhi on Monday, as government officials struggled to tackle a public health crisis that is well into its second week.</p>

<p>A U.S. embassy measure showed levels of poisonous airborne particles, known as PM 2.5, had reached 495 on Monday morning, compared with the upper limit of &ldquo;good&rdquo; quality air at 50.</p>

<p>India&rsquo;s weather office said forecast rain over the next three days could help clear the smog.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Light rainfall is likely in states surrounding Delhi and in Delhi over the next three days, and this could result in a change in wind pattern in the region,&rdquo; Charan Singh, a scientist at India Meteorological Department, told Reuters. &ldquo;Smog will start to abate starting tomorrow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The Delhi state government declared a public health emergency last week after pollution levels in the city spiked, a yearly phenomenon blamed on a combination of illegal crop burning in northern states, vehicle exhausts, and dust.</p>

<p>Over the weekend, the government said it planned to use fire trucks to spray water in parts of the capital, but the moves have had little effect.</p>

<p>A senior central government official said there was little more the government could do.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We can only do this much, and now we will have to wait for rains to clean the atmosphere,&rdquo; said Prashant Gargava, an official at the Central Pollution Control Board, a central body.</p>

<p>Gargava, who is in-charge of monitoring air quality, said Delhi&rsquo;s air has been consistently in the &ldquo;hazardous&rdquo; zone, despite measures such as a halt to construction and increasing car parking charges four-fold to encourage people to use public transportation.</p>

<p>The PM 2.5 airborne particles are about 30 times finer than a human hair. The particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing respiratory diseases and other ailments. Hospitals in the capital have seen a spike in the number of patients coming in with respiratory complaints, according to media reports.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Every second we are damaging our lungs, but we cannot stop breathing,&rdquo; said Arvind Kumar, the head of the chest and lung surgery department at the Sir Ganga Ram hospital in the city.</p>

<p>United Airlines said it had resumed flights from Newark, New Jersey to New Delhi, India on Sunday, after suspending the service temporarily over concerns about poor air quality in the Indian capital.</p>

<p>State and central governments decided to reopen schools on Monday after closing them temporarily for a few days last week. The move, however, is likely to add more vehicles on the road.</p>

<p>Enforcement agencies said they were also unable to impose a blanket ban on movement of commercial trucks.</p>

<p>Aarti Menon, a teacher at a primary school in New Delhi, said her family was wearing a mask even when they were indoors during the weekend.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not everyone can afford an air purifier or air-conditioned car. We are all living in hell,&rdquo; said Menon, a mother of two teenage daughters.</p>

<p>The National Green Tribunal, an environment court, has directed the Delhi government and neighbouring states to stop farmers from burning crop residue. But the federal and state governments have not been able to do so yet.</p>

<p>A New Delhi-based non-governmental organization, TARA Homes for Children, which supports 60 poor children, said it was seeking donations to buy at least five air purifiers. &ldquo;Some of the children have breathing issues and couldn&rsquo;t go to school,&rdquo; said a volunteer at the NGO.</p>


Hospitals in the capital have seen a spike in the number of patients coming in with respiratory complaints, according to media reports

A thick cloud of toxic smog 10 times the recommended limit enveloped India’s capital New Delhi on Monday, as government officials struggled to tackle a public health crisis that is well into its second week. A U.S. embassy measure showed levels of poisonous airborne particles, known as PM 2.5, had reached 495 on Monday morning, compared with the upper limit of “good” quality air at 50. India’s weather office said forecast rain over the next three days could help clear the smog. “Light rainfall is likely in states surrounding Delhi and in Delhi over the next three days, and this could result in a change in wind pattern in the region,” Charan Singh, a scientist at India Meteorological Department, told Reuters. “Smog will start to abate starting tomorrow.” The Delhi state government declared a public health emergency last week after pollution levels in the city spiked, a yearly phenomenon blamed on a combination of illegal crop burning in northern states, vehicle exhausts, and dust. Over the weekend, the government said it planned to use fire trucks to spray water in parts of the capital, but the moves have had little effect. A senior central government official said there was little more the government could do. “We can only do this much, and now we will have to wait for rains to clean the atmosphere,” said Prashant Gargava, an official at the Central Pollution Control Board, a central body. Gargava, who is in-charge of monitoring air quality, said Delhi’s air has been consistently in the “hazardous” zone, despite measures such as a halt to construction and increasing car parking charges four-fold to encourage people to use public transportation. The PM 2.5 airborne particles are about 30 times finer than a human hair. The particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing respiratory diseases and other ailments. Hospitals in the capital have seen a spike in the number of patients coming in with respiratory complaints, according to media reports. “Every second we are damaging our lungs, but we cannot stop breathing,” said Arvind Kumar, the head of the chest and lung surgery department at the Sir Ganga Ram hospital in the city. United Airlines said it had resumed flights from Newark, New Jersey to New Delhi, India on Sunday, after suspending the service temporarily over concerns about poor air quality in the Indian capital. State and central governments decided to reopen schools on Monday after closing them temporarily for a few days last week. The move, however, is likely to add more vehicles on the road. Enforcement agencies said they were also unable to impose a blanket ban on movement of commercial trucks. Aarti Menon, a teacher at a primary school in New Delhi, said her family was wearing a mask even when they were indoors during the weekend. “Not everyone can afford an air purifier or air-conditioned car. We are all living in hell,” said Menon, a mother of two teenage daughters. The National Green Tribunal, an environment court, has directed the Delhi government and neighbouring states to stop farmers from burning crop residue. But the federal and state governments have not been able to do so yet. A New Delhi-based non-governmental organization, TARA Homes for Children, which supports 60 poor children, said it was seeking donations to buy at least five air purifiers. “Some of the children have breathing issues and couldn’t go to school,” said a volunteer at the NGO.

Delhi bears the brunt of smog despite emergency measures

<p>The smog in Delhi led to at least&nbsp;69 trains being delayed and 22 rescheduled with eight trains cancelled on Monday morning.</p>

<p>The latest Air Quality Index in many places in the national capital was recorded as &quot;hazardous&quot;.</p>

<p>In Delhi, Mandir Marg, Anand&nbsp;Vihar, Punjabi Bagh and Shadipur were at&nbsp;&quot;hazardous&quot; levels.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">According to latest AQI figures, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>&#39;s Mandir Marg at 523, Anand Vihar at 510, Punjabi Bagh at 743, Shadipur at 420; all fall in the &#39;Hazardous&#39; category in the Air Quality Index</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929896079113428992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The air quality in the city and the adjoining states remains severely polluted under the thick blanket of smog.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, schools in Delhi reopened on Monday after being closed due to severe smog conditions in the past week.</p>

<p>To reduce the pollution level, the Delhi government&nbsp;had ordered the&nbsp;implementation of the odd-even rationing of vehicles from today. However, the decision was dropped by the Delhi&nbsp;government after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-government-should-prove-odd-even-has-worked-else-will-stay-imposition-of-the-rule-ngt-23910" target="_blank">National Green Tribunal</a>&#39;s(NGT) said none of the&nbsp;vehicles drivers would be exempted which including women and government officials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Delhi government decided to present a new plan to the NGT on Monday, with the odd-even vehicle plan set to be implemented in the near future.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Schools in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> reopen, after being closed due to severe <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/smog?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#smog</a> conditions in the national capital. Students seen wearing masks, teachers &#39;say collective efforts must be made, closing schools not a solution&#39; <a href="https://t.co/Mi1isF5hhM">pic.twitter.com/Mi1isF5hhM</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929901531889102848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Meanwhile, the schools in Delhi reopened on Monday after being closed due to severe smog conditions in the past week

The smog in Delhi led to at least 69 trains being delayed and 22 rescheduled with eight trains cancelled on Monday morning. The latest Air Quality Index in many places in the national capital was recorded as "hazardous". In Delhi, Mandir Marg, Anand Vihar, Punjabi Bagh and Shadipur were at "hazardous" levels. According to latest AQI figures, #Delhi's Mandir Marg at 523, Anand Vihar at 510, Punjabi Bagh at 743, Shadipur at 420; all fall in the 'Hazardous' category in the Air Quality Index — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017 × The air quality in the city and the adjoining states remains severely polluted under the thick blanket of smog. Meanwhile, schools in Delhi reopened on Monday after being closed due to severe smog conditions in the past week. To reduce the pollution level, the Delhi government had ordered the implementation of the odd-even rationing of vehicles from today. However, the decision was dropped by the Delhi government after the National Green Tribunal's(NGT) said none of the vehicles drivers would be exempted which including women and government officials. The Delhi government decided to present a new plan to the NGT on Monday, with the odd-even vehicle plan set to be implemented in the near future. Schools in #Delhi reopen, after being closed due to severe #smog conditions in the national capital. Students seen wearing masks, teachers 'say collective efforts must be made, closing schools not a solution' pic.twitter.com/Mi1isF5hhM — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017 ×

Delhi smog: Schools reopen, several trains delayed

<p>A major fire broke out at the Bhalswa landfill site in Delhi during the wee hours of Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The massive 40 acre-wide trash disposal is said to be the largest in Delhi which gets around 2,700 tonnes of garbage each day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The area was covered with toxic gases, due to the decomposing waste in large amount&nbsp;of garbage. This led to low visibility&nbsp;around Azadpur Mandi, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> of fire at Bhalswa landfill site in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>, seen in the early morning hours. <a href="https://t.co/LZJwZ15c7n">pic.twitter.com/LZJwZ15c7n</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929163810975260672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Reports say that the landfill had previously caught fire in 2016&nbsp;which took several days before it was brought under control.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The authorities said in 2006 that the landfill had&nbsp;reached its limit, but garbage is being dumped in the landfill to date.</p>


Reports say that the landfill had previously caught fire in 2016?which took several days before it was brought under control.?

A major fire broke out at the Bhalswa landfill site in Delhi during the wee hours of Saturday. The massive 40 acre-wide trash disposal is said to be the largest in Delhi which gets around 2,700 tonnes of garbage each day. The area was covered with toxic gases, due to the decomposing waste in large amount of garbage. This led to low visibility around Azadpur Mandi, reports said. #Visuals of fire at Bhalswa landfill site in #Delhi, seen in the early morning hours. pic.twitter.com/LZJwZ15c7n — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × Reports say that the landfill had previously caught fire in 2016 which took several days before it was brought under control. The authorities said in 2006 that the landfill had reached its limit, but garbage is being dumped in the landfill to date.

Massive fire at Bhalswa landfill in Delhi

<p>After several days of &#39;hazardous&#39; smog, Delhi can now heave a sigh of relief as the weather office predicts light rains, which might help clear the air in the smog-covered national capital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Met office predicts light showers on Saturday evening and Sunday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;The sky will be generally cloudy. There is a possibility of light rain or thunderstorm in the afternoon or evening,&quot; an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi has been battling a think blanket of smoke for almost a week and Delhi government has been taking several steps including the introduction of &#39;odd-even&#39; scheme which is set to commence for five days from&nbsp;the November 13. &nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the Met department, humidity levels in the national capital have risen to 91 per cent this morning, PTI reports said.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Light showers may be expected on Saturday evening as well as on Sunday, according to reports.?

After several days of 'hazardous' smog, Delhi can now heave a sigh of relief as the weather office predicts light rains, which might help clear the air in the smog-covered national capital. Met office predicts light showers on Saturday evening and Sunday. "The sky will be generally cloudy. There is a possibility of light rain or thunderstorm in the afternoon or evening," an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Delhi has been battling a think blanket of smoke for almost a week and Delhi government has been taking several steps including the introduction of 'odd-even' scheme which is set to commence for five days from the November 13. According to the Met department, humidity levels in the national capital have risen to 91 per cent this morning, PTI reports said.

Light showers expected in Delhi, may help clear smog

<p>Sixty-four trains travelling to Delhi were delayed, 14 rescheduled, and two cancelled because of the smog.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>There were no reports of any planes being delayed.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">64 trains delayed, 14 rescheduled and two cancelled due to smog/fog conditions <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929162724499587072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Air quality meanwhile was recorded as &quot;hazardous&quot; at a number of places.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>&#39;s Mandir Marg at 326, Anand Vihar at 430, Siri Fort at 316, Dwarka at 327, Shadipur at 331 in the &#39;Hazardous&#39; category, in Air Quality Index.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929169589124055045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>As was the case in neighbouring Gurgaon and Faridabad.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Haryana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Haryana</a>: Vikas Sadan Gurugram at 330 &#39;Hazardous&#39;, Sector16A Faridabad at 204 &#39;Very Unhealthy&#39;, in Air Quality Index (AQI)</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929170547405086720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Air quality in Delhi dips each year as winter approaches, with the cooler air trapping pollutants closer to the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The phenomenon is called &quot;inversion&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Sixty-four trains travelling to Delhi were delayed, 14 rescheduled, and two cancelled because of the smog. There were no reports of any planes being delayed. 64 trains delayed, 14 rescheduled and two cancelled due to smog/fog conditions #Delhi — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × Air quality meanwhile was recorded as "hazardous" at a number of places. #Delhi's Mandir Marg at 326, Anand Vihar at 430, Siri Fort at 316, Dwarka at 327, Shadipur at 331 in the 'Hazardous' category, in Air Quality Index. — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × As was the case in neighbouring Gurgaon and Faridabad. #Haryana: Vikas Sadan Gurugram at 330 'Hazardous', Sector16A Faridabad at 204 'Very Unhealthy', in Air Quality Index (AQI) — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × Air quality in Delhi dips each year as winter approaches, with the cooler air trapping pollutants closer to the ground. The phenomenon is called "inversion".

Delhi: 64 trains delayed, 2 cancelled due to smog

<p>Around four lakh four-wheelers will be seized in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&amp;q=national" target="_blank">National&nbsp;</a>Capital Region, said the Transport Department on Friday.</p>

<p>The decision has been taken after the tough stance of the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&amp;q=national" target="_blank">National&nbsp;</a>Green Tribunal (NGT) over pollution.</p>

<p>According to the department, 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles will be seized in the NCR districts.</p>

<p>Apart from this, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&amp;q=uttar+pradesh" target="_blank">Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;</a>Pollution Control Board has also issued strict instructions to a dozen departments to reduce pollution in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&amp;q=uttar+pradesh" target="_blank">Uttar Pradesh.</a></p>

<p>On October 17, The Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority on banned diesel generators in Delhi, barring those used in metros and hospitals.</p>

<p>The decision came in the wake of degrading air quality in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&amp;q=national" target="_blank">national&nbsp;</a>capital, which entered into the &#39;Red Zone&#39;.</p>

<p>The Supreme&nbsp;<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&amp;q=court" target="_blank">Court&nbsp;</a>had also banned sale of firecrackers during the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&amp;q=diwali" target="_blank">Diwali&nbsp;</a>to contain pollution levels in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&amp;q=national" target="_blank">national&nbsp;</a>capital.</p>

<p>Prior to this, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&amp;q=government" target="_blank">government&nbsp;</a>had issued prohibitory orders on stubble burning, as it had become a major concern for authorities, resulting in air pollution as well as reduction in soil fertility.</p>

<p>Following the orders of the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&amp;q=national" target="_blank">National&nbsp;</a>Green Tribunal (NGT), state governments and district administration tightened strictures against stubble burning, and booked charges against farmers, who are not following orders.</p>


According to the department, 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles will be seized in the NCR districts.

Around four lakh four-wheelers will be seized in the National Capital Region, said the Transport Department on Friday. The decision has been taken after the tough stance of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over pollution. According to the department, 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles will be seized in the NCR districts. Apart from this, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has also issued strict instructions to a dozen departments to reduce pollution in Uttar Pradesh. On October 17, The Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority on banned diesel generators in Delhi, barring those used in metros and hospitals. The decision came in the wake of degrading air quality in the national capital, which entered into the 'Red Zone'. The Supreme Court had also banned sale of firecrackers during the Diwali to contain pollution levels in the national capital. Prior to this, the government had issued prohibitory orders on stubble burning, as it had become a major concern for authorities, resulting in air pollution as well as reduction in soil fertility. Following the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), state governments and district administration tightened strictures against stubble burning, and booked charges against farmers, who are not following orders.

Four lakh four-wheelers will be seized in NCR: Delhi Transport minister

<p>The National Green Tribunal has asked the Delhi government to impose Rs one lakh fine on builders who violate its directives of halting construction work in the city.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The NGT has asked builders to stop&nbsp;construction work for few days to reduce the level of pollutants from the air.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It has also directed state governments to ensure that farmers are not burning crops.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tribunal has said to charge a considerable&nbsp;amount of fine from the salary of the&nbsp;responsible officer if they continue to indulge in crop burning.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


NGT will put a fine of Rs 1 lakh on builders if they continue with Construction in Delhi

The National Green Tribunal has asked the Delhi government to impose Rs one lakh fine on builders who violate its directives of halting construction work in the city. The NGT has asked builders to stop construction work for few days to reduce the level of pollutants from the air. It has also directed state governments to ensure that farmers are not burning crops. The tribunal has said to charge a considerable amount of fine from the salary of the responsible officer if they continue to indulge in crop burning. (With inputs from ANI)

Delhi: NGT warns builders to fine Rs 1 lakh in case construction is reported

<p>The Delhi Traffic Police has shut shop. No trucks are to be allowed into the city for three days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The borders were sealed at 11 pm on Thursday night, and will remain so till 11 pm on November 12.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All borders entry points from where Heavy &amp; Medium goods vehicles enter into Delhi shall be sealed by Delhi Police w.e.f. 11.00 PM of 9th November to 11.00 PM of 12th November which can be further extended depending upon air quality in Delhi in coming days: Delhi Traffic Police</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928682579590385664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All neighboring Districts &amp; States have been requested to deploy adequate manpower on their part at all Border Entry Points in their respective areas of jurisdiction and help Delhi Police in implementing the directions in true &amp; letter and spirit: Delhi Traffic Police</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928682782666080256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The concerned authorities of the neighbouring have also been requested to ensure that flow of other motorists is not affected due to stoppage of entry of heavy and medium goods vehicles into Delhi from Border Entry Points: Delhi Traffic Police</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928682873854377984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The traffic police were following orders from the National Green Tribunal which had on Thursday ordered the shutting down of all construction and industrial activities till November 14.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The NGT had also ordered the sealing of the border to all trucks and heavy vehicles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi however still woke up to a polluted Friday, with a number of areas reporting air quality in the &quot;hazardous&quot; category.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>&#39;s Mandir Marg at 515, Punjabi Bagh at 802, Anand Vihar at 571, Dwarka at 420 in Air Quality Index; all fall in the &#39;Hazardous&#39; category.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928801618316771328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ghaziabad: Dense smog seen in Indirapuram in the early morning hours <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UttarPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UttarPradesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/SbMHolPB0y">pic.twitter.com/SbMHolPB0y</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/928821940982136833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>There is generally a dip in air quality in Delhi as winter approaches.&nbsp;The cooler air traps pollutants closer to the ground -- a phenomenon called inversion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi Traffic Police said the banning of trucks could be extended beyond November 12 should there be no improvement in air quality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They added though that trucks carrying essentials were being allowed into the city.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Vehicles with essential commodities are not being restricted by us, they are being allowed: DCP DK Gupta <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Singhuborder?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Singhuborder</a> <a href="https://t.co/FXMyJEJy6u">pic.twitter.com/FXMyJEJy6u</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928810346613063680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In the meantime, schools have been shut in the city because of the pollution.</p>

<p>And the city will undergo another odd-even round -- with cars with odd and even number plates allowed to play only on alternate days -- starting Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The borders were sealed Thursday night at 11 pm and will stay that way till 11 pm on November 12

The Delhi Traffic Police has shut shop. No trucks are to be allowed into the city for three days. The borders were sealed at 11 pm on Thursday night, and will remain so till 11 pm on November 12. All borders entry points from where Heavy & Medium goods vehicles enter into Delhi shall be sealed by Delhi Police w.e.f. 11.00 PM of 9th November to 11.00 PM of 12th November which can be further extended depending upon air quality in Delhi in coming days: Delhi Traffic Police — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 × All neighboring Districts & States have been requested to deploy adequate manpower on their part at all Border Entry Points in their respective areas of jurisdiction and help Delhi Police in implementing the directions in true & letter and spirit: Delhi Traffic Police — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 × The concerned authorities of the neighbouring have also been requested to ensure that flow of other motorists is not affected due to stoppage of entry of heavy and medium goods vehicles into Delhi from Border Entry Points: Delhi Traffic Police — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 × The traffic police were following orders from the National Green Tribunal which had on Thursday ordered the shutting down of all construction and industrial activities till November 14. The NGT had also ordered the sealing of the border to all trucks and heavy vehicles. Delhi however still woke up to a polluted Friday, with a number of areas reporting air quality in the "hazardous" category. #Delhi's Mandir Marg at 515, Punjabi Bagh at 802, Anand Vihar at 571, Dwarka at 420 in Air Quality Index; all fall in the 'Hazardous' category. — ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2017 × Ghaziabad: Dense smog seen in Indirapuram in the early morning hours #UttarPradesh pic.twitter.com/SbMHolPB0y — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 10, 2017 × There is generally a dip in air quality in Delhi as winter approaches. The cooler air traps pollutants closer to the ground -- a phenomenon called inversion. Delhi Traffic Police said the banning of trucks could be extended beyond November 12 should there be no improvement in air quality. They added though that trucks carrying essentials were being allowed into the city. Vehicles with essential commodities are not being restricted by us, they are being allowed: DCP DK Gupta #Singhuborder pic.twitter.com/FXMyJEJy6u — ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2017 × In the meantime, schools have been shut in the city because of the pollution. And the city will undergo another odd-even round -- with cars with odd and even number plates allowed to play only on alternate days -- starting Monday.

Delhi Traffic Police shut shop, no more trucks allowed into city

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ryan-student-murder-gurgaon-police-planted-knife-on-conductor-says-report-23867" target="_blank">Ryan student murder: Gurgaon Police planted knife on conductor, says report</a></p>

<p>In a sensational twist in the killing of the class II student of Ryan International School, Pradyuman Thakur, the CBI has claimed that the Gurgaon Police framed the school bus conductor and planted a knife on him, declaring the case as solved within hours.&nbsp;Sources told the TOI that the police resorted to framing the bus conductor, Ashok Kumar, since it was under tremendous pressure to solve the case. The Times of India reported that the CBI had established in its two-month-long investigation that the knife belonged to the main accused in the case, a 16-year-old Class XI student of the same school. A CBI officer told TOI that the knife was purchased by the juvenile from a local shop, brought inside the school and was the only knife which was recovered. He added that the accused student on Thursday guided the investigating agency to the shop from where he had purchased the knife.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/actress-portia-de-rossi-accuses-steven-seagal-of-sexual-harassment-23862" target="_blank">Actor Steven Seagal, comedian Louis CK accused of sexual misconduct</a></p>

<p>US action movie actor Steven Seagal and comedian Louis CK were the latest stars in the crosshairs of mounting sexual misconduct allegations on Thursday, following the downfall of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.&nbsp;Portia de Rossi, the &quot;Arrested Development&quot; actress and wife of chat queen Ellen DeGeneres, accused the former martial arts expert and blues musician over an undated audition for a Seagal movie in his office. &quot;He told me how important it was to have chemistry off-screen as he sat me down and unzipped his leather pants,&quot; the Australian-born actress tweeted late Wednesday.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-government-set-to-enforce-odd-even-scheme-for-private-vehicles-next-week-report-23820" target="_blank">Odd-even to be in place from Nov 13-17 with same exemptions: Delhi Transport minister</a></p>

<p>Delhi Transport minister&nbsp;Kailash Gehlot announced that the odd-even number scheme for private vehicles will be implemented from November 13-17 in the national capital. &quot;Request people and all agencies to cooperate. Exemptions will be the&nbsp;same as&nbsp;last time,&quot; the minister said.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-praises-chinas-highly-respected-xi-23869" target="_blank">Trump praises China&#39;s &#39;highly respected&#39; Xi</a></p>

<p>US President Donald Trump praised Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a &quot;highly respected and powerful representative of his people&quot; on Friday as he wrapped up his first state visit to Beijing.Trump showered his host with accolades during two days of meetings during which the US leader sought to convince Xi to do more to reduce a trade deficit with China and rein in nuclear-armed North Korea.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-court-win-chris-gayle-says-hes-willing-to-sell-his-side-of-story-for-300000-23870" target="_blank">After winning defamation case, Chris Gayle says he&#39;s willing to sell his side of story for $300,000</a></p>

<p>After winning his court case against Australia&#39;s Fairfax Media group, Chris Gayle has said he is willing to sell his side of the story -- for a starting price of $300,000.&nbsp;The cricketer had accused the media group, publishers of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, of defamation after it published a series of stories alleging the cricketer had exposed himself to a massage therapist and had indecently propositioned her.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Ryan student murder: Gurgaon Police planted knife on conductor, says report In a sensational twist in the killing of the class II student of Ryan International School, Pradyuman Thakur, the CBI has claimed that the Gurgaon Police framed the school bus conductor and planted a knife on him, declaring the case as solved within hours. Sources told the TOI that the police resorted to framing the bus conductor, Ashok Kumar, since it was under tremendous pressure to solve the case. The Times of India reported that the CBI had established in its two-month-long investigation that the knife belonged to the main accused in the case, a 16-year-old Class XI student of the same school. A CBI officer told TOI that the knife was purchased by the juvenile from a local shop, brought inside the school and was the only knife which was recovered. He added that the accused student on Thursday guided the investigating agency to the shop from where he had purchased the knife. Actor Steven Seagal, comedian Louis CK accused of sexual misconduct US action movie actor Steven Seagal and comedian Louis CK were the latest stars in the crosshairs of mounting sexual misconduct allegations on Thursday, following the downfall of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey. Portia de Rossi, the "Arrested Development" actress and wife of chat queen Ellen DeGeneres, accused the former martial arts expert and blues musician over an undated audition for a Seagal movie in his office. "He told me how important it was to have chemistry off-screen as he sat me down and unzipped his leather pants," the Australian-born actress tweeted late Wednesday. Odd-even to be in place from Nov 13-17 with same exemptions: Delhi Transport minister Delhi Transport minister Kailash Gehlot announced that the odd-even number scheme for private vehicles will be implemented from November 13-17 in the national capital. "Request people and all agencies to cooperate. Exemptions will be the same as last time," the minister said. Trump praises China's 'highly respected' Xi US President Donald Trump praised Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a "highly respected and powerful representative of his people" on Friday as he wrapped up his first state visit to Beijing.Trump showered his host with accolades during two days of meetings during which the US leader sought to convince Xi to do more to reduce a trade deficit with China and rein in nuclear-armed North Korea. After winning defamation case, Chris Gayle says he's willing to sell his side of story for $300,000 After winning his court case against Australia's Fairfax Media group, Chris Gayle has said he is willing to sell his side of the story -- for a starting price of $300,000. The cricketer had accused the media group, publishers of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, of defamation after it published a series of stories alleging the cricketer had exposed himself to a massage therapist and had indecently propositioned her.

WION Morning news brief, November 10 2017: 5 stories

<p>The Delhi government&#39;s decision to allow free rides on DTC buses during the five days of the odd-even scheme in the city could lead to losses of about Rs 9.5 crore, officials said today.</p>

<p>Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has announced that the Delhi government will allow free travel for commuters in all DTC and cluster buses from November 13-17, when the odd-even scheme will be implemented, to promote public transport.</p>

<p>According to latest data from June this year, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), which has a fleet of nearly 4,000 buses, carries around 28 lakh passengers daily and earns Rs 1.88 crore per day.</p>

<p>Five days of free rides would amount to DTC losing about Rs 9.5 crore. &quot;This will an added burden on us as we are already making losses,&quot; a DTC official said on the condition of anonymity.</p>

<p>According to CAG reports, the national capital&#39;s public transporter has been steadily making losses with no addition of new buses.</p>

<p>The total loss for DTC in 2014-2015 was Rs.2,917.75 crore, the highest in the previous five financial years. The operational loss of Rs 1,273.19 crore in 2014-2015 was also the highest in the previous five financial years.</p>

<p>From 2010-2011 till 2014-2015, DTC accumulated losses to the tune of Rs 11,962.09 crore, while operational losses in that period were Rs 5,022.05 crore, CAG said.</p>

<p>Over 1,600 buses operate under the cluster bus scheme, run by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Agency (DIMTS), a joint venture between the Delhi government and the non-profit organisation IDFC Foundation.</p>

<p>Though exact figures were not available, government figures show the cluster scheme also suffered losses in 2015- 16.</p>

<p>The cluster scheme buses earned Rs 283 crore as revenue in 2015-16. However, the expenditure was Rs 544.35 crore and the difference of Rs 260 crore was paid by the government.</p>


According to latest data from June this year, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), which has a fleet of nearly 4,000 buses, carries around 28 lakh passengers daily and earns Rs 1.88 crore per day

The Delhi government's decision to allow free rides on DTC buses during the five days of the odd-even scheme in the city could lead to losses of about Rs 9.5 crore, officials said today. Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has announced that the Delhi government will allow free travel for commuters in all DTC and cluster buses from November 13-17, when the odd-even scheme will be implemented, to promote public transport. According to latest data from June this year, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), which has a fleet of nearly 4,000 buses, carries around 28 lakh passengers daily and earns Rs 1.88 crore per day. Five days of free rides would amount to DTC losing about Rs 9.5 crore. "This will an added burden on us as we are already making losses," a DTC official said on the condition of anonymity. According to CAG reports, the national capital's public transporter has been steadily making losses with no addition of new buses. The total loss for DTC in 2014-2015 was Rs.2,917.75 crore, the highest in the previous five financial years. The operational loss of Rs 1,273.19 crore in 2014-2015 was also the highest in the previous five financial years. From 2010-2011 till 2014-2015, DTC accumulated losses to the tune of Rs 11,962.09 crore, while operational losses in that period were Rs 5,022.05 crore, CAG said. Over 1,600 buses operate under the cluster bus scheme, run by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Agency (DIMTS), a joint venture between the Delhi government and the non-profit organisation IDFC Foundation. Though exact figures were not available, government figures show the cluster scheme also suffered losses in 2015- 16. The cluster scheme buses earned Rs 283 crore as revenue in 2015-16. However, the expenditure was Rs 544.35 crore and the difference of Rs 260 crore was paid by the government.

Free rides on odd-even week to cost DTC a loss of 9.5 crores

<p>It has many names. It descends annually. It stalks and descends slowly covering every nook and corner of my city. Once it&rsquo;s there you know the beast has arrived. It is insidious but unpretentious as it is always on your face. It is silent but visible. Like a hug which slowly smothers you.</p>

<p>In the past, homes and offices acted as fragile but workable borders but this time they too gave away like sand castles on a beach.</p>

<p>The silent killer envelopes the city like mother&rsquo;s love covering all and sundry. From the sky, the beast looks even more fascinating. Still but working effortlessly and nibbling away our insides slowly. The beauty of the beast is that it just doesn&rsquo;t discriminate.</p>

<p>It is also mysterious in its origin. No one knows as to who is responsible for its coming. Some in past suggested that it was pre-ordained but rest continue to blame everyone for its becoming. So, the talk remains a conversation or like a whisper but never an outrage.</p>

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<h5>I think we all have an idea of what is eating our flesh gently.</h5>
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<p>I often ask myself as to why we have failed to beat the beast? Is it the lack of will? Or, are we uninformed about its anatomy? I don&rsquo;t think so. I think we all have an idea of what is eating our flesh gently.</p>

<p>The beast has been unbearable and selfish this year. It incapacitated a lot of people. Victims had to rush to buy the best protection. Though some were plain faint hearts. They collapsed and passed away. Quickly.</p>

<p>Misery also creates good business opportunities. Two of my friends did well. They ended up making a good money. Last, I heard that left for La La Land with their children. I hate them for their entrepreneurship. They were smart enough to invest in the industry of precaution where new and better coping mechanisms are being designed. It is collaborative and remains profitable. I have also been told that it will continue to grow.</p>

<p>Perhaps, my despair stems from the fact that I cannot escape as quickly as I want. I cannot fight it. It cannot be fought alone. That&rsquo;s the shield of the beast.</p>

<p>Sometimes it also gives you relief from the drudgery of the world. For hours, it makes shanties in front of my multi-story apartment disappear. Though I can smell the dirty shanty town. Obviously, the beast also has a chink in its armour. It can make ugly things disappear temporarily but cannot hide the stench.</p>

<p>So, I often take little chances by immersing myself in his shadow. It smells slightly acidic. Obviously not like rotten eggs but bearable enough to remind me of my childhood of a different entity, a more benign one, which would descend on us on yearly basis. It had a similar look but spared us. Like a separated, civilised twin.</p>

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<p>Those were yesteryears. In the past, everyone knew with winter comes the fog. There was no panic or little precaution. But these days we all have to brace ourselves, waiting anxiously for its twin to spare us. We all fail to agree on a strategy to beat the shit out of it. It is not as if the &lsquo;us&rsquo; isn&rsquo;t concerned but it doesn&rsquo;t motivate anyone to remove the head from the monster&rsquo;s body.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Relief is that no one dies immediately. It begins with a gentle cough. It persists like a heartbeat to turn itself into a different creature inside you. Though many similar cases have been reported.</p>

<p>Those who ultimately die have millions of things to blame upon unlike the other types of malevolences where a finger can be pointed. Last year in a nearby hospital, a lot of women died because of dirty syringes. The doctor got lynched. There is no one to lynch here. I suppose it is impossible to lynch your-self and suicide is illegal in my country. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Then the city I live in has a robust democratic tradition. We all agree to disagree. Last Diwali, I couldn&rsquo;t even convince my aunt to ensure a Green Diwali.</p>

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<h5>Since everyone is complicit it doesn&rsquo;t make great politics either. There no one person to blame.</h5>
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<p>Half the population believes that neighbouring settlements, with their cars and crops, high-rises and power plants, feed the beast. In passing the blame they deny their complicity in the act.</p>

<p>Since everyone is complicit it doesn&rsquo;t make great politics either. There no one person to blame.</p>

<p>Somehow it ends up becoming a debate on everything else. Last year we all decided to stay home and bid time. Then, US election happened,&nbsp; leaving us feeling much worse than this nasty creature masquerading as velvet sheet. Fortunately, with sudden rain, the beast vanished in few days. We all cheered as the despair melted away. It was back to business as usual.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For the next time, I will rush to the forest when the insidious arrives. If the woodlands succumb to sprawling cities, and the beast comes knocking there too, I would run away to another hole.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As it has been accepted that it is better to escape than fight. I have also chosen to escape.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But if the smog does get me, then I would pray that it does me in my sleep. As it has done for many.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The silent killer envelopes the city like mother?s love covering all and sundry.

It has many names. It descends annually. It stalks and descends slowly covering every nook and corner of my city. Once it’s there you know the beast has arrived. It is insidious but unpretentious as it is always on your face. It is silent but visible. Like a hug which slowly smothers you. In the past, homes and offices acted as fragile but workable borders but this time they too gave away like sand castles on a beach. The silent killer envelopes the city like mother’s love covering all and sundry. From the sky, the beast looks even more fascinating. Still but working effortlessly and nibbling away our insides slowly. The beauty of the beast is that it just doesn’t discriminate. It is also mysterious in its origin. No one knows as to who is responsible for its coming. Some in past suggested that it was pre-ordained but rest continue to blame everyone for its becoming. So, the talk remains a conversation or like a whisper but never an outrage. I think we all have an idea of what is eating our flesh gently. × I often ask myself as to why we have failed to beat the beast? Is it the lack of will? Or, are we uninformed about its anatomy? I don’t think so. I think we all have an idea of what is eating our flesh gently. The beast has been unbearable and selfish this year. It incapacitated a lot of people. Victims had to rush to buy the best protection. Though some were plain faint hearts. They collapsed and passed away. Quickly. Misery also creates good business opportunities. Two of my friends did well. They ended up making a good money. Last, I heard that left for La La Land with their children. I hate them for their entrepreneurship. They were smart enough to invest in the industry of precaution where new and better coping mechanisms are being designed. It is collaborative and remains profitable. I have also been told that it will continue to grow. Perhaps, my despair stems from the fact that I cannot escape as quickly as I want. I cannot fight it. It cannot be fought alone. That’s the shield of the beast. Sometimes it also gives you relief from the drudgery of the world. For hours, it makes shanties in front of my multi-story apartment disappear. Though I can smell the dirty shanty town. Obviously, the beast also has a chink in its armour. It can make ugly things disappear temporarily but cannot hide the stench. So, I often take little chances by immersing myself in his shadow. It smells slightly acidic. Obviously not like rotten eggs but bearable enough to remind me of my childhood of a different entity, a more benign one, which would descend on us on yearly basis. It had a similar look but spared us. Like a separated, civilised twin. We all fail to agree on a strategy to beat the shit out of it. × Those were yesteryears. In the past, everyone knew with winter comes the fog. There was no panic or little precaution. But these days we all have to brace ourselves, waiting anxiously for its twin to spare us. We all fail to agree on a strategy to beat the shit out of it. It is not as if the ‘us’ isn’t concerned but it doesn’t motivate anyone to remove the head from the monster’s body. Relief is that no one dies immediately. It begins with a gentle cough. It persists like a heartbeat to turn itself into a different creature inside you. Though many similar cases have been reported. Those who ultimately die have millions of things to blame upon unlike the other types of malevolences where a finger can be pointed. Last year in a nearby hospital, a lot of women died because of dirty syringes. The doctor got lynched. There is no one to lynch here. I suppose it is impossible to lynch your-self and suicide is illegal in my country. Then the city I live in has a robust democratic tradition. We all agree to disagree. Last Diwali, I couldn’t even convince my aunt to ensure a Green Diwali. Since everyone is complicit it doesn’t make great politics either. There no one person to blame. × Half the population believes that neighbouring settlements, with their cars and crops, high-rises and power plants, feed the beast. In passing the blame they deny their complicity in the act. Since everyone is complicit it doesn’t make great politics either. There no one person to blame. Somehow it ends up becoming a debate on everything else. Last year we all decided to stay home and bid time. Then, US election happened, leaving us feeling much worse than this nasty creature masquerading as velvet sheet. Fortunately, with sudden rain, the beast vanished in few days. We all cheered as the despair melted away. It was back to business as usual. For the next time, I will rush to the forest when the insidious arrives. If the woodlands succumb to sprawling cities, and the beast comes knocking there too, I would run away to another hole. As it has been accepted that it is better to escape than fight. I have also chosen to escape. But if the smog does get me, then I would pray that it does me in my sleep. As it has done for many.

Delhi pollution: My city is killing me, softly

<p>Heavy&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-pollution-public-health-emergency-primary-schools-to-remain-closed-today-23699" target="_blank">smog in Delhi</a>&nbsp;led to at least ten&nbsp;vehicles colliding on the Yamuna Expressway highway, near Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The cars crashed due to low visibility.&nbsp;Several people were&nbsp;injured in the collision.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident occurred&nbsp;in&nbsp;Gautam Buddha Nagar&#39;s Dankaur area.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Uttar Pradesh: Ten vehicles collide on Yamuna Expressway in Gautam Buddha Nagar&#39;s Dankaur due to thick fog, several people injured. <a href="https://t.co/4XtC6M8OcU">pic.twitter.com/4XtC6M8OcU</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/928183157051895808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Delhi-NCR has been&nbsp;experiencing low visibility due to the dense smog over the city.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has asked officials to shut down&nbsp;all schools till Sunday due to the worsening air quality in the national capital.</p>

<p>The deputy CM had said on Tuesday that if the pollution worsened then the odd-even number scheme for private vehicles will be back in Delhi.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Heavy smog in Delhi led to at least ten vehicles colliding on the Yamuna Expressway highway, near Delhi. The cars crashed due to low visibility. Several people were injured in the collision. The incident occurred in Gautam Buddha Nagar's Dankaur area. Uttar Pradesh: Ten vehicles collide on Yamuna Expressway in Gautam Buddha Nagar's Dankaur due to thick fog, several people injured. pic.twitter.com/4XtC6M8OcU — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 8, 2017 × Delhi-NCR has been experiencing low visibility due to the dense smog over the city. Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has asked officials to shut down all schools till Sunday due to the worsening air quality in the national capital. The deputy CM had said on Tuesday that if the pollution worsened then the odd-even number scheme for private vehicles will be back in Delhi. .

Watch: 10 cars collide on Yamuna Expressway due to smog, several injured

<p>Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked several states to inform about the action taken against stubble burning.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-pollution-tips-to-choose-air-purifier-23667">The court asked Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan to inform about the action taken against stubble burning.</a></p>

<p>Observing that the situation was grave in wake of advisories issued against sending children to school &amp; discouraging morning walks, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-wakes-up-to-hazardous-smog-23655">the court said that stubble burning may be the visible villain but there are other contributory factors too, the court observed.</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Air Pollution matter: Delhi High Court asks Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan to inform about action taken against stubble burning.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/927850756593434625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, with the air quality in Delhi getting worse, the CISF ordered the issuance of over 9,000 face masks for its personnel deployed to guard the IGI Airport, the Delhi Metro and other government ministries and installations here.</p>

<p>A senior officer of the paramilitary force said CISF Director General (DG) O P Singh has ordered for the issuance of the masks so that the men and women of the force out in the open, could better combat the severe toxic smog.</p>

<p>&quot;While 2,000 protective face masks are being issued immediately, 7,000 more will be sent to all the units in Delhi in the next few hours,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a paramilitary force under the Union home ministry, is tasked to guard the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, the Delhi Metro and a number of government departments and ministries in the national capital region.</p>

<p>A blanket of thick haze enveloped Delhi this morning, as pollution levels breached the permissible standards by multiple times.</p>


The court asked Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan to inform about the action taken against stubble burning.

Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked several states to inform about the action taken against stubble burning. The court asked Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan to inform about the action taken against stubble burning. Observing that the situation was grave in wake of advisories issued against sending children to school & discouraging morning walks, the court said that stubble burning may be the visible villain but there are other contributory factors too, the court observed. Air Pollution matter: Delhi High Court asks Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan to inform about action taken against stubble burning. — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2017 × Meanwhile, with the air quality in Delhi getting worse, the CISF ordered the issuance of over 9,000 face masks for its personnel deployed to guard the IGI Airport, the Delhi Metro and other government ministries and installations here. A senior officer of the paramilitary force said CISF Director General (DG) O P Singh has ordered for the issuance of the masks so that the men and women of the force out in the open, could better combat the severe toxic smog. "While 2,000 protective face masks are being issued immediately, 7,000 more will be sent to all the units in Delhi in the next few hours," he said. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a paramilitary force under the Union home ministry, is tasked to guard the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, the Delhi Metro and a number of government departments and ministries in the national capital region. A blanket of thick haze enveloped Delhi this morning, as pollution levels breached the permissible standards by multiple times.

Delhi HC asks states to inform about action taken against stubble burning

<p>The Capital will have to deal with the hazardous smog for a few more days. The Air Quality Index at ITO area stood at 317 on Tuesday which is considered as hazardous according to CPCB data.<br />
<br />
Residential area RK Puram AQI stood at 241 while Punjabi Bagh at 273. With winter setting in, the smog is likely to continue and the experts state that air quality is likely to worsen in the coming days with &#39;calm&#39; weather conditions not allowing dispersal of particulate matter easily.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>&#39;s RK Puram at 241 &amp; Punjabi Bagh at 273 (Very unhealthy), ITO at 317 (Hazardous) in Air Quality Index</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/925557090990485505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&ldquo;The particulates in the air are not getting dispersed due to the lack of wind while a large gap between the natural temperature and dew point, at which water droplets begin to condense, are keeping the pollutants trapped and making them float in the air,&rdquo; CPCB&rsquo;s air lab head Dipankar Saha told PTI.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The CPCB recorded an AQI (air quality index) of 351, which falls in the &lsquo;very poor&rsquo; category, on Tuesday. A &lsquo;very poor&rsquo; AQI comes with the warning that people may develop respiratory illness on prolonged exposure. Exposure to &#39;poor&#39;air also has adverse health effects on healthy people as well those already suffering from respiratory illness.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Air Quality Index at ITO area stood at 317 on Tuesday which is considered as hazardous according to CPCB data

The Capital will have to deal with the hazardous smog for a few more days. The Air Quality Index at ITO area stood at 317 on Tuesday which is considered as hazardous according to CPCB data. Residential area RK Puram AQI stood at 241 while Punjabi Bagh at 273. With winter setting in, the smog is likely to continue and the experts state that air quality is likely to worsen in the coming days with 'calm' weather conditions not allowing dispersal of particulate matter easily. #Delhi's RK Puram at 241 & Punjabi Bagh at 273 (Very unhealthy), ITO at 317 (Hazardous) in Air Quality Index — ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2017 × “The particulates in the air are not getting dispersed due to the lack of wind while a large gap between the natural temperature and dew point, at which water droplets begin to condense, are keeping the pollutants trapped and making them float in the air,” CPCB’s air lab head Dipankar Saha told PTI. The CPCB recorded an AQI (air quality index) of 351, which falls in the ‘very poor’ category, on Tuesday. A ‘very poor’ AQI comes with the warning that people may develop respiratory illness on prolonged exposure. Exposure to 'poor'air also has adverse health effects on healthy people as well those already suffering from respiratory illness.

Air quality in Delhi likely to worsen in coming days

<p>In a move to reduce the increasing deaths resulting from road accidents, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari has devised a system for all new manufacturing cars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The plan will direct all cars manufactured after July 1, 2019, to be equipped with airbags, seat belt reminders, alert system for speed raging above 80kmph, reverse parking alerts and a manual override over the central locking system.</p>

<p>Currently, only luxury cars have these facilities.</p>

<p>The alert system feature will notify the drivers on the increasing speed of the cars. It will give a sharper audio alert with the increasing speed after 80kmph. The alert will be non stop when the vehicle crosses 120kmph.</p>

<p>The manual override system will ensure exit in case the central locking system gets dysfunctional and traps passengers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Transport ministry sources have also indicated that airbags and reverse sensors will also be made compulsory for light commercial vehicles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The timeline for the plan has been approved and it will be notified soon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nitin Gadkari has approved the move for countering the growing road accidents.Thousands of passengers die in road crash every year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The move seeks to ensure safety of passenger as well as pedestrian on Indian roads</p>


In a move to reduce the increasing deaths resulting from road accidents, union transport minister Nitin Gadkari has devised a new system for all new manufacturing cars

In a move to reduce the increasing deaths resulting from road accidents, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari has devised a system for all new manufacturing cars. The plan will direct all cars manufactured after July 1, 2019, to be equipped with airbags, seat belt reminders, alert system for speed raging above 80kmph, reverse parking alerts and a manual override over the central locking system. Currently, only luxury cars have these facilities. The alert system feature will notify the drivers on the increasing speed of the cars. It will give a sharper audio alert with the increasing speed after 80kmph. The alert will be non stop when the vehicle crosses 120kmph. The manual override system will ensure exit in case the central locking system gets dysfunctional and traps passengers. Transport ministry sources have also indicated that airbags and reverse sensors will also be made compulsory for light commercial vehicles. The timeline for the plan has been approved and it will be notified soon. Nitin Gadkari has approved the move for countering the growing road accidents.Thousands of passengers die in road crash every year. The move seeks to ensure safety of passenger as well as pedestrian on Indian roads

All new cars in India to have airbags, speed alert from July 2019

<p>The Supreme Court ban on firecrackers this Diwali (October 19) began with a bang (no pun intended) but ended in a whimper.</p>

<p>We talk about &quot;judicial activism&quot; but this is a classic case of the top court being constrained to take action, on a petition filed by three infants after the alarming rise in pollution levels and smog which enveloped the national capital last year on Diwali.</p>

<p>On October 13, the court refused to modify its earlier order banning the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR.</p>

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<h5>The administration allowed those people who have already purchased firecrackers to burst them on Diwali.</h5>
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<p>&quot;It&#39;s just an experiment for one year, we will take stock after that,&quot; Justice A K Sikri, who heard the case today, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-lift-ban-on-firecrackers-in-delhi-ncr-says-its-an-experiment-for-1-year-22393">was quoted as saying by WION</a>.</p>

<p>The judge said its 2016 order suspending the licences &quot;should be given one chance to test itself&quot;.</p>

<p>Far from activism, the Supreme Court ban stopped short of altogether banning the bursting of firecrackers. The administration in Delhi and the National Capital Region issued directives to the shopkeepers to stop selling firecrackers. But the administration allowed those people who have already purchased firecrackers to burst them on Diwali.</p>

<p>The results were there for everyone to see. While pollution levels, which were &quot;very poor&quot; just 10 days prior remained at &quot;very poor&quot; on the night of October 19, they shot up to &quot;severe&quot; the next day, the Central Pollution Control Board reported.</p>

<p>The online indicators of the pollution monitoring stations in the city on Diwali glowed red, indicating a &quot;very poor&quot; air quality as the volume of PM2.5 and PM10 sharply rose from around&nbsp;7 pm.&nbsp;The&nbsp;state-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)&nbsp;estimated the 24-hour rolling average of PM2.5 and PM10, ultrafine particulates which are up to 30 times tinier than the width of a human hair, at 154 and 256 micrograms per cubic metre at around&nbsp;11 pm.</p>

<p>The 24-hour rolling average of PM2.5 and PM10 were 424 and 571 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) the next day, much higher than the safe limits of 60 and 100. PM 2.5 can travel through the respiratory tract and reach the lungs causing short-term respiratory ailments such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing and sneezing. They can also worsen respiratory ailments such as asthma and heart disease.</p>

<p>Real-time pollution data was alarming. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee&#39;s (DPCC) RK Puram monitoring station recorded PM2.5 and PM10 at 878 and 1,179 micrograms per cubic metre at around&nbsp;11 pm. The pollutants peaked after&nbsp;midnight, surpassing the corresponding 24-hour safe limits of 60 and 100 more than 10 times. The monitors stopped working after&nbsp;midnight, suggesting that the pollutants had gone through the roof.</p>

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<h5>Stricter laws and stringent enforcing mechanisms seem to be the only way forward.</h5>
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<p>The Air Quality Index (AQI), a barometer for measuring air pollution, was above 400 in most places in the National Capital Region (NCR) the next day. It was at a &quot;hazardous&quot;&nbsp; 978 in New Delhi&#39;s RK Puram area. US embassy&#39;s pollution monitor also recorded &quot;hazardous&quot;&nbsp; with the index scoring an alarming 878, which the mission considers &quot;beyond its air quality index&quot;, which ends at 500. On Diwali, the AQI improved from &quot;severe&quot; (431) in 2016 to (319) &quot;very poor&quot;, the Central Pollution Control Board reported.</p>

<p>A &quot;very poor&quot; air quality implies that people may suffer from respiratory illnesses on prolonged exposure to such air. If the air quality dips further, the AQI will turn &quot;severe&quot;. An AQI level of 0-50 is considered &quot;good&quot;, 51-100 &quot;satisfactory&quot;, 101-200 &quot;moderate&quot;, 201-300 &quot;poor&quot;, 301-400 &quot;very poor&quot;, and 401 and above is &quot;severe&quot;.</p>

<p><strong>The way forward</strong></p>

<p>Stricter laws and stringent enforcing mechanisms seem to be the only way forward. We have the police for keeping crime in check, the traffic police for fining those who violate traffic rules. Perhaps, a similar law-enforcing mechanism on Diwali could be implemented.</p>

<p>China recently set up an &quot;anti-smog police force&quot;. Perhaps, something similar may help us breathe a little easier.</p>


Stringent action such as enforcing an 'anti-smog police force', is required to check air pollution during Diwali

The Supreme Court ban on firecrackers this Diwali (October 19) began with a bang (no pun intended) but ended in a whimper. We talk about "judicial activism" but this is a classic case of the top court being constrained to take action, on a petition filed by three infants after the alarming rise in pollution levels and smog which enveloped the national capital last year on Diwali. On October 13, the court refused to modify its earlier order banning the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. The administration allowed those people who have already purchased firecrackers to burst them on Diwali. × "It's just an experiment for one year, we will take stock after that," Justice A K Sikri, who heard the case today, was quoted as saying by WION. The judge said its 2016 order suspending the licences "should be given one chance to test itself". Far from activism, the Supreme Court ban stopped short of altogether banning the bursting of firecrackers. The administration in Delhi and the National Capital Region issued directives to the shopkeepers to stop selling firecrackers. But the administration allowed those people who have already purchased firecrackers to burst them on Diwali. The results were there for everyone to see. While pollution levels, which were "very poor" just 10 days prior remained at "very poor" on the night of October 19, they shot up to "severe" the next day, the Central Pollution Control Board reported. The online indicators of the pollution monitoring stations in the city on Diwali glowed red, indicating a "very poor" air quality as the volume of PM2.5 and PM10 sharply rose from around 7 pm. The state-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) estimated the 24-hour rolling average of PM2.5 and PM10, ultrafine particulates which are up to 30 times tinier than the width of a human hair, at 154 and 256 micrograms per cubic metre at around 11 pm. The 24-hour rolling average of PM2.5 and PM10 were 424 and 571 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) the next day, much higher than the safe limits of 60 and 100. PM 2.5 can travel through the respiratory tract and reach the lungs causing short-term respiratory ailments such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing and sneezing. They can also worsen respiratory ailments such as asthma and heart disease. Real-time pollution data was alarming. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) RK Puram monitoring station recorded PM2.5 and PM10 at 878 and 1,179 micrograms per cubic metre at around 11 pm. The pollutants peaked after midnight, surpassing the corresponding 24-hour safe limits of 60 and 100 more than 10 times. The monitors stopped working after midnight, suggesting that the pollutants had gone through the roof. Stricter laws and stringent enforcing mechanisms seem to be the only way forward. × The Air Quality Index (AQI), a barometer for measuring air pollution, was above 400 in most places in the National Capital Region (NCR) the next day. It was at a "hazardous" 978 in New Delhi's RK Puram area. US embassy's pollution monitor also recorded "hazardous" with the index scoring an alarming 878, which the mission considers "beyond its air quality index", which ends at 500. On Diwali, the AQI improved from "severe" (431) in 2016 to (319) "very poor", the Central Pollution Control Board reported. A "very poor" air quality implies that people may suffer from respiratory illnesses on prolonged exposure to such air. If the air quality dips further, the AQI will turn "severe". An AQI level of 0-50 is considered "good", 51-100 "satisfactory", 101-200 "moderate", 201-300 "poor", 301-400 "very poor", and 401 and above is "severe". The way forward Stricter laws and stringent enforcing mechanisms seem to be the only way forward. We have the police for keeping crime in check, the traffic police for fining those who violate traffic rules. Perhaps, a similar law-enforcing mechanism on Diwali could be implemented. China recently set up an "anti-smog police force". Perhaps, something similar may help us breathe a little easier.

Diwali pollution: Too little too late?

<p>The much-awaited Rajdhani Express service from Agartala is likely to be launched by the end of this week, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) sources said.</p>

<p>&quot;The date of launch of the Rajdhani Express from here is yet to be fixed. But we hope to start the service by the end of this week,&quot; chief administrator of NFR A K Jadav told reporters in Agartala last night.</p>

<p>The infrastructure required to run the new service was ready, chief public relations officer of NFR Pranab Jyoti Sharma said.</p>

<p>&quot;A new train with 19 coaches, two power vans and two pantry cars arrived at Agartala railway station on October 14, but there was no confirmation on the date of launch,&quot; Sharma said, adding that the date will be fixed only after a meeting between the top railway officials.&nbsp;</p>


The rail service will give passengers another option to reach the state in northeast India, other than expensive flights

The much-awaited Rajdhani Express service from Agartala is likely to be launched by the end of this week, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) sources said. "The date of launch of the Rajdhani Express from here is yet to be fixed. But we hope to start the service by the end of this week," chief administrator of NFR A K Jadav told reporters in Agartala last night. The infrastructure required to run the new service was ready, chief public relations officer of NFR Pranab Jyoti Sharma said. "A new train with 19 coaches, two power vans and two pantry cars arrived at Agartala railway station on October 14, but there was no confirmation on the date of launch," Sharma said, adding that the date will be fixed only after a meeting between the top railway officials.

Agartala-Delhi Rajdhani rail service likely to start this week

<p>At least 650 fresh cases of dengue have been recorded in the third week of October in the national capital, taking the total number of people affected by the vector-borne disease this season to 5,870, according to a municipal report released on Monday.</p>

<p>The number of dengue cases reported this month till October 21 stands at 1,077.</p>

<p>Five deaths in total have been reported so far, including two at the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash (LNJP) Hospital in central Delhi.</p>

<p>The mosquito-borne tropical disease had claimed its first victim in the city this year when a 12-year-old boy died of dengue shock syndrome at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) on August 1.</p>

<p>26-year-old Manipuri woman Rhoda Daimai, who was living in south Delhi&#39;s Sarita Vihar, had died at the Holy Family Hospital in August, while 49-year-old Meena Devi, hailing from Bihar, died of dengue shock syndrome on September 2 at the SGRH, according to civic authorities.</p>

<p>The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), which tabulates data for the entire city, however, has not acknowledged the fatalities at the LNJP Hospital, and kept the official toll at three.</p>

<p>The number of malaria and chikungunya cases recorded in the city till the third week of October stood at 1,073 and 731 respectively, the report said.</p>

<p>Of the total 5,870 dengue cases, 2,884 were residents of Delhi, while the rest were from other states.</p>

<p>Cases of vector-borne diseases are usually reported between mid-July and November-end. This year, however, it has been much earlier.</p>

<p>Dengue and chikungunya are caused by the aedes aegypti mosquito, which breeds in clear water. The female anopheles mosquito, which causes malaria, can breed in both fresh and muddy water.</p>

<p>According to the SDMC, mosquito breeding has been reported from 1,92,746 households in Delhi this year till October 21.</p>

<p>At least 21 dengue-related deaths were reported last year from various city hospitals, including nine at AIIMS, though the official figure of the civic bodies stood at 10.</p>

<p>Seventeen deaths, suspected to be due to malaria, were also reported by civic bodies last year.</p>

<p>At least 15 fatalities were reported last year from various city hospitals due to complications triggered by chikungunya, though civic authorities kept the death tally at zero.</p>

<p>One of the worst outbreaks of chikungunya was in 2016 when 12,221 cases were reported till December 24, 2016. Of these, 9,749 were confirmed.</p>


At least 650 fresh cases of dengue have been recorded in the third week of October.

At least 650 fresh cases of dengue have been recorded in the third week of October in the national capital, taking the total number of people affected by the vector-borne disease this season to 5,870, according to a municipal report released on Monday. The number of dengue cases reported this month till October 21 stands at 1,077. Five deaths in total have been reported so far, including two at the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash (LNJP) Hospital in central Delhi. The mosquito-borne tropical disease had claimed its first victim in the city this year when a 12-year-old boy died of dengue shock syndrome at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) on August 1. 26-year-old Manipuri woman Rhoda Daimai, who was living in south Delhi's Sarita Vihar, had died at the Holy Family Hospital in August, while 49-year-old Meena Devi, hailing from Bihar, died of dengue shock syndrome on September 2 at the SGRH, according to civic authorities. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), which tabulates data for the entire city, however, has not acknowledged the fatalities at the LNJP Hospital, and kept the official toll at three. The number of malaria and chikungunya cases recorded in the city till the third week of October stood at 1,073 and 731 respectively, the report said. Of the total 5,870 dengue cases, 2,884 were residents of Delhi, while the rest were from other states. Cases of vector-borne diseases are usually reported between mid-July and November-end. This year, however, it has been much earlier. Dengue and chikungunya are caused by the aedes aegypti mosquito, which breeds in clear water. The female anopheles mosquito, which causes malaria, can breed in both fresh and muddy water. According to the SDMC, mosquito breeding has been reported from 1,92,746 households in Delhi this year till October 21. At least 21 dengue-related deaths were reported last year from various city hospitals, including nine at AIIMS, though the official figure of the civic bodies stood at 10. Seventeen deaths, suspected to be due to malaria, were also reported by civic bodies last year. At least 15 fatalities were reported last year from various city hospitals due to complications triggered by chikungunya, though civic authorities kept the death tally at zero. One of the worst outbreaks of chikungunya was in 2016 when 12,221 cases were reported till December 24, 2016. Of these, 9,749 were confirmed.

Dengue cases mount to 5,870 in Delhi

<p>The figures of the Air Quality Index in Delhi have revealed a further rise in pollution level.</p>

<p>Anand Vihar came under the &quot;hazardous level&quot;&nbsp;with&nbsp;388 Air Quality Index.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Punjabi Bagh with 296 and Shadipur&nbsp;at 254 were counted as &quot;very&nbsp;unhealthy&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>&#39;s Anand Vihar at 388 (Hazardous) on Air Quality Index, Punjabi Bagh at 296 (Very unhealthy), Shadipur at 254 (Very Unhealthy). <a href="https://t.co/q6EsqtaeC4">pic.twitter.com/q6EsqtaeC4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/920509584103571456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The pollution level in Delhi has been rising&nbsp;consistently due to recent stubble burning in and around Delhi.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-lift-ban-on-firecrackers-in-delhi-ncr-says-its-an-experiment-for-1-year-22393" target="_blank">Supreme Court had also put a ban on firecrackers</a> to regulate the pollution caused by crackers in Diwali.&nbsp;</p>


Punjabi Bagh with 296 and Shadipur?at 254 was counted as 'very?unhealthy'

The figures of the Air Quality Index in Delhi have revealed a further rise in pollution level. Anand Vihar came under the "hazardous level" with 388 Air Quality Index. Punjabi Bagh with 296 and Shadipur at 254 were counted as "very unhealthy". #Delhi's Anand Vihar at 388 (Hazardous) on Air Quality Index, Punjabi Bagh at 296 (Very unhealthy), Shadipur at 254 (Very Unhealthy). pic.twitter.com/q6EsqtaeC4 — ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2017 × The pollution level in Delhi has been rising consistently due to recent stubble burning in and around Delhi. The Supreme Court had also put a ban on firecrackers to regulate the pollution caused by crackers in Diwali.

Delhi air quality deteriorates further, Anand Vihar at hazardous level

<p>The Delhi Police have arrested a man who allegedly defrauded millions from several&nbsp;online shopping sites.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shivam, 26, who was working after completing his hotel management apparently took advantage of online companies&#39;&nbsp;policies on customer service.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The e-commerce sites have a policy of refunding their customer&#39;s amount in case they do not receive the&nbsp;product that they have ordered.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Two months back the 26-year-old man executed a well-devised plan and deceived several e-commerce sites.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;The boy would order mobile phones online, and then&nbsp;claim that the delivery box did not include the mobile phone. He later used to demand a refund for his delivery,&quot; Milind Dumre, DCP from North West Delhi said.</p>

<p>The police also said that Shivam used to order only expensive handsets which he would later sell on different online sites.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the police, Shivam ordered 225 mobiles in two months. He also received the refund for 127 orders. The entire order amounted to Rs 67 lakh from which he earned Rs 52 lakh.</p>

<p>The boy never revealed his real address while booking a mobile online.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also bought 150 mobile SIMs by providing false documents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Along with Shivam, the police have also arrested his friends, who used to help him to buy the SIM cards.</p>

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The boy used to order mobile phones online, and then?claim that the delivery box did not include the handset

The Delhi Police have arrested a man who allegedly defrauded millions from several online shopping sites. Shivam, 26, who was working after completing his hotel management apparently took advantage of online companies' policies on customer service. The e-commerce sites have a policy of refunding their customer's amount in case they do not receive the product that they have ordered. Two months back the 26-year-old man executed a well-devised plan and deceived several e-commerce sites. "The boy would order mobile phones online, and then claim that the delivery box did not include the mobile phone. He later used to demand a refund for his delivery," Milind Dumre, DCP from North West Delhi said. The police also said that Shivam used to order only expensive handsets which he would later sell on different online sites. According to the police, Shivam ordered 225 mobiles in two months. He also received the refund for 127 orders. The entire order amounted to Rs 67 lakh from which he earned Rs 52 lakh. The boy never revealed his real address while booking a mobile online. He also bought 150 mobile SIMs by providing false documents. Along with Shivam, the police have also arrested his friends, who used to help him to buy the SIM cards.

Watch: Delhi man deceives online shopping sites, earns Rs 52 lakhs from false claims

<p>A Nigerian man was beaten mercilessly by a mob in Delhi a few days ago but the Delhi Police allegedly filed a FIR which said the man was hurt after he fell from the stairs.</p>

<p>The incident occurred in Delhi&#39;s&nbsp;Malviya Nagar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Nigerian&nbsp;was tied to a pillar after the mob suspected&nbsp;the man&nbsp;had stolen money, he was then beaten continuously even though he kept pleading to be let off.</p>

<p>&quot;Even if the Nigerian national was stealing, beating him is not justified,&quot; Ishwar Singh, DCP South said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;When the video surfaced we got to know what happened. He was beaten up because of theft suspicion, there is no racial basis,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>A similar incident was reported in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/mob-of-over-1000-was-roaming-greater-noida-looking-for-africans-to-attack-fir-13928" target="_blank">Greater Noida, a suburb of Delhi&nbsp;earlier this year when a mob killed an African national over accusation&nbsp;that he allegedly &quot;drugged to death&quot; a local</a>.</p>

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An incident was registered in a FIR last month stating that a Nigerian had hurt himself after he fell from stairs

A Nigerian man was beaten mercilessly by a mob in Delhi a few days ago but the Delhi Police allegedly filed a FIR which said the man was hurt after he fell from the stairs. The incident occurred in Delhi's Malviya Nagar. The Nigerian was tied to a pillar after the mob suspected the man had stolen money, he was then beaten continuously even though he kept pleading to be let off. "Even if the Nigerian national was stealing, beating him is not justified," Ishwar Singh, DCP South said. "When the video surfaced we got to know what happened. He was beaten up because of theft suspicion, there is no racial basis," he added. A similar incident was reported in Greater Noida, a suburb of Delhi earlier this year when a mob killed an African national over accusation that he allegedly "drugged to death" a local.

Watch: Mob beats Nigerian national in Delhi

<p>Rattled by the recent spate of train derailments in the country, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday, assured the people about the ambitious project and said that that the bullet train has not seen a single accident in Japan.</p>

<p>&quot;It has been a zero-accident train in Japan and I am sure the track record will remain the same in India,&quot; Piyush Goyal said.</p>

<p>Ahead of Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the bullet train project, Goyal said that the country`s rail network will be transformed and revolutionised with the initiative.</p>

<p>&quot;Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given directions for a holistic development of the Indian Railways,&quot; Goyal said, adding, India`s transport sector is all set to change and &quot;it is indeed a matter of celebration.&quot; Goyal further said that the new initiative will help boost the employment in the country. &quot;The coming of bullet trains to India will not only boost employment , but also will help India to export it,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe will also be visiting India to attend the `Bhoomi Poojan` and foundation stone laying ceremony of the Rs. 97,636-crore Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail link, using Japanese bullet-train technology. During the visit, Prime Minister Abe will also hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi and is expected to serve as the &quot;top salesman&quot; for the adoption of the Shinkansen technology by other Indian railway systems, with China also aiming to win orders for the projects, the<em> Japan Times</em> had reported, earlier in August.</p>

<p>The 500-km railway will link Mumbai and Ahmedabad in western India, with services planned to commence in 2023. This train is based on Japanese high-speed technology called Shinkansen, known for its safety and comfort. India has pledged to build high-speed railways, focused on the four major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.</p>

<p>When Prime Minister Modi went to Japan last November, he travelled by Shinkansen with his Japanese counterpart from Tokyo to Kobe to visit a bullet-train plant of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., a maker of Shinkansen cars.</p>


'It has been a zero-accident train in Japan and I am sure the track record will remain the same in India,' the new railway miniser said

Rattled by the recent spate of train derailments in the country, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday, assured the people about the ambitious project and said that that the bullet train has not seen a single accident in Japan. "It has been a zero-accident train in Japan and I am sure the track record will remain the same in India," Piyush Goyal said. Ahead of Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the bullet train project, Goyal said that the country`s rail network will be transformed and revolutionised with the initiative. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given directions for a holistic development of the Indian Railways," Goyal said, adding, India`s transport sector is all set to change and "it is indeed a matter of celebration." Goyal further said that the new initiative will help boost the employment in the country. "The coming of bullet trains to India will not only boost employment , but also will help India to export it," he said. Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe will also be visiting India to attend the `Bhoomi Poojan` and foundation stone laying ceremony of the Rs. 97,636-crore Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail link, using Japanese bullet-train technology. During the visit, Prime Minister Abe will also hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi and is expected to serve as the "top salesman" for the adoption of the Shinkansen technology by other Indian railway systems, with China also aiming to win orders for the projects, the Japan Times had reported, earlier in August. The 500-km railway will link Mumbai and Ahmedabad in western India, with services planned to commence in 2023. This train is based on Japanese high-speed technology called Shinkansen, known for its safety and comfort. India has pledged to build high-speed railways, focused on the four major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. When Prime Minister Modi went to Japan last November, he travelled by Shinkansen with his Japanese counterpart from Tokyo to Kobe to visit a bullet-train plant of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., a maker of Shinkansen cars.

Piyush Goyal assures people Indian bullet train will be safe

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