The Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Mahesh Khichi was elected as the next mayor of Delhi on Thursday, marking a significant victory for the ruling party in the national capital ahead of the Assembly polls due early next year, news agency PTI reported. As Khichi took his seat, the jubilant AAP councillors shouted the slogans of "Jai Bhim" to celebrate the Dalit candidate's victory in a tough contest. According to PTI, of the total 256 votes cast in the Delhi Mayor Elections, Khichi secured 133, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Kishan Lal by a wafer-thin margin of three votes. Two of the votes were declared invalid. Following its defeat in the mayoral poll contest, the BJP withdrew from the race for deputy mayor, clearing the way for the AAP's Ravinder Bharadwaj to secure the position unopposed. The saffron party had fielded Nita Bisht for the deputy mayor's post. "Many congratulations to Mahesh Kumar ji on being elected as the new Mayor of Delhi. Work diligently for the people, take forward the good work being done in MCD," AAP national convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a post on X. Meanwhile, eight AAP councillors also cross-voted in the polls, helping the BJP increase its vote share in the Delhi Mayor Election, party officials said. Seven Congress councillors didn't take part, one resigned from party before voting The seven Congress councillors did not participate in the voting while one resigned from the party at the last moment, ANI reported. The AAP candidates emerged victorious after a closely-contested election in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), following months of tension between the Kejriwal-led party and BJP. The Delhi Mayor Election, initially scheduled for April, were postponed owing to procedural delays. The Congress boycotted the voting, calling for a full term for the mayor rather than the truncated tenure on offer. "We want the Dalit mayor to get a full tenure instead of just four months," a Congress councillor said. The day began with an uproar in the MCD House as the Congress councillors, led by the Leader of the Party Nazia Dhanish, raised slogans and stormed into the well. Dhanish accused the administration of denying a Dalit mayor a full term. The Congress members raised slogans accusing the AAP of being anti-Dalit, while the ruling party councillors responded with chants in support of Kejriwal. Moments later, in a dramatic twist, Congress councillor Sabila Begum resigned from the party just ahead of the voting. Her resignation letter, posted online by her husband, revealed her intent to support the AAP nominee. Key political figures, including AAP lawmakers Sanjay Singh and N D Gupta, along with all seven Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MP) of the BJP from Delhi, exercised their franchise. (With PTI inputs)
14 November,2024 08:47 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Kirti Kisan Union, a farmers organisation, on Thursday donated Rs 5 lakh for the war affected Palestinian people through its mission in New Delhi as a humanitarian aid, reported the PTI. The farmers group expressed solidarity with the people there facing difficult times due to the ongoing conflict. According to the PTI, a delegation of the union met Palestine ambassador to India Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer at the Palestinian embassy here and donated the money, a release from the organisation said. The union has raised its voice in favour of a permanent truce in West Asia and also demanded that the United Nations find a sustainable solution to the Palestine issue. The Kirti Kisan Union delegation included President Nirbhai Singh Dhudike, General Secretary Rajinder Singh Deep Singh Wala, Press Secretary Raminder Singh Patiala, Vice President Jatinder Singh Chhina and Treasurer Jaswinder Singh Jhabelwali, news agency reported. Addressing a press conference later, they alleged that the most "terrible genocide" in the history of human civilisation was being carried out by Israel under the "incitement" of major powers like the US in which thousands of people have lost their lives so far. The images of children, the elderly and women and the ruins tell a tale of heart-wrenching atrocities, they said, adding that people have been deprived of basic necessities like food, water, electricity and medicine. Saudi Arabia plays a key role in maintaining stability in West Asia: Jaishankar Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday emphasised that Saudi Arabia plays a key role in maintaining stability in West Asia, highlighting the ongoing situation in the region particularly in Gaza, the ANI reported. In his opening remarks at the second meeting of the Political, Security, Social and Cultural Committee of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, today Jaishankar reiterated India's long-standing position on the issue. The Union Minister emphasised India's commitment to condemning acts of terrorism and hostage-taking while expressing deep concern over the continuing deaths of civilians."Saudi Arabia, we recognise, is a very important factor of stability in the region. The situation in West Asia is a matter of deep concern for us, particularly the conflict in Gaza. India's position in this regard has been principled and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage-taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing deaths of innocent civilians," Jaishankar said, the news agency reported. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
14 November,2024 06:12 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance during a public meeting in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, reported the ANI. PM Modi cautioned voters about the potential return of drought-like conditions if the MVA comes to power. "Agadhi wale boond boond paani ke liye apko tarsayenge. Isliye mein mata aur beheno ko keheta hu, Agadhi wale ko ghusne bhi mat dena, warna aapko paani ke liye bhi tarsake rakehenge (The Agadhi alliance will make you beg for every drop of water, that is why I tell the mothers and sisters that they should not even let the alliance get in power, otherwise they will make you beg for water)," said PM Modi. PM Modi was addressing a rally at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls on November 20. He was also facilitated by NDA leaders, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale. "There has been a water crisis in Marathwada for a long time, but the Congress and the Aghadi people always remained sitting idle. For the first time in our government, concrete efforts began to fight drought," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister criticised the MVA's inaction on the longstanding water crisis in Marathwada, contrasting it with his government's concrete efforts to combat drought. He also accused the alliance of disrespecting Balasaheb Thackeray's wish to rename Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, a change implemented by the current Mahayuti government. "The whole of Maharashtra knows that the demand to give this name to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar was raised by Balasaheb Thackeray. The Aghadi government was in power for 2.5 years, but these people did not have the courage to do so under pressure from the Congress. Whereas the Mahayuti government renamed this city as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar as soon as it came to power. We fulfilled your wish, we fulfilled Balasaheb Thackeray's wish," he said. The Eknath Shinde-led government changed the name of Aurangabad in 2022. "Who was most hurt by making Aurangabad Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar? This same Congress party, this Aghadi people... whose people even went to the court to overturn this decision," the PM said. PM Modi also highlighted the development initiatives of the Mahayuti alliance, including the Samruddhi Mahamarg highway project and the Palki Highway for devotees of Lord Vitthal. He said, "Maharashtra has to lead the vision of developed India. BJP and Mahayuti are working with this resolution. That is why today modern infrastructure is being built in Maharashtra. Today Samruddhi Mahamarg (also known as Mumbai-Nagpur Highway) is passing through Sambhaji Nagar. It is directly connected to Marathwada, Vidarbha and Mumbai." With the aim to connect Mumbai and Nagpur, the Samruddhi Mahamarg is a 701 km road project spread across various places in Maharashtra. "Along with this great yagya of development in Maharashtra, our government is also performing the ritual of heritage. For the convenience of the devotees of Lord Vitthal, we have constructed Palkhi Highway," said the PM while mentioning Palki Highway. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in September had announced that ‘palkhi margs’ was completed. These ‘palkhi margs’ are networks of roads from where devotees carry palkhis (palanquins) Saint Dnyaneshwar during annual pilgrimages. The 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with results to be announced on November 23. As campaigning intensifies, both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition MVA are making vigorous efforts to win over voters. (With inputs from ANI)
14 November,2024 05:50 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentTwo people were hurt after a temporary structure erected for a Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 rally of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Maharashtra's Nashik district was damaged on Thursday due to strong winds, the police said, reported the PTI. According to the PTI, two persons suffered minor injuries in the incident that occurred in the afternoon in the Trimbak area, where the senior Congress leader was to address a public gathering ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections, an official said. Just as the rally was about to start, strong winds lashed the area, damaging a temporary structure set up for the event. The curtains tied to the structure also got torn, he said. Two party supporters, who had come to attend the programme, suffered non-serious injuries in the incident and were taken to hospital, the official said. Mallikarjun Kharge's rally began after the winds subsided, he added, as per the news agency. Congress and MVA are going to win: Mallikarjun Kharge Meanwhile, exuding confidence in the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) victory in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said that the Congress and MVA are going to win elections in the state, according to the ANI. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "The environment in Maharashtra is good. Congress and MVA are going to win. We will give a better government to Maharashtra. When Rahul Gandhi comes, another nearby 2-4 constituencies also get benefited." Kharge also took a jibe at the BJP and said that regular visits of PM Modi, Amit Shah and prominent leaders of the party show that they are nervous. He further slammed the current Mahayuti government, saying that this government is not formed on the basis of ideology, rather it is formed after ploying the situation. Mallikarjun Kharge said, "PM Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Ministers of various states are coming here again and again which shows they are nervous. They want Maha Vikas Aghadi not to come to power, because the government they had made, is made after breaking and ploying the situation, which doesn't last long. Most importantly, this government is not based on any ideology, so that's why they want to come to power by any means. But people have also determined that MVA will come to power in these elections in Maharashtra," the ANI reported. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
14 November,2024 05:06 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Congress and its allies are hatching a scheme to have a separate Constitution for Kashmir, and making all efforts for restoration of Article 370. "Will the people of Maharashtra support the Congress and its allies who speak the language of Pakistan," Modi said, addressing a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. "Kashmir is an integral part of India. Every Indian wants that there should be only Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution in Kashmir," Modi said. He also stated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti government renamed Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and fulfilled the wish of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray."The whole Maharashtra knows that the demand to rename this city as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was raised by Balasaheb Thackeray," he said. The Congress party went to the court to overturn this decision, he added.The Maha Vikas Aghadi government was in power for two-and-a-half years but did not have the courage to rename the city under pressure from the Congress, he said. "This Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 is not just a poll to elect a new government. In this election, on one side there are patriots who believe in Sambhaji Maharaj and on the other side there are people who praise Aurangzeb," Modi said. "BJP-Mahayuti ahe, tar gati ahe, Maharashtrachi pragati ahe (If there is Mahayuti there is progress in Maharashtra)," Modi said. The people of Maharashtra and Marathwada had been demanding for decades to give classical language status to Marathi, Modi said. This work related to Marathi pride was completed by the BJP, he added. "Maharashtra has attracted the maximum foreign direct investment (FDI) after the formation of the Mahayuti government. The people have benefited owing to the investment," he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
14 November,2024 04:31 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | PTIAhead of Maharashtra Assembly elections, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane has vowed to prevent "vote jihad" and has expressed no concern over multiple FIRs registered against him for alleged hate speeches, reported news agency PTI. Rane defended his stance and said he has “not done anything wrong” by siding with his own “dharma” or his religion while speaking with PTI. "I am going to be mentioned as a Hindu on my birth and death certificate. If I am being blamed for a hate crime just because I am trying to take the side of my own dharma or my community, religion, I don't think there is anything wrong in it. I have absolutely not done anything wrong," he said. The BJP leader claimed "vote jihad" occurred during the recent Lok Sabha polls and pledged to prevent it in the state elections. Rane, the BJP candidate for Kankavli seat in Sindhudurg district for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, accused certain Muslim community members of following Sharia law while claiming to adhere to the Constitution. "If you are promoting peace between Hindus and Muslims, if you think the law should be the same for Hindus and Muslims, then why are you doing love jihad, land jihad and vote jihad?" Rane questioned. He further asked, "Why can't you fight as an Indian, why can't you vote as an Indian. Why do you have to tell your community that you have voted against the Modi government?" Notably, Maharashtra BJP MLA Nitesh Rane is the son of BJP MP Narayan Rane. Nitesh Rane, a two-term MLA’s election affidavit reveals over half-a-dozen FIRs registered against him across the state for hate speeches. A recent viral video showed him threatening to enter mosques if anyone spoke against religious leader Ramgiri Maharaj, resulting in charges of making provocative speeches and hurting religious sentiments. "We will enter your mosques and hit you one by one. Keep this in mind," he had said. Ramigiri Maharaj has been accused of making controversial remarks against Prophet Muhammad, stated PTI. Addressing the cases against him, Rane stated, "My every comment has attracted an FIR. It is basically when I am taking the side of my own community, when injustice has been done to them, when they are not allowed to celebrate their festivals in our Hindu Rashtra." He added, "If that attracts FIR and if I am blamed for taking the side of my own religion, I will be very happy to face any kind of action," he said. With the Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20 and the counting of votes set for November 23, the political landscape is heating up as both Mahayuti and MVA intensify their campaigns for the state's 288 assembly seats. (With inputs from PTI)
14 November,2024 04:16 PM IST | Kankavli, Maharashtra | mid-day online correspondentExuding confidence in winning the Maharashtra elections 2024, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Thursday said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance has a clear-cut chance in the State and preparations are going well, reported news agency ANI. Speaking to media persons, Venugopal said, "Preparation is going on well. Our entire leadership is there for elections and campaign preparations. Certainly, Maha Vikas Aghadi has a clear-cut chance in Maharashtra," reported ANI. The Maharashtra elections 2024 are scheduled for November 20 and counting will be held on November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the undivided Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. Further, the Congress leader, while responding to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's "Batenge to Katenge" remarks, said that the Congress party believes in love and affection. "Congress party believes in love and affection. Its ideologies and policies are very clear. We are not here to spread violence and hatred. BJP and Yogi Aditynath have only one agenda to divide the people and create hate among them...They don't believe in governance and policies for poor people. They only believe in dividing the people," Venugopal said, reported ANI. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had given the slogan 'batenge to katenge' while speaking at a campaign rally in Maharashtra. After that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the slogan 'ek hai toh safe hai', reported ANI. Adityanath highlighted how the authorities were dealing strictly in the state of Uttar Pradesh with those who were allegedly grabbing government land. Addressing a public meeting in Achalpur city of Amravati, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, "If we are divided, then Ganapati pooja would be attacked, lands would be grabbed under Land Jihad, safety of daughters would be in danger... There is no Love Jihad or Land Jihad in UP today. It was already announced that if anyone hampers the security of our daughters, grabbed the land of government and the poor, then 'Yamraj' would be ready to cut their ticket...," reported ANI. (With inputs from ANI)
14 November,2024 02:41 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to urgently list on November 18, a plea seeking enforcement of measures to check pollution in the national capital after it was told that Delhi should not become the most polluted city in the world, reported news agency PTI. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih agreed to list the matter after senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who has been appointed as amicus curiae, requested for urgent hearing looking at the prevailing situation in Delhi, reported PTI. "Since yesterday we have been in severe mode. Just to avoid this situation, this court has asked them to take preemptive action. They have not done anything. We should not become the most polluted city in the world," Singh told the bench, reported PTI. The amicus further informed the bench that she has intimated the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) and they should explain what steps are being taken. The bench said it will hear the matter on November 18. According to the Central Pollution Control Board in its latest update on Delhi air pollution, Delhi's Air Quality Index at 9 am on Thursday was 428, which falls in the 'severe' category. "Of 39 monitoring stations in Delhi, 32 recorded air quality in the 'severe' category, with readings above 400. These stations include Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, IGI Airport, ITO, Mandir Marg, North Campus, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, and Pusa among others," an official said while sharing an update on the Delhi air pollution, reported PTI. The air quality in Delhi on Wednesday was reported as the worst in the country, plunging into the 'severe' category for the first time this season. The city's 24-hour AQI, recorded at 4 pm every day, stood at 418 on Wednesday, up from 334 the previous day. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", 401 and 450 "severe" and above 450 "severe-plus". On November 11, the top court taking serious note of the violation of its firecrackers ban order on Diwali, observed that no religion encourages any activity that creates pollution. It said the right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere was a fundamental right of every citizen, protected by Article 21 of the Constitution. It is hearing a plea filed by M C Mehta in 1985 seeking directions to curb air pollution in the national capital and adjoining areas. (With inputs from PTI)
14 November,2024 02:32 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Delhi government will ensure strict enforcement of pollution control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan Stage 2 to combat deteriorating air quality in the city, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Thursday, reported news agency PTI. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi on Thursday morning was in the 'severe' category with a reading of 428 at 9 am. The AQI on Wednesday was reported as the worst in the country, plunging into the 'severe' category for the first time this season, reported PTI. During a press briefing, Rai attributed the worsening conditions to a combination of calm winds and a drop in temperature. He also said that GRAP III would not be imposed yet as the situation is expected to improve from tomorrow. Citing studies, Rai said contributions from surrounding areas play a significant role in Delhi's pollution levels, with 30 per cent of the pollution originating from local sources and 34 per cent coming from the national capital region. Rai assured that the Delhi government will strictly implement measures under GRAP 2 to prevent the air quality from deteriorating further. "We will strengthen all ongoing campaigns and actions to mitigate pollution," Rai stated. He also mentioned that the government would review all current action plans and campaigns and enhance enforcement efforts to prevent pollution levels from reaching emergency thresholds. Addressing a press conference, Gopal Rai said, "Yesterday, a meeting was conducted by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on GRAP 3 and after analysing situations, it was decided that the (Graded Response Action Plan-III) GRAP-III will not implemented in Delhi. All the schemes of the different departments will be continued according to the GRAP-II. We have again issued instructions to all departments to effectively and strictly follow the provisions given as per GRAP-II so that we would not be in a situation to reach GRAP-III. The government is effectively monitoring the situation. We are trying that pollution does not reach into the 'severe' category by effectively issuing the rules of GRAP-II.... But if the weather changes and AQI increases, then the government will take strict actions to curb pollution and save the people." According to the India Meteorological Department, increased wind activity may help lower pollutant concentrations, with AQI expected to improve to the "very poor" category. The AQI turned "severe" for the first time this season on Wednesday, with the Commission for Air Quality Management describing the situation as an "episodic event" of "unprecedented extremely dense fog." Delhi has been continuously battling with air pollution for the last 14 days, post-Diwali. (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
14 November,2024 02:24 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the upcoming Maharashtra elections 2024, the Congress on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by posing questions to him on Maharashtra and asked why the Mahayuti and the Union governments keen on "undermining" Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Ahead of Prime Minister Modi's rallies in Maharashtra, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh posed three questions to him, including what is his vision to address water scarcity in Marathwada. Why is the Mahayuti and the Union Government keen on "undermining" Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Ramesh asked. "Raigad was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj - one of India's greatest sons, whom the Mahayuti Government in Maharashtra and its patron in New Delhi have been undermining," Ramesh said in a post on X. Seven years ago, the PM laid the foundation stone for a 696-feet statue of Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai but it has since been silently abandoned by his government, he said. "In a petty effort to spite the people of Maharashtra after their stinging debacle on June 4th, they removed the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from its place of prominence outside the Parliament House," Ramesh alleged. "BJP leaders, in their attempts to ingratiate themselves to the self-proclaimed divinity, have belittled the Chhatrapati by comparing him to the non-biological PM," he said. "The Mahayuti didn't even spare the Chhatrapati from its extortion and loot. The 35-ft statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg was made so shoddily that it collapsed within a year of its inauguration by the non-biological PM himself," Ramesh said. What is the source of this hatred and constant attempt to belittle the Chhatrapati, he asked. "What hope can the Aam Aadmi have from a man who has given jumlas even to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj?" the Congress leader said. He further asked what is Modi's vision to address water scarcity in Marathwada. In 2019, then Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promised a Rs 20,000 to 25,000 crore package to build a water grid from Marathwada that would supply piped drinking water to every village, he pointed out. Summer this year marked five years of this promise - and it was one of the most water-scarce years that Marathwada has faced, Ramesh said. More than 600 villages and 178 hamlets in Marathwada were dependent on water tankers amidst an acute drinking water shortage, he said. "Only 19% drinking water was left in reservoirs. What has the BJP done to tackle water scarcity in Marathwada? Will the non-biological PM ever take responsibility for his and his party's failures?" the Congress leader said. He also asked why the Indian Railways performed so poorly in the Nanded division. Railway infrastructure in Nanded division, which serves many areas in Marathwada, has been subjected to blatant neglect by the Modi government, he claimed. "According to data furnished by the South Central Railway (SCR) in 2021, Nanded has only 35km of route electrification and only 83km of track doubling. This puts it at the bottom in terms of electrification and only marginally ahead of the bottom in track doubling compared to other SCR divisions," Ramesh said. Additionally, it is the only division in its zone that still has 130km of colonial-era meter-gauge tracks, he said. "Every election season, Mr. Modi is happy to come to Marathwada and ask for votes but the area never sees the progress and development that he speaks of. Why has crucial railway infrastructure been neglected in Nanded? Does the non-biological PM have any real vision for bringing development to the Marathwada region?" Ramesh said. His remarks come amid campaigning for the Maharashtra elections 2024. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.
14 November,2024 01:01 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA blanket of fog covered parts of Delhi for the second consecutive day on Thursday with the air quality index remaining in the 'severe' category, an official said, reported news agency PTI. The city recorded its lowest minimum temperature of the season so far at 16.1 degrees Celsius, three notches above the normal, according to the weather department in its latest update on Delhi air pollution. According to the Central Pollution Control Board in its latest update on Delhi air pollution, Delhi's Air Quality Index at 9 am was 428, which falls in the 'severe' category. "Of 39 monitoring stations in Delhi, 32 recorded air quality in the 'severe' category, with readings above 400. These stations include Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, IGI Airport, ITO, Mandir Marg, North Campus, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, and Pusa among others," an official told PTI. The air quality in Delhi on Wednesday was reported as the worst in the country, plunging into the 'severe' category for the first time this season. The city's 24-hour AQI, recorded at 4 pm every day, stood at 418 on Wednesday, up from 334 the previous day. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", 401 and 450 "severe" and above 450 "severe plus". A thick veil of fog blanketed the city on Wednesday morning, reducing visibility to zero and affecting flight operations. The situation improved slightly on Thursday as the visibility at the Delhi Airport at 8.30 am was 400 metres. The weather department said the maximum temperature is expected to settle at around 29 degrees Celsius. SC agrees to hear on Nov 18 plea related to pollution in Delhi The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to urgently list on November 18, a plea seeking enforcement of measures to check pollution in the national capital after it was told that Delhi should not become the most polluted city in the world. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih agreed to list the matter after senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who has been appointed as amicus curiae, requested for urgent hearing looking at the prevailing situation in Delhi. "Since yesterday we have been in severe mode. Just to avoid this situation, this court has asked them to take preemptive action. They have not done anything. We should not become the most polluted city in the world," Singh told the bench. The amicus further informed the bench that she has intimated the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) and they should explain what steps are being taken. The bench said it will hear the matter on November 18. (With inputs from PTI)
14 November,2024 12:45 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
