Author: Sharad Natani
In a major step toward tackling chronic air pollution in the National Capital Region, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued a statutory direction proposing significantly stricter particulate matter (PM) emission norms for industries across Delhi-NCR. The move is expected to reduce industrial pollution and contribute to long-term improvement in regional air quality. Under the proposed framework, industries falling under identified high-polluting categories will be required to limit particulate emissions to 50 mg/Nm³, a threshold experts say is both technically achievable and environmentally necessary. Wide Range of Industries Under New Norms The revised standards will apply to 17…
A case of alleged fraud and criminal intimidation has been registered against JP Greens Private Limited and ten other individuals in Greater Noida’s Beta-2 area following a court directive, police said on Friday. Plot Buyer Alleges Breach of Agreement The complainant, Satyendra Narayan Dwivedi, a resident of Noida Phase-2, claimed he purchased a 1,470-square-metre plot in the Sports Villa project in Greater Noida in 2020. According to the FIR, the company issued an allotment letter and completed the registry of the plot, assuring that construction could proceed as per an approved building plan. However, when Dwivedi began preparations for construction,…
Growing frustration over ineffective waste management has prompted residents of Gurugram to demand stricter, performance-based contracts for garbage collection agencies, citing municipal surveys that suggest door-to-door collection currently covers only about 10% of sector areas. Citizen groups say the limited reach of collection services is undermining efforts to improve sanitation and reduce landfill dependence. Calls for Accountability in Waste Contracts Residents argue that contract renewals should depend on measurable performance outcomes rather than routine extensions. Ravi Trivedi, a resident of Rising Homes in Sector 92, said contractors must meet targets for expanding collection coverage and ensuring proper segregation before receiving…
In a technology-driven attempt to improve civic services, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) is testing a new application that will track sanitation workers and inspectors in real time, ensuring that attendance is recorded only when officials are physically present at their assigned locations. The proposed system links public complaints directly to responsible departments and officials, allowing residents to know exactly who has been assigned to resolve their issue. Attendance Only at Actual Work Site According to officials, the application uses geo-fencing technology to prevent manipulation of attendance records. For example, assistant sanitation inspectors will be marked present only when…
In a major administrative overhaul aimed at improving transparency and financial discipline, the Haryana government has directed that proceeds from the sale of municipal land and revenue roads across all urban local bodies be deposited into a single centralised bank account. Under the new system, individual municipal corporations and councils will no longer retain funds generated from land sales. Instead, all revenue will be routed to an account managed by the state’s directorate, while separate ledgers will track contributions from each city. Move to Prevent Misuse of Funds Officials say the policy is designed to curb potential misuse of public…
In a development that has sparked intense debate over land use and public space, residents of a Noida locality have approached the Allahabad High Court to challenge a proposal to construct a temple on a park that has existed for nearly four decades. According to residents, the park has long served as a vital green space for the community — used for morning walks, children’s play, social gatherings, and recreational activities. They argue that converting it into a religious structure would deprive hundreds of families of their only accessible open area. Concern Over Loss of Public Space Petitioners claim the…