Delhi winter woes and more
21 flights were delayed for hours yesterday morning due to fog and closure of air space. In another news, in a major relief to Delhi residents, the upcoming Kalindi Kunj bypass will decongest Ashram Chowk and Mathura Road. And, Delhi HC comes to relief of private schools: they don't need to comply with AAP government's circular on nursery admissions. To read more, tap in!
Fog, Republic day delay flights
21 outbound flights were delayed on Friday morning by nearly 3 hours. Delay was due to poor visibility from fog in the morning and closure of air space due to Republic Day. Passengers were made to board at the original time but remained stuck inside planes for hours until the flight took off. Despite DGCA instructions, airlines insist on seating passengers hours before take-off.
Woman delivers baby in PCR van
A woman traveling by bus from Delhi to Rajasthan went into labour. The bus driver called the police helpline and a PCR van responded: they put her in the van and were rushing her to the maternity hospital. However, she gave birth to a girl in the van and the two policemen helped her deliver. The policemen will be rewarded for their timely assistance.
Delhi ridge areas to be demarcated
Delhi's ridge areas currently have unclear boundaries which have resulted in various cases of encroachment that are pending before the National Green Tribunal. Ridge areas will now be clearly demarcated together by forest department and DDA and will be notified. This will make it easier for the forest department to take action against encroachers as it will be a protected forest with definitive boundaries.
3 year waiting period for surgery at AIIMS
Ramarati Devi, 65-years old, suffering from a brain tumour and in need of immediate surgery, has been asked to wait for 3 years. AIIMS acknowledges Devi's need for urgent surgery but cited "unavailability" of beds for long waiting period. Devi's family is helpless as they are unable to afford a private hospital. Hospital authorities admit that "huge patient load" makes prompt treatment often difficult.
Kalindi Kunj bypass project revived
For 16 years, Kalindi Kunj bypass project has been lying dormant due to land acquisition issues. AAP government will now revive it to decongest Mathura Road and Ashram Chowk. The bypass will be 13 kms long of which 5.5 kms will be elevated. Work will be done in two phases: Kalindi Kunj - Badarpur in first phase and DND-Kalindi Kunj in second phase.
Court gives relief to minority schools
Two weeks ago AAP government issued a notification that private minority schools built on government land will accept admission forms based only on neighbourhood/distance criteria. Schools approached courts and alleged that the circular infringed upon their rights to administer schools. Delhi HC stayed the circular and asked government to form an educational policy for nursery admissions and issue notifications 6 months in advance.
Jailed for running illegal hookah bar
A bar manager and employee of Gurugram bar have been jailed for running an illegal hookah bar. Haryana banned hookah bars in 2010 after a PIL was filed in 2007. Serving of nicotine in a liquid form was halted due to presence of a "very harmful chemical". This is the first conviction under the Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1940 in the state.
