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Pollution punch: Diesel generators banned in Delhi, four-fold hike likely in parking charges

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Delhi Air Pollution

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority advises Delhiites to wear masks, wherever possible

Diesel generators have been banned, the Badarpur power plant has been shut and hundreds of brick kilns ordered to stop work under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA).

The measures stipulated for the GRAP’s ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories of air quality came into effect today, and they will remain in force till March 15, 2018, the EPCA announced following a review meeting chaired by Bhure Lal, a former IAS officer.

In November 2016, the Supreme Court of India directed the government to frame and implement a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control air pollution. The Union environment ministry notified the Plan on January 17, 2017.

Designed like a disaster alert system, GRAP directs governments to take tougher and tougher actions based on the level of air pollution. Key measures listed under the Moderate and Poor categories, have been in force through the year, with state governments monitoring progress. Now, from October 17, 2017 to March 15, 2018 the Very Poor and Severe categories have come into force.

The measures come on top of steps taken recently to curb pollution, most notably and recently, the ban on the sale of firecrackers. Before this, the government had prohibited stubble burning or burning of crop residues by farmers of Punjab and Haryana to the west of Delhi.

The EPCA has said if the air quality worsens, Delhiites may have to shell out more as parking fee, possibly four times the current amount and that if pollution reaches ‘emergency’ levels, it may enforce the ‘odd-even’ plan, order cars off roads, and shut schools.

EPCA secretary Sunita Narain said while the GRAP proposes a hike in parking fee under its ‘very poor’ segment, it cannot be immediately implemented as the Delhi government’s parking policy has not yet been finalised. However, the EPCA will enforce the measure if pollution levels show any rapid spike, even if a formal policy is not in place, she said.

“As per the action plan, several measures will be taken till March 15 to avoid the ‘severe+’ category that the region had suffered over the last year when a public health emergency was declared, warranting measures such as the ‘odd-even’ car rationing policy or closure of schools,” said Sunita Narain, the Director-General of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), and member secretary, EPCA.

EPCA expects 32 air monitoring systems to be in place in the region over the next few weeks. “The AQI from these monitoring stations will look at PM 2.5 levels,” said A Sudhakar from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). “With this, combined with information from other agencies, we will be able to formulate a daily action plan to target problem areas,” he said.

Weather conditions are expected to worsen the morning after Diwali, he warned. “On October 20 morning, we expect moisture-laden south-easterly winds to blow into Delhi-NCR and increase pollution levels,” he said.

EPCA chairman Bhure Lal said the diesel generator ban will not apply to essential services such as the Delhi Metro, mobile phone towers, and hospitals in the city.

Brick kilns, which have implemented the zigzag technology that helps reduce black carbon emission, have also been allowed to function, said Bhure Lal.

The Badarpur plant used to supply around 400 MW electricity to discoms but, according to power officials, its closure will not affect Delhi’s electricity supply as the city has surplus power. CPCB wanted the plant shut down by September, but it was postponed since the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which hosted matches of the U-17 FIFA World Cup, drew electricity from the plant.

The Bawana gas-based plant has been directed to be run at full capacity.

The EPCA also advised the residents of Delhi-NCR to use face masks whenever possible. It also raised concerns over the existing landfill sites in the capital.

The EPCA said the two other thermal power plants in the region, at Dadri and Jhajjar, will also have to be shut if pollution reaches emergency levels.

If air quality worsens further, the action will be more widespread, including closure of hot mix plants in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, stone crushers in Haryana and Rajasthan, and industries using Furnace Oil and Pet Coke, which are rich in Sulphur, across the region.

Under the GRAP, measures under ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories are rolled out when levels of PM2.5 are between 121-250 micrograms per cubic metre, and above 250 micrograms per cubic metre respectively. PM10 levels have to be between 351-430 micrograms per cubic metre for very poor and going down to severe if they cross 430 micrograms per cubic metre.

The severe plus or the emergency action plan under GRAP, which proposes a ban on construction activities, odd-even scheme, ban on entry of trucks and closure of schools, shall come into force when PM2.5 levels cross 300 micrograms per cubic metre or PM10 levels cross 500 micrograms per cubic metre (five times above the standard level) and persist for 48 hours or more.

The 24-hour-average safe standards of PM2.5 and PM10 are 60 and 100 respectively and anything beyond that can harm living beings.

EPCA added that further action will be taken based on the reports released each day by the task force. Other long-term measures include providing electric heaters to society guards in order to prevent burning of firewood and closure of hot mix as well as stone crushers.

In addition, trucks entering Delhi will be monitored and those not destined for the city to be sent back. EPCA also said measures to prevent burning of open waste and construction dust will be intensified with offenders to be fined. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has created a Whatsapp helpline number (9717593574) for people to submit photographs and complaints regarding waste burning.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Bollywood news

The Bhootnii social media reviews: Fans say horror isn’t scary, even ghosts deserve better scripts

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Bollywood’s fascination with horror-comedy remains undimmed, and The Bhootnii, starring Sanjay Dutt, Mouni Roy, Palak Tiwari, Sunny Singh, and Beyounick, dives headfirst into this quirky genre. Helmed by director Sidhaant Sachdev, the film unfolds a peculiar tale of a college tree that conjures a ghost named Mohabbat each Valentine’s Day, blending supernatural antics with a romantic twist.

Released on April 25, 2025, The Bhootnii has sparked a whirlwind of reactions, with Mouni Roy’s standout performance earning raves even as the film grapples with a faltering storyline.

Online chatter has zeroed in on Roy’s captivating portrayal of Mohabbat, with fans showering her with praise. One enthused, “Mouni Roy is pure magic—her ghost is the soul of the film!” Another marveled at her dedication, noting, “Spending 45 days in a harness paid off; she’s mesmerizing in every frame.” A third fan gushed, “Mouni’s Mohabbat makes this chaotic horror-comedy worth watching—she’s a genre gem!” Roy’s ability to infuse the spectral role with both charm and intensity has cemented her as the film’s saving grace, striking a chord with viewers.

Critics, however, have skewered the film’s lackluster script, which struggles to balance scares and humor. One review sighed, “The horror fizzles, the comedy feels stale, and the plot wanders like a lost spirit.” Another jabbed, “The Bhootnii stumbles where Stree danced—its ghost needs a sharper story.” Sanjay Dutt’s belated appearance as an eccentric ghostbuster, armed with oddball tools and arcane wisdom, injects fleeting energy but fails to rescue the narrative. Faisal Khan’s sporadic comedic bits offer mild relief, yet many deem the film a disjointed effort, with one viewer quipping, “I left more haunted by the script than the ghost.”

Amid India’s thriving horror-comedy wave, The Bhootnii has fueled spirited online debates, reflecting the genre’s pull despite its uneven execution. While unlikely to claim cinematic glory, Roy’s luminous performance offers a beacon for fans willing to navigate its bumpy ride. For others, the film’s narrative pitfalls render it a spectral disappointment, underscoring the challenges of crafting a cohesive spooky-laugh riot.

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Bollywood news

Instagram head Adam Mosseri dances with influencers Sakshi Shivdasani, Naina Bhan to Bollywood song, video surfaces

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Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, showcased his playful side by joining actors Sakshi Shivdasani and Naina Bhan for a lively dance reel that lit up social media. Posted collaboratively on their Instagram accounts, the trio danced to the infectious Luv Letter by Kanika Kapoor from The Legend of Michael Mishra, a track dominating Instagram trends.

With Mosseri flanked by Sakshi and Naina, he gamely followed their choreography, bringing a lighthearted charm to the clip. Sakshi captioned the post with a cheeky nod to their podcast MOS, writing, “Naina and Sakshi have a podcast called MOS, so my name is @mosseri (we’re delusional).”

The reel sparked a flurry of reactions, with fans flooding the comments with laughter and admiration. One user exclaimed, “This video is unreal!” while another praised, “Love how carefree you all are!” A third simply declared, “Absolutely obsessed!” The spontaneous moment highlighted Instagram’s role as a platform for creative connections, bridging global executives with local talent.

Mosseri’s India visit, centered around the WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai, has been a whirlwind of star-studded interactions.

On Wednesday, he dined with Bollywood power couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh at Bandra’s Papa’s restaurant, sharing a selfie on Instagram captioned, “Met the charismatic @deepikapadukone and @ranveersingh in Bombay, savoring incredible food at @papasbombay.”

Deepika responded playfully, “What happens at @papasbombay stays there!” with emojis, while Ranveer added, “Good times!” with heartfelt emojis, reflecting their warm camaraderie.

That same day, Mosseri met content creator Prajakta Koli, who posted a photo on Instagram, writing, “Grateful for the chat, @mosseri!” His packed itinerary culminates on Friday with a high-profile interaction alongside actor Shraddha Kapoor at the WAVES Summit, a global platform celebrating media and innovation.

Mosseri’s engagement with India’s entertainment scene underscores Instagram’s growing influence in the country, where millions use the platform to share stories and connect. His visit, blending professional commitments with cultural immersion, highlights the app’s role in fostering creativity and collaboration across borders, resonating with India’s dynamic digital community.

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India News

Water row: Bhagwant Mann says won’t tolerate robbery of Punjab’s rights

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The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) sparked a fierce controversy by approving the release of 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, prompting a sharp rebuke from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Labeling the move a “robbery” of Punjab’s water rights, Mann vowed to resist what he described as an unjust decision driven by the BJP-led central government and Haryana.

The decision, finalized during a marathon five-hour BBMB technical committee meeting, has ignited tensions over water distribution from the Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams, which serve Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan for irrigation and other needs.

Punjab officials at the meeting vehemently opposed the allocation, arguing that Haryana had already exhausted its water quota, while water levels in the Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams were lower than the previous year.

Despite their objections, Rajasthan, governed by the BJP, reportedly backed Haryana’s demand, intensifying Punjab’s sense of betrayal.

Mann, in a fiery post on X, declared, “Punjab stands united against this theft of our water rights. The BJP and Haryana are colluding against us, but we will not allow another injustice. The BJP must face our opposition.”

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Mann, announced statewide protests against the BJP, accusing it of pressuring the BBMB to favor Haryana.

Earlier, on April 29, Mann had rejected Haryana’s request for additional water, noting that the state had already consumed 103% of its share by March 31. He highlighted Punjab’s critical need for water for the upcoming paddy sowing season, stating that not a single drop could be spared.

Mann also revealed that Punjab had provided 4,000 cusecs daily to Haryana from April 6 as a humanitarian gesture, despite its own constraints.

This year, the BBMB allocated 3.318 million acre-feet (MAF) to Rajasthan, 2.987 MAF to Haryana, and 5.512 MAF to Punjab, but Haryana’s overutilization has fueled the dispute. AAP leaders, including Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, condemned the BJP’s “coercive tactics,” vowing a strong response to protect Punjab’s interests.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused the BJP of “anti-Punjab” bias, further escalating the political showdown. The controversy underscores the delicate balance of water-sharing agreements in India, where inter-state disputes often reflect deeper regional tensions, drawing significant public and political attention.

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