
Capital aims for EV transition: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta
'We have lost clean air, and we are all responsible for it,' Gupta said while addressing the summit on the theme 'A New Air Agenda: Pathways for Scale and Systematic Impact'. She noted that the Delhi government had drawn up a detailed action plan within its first 100 days, including a scrapping policy for end-of-life vehicles.
'Old cars will not be allowed to run. Petrol and diesel vehicles whose life has ended will be removed. We have made a scheme for this,' Gupta said.
Gupta added that Delhi's public transport would transition completely to electric vehicles (EVs). 'In the first phase, we have brought in 400 electric buses, which we call DEVI. Another 200 will be added. By 2028, all buses will be EVs,' she said, highlighting that over 4,000 EV charging stations are being installed across the city.
She also announced the introduction of strict rules for construction activities. 'SOPs will be issued. High-rise buildings must install water sprinklers. Smog guns, water pumps, and other machines will be deployed to keep the air clean,' she said.

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NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Ahead Of Janmashtami, Muslim Artisans Craft Krishna Idols In UP
Aligarh: Aligarh, a city renowned for its locks and educational institutions, is gaining recognition for a new craft-idol-making. As the festival of Krishna Janmashtami approaches, local artisans have been busy preparing idols of various Hindu deities. What stands out this year, much like earlier, is the remarkable participation of Muslim artisans, who are skillfully crafting brass idols of Laddu Gopal, symbolising unity and communal harmony. Idol trader Kapil Gupta shared insights into the thriving business ahead of the festival. "Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great joy across the country. Laddu Gopal is the most worshipped deity during this festival. We have received numerous orders not only from within India but also from abroad. Our idols are handmade and decorated meticulously," he told IANS. Gupta added that the idol business in Aligarh has a legacy of over 100 years, and the demand for Laddu Gopal idols keeps growing every year. He also emphasised the diverse community involvement in this craft. "Muslim artisans and even Sikh craftsmen are actively engaged in this trade. Since these idols are entirely handmade, it requires skilled hands and dedication. Muslim brothers contribute immensely to Hindu festivals by creating these beautiful idols. People from all communities work together harmoniously," Gupta noted. One such artisan, Aqeel Khan, who specialises in welding brass idols, spoke about his experience. "With Janmashtami approaching, I am preparing Laddu Gopal idols. This is our livelihood. Hindus and Muslims live together peacefully here, and we take pride in this work. It's a craft I've been practicing for 25 years, and my family, including my children, continues this tradition. We feel great joy making these idols during the festival," he said. Krishna Janmashtami, a major Hindu festival, marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Also known as Krishna Janmotsava, it holds profound religious and spiritual significance. Celebrated nationwide with grandeur, the festival falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. This year, Janmashtami will be observed on August 16, 2025.
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
M&M expands capacity at South African plant as US tariffs hit automobiles
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. is boosting capacity at its South African plant by two-thirds as India's largest automaker by value seeks to capitalize on demand for budget vehicles in the continent's biggest economy. The company, which makes the Mahindra Pik-Up brand at its assembly plant near the port city of Durban, will boost capacity to 1,500 vehicles a month from 900, said Rajesh Gupta, chief executive officer of the local unit. It's also considering assembling other models, including the Bolero and the Veero pick-up, he said. Sluggish growth in the continent's most-industrialized nation has led South Africans to demand more economical cars. Sales of Mahindra, Suzuki Motor Corp. and China's Chery Automobile Co. vehicles have jumped, while those of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and BMW AG have plunged or stagnated. The average selling price of cars has dropped 2.3 per cent in the past two years to 490,478 rand ($27,600), according to Toyota Motor Corp., South Africa's most popular auto brand. Annual inflation averaged about 4.5 per cent over the same period. That's compounding difficulties that Mercedes is facing in South Africa, where it produces vehicles that are shipped to the US. US President Donald Trump's 30 per cent tariff on the nation's exports to America will hit Mercedes hard. The German company, which last year produced 70,000 cars at its plant in East London — about 650 kilometers (404 miles) south of Durban — cut a shift and announced it would fire 700 workers last year, even before Trump's levies decimated US demand. While global supply chains take years to create, 'it takes one stroke of a pen to kill everything,' Gupta said in an interview. Still, tariffs may come as a 'blessing in disguise' for trade between South Africa and India, he said. Trump levied a 25 per cent tariff on exports from India to the US, which can increase to 50 per cent. Mahindra's vehicles are among the top four pick-ups in South Africa, with compound annual growth of 22 per cent since 2019, while the broader market shrank 3.1 per cent., Gupta said. 'This will become a case study, I'm pretty confident, how one can start nimble, stay authentic and responsible, create sustainability and keep growing step-by-step,' Gupta said. 'No matter what happens in the world environment.' The pick-ups assembled at Mahindra's Durban plant, which opened in 2018 and is the company's biggest outside India, have become popular with local farmers. They're also used by the police in neighboring Mozambique. Mahindra's expansion is a rare bit of good news for President Cyril Ramaphosa as his government struggles to reduce the fallout from Trump's tariffs. Agricultural exports are also exposed to the levies. The rise in the mid-market segment has even lured Tata Motors Ltd. India's largest automaker by sales has tied up with Motus Holdings Ltd. to distribute its vehicles in the African nation, according to the South African car retailer. More than a third of the vehicles sold in South Africa are exported from India or China, according to Toyota. The government wants to change that. 'With regards to Chinese and Indian auto, it is a discussion,' Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said on Tuesday. The government is 'taking a more of a proactive approach of getting some of those products manufactured in the country.' Mahindra — the owner of Automobili Pininfarina, the handcrafter of €2.2 million ($2.4 million) electric hypercars — also plans to bring EVs to South Africa, according to Gupta. 'We are extremely sure of bringing them sooner than later,' he said, without providing a timeline. The company will offer both the BE 6 & XEV 9e EV lines to South Africa, he said. The Mumbai-based company is considering upgrading its plant to assemble vehicles using completely-knocked down parts from a semi-knocked assembly plant, Gupta said. The expansion has created about 100 direct jobs.


News18
2 hours ago
- News18
‘Strongly Advocating For Delhi's Interests': Rekha Gupta Hails SC's Order On End-Of-Life Vehicles
Last Updated: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta welcomed the Supreme Court's order preventing immediate action against owners of end-of-life vehicles in Delhi-NCR. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's order that no coercive action would be taken against owners of end-of-life vehicles, saying that the top court has accepted the government's request. In a post on X, the Chief Minister congratulated the people of the national capital and asserted that no immediate punitive action will be taken against owners of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the National Capital Region (NCR). 'Heartfelt congratulations to the people of Delhi! The Honorable Supreme Court has accepted our government's request. Now, no immediate punitive action will be taken against owners of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in the National Capital Region (NCR)," she said in a post on X. Gupta further said that the Delhi government had petitioned the top court to review the ban on end-of-life vehicles, arguing it unfairly impacts the middle class without scientific backing. 'Through a review petition, we had urged that vehicles should not be evaluated solely based on their age but rather on their mileage and emission levels, so that only vehicles actually contributing to pollution are identified and acted upon. We will continue to actively participate in the judicial process, strongly advocating for the interests of Delhi's residents," she added. Earlier today, the Supreme Court said that no coercive action will be taken against owners of 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in Delhi and NCR. A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria issued the order after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi government, requested relief for vehicle owners. 'Issue notice, returnable in four weeks. In the meantime, we direct that no coercive steps be taken against the owners on the ground that vehicles are 10 years old in respect of diesel vehicles and 15 years old in respect of petrol vehicles," the bench stated. About the Author First Published: Latest News Telangana CM calls for boost to ecotourism Agency feeds Agency feeds Israeli PM in denial about Gaza crisis, claims Australian PM Anthony Albanese Agency feeds Mathura: Farmer set on fire over encroached hut dies of burns Agency feeds Punjab CM Mann offers prayers at Kali temple in Patiala Agency feeds UP: Woman kills self by consuming poison over husbands alcohol addiction latest news