Latest news with #No-ObjectionCertificates
Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi charts sustainable course for its maritime sector
19 Aug 2025 01:56 Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi is not only rolling out greener ferries and eco-marinas – it's embedding sustainability into every aspect of its maritime sector, from its policies and digital services to a strong talent pipeline set to govern its waterways for decades to come. In a recent interview with Aletihad, Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability Officer at AD Ports Group, outlined the initiatives shaping a future-ready maritime ecosystem in Abu June 2025, Abu Dhabi published the new Maritime Safety Regulations (Administrative Decision no. 69/2025), consolidating safety, environmental, and operational standards for all waterway users. Abu Dhabi Maritime is responsible for issuing No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for maritime development, a prerequisite for most shore and offshore construction in the Al Mheiri explained that developers must demonstrate climate resilience in infrastructure design, which includes considerations for sea-level rise, marine habitat protection, long-term material durability, public waterway accessibility, pollution control, and waste management. Digital Transformation Abu Dhabi Maritime continues to digitalise public maritime services to increase their accessibility and broaden awareness of maritime safety rules. Captain Al Mheiri noted that Al Nalia app, now in its second phase, allows residents and maritime operators to book marina berths, report hazards, and access digital safety maps. The app also integrates ticket booking for public ferries and provides push notifications for weather alerts and maritime circulars, making waterways safer and more accessible for residents and Dhabi Maritime also operates MARSDNA, a digital platform that allows maritime companies to measure and improve their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Since its launch less than a year ago, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Mobility, MARSDNA has already helped over 50 companies benchmark sustainability and adopt targeted improvements, according to Captain Al Mheiri. With plans to gradually expand its scope, this digital platform is currently open to shipping companies, port and terminal operators, freight forwarders and cargo beneficiaries, marine and offshore services providers, and marina Saif Al Mheiri also noted that the Department of Municipalities and Transport and Abu Dhabi Mobility Abu Dhabi Maritime are studying opportunities to expand their current network of four water taxi routes (serving nine destinations) and two ferry routes (four destinations). The aim is to maximise connectivity and benefits for Abu Dhabi residents, enterprises, and visitors, he said. Investing in Emirati Talent Beyond infrastructure and digital tools, Captain Al Mheiri stressed that Abu Dhabi Maritime is investing heavily in human capital. The Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy celebrated its first cohort of 194 graduates in June 2025, with 26 joining AD Ports Group immediately. 'Abu Dhabi Maritime and its employees benefit from AD Ports Group's local talent development and Emiratisation initiatives,' Captain Al Mheiri said. These include Al Nukhba Programme, which provides top Emirati talent with industry experience, and the Voyage of Discovery one-year development programme for group also invests in its female workforce through initiatives such as the Empowering Women with Impactful Coaching and Mentoring Programme, which conducted 45 group coaching sessions in 2024. Its GLOW Programme (Gain Leadership Opportunities for Women) also prepares high-potential Emirati women for leadership opportunities. Recognising Excellence in the Maritime SectorIn collaboration with Abu Dhabi Mobility, the 2025 edition of the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards is introducing seven new categories to recognise people-driven contributions to the industry, pioneering projects, and outstanding emerging marinas. The upcoming edition complements the Awards' six existing accolades recognising organisations' overall performance. Details for all categories are available on the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards website: . 'The MENAT region's leading marina awards programme, the Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards aim to set new benchmarks for marina excellence while bringing international attention to an industry whose achievements are too often overlooked or underappreciated,' Captain Al Mheiri said.'The seven-category expansion this year builds upon the programme's goals and momentum, representing a holistic view of the elements that drive marina excellence: the dynamic compound of dedicated employees, pilot projects and targeted initiatives, and overall institutional quality.' In 2024, the Awards received 120 submissions from marinas in eight countries, triple the number of submissions in the inaugural 2023 edition.
Hans India
29-07-2025
- Hans India
Cyberabad police launch official website with host of new features
Hyderabad: To significantly enhance transparency and strengthen citizen-centric service delivery, the Cyberabad Police have today launched their newly designed official website According to police officials, the website has been meticulously designed for accessibility and ease of navigation, catering to citizens of all age groups. Crucially, important alerts and information will be updated promptly, ensuring the public remains consistently informed. Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty stated that the website serves as a vital information portal, specifically crafted to provide essential services and updates to Cyberabad residents. He highlighted that the platform will offer an enhanced user experience through real-time content updates, a modern User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX), and a mobile-friendly design, optimising it for access on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. The website facilitates the dissemination of important information such as announcements, alerts, and safety guidelines. Key standout features include a new citizen feedback QR scanner, launched by Telangana Police, enabling citizens to provide feedback on the performance and efficiency of police officials. A jurisdiction finder, connected to Google Maps, assists citizens in identifying the correct police station to approach and provides directions. Furthermore, CPPMS services allow citizens to apply online for various permissions, No-Objection Certificates (NOCs), and licences, covering events like marathons, music shows, and film shootings; NOCs for controlled blasting; establishment licences; and licences to use/supply loudspeakers, thereby streamlining processes and reducing the need for multiple visits to police offices. A defreeze link is also available, enabling cybercrime victims to request the online defreezing of their accounts. The site also provides contact details for key officials, their roles, and comprehensive police station information categorised by sector. Citizens can access traffic-related services, including E-challans and Cyberabad Traffic Pulse – a programme providing real-time alerts on traffic conditions within the Cyberabad region, along with options for responsible citizens to report traffic violations. The platform also enables users to check the status of passport applications and police verification certificates. It features awareness programmes related to public safety, cybercrime prevention, community engagement initiatives, and the latest press notes and news. Cyberabad Police also announced plans to shortly integrate a login for gun licence holders. The force is actively exploring further possibilities to upgrade the website, including more dynamic features and integration with other e-Governance systems like MeeSeva, to further enhance citizen engagement and service delivery.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Unease in Delhi Police: ‘If we have to manage law & order at these places, we must have a say'
The decision to withdraw powers from the Licensing unit of Delhi Police for obtaining permission or No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for hotels, eateries, discotheques, amusement parks, swimming pools, and auditoriums has created unease within the police brass. The Indian Express spoke to police officers, serving and retired, who said that since they are the first line of defence in tragedies, divorcing them from the process may not be the 'best move'. Former Delhi Police commissioner, S N Srivastava, said, 'While it is the government's prerogative to allocate responsibility to its departments, I do not subscribe to the view that the issue of licence for such places of gathering does not have law and order implications. If police have to manage law and order arising out of gathering at these places, it requires a say in such matters.' 'At present, most processes of issue of licence have been made online. Multiple agencies can offer their input on the issue of license in a time-bound manner. There is always scope for improvement. Transferring work from one to another is not always a solution,' Srivastava added. A senior police officer currently in the force said, 'There are several incidents that occur at such places – people get stuck in lifts or drown in swimming pools, incidents are even reported at amusement parks – which are investigated by us. Then why the power to assign these licences have been taken away from us?' Another officer said that even if the process had to be streamlined, inputs and suggestions on how to ensure compliance and safety should have been incorporated into the new process. 'If there is an issue regarding law and order at an amusement park, it very much falls in the domain of the Delhi Police, but if the police officers are kept out, what is the point?' another senior officer said. Sakshi Chand is working as an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express. She has over a decade of experience in covering crime, prisons, traffic and human interest stories. She has also covered the communal clashes in Kasganj, Aligarh, Trilokpuri riots as well as the North-East Delhi riots. Apart from being a journalist, she is also a National level basketball player and a coach. Before joining the Indian Express, she was working for The Times of India. ... Read More
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Hotels, restaurants, discotheques in Capital no longer need to approach Delhi Police for NOCs. Here's why
Owners of establishments such as hotels, eateries, discotheques, amusement parks, and auditoriums in the Capital will no longer need to approach police for permission or No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to run their operations. In a recent order, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena has withdrawn the sanction power of the Delhi Police in such matters. The Delhi Police's licensing branch will now only deal with the grant or sanction of arms licences and licence for explosives, the order stated. In the June 19 order that was circulated on Sunday, L-G Saxena stated, '…in exercise of powers under section 28 (2) read with section 4 of Delhi Police Act, 1978, I hereby withdraw the sanction granted to Commissioner of Police, Delhi, for issuance of regulations under Section 28 (1) of the Delhi Police Act, 1978, covering the seven activities mentioned at Para 1.' These include hotels, swimming pools, eating houses, discotheques, video game parlours, amusement parks, and auditoriums. In his order, the L-G directed the Commissioner of Police to issue a notification 'repealing the said regulations with immediate effect'. The order further said, 'The repeal notification shall be given wide publicity by Delhi Police and Home Department.' The order noted that the Centre, with an intention to achieve the motto of 'minimum government and maximum governance', has taken up an initiative to reduce multiple licensing regimes, being followed in different states and Union Territories (UTs), and requested simplifying licensing procedures. Citing two court orders, L-G Saxena said the Delhi High Court, in a 2003 judgment pertaining to Uphaar Cinema tragedy, had recommended that 'Delhi Police should only be concerned with Law and Order, and entrusting of responsibility of licensing on the police force is an additional burden…' Citing a Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the recommendations of the HC, the L-G said it had also suggested that 'the existing system of police granting licences should be abolished'. According to L-G Saxena, a committee under the chairmanship of the then Additional Chief Secretary (Home), with officers of Delhi Police, Law and IT Department of Delhi government as members, was constituted to look into the entire gamut of licence/NOCs/permissions, being granted by the licensing branch, and their relevance in the changed scenario. The L-G's order stated that while observing that Delhi Police is facing shortage of staff, it was recommended that the force 'be relieved of the responsibilities of regulating licences in the respect of seven trades.' Noting that authorities such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (MCD) and Cantonment Board have also framed regulations for trade activities, the L-G's order stated that 'overlapping of regulations issued under Delhi Police Act, 1978, and Municipal Laws, by multiple authorities…is impinging the overall ease of doing business.' L-G Saxena said some 'progressive states', like Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, have already done away with the requirement of licences from police for these trade categories. Before issuing the order, L-G Saxena had examined the matter in terms of section 21 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, in consultation with the Law Department of the Delhi government, and found that 'he is well within his powers to direct the Commissioner of Police to rescind the relevant regulations'. According to the licensing unit's website, 'A need was felt to regulate public places like hotels/guest houses, eating houses, cinema halls, auditoriums, swimming pools, amusement parks etc, which receive frequent and heavy foot falls, from Law & Order, public convenience, safety and traffic management point of view… various provisions relating to licensing and registration of such entities were made in the Delhi Police Act-1978.' It further stated, '…This regulatory mechanism has stood the test of time and proved to be best suited for serving the citizens of Delhi. Certain powers, which were earlier vested with the District Magistrate, were transferred to the Commissioner of Police under Section 146 of The Delhi Police Act 1978… Licensing Unit has emerged today as one of the important 'Image Hubs' of Delhi Police.'
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
MHADA extends amnesty scheme for housing societies awaiting occupancy certificates until December 31
In a huge relief to housing societies that are waiting for occupancy certificates, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has also extended the time for its two current special amnesty schemes until December 31, 2025. The extension, sanctioned under the supervision of MHADA's vice-president and CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal is likely to benefit almost 80 housing societies in Mumbai. The extension is for two schemes: one for issuing occupancy certificates (OC) to redeveloped buildings under the 1991 Development Control Regulations (DCR), and another for waiving interest on additional premium amounts charged during redevelopment under MHADA's jurisdiction. According to Authority Resolution No. 6260, MHADA's Mumbai Board will continue to waive interest on pending additional premiums levied on housing societies. These societies will now pay only the principal amount, relieving the financial burden that has slowed the granting of occupancy certificates for most projects. At the same time, the Building Permission Cell is also offering an amnesty scheme for buildings redeveloped under DCR 1991. The scheme gives a 'concession' of up to 75 per cent on penalty charges imposed for unauthorised use of rooms like enclosed flowerbeds or balconies and minor variations from approved plans. It will be applicable to buildings that took building permissions under DCR 1991 till November 12, 2018. Several societies were issued No-Objection Certificates (NOC) or Letters of Intent (LoI) between 29 July 2004 and 4 June 2007 and were subsequently requested to pay extra premiums, but on account of non-payment, their occupancy certificates are pending. Consequently, people occupying these societies have been faced with increased utility bills, tax dues, and inconveniences in the sale or transfer of the flat. 'While physically, the majority of buildings have been completed and are transferred to the societies by developers, the financial liability of outstanding premium payments has stayed with the societies as well as members. The interest waiver scheme now provides them with a realistic route to regularisation,' a MHADA spokesperson said. Where building plans have been changed above approved limits, a 75 per cent concession on penalty is permissible under the amnesty scheme, subject to recovery of fees on revised plans.
