Latest news with #NCT
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SC closes contempt proceedings against DDA for felling trees in ridge land
The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to close contempt proceedings against Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and its officials for tree felling in Chhatarpur falling within southern ridge with the court taking a lenient view considering the larger objective being for expanding the road leading towards a multispecialty hospital. Passing orders on a contempt petition filed by Delhi resident Bindu Kapurea seeking contempt action against then DDA vice chairman Subhashish Panda, a bench of justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh noted that 'clearly DDA was in contempt for keeping the court in the dark about the trees already being felled when its application for tree felling was taken up by the court'. 'The overarching public interest weighs heavily on this court,' the bench noted as it found that the action of tree cutting was not malafide but for constructing a road to serve the larger good of operationalising the hospital, whose construction is complete and is awaiting inauguration. The DDA VC informed the court that he was on leave at the time of tree felling and had since then moved out of the department, considering which the court closed contempt proceedings against him. Three officials who were found guilty after an internal inquiry held by DDA, were directed by the court to pay ₹25,000 each as a fine towards environmental damage. Also Read: Tree felling near Sector 43 sparks outcry, audit demand The court censured the three officials and clarified that this order will be in addition to any disciplinary action sought to be taken by the DDA. As part of restorative steps to be undertaken for the 1,000 trees chopped in the ridge area, the bench considered the DDA proposal to undertake compensatory afforestation on a plot of 185 acres. The bench directed a committee of three court-nominated experts to inspect the area along with officials of DDA and government of national capital territory (NCT) of Delhi. The notice on the contempt petition was issued by the court in May last year when Kapurea through her lawyers – senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan and advocate Manan Verma, pointed out how DDA misled the court by not informing it that even before its application seeking permission to fell trees could be heard by the top court on March 4 last year, the trees had been felled in February 2024. The court had taken strict view of the matter and sought explanation from the DDA VC, its officials, the Delhi government and the Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena in his capacity as chairman of DDA. DDA, which had accepted its mistake, told the top court on Tuesday to purge the contempt. The court took a serious view of the matter as Delhi ridge area constitutes the 'green lung' of Delhi and by an order passed by the top court on May 9, 1996, trees within ridge cannot be felled without court's prior permission.
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
BLACKPINK's Jisoo and NCT's Doyoung continue being true besties to GOT7's Jinyoung with support for new film Hi.5, here's how
On May 26, Park Jinyoung and the other main cast members of Hi.5 attended a press event of the upcoming film in Seoul. The event became even more special when BLACKPINK's Jisoo and NCT's Doyoung showed their support for the idol-actor. While Jisoo was there in person, Doyoung expressed his backing through Instagram stories, despite not being able to attend. The genuine and affectionate friendship that the three shared over the years captured the hearts of fans. GOT7's Jinyoung, BLACKPINK's Jisoo and NCT's Doyoung have been friends for years now, since their time as MCs for the weekly music show Inkigayo, from February 2017 to February 2018. As Jinyoung's long-shelved film is finally set to hit the South Korean theatres on May 30, 2025, his JinJiDo besties supported him in their own ways. For those unfamiliar with the term JinJiDo, it was formed with the initials of the trio– a nickname affectionately given by fans. BLACKPINK's Jisoo's support for GOT7's Jinyoung Jisoo attended the Hi.5 press event and as per fans, sat in a seat where bestie Jinyoung could easily spot her. She took a photo of the event, featuring a big poster of the movie. The picture shared on her Instagram story focused on Jinyoung, who was seen talking about the project and allegedly smiling at Jisoo. Fans shared the photo on social media, with comments like "this makes me so happy." Some fans also shared a picture of the back of a woman wearing a blue and white-striped oversized shirt, baggy jeans and a red cap, claiming it to be Jisoo. Some even wanted to see the duo in an acting project together, even if it was a cameo role of Jinyoung's in Jisoo's upcoming drama, Boyfriend on Demand. NCT's Doyoung's support for GOT7's Jinyoung Fans went "my jinjido" as Doyoung compensated for his absence in the Hi.5 event through his online promotion of the movie. He shared a shot of Jinyoung from the film along with the link to its teaser. Doyoung's shoutout and Jisoo's visit to the press event demonstrated that the trio's friendship remained unchanged over the years, despite their busy schedules limiting frequent meetups. JinJiDo crumbs was not on our 2025 bingo card, and we're not complaining.
Extra.ie
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Extra.ie
Driving test waiting times to be cut to 10 weeks, says RSA
Lengthy waiting times for driving tests will be cut to ten weeks by the start of September, the Road Safety Authority has claimed. Currently, provisional licence-holders are waiting an average of 27 weeks for their test. And there is an 'unprecedented' backlog of 100,000 L-plate drivers seeking a test date. Now Road Safety Authority (RSA) staff have offered to work bank holidays and conduct tests early in the morning, later in the evening and on Saturdays to bring down the waiting times. Lengthy waiting times for driving tests will be cut to ten weeks by the start of September, the Road Safety Authority has claimed. Pic: Shutterstock RSA chief Sam Waide apologised for the delays and said: 'Our team has developed a focused, projectionbased plan to improve availability and reduce wait times. Every part of the system is being mobilised to deliver for the public. 'The RSA will publish progress updates every fortnight via its website to ensure full transparency and public awareness as the plan advances. We're asking customers to support the effort by cancelling early if they cannot attend, so that appointments can be offered to others.' Learner drivers were also reminded to make sure their car is fit for a test, as more than 4,000 tests could not be carried out this year because cars did not have an NCT disc, were not taxed, the driver was not insured, or the car was not roadworthy. Provisional licence-holders are waiting an average of 27 weeks for their test. Pic: Shutterstock The RSA's plan includes fast-tracking new examiners, enabling early deployment of them to test centres; longer testing hours, including Saturdays and bank holidays, with tests running from 7.25am to 7pm; and targeted manual intervention in the booking system to ensure test dates are issued to the areas of greatest demand. The RSA will also open new driving test centres, bringing the national total from the current 41 to 60. It is also looking at other ways to deal with any potential future surges in demand for driving tests. The number of driving tests has steadily increased year on year. In 2021 there were 157,183 tests. In 2022 that rose to 180,696 and it hit 212,525 in 2023. The number hit a record 253,850 last year, a 61% increase since 2021. Road Safety Authority (RSA) staff have offered to work bank holidays and conduct tests early in the morning, later in the evening and on Saturdays to bring down the waiting times. Pic: Shutterstock The wait for learner drivers in April varied significantly depending on the test centre, though all centres had at least a five-month wait. Navan, Co. Meath, and Tallaght in Dublin had the longest wait at 43 weeks. Galway's Carnmore test centre had the next-longest wait, estimated at 42 weeks. The centres in Clifden, Co. Galway, Tralee, Co. Kerry, and Gorey, Co. Wexford, had the shortest queue time last month – but applicants still faced a 21-week wait. Minister of state Seán Canney said that 'all options' are under consideration to address the backlog. 'The service is not right and it needs to be rectified,' he told the Dáil last week. The wait for learner drivers in April varied significantly depending on the test centre, though all centres had at least a five-month wait. Pic: Shutterstock Mr Canney said he had instructed the RSA to review its plan to get test times down to ten weeks and 'identify further measures that will bring forward the date for achieving the target'. The new chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Michael Murphy TD, said he was seeking an early meeting with the RSA 'to allow them to outline what they are doing to tackle growing waiting lists for driving tests'. Out of almost 370,000 L-plate drivers last year, nearly 160,000 were on their second provisional licence at least, while 37,000 drivers have rolled over to at least their fifth. All face premiums of around €2,000 for annual motor insurance and lose out on significant savings by not passing their test. Dominic Lumsden of Peopl Insurance said: 'There are substantial savings to be made by moving from a learner permit to a full licence – to the tune of about €386 a year for some young drivers.'
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
NCT target wait times are not being met, with ‘seasonal demand' now an issue in delays
Although much lower than the delays being experienced by people waiting for driving tests, the NCT target waiting time for an appointment is a maximum of 12 days. A Department of Transport spokesperson said the average wait time is 17, and above the target. However, a spokesperson for NCT contractor Applus said that the average wait is 15 days to the first available slot and 17 days to the second available slot. The department spokesperson said a rise in waiting times since last year is due to a number of issues, including a 40pc increase in 'seasonal demand'. Neither the department nor ministers have a direct role in managing the NCT contract between the RSA and Applus, the NCT contractor The spokesperson said there were a number of rescheduled tests due to poor weather conditions and red warnings for road users. 'It should be noted that so far this year has seen the NCT test the highest number of vehicles in a single week of 56,919,' the spokesperson said. She said the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the operation and delivery of the National Car Test service. 'Neither the department nor ministers have a direct role in managing the NCT contract between the RSA and Applus, the NCT contractor,' she added. The spokesperson said the NCT service level agreement was drafted between the Road Safety Authority and Applus, and sets the target average wait time for customers of a maximum of 12 days. They added that this target was achieved last year. A spokesperson for Applus said the average wait time for an NCT nationwide is 15 days. She said the waiting list for appointments for the NCT was eliminated at the end of last year and 'we returned to compliance with waiting-time targets'. This year, she said it is just exiting the busiest period for the National Car Testing Service as vehicles are due on the anniversary of their registration and vehicles tend to be bought early in the year, which puts pressure on the NCTS. The spokesperson said weather-enforced closures in January didn't help matters, but she added: 'Customers are being offered appointments within two to three weeks of contacting us.' She said a survey of more than 7,000 customers so far this year shows that almost 89pc are satisfied with the length of time they had to wait for an appointment, while overall satisfaction levels for the NCTS are well above 90pc.
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
New Irish driving test centres & longer opening hours come in amid cut to wait times for 100k backlog
NEW driving test centres and more test slots have been announced to combat the huge backlog of potential new drivers waiting for a date. The 3 The government has tasked the RSA with fixing the backlog Credit: Getty 3 The RSA are opening new test centres and adding new hours Credit: Getty They have been tasked by the A comprehensive action plan has been announced with multiple steps in place to tackle the ongoing issue. It's hoped that results will be seen by September of this year. The new measures include speeding of the training of new testers through the use of more training facilities and a new approach to training. READ MORE IN MOTORS There will also be expanded testing hours, meaning more time slots will be available. Overtime bookings will be made available for weekday evenings, Saturdays, and bank holidays. And tests will now take place between the hours of 7.25am until 7pm. There will also be "targeted manual intervention" into the booking system. Most read in Motors This will allow test invitations to be sent out to the areas where they are in highest demand. And multiple new test centres are set to open in key areas to facilitate more examinations. I'm an Irish driving instructor and here's what you have to do in order to apply for a licence CONTINGENCY MEASURES The new centres will bring the number of testing facilities in the country up to 60. And the RSA have said that they are currently looking into contingency measures to deal with any future backlog. Sam Waide, Chief Executive Officer at the RSA, said: 'We know how frustrating and disruptive these delays are - especially for people who need a licence for work, college, or caring responsibilities. "I want to offer a sincere apology to everyone who has been affected. SUPPORT THE EFFORT "Our team has developed a focused, projection-based plan to improve availability and reduce wait times. "Every part of the system is being mobilised to deliver for the public. "The RSA will publish progress updates every fortnight via its website to ensure full transparency and public awareness as the plan advances." He continued: 'We're asking customers to support the effort by cancelling early if they cannot attend, so that appointments can be offered to others. "Every cancelled slot that's re-used helps us reduce the backlog faster. "Also, we're urging customers to ensure they prepared for their test as over 4,000 tests so far this year couldn't be conducted for reasons such as vehicles without a valid NCT, Tax, Insurance or not deemed roadworthy." 3 There's a backlog of 100K people waiting for tests Credit: Getty
