News / Author / Vatsala Shrangi

Vatsala Shrangi

Vatsala Shrangi joined HT Editorial team on July 2, 2018 as Principal Correspondent. She covers Environment, Civic bodies and the Social Sector.

Articles by Vatsala Shrangi

EDMC to levy waste penalty

EDMC mayor Shyam Sunder Aggarwal, however, said he has not seen the order yet and that he is not in favour of the decision.

As per the order, commercial outlets such as marriage halls, party lawns, banquet halls, exhibition and fares, with area less than 5000 square metres (sqm), the penalty will be <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>10,000.(HT Photo)

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Published on Sep 22, 2021 12:49 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

From 2022, not separating household waste will invite fines in east Delhi

According to civic officials, the penalty ranges from ₹200 (for individual households) to ₹10,000 (for gated communities) and ₹20,000 (for market associations). The penalties will be imposed by the civic body under the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, and the by-laws under its jurisdiction.

Household waste should be segregated into the three mandated categories of non-biodegradable (dry waste), biodegradable (wet waste) and domestic hazardous waste. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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Published on Sep 22, 2021 12:30 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

Sabzi Mandi building collapse: Fresh North MCD survey identifies 18 ‘high risk’ structures in Malkaganj municipal ward

“After a fresh survey, we identified around 18 buildings that either needed to be demolished or required major retrofitting for providing structural stability. Two of the buildings have already been vacated for demolition, and a portion of another one has already been demolished,” said a senior corporation official, who asked not to be named.

Two children passing by the Sabzi Mandi building were killed when it collapsed last Monday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

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Published on Sep 20, 2021 11:59 PM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

East Delhi civic body unveils policy to allow open-air dining at eateries

Senior officials confirmed that the EDMC mayor has given the policy an anticipatory approval, after which the department issued the order.

According to the policy, applicants will have to submit an NOC from the land owner for using the open space/terrace for service purpose only. It also makes it mandatory for restaurant owners to get an NOC from the Delhi Fire Service. (Picture for representation only/HT)

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Updated on Sep 19, 2021 03:36 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

South MCD to throw open Bharat Darshan park in Punjabi Bagh within 2 weeks

The park, spread over an area of 8.5 acres and being built at a cost of ₹14 crore, was slated to be opened by mid-September but work was halted due to heavy rainfall in the last month.

The park is inspired by the corporation’s Waste to Wonder park in Sarai Kale Khan, which has replicas of the seven wonders of the world, similarly built using scrap material. (HT)

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Updated on Sep 18, 2021 11:50 PM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Delhi: 80% commercial vehicles using RFID tags to enter the Capital, say SDMC officials

Civic officials said it will have a marked effect on reducing pollution in the city, especially during winter, as the technology has resulted in shorter queues at toll booths.

The RFID tags, which are pasted on the windshield of vehicles, allows automatic deduction of toll tax and environment compensation charge (ECC), and does away with the need for vehicles to halt at toll plazas. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

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Published on Sep 17, 2021 11:50 PM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi

Delhi’s south civic body empanels 13 agencies to lift inert waste from Okhla landfill

Until now, the civic body has been struggling to handle the inert waste (non-reactive soil like material) which was building up during the process of bio-mining

Spread over 46 acres, the Okhla landfill receives about 50% of the approximately 3,600 metric tonnes of waste generated daily within the SDMC area. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Sep 17, 2021 12:36 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi

North MCD to conduct fresh survey in Sabzi Mandi to identify dangerous buildings

North Delhi Municipal Corporation’s commissioner Sanjay Goel has ordered an inquiry after a four-storey building collapsed in Sabzi Mandi area. The North MCD has also announced a fresh survey in the area to identify dangerous structures.

A notice put up by North Delhi Municipal Corporation on a building in Sabzi Mandi area, declaring it dangerous. A four-storey building in the area, near Robin Cinema, collapsed on Monday killing two children. (HT Photo)

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Updated on Sep 14, 2021 11:34 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

First leopard spotted during Asola sanctuary census

The census was launched in July this year by Delhi forest department and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). The image of the leopard was captured on August 30. Deputy conservator of forests said steps have been taken to secure the animal as well as surrounding areas such as Sangam Vihar, Deoli and Tughalaqabad.

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Updated on Sep 10, 2021 03:47 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi

East Delhi civic body launches portal for registration of pet dogs

East Corporation officials said that residents can register their pet dogs by clicking on the link https://mcdonline.nic.in/vtlpetedmc/web/citizen/info and deposit the fee prescribed through the application

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Updated on Sep 09, 2021 12:37 PM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi

Delhi civic bodies dispose waste at landfills, get more than they bargained for

Civic bodies have deployed trommel machines at the three landfills in Delhi to segregate the waste and decrease pressure on the sites

The Okhla landfill in south Delhi is spread over an area of 46 acres (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Sep 07, 2021 02:10 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

IMD forecasts more intense rains, Delhi headed for wettest monsoon in a decade

Compared to the normal monsoon rain 552.6mm, Delhi has already had a 79% surplus -- 988.4mm rain so far, shows IMD data. Monsoon in Delhi is officially considered between June 1 and September 30. It has also exceeded the monsoon season’s average rainfall of 648.9mm.

Vehicles wade through a waterlogged stretch near Sector 22, Dwarka, on September 1. IMD has predicted another intense rain spell over Delhi and adjoining areas between September 6 and 10. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Sep 05, 2021 02:29 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

New Delhi: Water, Water everywhere

Besides the regular waterlogging-prone areas, Wednesday saw areas under the New Delhi Municipal Council such as Connaught Place, and Chanakyapuri, where embassies are located, going under rainwater.

New Delhi, India - Sept. 1, 2021: Waterloggting at Moolchand in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Sep 02, 2021 05:47 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Pankhuri Yadav, New Delhi

When it rains in the national capital, the buck doesn’t stop anywhere

City residents described the situation as the “same story repeating over the years”, and experts said that Delhi’s civic infrastructure has not been upgraded commensurate with the increase in population.

Though waterlogging has been a perennial problem, it has become worse since 2011, said Sarvagya Srivastava, former engineer-in-chief, PWD. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Sep 02, 2021 04:32 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

112.1mm of rain in 24 hours is heaviest Delhi has seen in September in 19 years

Delhi on Wednesday received 112

Vehicles wade through a waterlogged stretch near Sector 22 in Delhi’s Dwarka locality. (Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)

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Published on Sep 02, 2021 02:04 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

Delhi: Rain sinks Capital, again

As rush hour began, arterial stretches were jammed as waist-deep waters disabled many vehicles. Delhi Traffic Police said in all, 90 locations had heavy waterlogging.

India Meteorological Department data showed the city recorded 112mm of rain in the 24 hours till 8:30am. (Photo by Raj K Raj / Hindustan Times)(Hindustan Times)

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Updated on Sep 02, 2021 12:54 AM IST

ByPankhuri Yadav, Vatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

Delhi receives highest August rainfall in 12 years, leads to waterlogging

IMD rainfall data shows that the Safdarjung observatory, considered representative of Delhi’s weather, received 112.1mm rainfall between 8.30am on Tuesday and 8.30am on Wednesday

A cycle rider wades through a waterlogged stretch after heavy rains at AIIMS in New Delhi on Tuesday, August 31. (Sanjeev Verma/ HT photo)

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Published on Sep 01, 2021 11:58 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi

RFID tags a must for all commercial vehicles entering Delhi from Tuesday

SDMC issued a similar notice last month, and the officials were stopping vehicles without RFID tags or telling them to return.

The RFID system was introduced in the Capital in 2019 to decongest city borders, smoothen traffic movement and curb air pollution. (Yogendra Kumar/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Aug 31, 2021 05:35 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

A month of weather fluctuations for Delhi

IMD data shows that over the past 10 years, only August 2007 saw just seven rainy days while the rest of the years had at least more than 10 rainy days in the month.

Scientists also say that the prolonged break phases that the monsoon season saw in the whole of northwest India also contributed to Delhi’s rain imbalance. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Aug 30, 2021 04:38 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

Delhi: South MCD restores vertical garden below Africa Avenue flyover

A total of 970 plants of eight different species -- ficus panda, kamal cactus, yuca, raphis palm, sansaevieria, Arica palm, desi palm and ficus benjamina -- have been planted in the space over this month.

Officials said the space below the flyover was initially given a makeover in 2017 -- on the intervention of the Lieutenant Governor -- as part of a scheme to improve the aesthetics of vacant spaces under 12 flyovers and reclaim them from encroachers.(HT Photo)

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Updated on Aug 29, 2021 03:47 PM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

North Delhi Civic body exempts houses of less than 50sqm area from property tax net

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation on Friday exempted housing units measuring up to 50 square metres from paying property tax, a move that officials said will benefit over three lakh housing units under its jurisdiction

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Published on Aug 27, 2021 11:49 PM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

South MCD kicks off process for setting up green-friendly landfill at Okhla

The engineered landfill on a 32-acre plot is estimated to cost ₹55.5 crore and is scheduled to be completed within 18 months

The present landfill at Okhla, with a height of over 60 metres, has grown far beyond its permissible limit of 20-30 metres and is not in a position to handle any more waste. (Sanjeev Verma/HT)

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Updated on Aug 28, 2021 01:03 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

Monsoon enters third break, little rain in store for Delhi till August 28

Delhi received the season’s heaviest spell of rain on August 21 (138.8mm), which was also the most rain in a single day of the month since 2007.

Commuters wade through a water logged stretch at AIIMS after heavy rains lashed New Delhi on August 21 (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Aug 26, 2021 02:30 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

No more curbs on operational hours, restaurants, markets hope to recoup losses

Aiming to recover the losses sustained during the multiple lockdowns and restrictions, many associated with the hospitality sector said they hope to see their businesses returning to normal over the coming days.

The Delhi government had imposed a complete lockdown on April 19, when Covid-19 cases had started to peak amid the second wave of the pandemic.

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Updated on Aug 25, 2021 02:00 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

Record single-day August rain for Delhi, highest in 14 years

The heavy showers and thunder activity that hit the city early Saturday morning submerged key stretches and major underpasses, including Minto Bridge in central Delhi, throwing traffic out of gear.

Waterlogging after heavy rain at ITO on Vikas Marg in New Delhi, India, on Saturday. (Arvind Yadav/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Aug 21, 2021 11:59 PM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Authorities’ tall claims go under water again as rain brings Delhi to its knees

The Minto Bridge, which is an annual pain point for the Capital, was finally flooded on Saturday despite the authorities putting in place a new drainage mechanism there which had kept it dry during the rains over the past couple of months.

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Updated on Aug 22, 2021 12:19 AM IST

ByPankhuri Yadav and Vatsala Shrangi, New Delhi

Monsoon breaks pause in Delhi, but IMD says respite short-lived

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the city may get another “intense” spell of rain on Saturday.

Commuters were caught unawares amid heavy rain at Jor Bagh in New Delhi on Friday (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOT)

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Updated on Aug 21, 2021 02:03 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Longest monsoon pause in city in last four years: IMD

New Delhi: The monsoon entered its longest break phase in the past four years on Thursday with no rain in the last 10 days, officials of the India Meteorological Department said, and added that it is likely to end on Friday night

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Updated on Aug 19, 2021 11:36 PM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi

South Delhi Municipal Corporation to procure electric sweeping machines

In a first, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) plans to purchase four electric mechanical sweeping machines at an estimated cost of ₹4, 72,50,000 before the onset of winter, when air pollution emerges as a major concern--a proposal for which has already been cleared by the civic body’s standing committee, said officials aware of the development

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Published on Aug 18, 2021 12:09 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, New Delhi:

Dry spell set to end, IMD predicts rain from August 20

According to weather experts, a break monsoon is a phase of the south-west monsoon, when there is a stoppage in the monsoon rain. This pause could last a couple of days or even extend for a fortnight.

Visitors caught in the rain at Janpath market, in New Delhi last week. (Raj K Raj / Hindustan Times))

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Published on Aug 17, 2021 06:54 AM IST

ByVatsala Shrangi, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

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Vatsala Shrangi

Vatsala Shrangi joined HT Editorial team on July 2, 2018 as Principal Correspondent. She covers Environment, Civic bodies and the Social Sector.

EDMC mayor Shyam Sunder Aggarwal, however, said he has not seen the order yet and that he is not in favour of the decision.

Senior officials confirmed that the EDMC mayor has given the policy an anticipatory approval, after which the department issued the order.

The park, spread over an area of 8.5 acres and being built at a cost of ₹14 crore, was slated to be opened by mid-September but work was halted due to heavy rainfall in the last month.

Civic officials said it will have a marked effect on reducing pollution in the city, especially during winter, as the technology has resulted in shorter queues at toll booths.

Until now, the civic body has been struggling to handle the inert waste (non-reactive soil like material) which was building up during the process of bio-mining

North Delhi Municipal Corporation’s commissioner Sanjay Goel has ordered an inquiry after a four-storey building collapsed in Sabzi Mandi area. The North MCD has also announced a fresh survey in the area to identify dangerous structures.

East Corporation officials said that residents can register their pet dogs by clicking on the link https://mcdonline.nic.in/vtlpetedmc/web/citizen/info and deposit the fee prescribed through the application

Civic bodies have deployed trommel machines at the three landfills in Delhi to segregate the waste and decrease pressure on the sites

Compared to the normal monsoon rain 552.6mm, Delhi has already had a 79% surplus -- 988.4mm rain so far, shows IMD data. Monsoon in Delhi is officially considered between June 1 and September 30. It has also exceeded the monsoon season’s average rainfall of 648.9mm.

Besides the regular waterlogging-prone areas, Wednesday saw areas under the New Delhi Municipal Council such as Connaught Place, and Chanakyapuri, where embassies are located, going under rainwater.

City residents described the situation as the “same story repeating over the years”, and experts said that Delhi’s civic infrastructure has not been upgraded commensurate with the increase in population.

Delhi on Wednesday received 112

As rush hour began, arterial stretches were jammed as waist-deep waters disabled many vehicles. Delhi Traffic Police said in all, 90 locations had heavy waterlogging.

IMD rainfall data shows that the Safdarjung observatory, considered representative of Delhi’s weather, received 112.1mm rainfall between 8.30am on Tuesday and 8.30am on Wednesday

SDMC issued a similar notice last month, and the officials were stopping vehicles without RFID tags or telling them to return.

IMD data shows that over the past 10 years, only August 2007 saw just seven rainy days while the rest of the years had at least more than 10 rainy days in the month.

A total of 970 plants of eight different species -- ficus panda, kamal cactus, yuca, raphis palm, sansaevieria, Arica palm, desi palm and ficus benjamina -- have been planted in the space over this month.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation on Friday exempted housing units measuring up to 50 square metres from paying property tax, a move that officials said will benefit over three lakh housing units under its jurisdiction

The engineered landfill on a 32-acre plot is estimated to cost ₹55.5 crore and is scheduled to be completed within 18 months

Delhi received the season’s heaviest spell of rain on August 21 (138.8mm), which was also the most rain in a single day of the month since 2007.

Aiming to recover the losses sustained during the multiple lockdowns and restrictions, many associated with the hospitality sector said they hope to see their businesses returning to normal over the coming days.

The heavy showers and thunder activity that hit the city early Saturday morning submerged key stretches and major underpasses, including Minto Bridge in central Delhi, throwing traffic out of gear.

The Minto Bridge, which is an annual pain point for the Capital, was finally flooded on Saturday despite the authorities putting in place a new drainage mechanism there which had kept it dry during the rains over the past couple of months.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the city may get another “intense” spell of rain on Saturday.

New Delhi: The monsoon entered its longest break phase in the past four years on Thursday with no rain in the last 10 days, officials of the India Meteorological Department said, and added that it is likely to end on Friday night

According to weather experts, a break monsoon is a phase of the south-west monsoon, when there is a stoppage in the monsoon rain. This pause could last a couple of days or even extend for a fortnight.

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