The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Delhi and neighbourhood

	HCBS, a death trap in foggy months Girja Shankar Kaura Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 16 While it has come out officially that themuch-flaunted pet project of the Delhi Government, the High Capacity Bus System (HCBS) has been implemented, on once one of the most smooth South Delhi roadswithout a detailed feasibility study, what stares hard into the faces of the daily commuters on this road from Khanpur till Defence Colony, as of now, are the impending days of fog ahead in the winter season. The road is already a death trap as a result of the small dividers which have been constructed in the middle of the road, with the idea of segregating the bus corridor from the other traffic. However, these would prove to be disastrous during the foggy seasonspecially, during the nights and early mornings. Will the Sheila Dikshit-run Delhi government take the responsibility of the innumerable accidents which are waiting to happen in the event of the commuters not being able to see the dividers, which spring up out of the blue in the middle of the road, during the thick fog which envelopes the city during the winter season. The Delhi Traffic Police comes out withadvertisements every winter, guiding the commuters on how to manage during the fog. But would it be able to suggest ways to counter the dividers on one side and dug up sidewalks on the other when the commuters wade through this stretch of road during the thick fog incoming months. What is surprising is that the Delhi government has failed to take into account such facts whileimplementing this pet project of its. Driving on the stretch between Khel Gaon and Khanpur was anyway difficult during the foggy days. Due to the heavy green cover along this stretch, the fog that envelopes this area is far more thick than other parts of the city. Imagine what happen this winter, when insteadof one divider there would be at least three for the commuters to tackle. Would the officials of the Delhi government be waiting on this stretch to help commuters evade these low-built dividers or would the task be handed over again to the traffic police, which on any given day is anyway under pressure trying to manage the ever increasing Delhi traffic. Rites is implementing the project and its managing director V.K. Aggarwal yesterday reportedly admitted that the project has been started without a detailed project report. There seems to be an undue hurry in implementing the project which was opposed tooth and nail and the city’s traffic police itself. It said that such a plan would lead to traffic chaos. And even though it is far from being completed, the project is already creating a traffic nightmare. Even if a single vehicle breaks down on the Delhi’s undivided roads, it leads to massive traffic jams, specially, during the peak traffic hours. Imagine what would happen if a single vehicle breaks down on these over-divided roads of South Delhi. It would be mayhem of unimaginable proportions specially, with the errant busses of Delhi trying to jump into other lanes in the event of a traffic jam. There seems to be something more than what come to the eye as far as this project is concerned. What was the hurry in starting this project? Is there some kind of a nexus between the officials who gave a go-ahead? Rather than smoothening the traffic in South Delhi, this project will only create a chaos. Further, why is it that South Delhi always comes into focus when it is time for experimenting anything for Delhi.
	Two children kidnapped from hospitals New Delhi, November 16 Two children, a one-and-half-year-old boy and a six-month-old male infant, were allegedly kidnapped from two state-run hospitals in the Capital, the police said on Thursday. According to the police, six-month-old Rahul was taken away from west Delhi’s Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Hospital on Thursday afternoon after his aunt Reena unsuspectingly left him with an unidentified woman in a park in the hospital complex. “I had come to the hospital with my sons Lale, 4, and Rahul and my sister Reena for my elder son’s treatment,” Rahul’s mother Kiran Devi, 27, said in a police complaint. “We all were waiting in a queue outside the X-ray department. So, I asked my younger sister, Reena, to take Rahul with her and relax in the park area. “They both went on my request, but after sometime Reena returned to me asking for something and left the child with a woman, with whom she was chatting in the park area. When we went back to take my son, the woman was not there and had escaped with the child,” said Kiran, who lives in a nearby slum colony. Reena told the police: “The woman became very friendly to me in a few minutes and asked me to call my sister as well. She said I could leave the child with her for the time being. I then went to call my sister at the X-ray department but when we returned, the woman had already gone.” A case of kidnapping was registered at the Hari Nagar police station and a sketch of the woman was being prepared. “We have launched investigations and are gathering details of people arrested in the past on similar charges,” said a police official. On Wednesday, one-and-a-half-year-old Saba was allegedly kidnapped from the premises of the Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital in northwest Delhi. The police said Saba was found missing in the afternoon after his mother Farida left him sleeping outside the out-patients department (OPD) of the hospital. Farida in her complaint said: “After leaving my son outside, I went for a medical examination in the OPD. After 10 minutes I returned only to see my son missing. I along with some other people searched the entire hospital premises, but failed to find him.” A case of kidnapping was registered at the Jahangirpuri police station. Efforts were on to trace the two children who could not be found.—IANS
	Raze illegal structures: HC New Delhi, November 16 The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the civic authorities to immediately start demolishing buildings which do not adhere to the newly promulgated Delhi Master Plan 2021. A division bench headed by Chief Justice M.K. Sarma asked the municipal authorities and the land licensing authority—Delhi Development Authority (DDA)—to carry out the demolition drive, which had been stopped due to confusion in interpreting the new master plan. The court directed the authorities to institute a monitoring committee headed by an additional commissioner and senior officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and DDA as members to carry out the demolitions. “Draw a plan of action to carry out the demolition drive. Constitute the monitoring committee headed by an additional commissioner for monitoring the drive,” said the court. When a court commissioner said the drive had been stopped as the Delhi Police commissioner did not provide police force to carry out the demolitions, the court directed the police commissioner to provide police whenever the demolition squad required so. Adjourning the matter till December 18, the court also asked the MCD to immediately demolish the illegal buildings in East Patel Nagar, which the authorities had claimed to have razed last year. Rohini Zone deputy commissioner G.S. Matharu had submitted an affidavit before the court saying that some unauthorised buildings in East Patel Nagar had been demolished by the civic authorities. However, the court commissioner of the area had refuted the facts in an affidavit. The court had ordered for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe. In its report, the investigating agency had said that the unauthorized portions of the buildings mentioned in the affidavit were not demolished and the official had submitted a false affidavit. Earlier, during the hearing of a public suit, the court had ordered large-scale demolition of unauthorised constructions, including those belonging to the “big fish”. The public suit hearings also witnessed suspension of 17 executive engineers and departmental action against over 90 assistant engineers and junior engineers of the building department of MCD and severe criticism of the vigilance wing of the MCD and the “political bosses” of the allegedly tainted officials.—IANS
	Sangam to go multiplex Shweta Thakur New Delhi, Novembr 16 After the Chanakya cinema hall in south Delhi, it is now the turn of the nearly three-decade-old stand-alone movie theatre Sangam to be razed and rebuilt as an upmarket multiplex. “February onwards you won’t be able to enjoy movies by paying as low as Rs 20, as the demolition of this cinema hall will have begun by then,” said Ashok Gupta, the owner of Sangam at R.K. Puram. “The multiplex culture has definitely taken the market by storm and compared to them stand-alone cinema halls are not as profitable. Moreover, we want to make the most of our 30,000 sq ft. property. Hence we are converting Sangam into a multiplex,” Gupta told IANS. “It will take more than one and a half years to erect the multiplex. It will be ready by the year 2010,” he added. The cinema hall has a seating capacity of 1,056 but the new complex will have two theatres and modern eating outlets. “We will utilise the 10,000-sq ft area to make two auditoriums of 305 and 125 seating capacity respectively. And 22,000 sq ft area will have no less than four select food and beverage joints where customers would enjoy exclusive Indian, Chinese or Italian cuisine unlike the regular McDonalds or Pizza Hut, which they can find anywhere. “To attract customers from other localities, the multiplex must offer something unique. I am not interested in retail chain stores because they do not give you sustained clientele in the long run. If we do not get people to open the kind of outlets we desire then we will run them on our own,” said Gupta. Commenting on the initial investment, he said: “The initial investment will be no less than Rs 180 million. We are not in favour of having any financial partner with us, so the complete investment will be ours.” Gupta said the auditoriums would be rented out, for which some renowned multiplex brands have started approaching him but nothing has been finalised yet. “Celebrated cineplex chains like PVR and Adlabs have approached us. Negotiations are going on, but they are not ready to pay the rent we are asking for. “Our property is in a prime location and will prove a money-spinner for anyone who takes it on lease. I am not very brand-specific and will rent to someone who agrees to pay the amount we decide,” Gupta said. The complex would have no fewer than four floors and two levels of underground parking. Also, there will be parking space in front of the multiplex for about 100 vehicles.—IANS
	Narela to have helipad New Delhi, November 16 The proposed helipad near the Commonwealth Games village has been shifted to Narela in view of reservations by environmentalists. There was a proposal to construct the helipad near the Games village for emergency service. It was also to be used for VVIP movement during the Games in 2010. Now it has been decided not to construct the helipad near the village keeping the sensitivity of the environment issue in mind, urban development secretary M Ramachandra said. The purpose of the helipad was not just for the Games in 2010. There is a genuine need for a permanent facility, which will be away from the airport, but in the Capital. The civil aviation ministry is also keen to construct a helipad in the city, Ramachandra said. About choosing Narela, he said the construction of helipad is subject to land availability. The other option we had was to construct it in Noida. But since it was out of Delhi, the DDA has been asked to explore it in Narela in close coordination with Pawan Hans. There were protests from environment groups against the construction of the helipad on the Yamuna river bed. The government is extending the Metro connectivity to the village besides other modes of transport. Metro will be operational, connecting the village before 2010, Ramachandra said.—PTI
	Pay penalty, can continue: MCD tells traders Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 16 Chairman, Standing Committee, MCD, Vijender Gupta today said that the corporation had decided to allow continuation of trade of all such shopkeepers who had registered themselves or made declaration to deposit the conversion charges of mixed land or commercial use but they could not. Now to continue their trade, they have to deposit the charges with a penalty of eight per cent per annum on annual conversion charges. He said that this provision would have far-reaching benefit to the shopkeepers falling on the roads, declared mixed use streets and commercial streets. About three lakh shopkeepers had got themselves registered or made a declaration. But, many of them could not pay the conversion charges. Still a greater number of shopkeepers could not deposit the further instalments on time. Their fate was hanging in the balance as no decision had been taken so far as to how to deal with such cases. Now the latest decision would benefit all such occupiers and they could continue their commercial activities with the peace of mind after depositing the conversion charges as stipulated under the now declared policy. A number of shopkeepers having their small shops of maximum 20 square metre area, trading in 24 permissible items on ground floor also could not deposit their conversion charges and they were facing lots of problems with the threat of sealing looming large on their head. Now, they can also avail of the new stipulations and carry out their business. Simultaneously, it has also been decided that any property found to be under mixed use without registration or in violation of the terms of MPD-2021 should be liable to pay the local body the penalty amounting to 10 times the annual conversion charges for mixed use. Chairman, Standing Committee said that the MCD would start receiving payment of conversion charges with eight per cent interest by the next week. A public notice to this effect will also be published. Giving details, he said that as per notification of the Central government, the conversion charges for mixed land use or commercial use were to be deposited by June 30, 2007. Later, this date was freshly extended from July 23 to August 16 by the Supreme Court. During the last three months, from August 17 onwards, all the activities had come to a halt in absence of the decision with regard to conversion charges and other related matters. Meanwhile, the Monitoring Committee was also seized of the matter and was pursuing to take up sealing operation as these shops had not deposited the conversion charges. The present decision will provide such shopkeepers great relief. Gupta clarified that as per provisions of MPD-2021 and Delhi Development Authority notification, it is clear that any property found to be under mixed use without registration or in violation of the terms of the MPD-2021 should be liable to pay the local body the penalty amounting to 10 times the annual conversion charges for mixed use, but such properties which are registered but not paid the development charges are liable to pay penalty at the rate of eight per cent per annum. It is in this context that the MCD has decided to accept payment of conversion charges along with eight per cent interest.
	Nithari killings Witness changes statement Parmindar Singh Ghaziabad, November 16 The Nithari rape and murder case has taken a dramatic new turn with key witness, Nand Lal changing his statement in the CBI court here yesterday. It may be recalled Nand Lal was the original complainant against principal accused Moninder Singh Pandher. Father of Pyal, Nand Lal has virtually back- tracked from his earlier statements, thus providing a great relief to Moninder Singh Pandher who is accused of having murdered Pyal, 22, daughter of Nand Lal. Nand Lal has withdrawn his earlier statement that a saw, said to have been used in the crime, was recovered from Pandher’s bathroom in his presence. The advocates of Pandher and dismissed SI police, Simranjit Kaur had asked Nandal many searching questions to most of which his stock reply was “I don’t remember” and “I don’t really remember whether I had earlier stated so”. Senior CBI council, J.P. Sharma had presented Nand Lal as a witness in special CBI court of Judge Ms Rama Jain. Nand Lal’s advocate, Khalid Khan said that Pandher, DSP Dinesh Yadav and former SO of Noida Sector-20 police station, D.P. Singh had been accused of Pyal’s murder on the basis of her father Nand Lal’s statement. While disposing in the CBI court on Thursday, Nand Lal told the court that Pandher had not recovered the saw in his presence nor had he (Pandher) bribed DSP Dinesh Yadav in his presence. This back-tracking by Nand Lal from his earlier statements, though baffling right now, is expected to help Moninder Singh Pandher, the principal accused in the sensational case.
	Tihar undertrial commits suicide Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 16 Yet another undertrial, Ashok allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail early morning today. One of the most high security prisons in the country, Tihar Jail, has witnessed many suicides in the recent past. According to the jail staff, Ashok hanged himself to the fan with the loin cloth he was wearing. Ashok was brought to the prison on May 9 on charges of a murder in Kirti Nagar. Meanwhile, the authorities of the prison have set up a committee to look into the cause of death.
	Contract killer in police custody Our Correspondent Noida, November 16 The Noida police have taken on remand, after interrogation, the dreaded contract killer, Jarnail Singh, alias Billu Punjabi, who had been arrested from Dehra Dun by the crime branch of Delhi Police on Tuesday. Noida police are sure the criminal can help solve many other murder cases of G B Nagar district. Jarnail Singh, a notorious contract killer, is suspected to be involved in the murder of Gandhi Samarak Inter-College principal, Jaswant Tyagi in Chaura Raghunath Pur, Noida who was shot dead on the college premises in July last year. In interrogation, Jarnail Singh is reported to have thrown light on three murders in Noida and Greater Noida, including that of Jaswant Tyagi. Noida police had gone to Delhi on Thursday to interrogate Billu Punjabi and brought him after taking him on remand late in the evening. Jarnail Singh, is a sharpshooter of the gang of Sunder Bhatti, who himself is currently lodged in jail. Jarnail Singh has so far confessed to three murders in Noida, including that of Jaswant Tyagi and a gem trader in Greater Noida last year as also having shot dead another criminal in Knowledge Park-II, Greater Noida.
	Wanted criminal arrested Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 16 The special team of the Delhi Police has apprehended the alleged criminal Sunil Gurjar, who was wanted in a sensational case of kidnapping. Specific information was received by the police about the wanted criminal, who would come to the Mayur Vihar area to meet someone at 8 pm on Tuesday. A trap was accordingly laid and Sunil Gurjar was nabbed. The criminal has been involved in the kidnapping of Dinesh Jindal on October 8 for which he had demanded a ransom of Rs 2 crore. However, the victim eventually escaped from his custody and a reward of Rs 5,000 was declared for his arrest.
	Pak students to visit DU Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 16 In a bid to cement India-Pakistan relations and sharing each other’s cultural nuances, a delegation of 20 students from Lahore-based Government College will visit Delhi University for 10 days beginning November 25 as part of an educational and cultural exchange programme. The delegation is arriving in the university on November 25 on the invitation of Delhi University. According to DU cultural council dean Prof. Suchitra Gupta, under the cultural exchange programme, Delhi University had sent an invitation to the students of the Government College, which they have accepted and soon around 20 students from there would come here. It is for the first time that a delegation of Pakistan students will visit Delhi University. Dr Gupta said the delegation would stay in Delhi University till December 4 during which they would stage some plays in different colleges of the university and also meet the cultural teams of different colleges. Significantly, a delegation from three colleges of Delhi University had earlier visited the neighbouring country and under the programme now it is their turn to visit India.
	Plan for Knowledge Park Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 16 With emphasis on the promotion of high-tech, low energy intensive and non-polluting industries, the Delhi government is setting up Knowledge Park, Expocity-cum-Convention Centre, Assaying–Hallmarking Centre and Gems and Jewellery Park, Fashion Park and the Ecological Park in different parts of the Capital. Talking to media on Delhi Day State Function during the India International Trade Fair (IITF)—2007 today, Delhi industries minister Mangat Ram Singhal said the scheme of conversion of industrial plots to freehold was in full swing. A total of 174 built-up industrial plots have been converted into freehold. He said that original allottee was entitled to 40 per cent remission and conversion was allowed to the last power of attorney holder on surcharge of 33 per cent over and above the normal conversion charges but no unearned increase was recoverable. For the convenience of the industry owners, conveyance deeds for conversion will be registered with sub-registrar, Seelampur. Singhal also pointed out that the scheme for conversion of flatted factories at Okhla Flatted Factories Complex from rental to hire-purchase basis had been implemented and a total of 110 flatted factories had so far been converted. About the relocation of industries, the industries minister pointed out that 22,749 industries had already been given allotments of alternative industrial plots or flats in conforming industrial areas. He said that the notification for acquisition of approximately 475 hectare of land for development of industrial plots for relocating industries had been issued. The state government in consultation with the Central government has also decided to rehabilitate Metro Rail Transport System (MRTS) project-affected industrial units by giving them alternative industrial plots in approved industrial areas at pre-determined rates. Keeping in view the residential needs of the relocated industrial labour, the government has also taken up the housing schemes for industrial workers under the name of Rajiv Gandhi Housing Project at Bawana. A total of 3164 dwelling units have already been constructed on the land measuring 23.5 acres. Another 4000 dwelling units are proposed to be constructed at Bawana and Narela industrial areas and at Bhorgarh where new industrial area is being developed.

Wanna travel in winter?
Here’re a handful of tips
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 16
Confused as to what should be the standard First Aid Kit and the essentials during winter travel and leisure?

Here are some tips from the experts.

While travel has always been the delight and fancy of many, yet travel can still be a tedious experience given there is always room for loopholes while devising a well-organized travel plan that includes all principal amenities as well as the “not so often considered” accessories such as dressings and medications. In other words, a well-equipped First Aid Box could prove to be as handy as a purse or tickets.

As recently as 30 years ago, little was known or written about travel stress as a recognizable medical condition.

Excessive stress has now conclusively been linked to high blood pressure, ulcers, and a host of other ailments.

Travel-stress symptoms commonly include indigestion, headaches, fatigue, respiratory ailments (asthma), and anxiety, all of which can negatively affect the traveller’s performance.

Common illnesses like Traveller’s diarrhoea (TD) is usually triggered by poor sanitation conditions and acquired through the ingestion of contaminated food or water and a change in diet or climate. Typical symptoms of this infection, which usually last for three to seven days, include diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, fever, and malaise.

Another common ailment faced by more than two million people each year is dizziness and an untold number suffer from motion sickness. The symptoms of motion sickness include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness (vertigo). “Motion sickness should be taken seriously as it may disrupt the equilibrium between various systems of the body and may lead to problems such as dehydration, weakness and delusions. Unlike ordinary sickness, vomiting in motion sickness tends not to relieve the nausea. It can also affect person’s in the psychological aspect with fear and aversion to travel,” says Dr R S Mishra, consultant physician, Max Hospital Saket, New Delhi.

In all likelihood, the very basics of a first-aid pack should contain a set of standardized components, which include bandages, gauze pads, iodine and alcohol prep pads,

butterfly bandages, medical adhesive tape, mosquito repellents, electrolytes, antacids, antibiotic ointments, antihistamines, and effective pain and fever relievers. These constituents serve a larger spectrum of applications, the profile of which covers more than minor cough, colds, cuts and bruises.

It is also important that the purpose of each ingredient in a first-aid unit be substantiated and well understood by the user. For instance, gauze pads, iodine and alcohol prep pads help in disinfecting the area of injury whereas antibiotic ointments applied with or without bandages secure the area from further contamination thereby assisting in the process of healing. Similarly, antidiarrheals are of immense help when contaminated food or water instigates or worsens diarrhoea. Caution is however advised against indiscriminate use of antidiarrheals where prior guidance from doctors as to how and when to use such drugs should be sought. In diarrhoea, the utility of electrolytes should never be underestimated, for in most cases simple administration of a pack of electrolytes dissolved in a litre of water, helps the patient recover faster. If you get nausea, vomiting, and dizziness pop a fast anti-emetic drug like Avomine containing promethazine theolate, before long journeys.

However, take it judiciously during pregnancy.

Antihistamines, on the other hand, help control frequent bouts of sneezing, stuffy or runny nose as well as itchy and watery eyes, symptoms that indicate allergy to pollution, trees, grass or weeds. Again, warning is indicated since commonly available antihistamines are

sedative (sleep inducing) and could prove risky if the patient consumes these medications and drives. It would be best to consult a doctor beforehand to know more about such drugs.

Another important component of a First Aid box should be an effective painkiller and fever reliever. Here the choice should be paracetamol due to its safety record for mild to moderate fever and pain.

Shatru lauds role of Poorvanchalis
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 16
Senior BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha has said that 45 lakh people of Poorvanchal residing here are the backbone of the economy of the Capital. They have

beautified the Yamuna Ghats of eastern culture on the occasion of most important Chhath Parva.

He underlined the need to make all the Ghats clean and beautiful. Paying obeisance to the setting sun along with lakhs of people, Sinha said that it was unique that the people of Poorvanchal had nurtured their cultural heritage even while living in Delhi. The labour of Poorvanchal is taking the capital city towards progress.

He prayed to Chhath Maiya to fulfill the desires of the people of Poorvanchal.

On this occasion, Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan informed that the Sun God has 108 names. The five Pandavas worshiped the sun to get imperishable food during their 12-year exile.

Besides, Mayor Arti Mehra, Pradesh vice-president Neera Shastri, president Poorvanchal Cell Dr B.D. Pandey, general secretary Poonam Azad, Pradesh secretary Suryabhan Pandey, JJ Cell president Gopal Jha also sought blessings of the Sun God for the prosperity of Delhi.

Noted local singers of Bihar and East UP sang soul-stirring songs in praise of Chhath Maiya and the Sun God on the occasion.

CASA work for poor hailed
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 16
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit inaugurated the diamond jubilee function of Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) at India Habitat Centre. The CASA helps the poor and the marginalised in almost all the states without discrimination against caste, creed and religion.

Inaugurating the function, the Chief Minister applauded the work of the CASA for the poor and the downtrodden.

She also appreciated its commitment towards serving the nation and humanity thereby relieving the suffering masses from poverty, pain of natural and manmade disasters. Member Delhi Minority Commission Arnold James was also present on the occasion.