New Delhi, July 20
The city commuters once again had a harrowing time on Delhi roads today with waterlogging after rains resulting in traffic snarls and breakdown of vehicles in many areas. According to the traffic police, movement of vehicles was affected in various parts of Delhi, especially Moti Bagh, Dwarka, Rajouri Garden, North Campus area, Punjabi Bagh, Wazirabad, Mahipalpur, Raja Garden, Aurobindo Marg, Shastri Park, Vikas Marg, Peetampura and Madhuban Chowk, Naraina T-point, Chhatrasal Stadium, W-point at ITO, Ashram and Moolchand.

The rains which started last evening and continued through the night created various water pits across the Capital and affected traffic during peak hours in morning and evening.

"We have received several calls about traffic jams since morning. The situation was slightly better in the evening," said a traffic police official.

According to information, the traffic was moving at a snail's pace in Vasant Vihar, Moolchand, Ashram Chowk, Moti Bagh and Dhaula Kuan areas in the evening. The non-working traffic signals at various crossings, including ITO Chowk, added to the chaos.

"A truck got stuck in water in Wazirabad and led to huge traffic jams. It took me more than an hour to reach ITO from there," said Sanjay Aggarwal, a Noida resident.

A tempo was also reportedly stuck in a ditch in the Dhaulan Kuan area.

According to west Delhi police officials, traffic snarls were also reported from Outer Ring Road and traffic movement was very slow on roads leading to airport.

"Traffic jams were also reported from Karol Bagh, Rohtak Road, Shankar Road and Kashmere Gate," said traffic officials.

Though traffic jams were also reported in New Delhi district areas of Pragati Maidan and Barakhamba Road, according to the traffic police, the situation was much better than when it rained last time and the entire CP area had submerged in knee-deep water. 

New Delhi, July 20
In another monsoon embarrassment for authorities bracing for the Commonwealth Games, Delhi's tallest building-- Civic Center at Minto road, today witnessed severe waterlogging in the basement of A-block.

The building housing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was inaugurated with much fanfare on April 22 by Union home minister P. Chidambaram.

During an inspection visit to the building by the opposition leaders along with media personnel, heavy waterlogging was found on pathways leading to the parking lot. Besides, 20 to 250-mm wide seepage was noticed in the expansion joints of the building, causing continuous flow of water from the roof.

However, the project engineers said the joints would be covered once the finishing work got over. "Expansion joints have been left between walls on the roof, so that they can absorb earthquake shocks and leave some space for expansion in changing climates. They have not been covered yet due to which seepage is taking place. They will be covered as soon as the other work is completed," said Sunil Tyagi, chief project manager, Civic Center.

"The building has been designed in a manner where all water would collect in the basement. Water pumping machines at the basement drains it out," said Tyagi.

He said it would take at least five to six months for the building to be completed.

The area around the building was also waterlogged.

New Delhi, July 20
With Delhi University's academic session beginning tomorrow, freshers will be welcomed with orientation programmes and ice-breaking sessions with their seniors. However there will be much confusion for students of 13 science courses where DU has decided to implement the semester system.

Most students are perturbed by the differences between the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) and the university authorities over the semester system.

In the tussle between the two sides, it's the students who will lose out on many things, including a perfect department orientation.

Ideally, students get their timetables on the first day of the session and the department heads brief on the course structure.

This year, this might not be possible for science 1st year students as most teachers have not even prepared the semester timetable.

The matter is currently sub judice. There was a hearing today in the Delhi high court and DUTA is now waiting for the mediation process in the next few days.

However, the second and third year courses will be taught according to the annual system. The economic and the humanities courses will also be run according to the annual system.

"I just hope that this situation resolves soon. There will be a lot of tension in the classes besides uncertainty about the course structure," said Shrishti Pathak, zoology 1st year student at Gargi College.

Just yesterday, DUTA held a general body meeting wherein more then 800 teachers participated and agreed not to teach according to semester system. A DUTA member said that the general body stopped short of passing a resolution as the case is sub judice.

"Students will face chaos over the next few weeks. It is unfortunate but we do not have any other option. Most science teachers already have their annual timetables ready. But with the matter in court, we are also stuck," said Sanjay Bohidar, Legal Committee, DUTA.

New Delhi, July 20
With the addition of 200 motorcycles in the Delhi police chase and challan squad today, the total strength of this squad, meant to check violation of traffic rules, has gone up to 610 motorcycles.

Flagging off the new fleet of 200 Bajaj Pulsar 180 cc motorcycles, Delhi police commissioner Y S Dadwal said the squad had prosecuted over 5.79 lakh motorists for traffic violations in the Capital till July 15.

Speaking on the occasion, Dadwal said that the squad has been able to enforce discipline on the road as people have become more conscious of traffic rules.

"Earlier, there were no means to catch the violator. Now with motorcycles handy with traffic cops to chase and challan the violators, more discipline is seen on the roads," said Dadwal.

The officer also felt that the addition of motorcycles will be an added advantage during the Commonwealth Games.

He said the personnel in this squad would also assist in regulation of traffic during peak hours.

The chase and challan squad was set up in February 2008 with 210 motorcycles. In June last year, another 200 motorcycles were added to the squad.

Dip in challans issued

As many as 5,79,862 challans had been issued by the chase and challan squad till July 15 as against 5,84,157 during the same period last year.

A senior official said the decrease in number of challans is to be attributed to the chase and challan squad instilling fear among traffic rule violators.

Those jumping traffic signals topped the list of violators caught by the squad at 2, 47,973 as against the last year's figure of 1, 96,280. Figures of other offences till July 15 this year include 92,212 for improper parking, 74,046 for without helmet, 31,371 for defective number plate, and 13,996 for dangerous driving. 

New Delhi, July 20
To maintain foolproof security during the upcoming Commonwealth Games by making use of all its resources, the Delhi police has requested the Ramlila organising committees in the national Capital to postpone the Ramlila fairs and hold them after the mega-sports event concludes.

Delhi police commissioner Y.S. Dadwal said the city was organising an event of international importance and it would be better for the police to concentrate on the security of the Games rather than the fairs which could easily be organised a few days later.

"Ramlila has religious significance and is part of our tradition and culture. It cannot be postponed. However, the fairs that are held after the Ramlila have no religious connotation. Hence, we have requested the Ramlila committees to postpone them and hold them after the Games. I am sure they would consider our request," said Dadwal, denying that the Delhi police had ever asked for the advancement of Ramlilas.

The Ramlila festivities coincide with the Commonwealth Games to be held from October 3 to 14.

Besides, the police commissioner contradicted media reports that the Delhi police had sought 25,000 passes for the Games.

"We have not asked even for a single pass. We have asked for accreditation. And the number is much less than what has been quoted in some media reports. Seventy-five per cent police personnel will be deployed outside stadiums. Our personnel will not have time to do frivolous things during the Games," he said.

Asked about the measures adopted to control touts, he said the police would ensure that no tourist was harassed during the Games. "We had prepared a Bill dealing with touts. We will tackle the menace as adequate force will be on streets. No tourist will be harassed," Dadwal said. 

Greater Noida, July 20
Over 300 residential plot allottees of the Yamuna Expressway Authority (YEA) are in a dilemma.

This is because the authority has told them that their allotments got automatically cancelled due to non-payment of dues and has refused to restore the allotments. But what is making the situation strange is the fact that property dealers are contacting the allotees and coercing them to sell the plots to them.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one such allottee told The Tribune, "I contacted the chairman-cum-chief executive officer of YEA through a UP minister, but I was told that nothing could be done now as the allotment money was not paid in time. However, I am getting messages from property dealers to sell the plot to them at a premium of Rs 2,000 per square metre. But the question is if we agree to sell the plots to property dealers, how will they get the allotment restored?" said the allottee.

The situation clearly hints at a nexus between real estate agents and some authority staff, said other affected allottees.

The market premium of the allotted plots is Rs 6,000 per square metre, but the realtors, by pointing out the possibility of cancellation, are offering between Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 per square metre.

The authority's refusal to restore allotment will force allottees to sell the plots to property dealers, who, in connivance with some authority staff, will get the allotments restored, it is feared.

If the allottes agree to sell their plots to realtors at a premium of Rs 2,000 per square metre, the realtors will earn Rs 4,000 on every square metre. At this rate, they will make around Rs 40 lakh from every 1,000 square metre and by selling all the plots, they can earn over Rs 50 crore.

However, when contacted over the issue, Y. K. Bahl, additional chief executive officer of YEA said, "The authority has extended the payment period thrice. As per the allotment rules, if the allottees fail to pay the money even in the extended period, their allotments automatically get cancelled. There is no policy of restoration for such plots."

New Delhi, July 20
A 61-year-old retired Delhi police sub-inspector was charred to death inside his Maruti Zen car in the Prasant Vihar area of outer district last night.

According to the police, the incident was reported around 11.55 pm from near Japanese Park, Gate number-3 in Prasant Vihar.

"The deceased has been identified as Rajkumar Chawla. His white Maruti Zen, DL 9 LE 9325, was found engulfed in flames by a passer-by who informed the fire brigade and the police. Two fire engines were rushed to the spot which doused the fire within half an hour," said the police, adding that the victim was identified as a retired police sub-inspector with the help of his driving licence.

Rajkumar retired from Delhi police in 2007. He stayed with his two sons and wife at sector-8 in Rohini. "Yesterday, he went to meet one of his relatives in Ghaziabad. While returning, his car caught fire. Before he could do anything to get out of the car, the auto door control system locked due to smoke and he died on the spot," added the officer. 

Greater Noida, July 20
A 16-year-old girl was last night allegedly kidnapped and raped by two youths in Greater Noida. This is the second incident of rape reported from the area in the past one week.

"According to the complaint lodged by the father of the girl, around 9 pm last night, when the girl went out to ease out, two of their neighbours-- Karamvir Singh and Amarjeet Singh-- kidnapped her and raped her in the field. She was found in an unconscious state by the family members. On gaining consciousness, she narrated the incident to her family," said Rahul Kumar, deputy superintendent of police.

"A case of rape was registered today at the Dadri police station. However, the medical report of the victim shows no sign of injury on private parts. A manhunt has been launched to arrest the accused. They were not traceable till late evening today," said Kumar.

Last week, a 17-year-old class X girl of a reputed school was

gangraped in a car by three youths, including a neighbour. Here the medical report had confirmed rape. All the three accused are still absconding," said Kumar.