New Delhi, August 11
It just needs a few minutes of heavy rains to throw life out of gear in the national Capital, which has just 53 days in hand to host the country's biggest sports extravaganza.

Heavy rains this evening repeated tales of harrowing traffic jams, waterlogging, faulty red lights and vehicle breakdowns. Those returning from offices remained stranded for hours on roads and traffic officials, some in knee-deep water, could be seen managing traffic on roads.

While traffic officials agreed to jams and slow movement of traffic in all well-known areas and roads in the Capital, they did not shy away from attributing the mess to the ongoing construction work related to the Commonwealth Games.

While several roads turned into ponds due to accumulation of water thus, slowing traffic; several vehicles broke down midway causing jams. Besides, many red lights were not functioning.

According to the traffic police, two low-floor DTC buses broke down on Outer Ring Road, further aggravating the slow traffic.

"There were two incidents of DTC bus breaking down on Outer Ring Road near IIT, adding to the traffic woes on the already-choked roads. Things were equally bad on Ring Road and traffic is bound to clear only by late night," said a traffic police official from south zone, adding that areas like RK Puram, Ashram, Kalkaji, Moolchand Flyover in Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, Gurgaon Road, Green Park and AIIMS Flyover were choked with vehicles.

According to information, the waiting time on some roads stretched to one hour for a kilometer.

Rajnish, a doctor living in Noida, said it took him close to two hours to reach Sarita Vihar from AIIMS. "It is one of the worst traffic jams I have seen in my life. I started around 5 pm and I reached home around 7:30 pm," he said.

The heart of the national Capital, Connaught Place and surrounding areas like-Ashok Road, Panchkuian Marg, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road and Shankar Road were reportedly clogged due to the rains.

Vehicular movement crawled near Talkotra Stadium, with chock-a-block movement on Shankar Road to Patel Nagar and Karol Bagh.

Central Delhi areas like Kamla Market, Daryaganj, Chandni Chowk and Subhash Chandra Bose Road were also experiencing traffic snarls. The Laxmi Nagar area of east Delhi, including UP link Road, Vikas Marg, Geeta Colony, Gandhi Nagar and Pandav Nagar, were the worst hit.

According to information, two vehicles broke down on Vikas Marg. This added to the chaos.

Commuters had a harrowing time in west Delhi areas like-- Rajouri Garden, Paschim Vihar, Punjabi Bagh and Janakpuri. "It is irritating. A little rain and the city turns upside down. There is so much waterlogging. Traffic in the Punjabi Bagh area came to a halt around 6 pm. I waited for almost half an hour to cross two red lights. Imagine how hard the situation was," said Sunita Paul, a call centre employee.

The roundabout near Akshardham flyover towards Noida was reportedly under 2 to 3 ft water. 

New Delhi, August 11
To keep Delhi roads free from cattle during the Commonwealth Games (CWG), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will deploy 15 special teams in various parts of the city from September 1.

Apart from the zonal teams working in the respective areas, special cattle catching teams will operate in seven municipal zones-- central, south, city, Sadar Paharganj, Karol Bagh, Civil Lines and Shahdara (south), officials said in an MCD standing committee meeting today.

The MCD has purchased 13 hydraulic cattle catching trucks to tackle the menace of stray cows.

According to the MCD data provided in the meeting, the agency has lifted 5,025 animals from roads in 2010-11. In 2009-11, 13,898 cattle were lifted at a total cost of Rs 2.66 crore. The MCD had spent Rs 4.31 crore to lift 18,830 cattle in 2008-09 and Rs 2.24 crore to lift 12,851 cattle in 2007-08.

In the meeting, which saw discussion on stray cattle menace especially in view of the CWG, the civic body admitted that it was yet to shift illegal dairies to an alternative site in outer Delhi.

Officials claimed that Ghogha Dairy site, where illegal dairies were to be shifted following a court order, had all infrastructural facilities but was yet to get water supply from the Delhi Jal Board.

Delhi has 2,361 illegal dairies. "The MCD has developed 2,080 plots at Ghogha Dairy. Of these, 945 have been distributed and 245 dairy owners have taken

possession. However, dairies could not be shifted there due to lack of water supply," MCD commissioner K.S. Mehra said.

New Delhi, August 11
The Commonwealth Games Village is prone to mosquito-breeding, said a team of health officials who inspected the site.

The team comprised officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi government and Central government. They inspected the Games Village to check the factors responsible for high breeding of mosquitoes in and around Games Village.

The chairman of Health Committee, Dr VK Monga said that the site of the Games Village is not appropriate as the area between the Yamuna riverbed and Games Village is full of multiple pots, ditches and troughs in the terrain, which lead to mosquito-breeding.

"The problem is multiplied by the low-lying area between the Games Village and the railway track," said Monga.

According to MCD health officials, basements of the residential towers were also inspected and mosquito-breeding was observed.

"The construction company has agreed to provide 20 labourers daily to carry out spray in collaboration with the staff of Surveillance Post at Games Village. 

New Delhi, August 11
Not even a single Commonwealth Games stadium has been given the 'occupancy certificate', said municipal commissioner K.S. Mehra today.

Mehra told reporters that the certificate ensured that the building was safe in all aspects. "None of the stadia have received the certificate from us. The certificate is important because it ensures the safety of the premises," said Mehra.

He added that some venue owners had not submitted complete documents. "The applications received do not have complete documents. The certificate can be issued only after the approval of the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC), fire certificate from fire department and structural stability certificate. The structural stability can be obtained from the building department of the MCD," said Mehra.

New Delhi, August 11
The national Capital has reported six deaths from influenza A (H1N1) since Sunday, with the latest that of a 50-year-old woman who succumbed to the fatal virus in Guru Tegh Hospital, taking the cumulative figure to 14 this season in Delhi.

This has led to a fear of a resurgence of mass-outbreak, given the humid weather conditions and in the wake of this, the city health department has decided to send fresh advisories to the hospitals, following a situation-review meeting called by the Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

As learnt from sources in the ministry, Azad has asked all the states to utilise the vaccines given to them and ensure that the at-risk population, including doctors and paramedics, are inoculated with the protective doses.

Since early this year, Delhi has been provided with 20,000 vaccines, but to date around 3,000 of the stock have been utilised.

“A large part of the supplied vaccines remain unutilised. Many still prefer to wait till they are actually infected with the virus,” said a health ministry official.

However, when approached, the nodal H1N1 officer in the city, said the vaccines are available and those at risk are getting vaccinated as per their convenience. Though the government is yet to declare an alert situation, the indication is loud and clear that those directly involved in the treatment should go in for protecting themselves against the virus, which is apprehended to have mutated though nothing official has come out yet.

“The report of a 50-year-old woman, a resident of Nathu Colony in east Delhi, who tested positive for the virus died in GTB hospital, but the death summary is still awaited,” said Dr Bhattacharya.

During the day, 26 people were diagnosed with the virus and this takes the tally of positive cases of H1N1 influenza in the city to 234. Even as the number of people turning at hospitals with symptoms, like cough and fever, has remained within control, like 10 patients in a week in Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, doctors ask people to take precautions like sanitising hands and avoiding crowds.

Meanwhile, there were three deaths in RML on Sunday—two female patients (40 and 35 years) who were brought on ventilator from two private hospitals and other, a 55-year-old man. 

New Delhi, August 11
The Delhi police today announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for a brave woman who resisted the robbery attempt of two youths inside her house in Vishwas Nagar yesterday.

The city police commissioner Y S Dadwal announced the reward for Meenakshi (36), who raised the alarm and helped the residents catch the robbers Rinku Kumar (24) and Lokesh (19).

"Rinku gagged her but in the process, a countrymade pistol dropped from his hand. His attention drifted towards the pistol. Meenakshi then raised the alarm which led to the

locals gathering there," a senior police official said.

They caught the robbers and handed them over to the police who registered a case of attempted robbery.

"She showed exemplary courage in dealing with the situation and helped in nabbing the criminals. So the commissioner has decided to reward her with Rs 50,000," the official said.

Noida, August 11
Residents of ward number 9 in Arjun Vihar having more than one car are reportedly in a fix as the Arun Vihar Residents' Welfare Association (AVRWA) has directed them to park the surplus vehicle outside the ward at their own risk, otherwise the matter will be reported to the police.

As per the new parking plan introduced for ward 9 from August 1, just one vehicle per flat is allowed to be parked on the ward premises.

RWA in charge of ward 9 colonel (retd) L. Bhattacharjee said, "The stretch between ward 8 and 9 and outside ward 9 has been earmarked by the AVRWA for parking surplus vehicles of residents."

He added, "The AVRWA has fixed Rs 150 per month for parking vehicles on the parking lot. A guard has been posted there to take the entry of each vehicle."

"Ward number 9 has 276 houses. These are two-room flats. These flats were developed in 1985. The ward has only scooter garages. The parking space is inadequate for accommodating cars which causes parking clashes among residents," said Bhattacharjee.

However, the residents have objected the new system. But they have no say in the decision making of the AVRWA.

"A few days ago, my son who works in an MNC came late in the night. He was not allowed to bring the car in. I had to call the police," said a resident.

Another resident echoing similar views, said, "Society should not force its decision on residents."

He questioned, "What is the use of the new system? Even after paying parking fee to the RWA our vehicles are not safe. The RWA does not guarantee the safety of cars outside the parking and goes on to say that it will be at the owners' risk."

AVRWA chairman brigadier (retd) S.C. Jolly said, "A ward 9 member had conducted an opinion poll and majority of residents had approved one car per flat plan. This was made effective from August 1."

Supervisor of ward 9 Dan Singh said, "In 1994, there were just 11 cars in the ward. Today, there are 325 cars. The reason is that around two-third of the flats are now occupied by civilians. Many of them have more than one car."

New Delhi, August 11
The Delhi government today announced an academy which would provide trained manpower for construction activity.

The construction academy will impart training to masons and other workers engaged in making buildings and other projects. The government is also considering prescribing standards for the builders to overcome incidents of substandard construction. This was stated by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit while presiding over a regional conference on skill development which was inaugurated by the Deputy Chairperson, Planning Commission, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The conference was attended by seven northern states.

Chief secretary Rakesh Mehta said that that IIT students in Delhi have been given responsibility of maintenance of government buildings under 'Earn While Learn' scheme.

Dr Ahluwalia while inaugurating the conference stated that in view of the projected 10 per cent growth rate, the process of skill development is becoming important.

Greater Noida, August 11
A woman who had got her husband released from Chambal dacoits revealed their humane side and appealed to society and administration to bring these distracted elements into the mainstream.

The woman Sarjana Singh (36), alias Gudiya, had got her husband Dr Ajit Singh (40) released from dacoits. A ransom of Rs 10 lakh was demanded, but she went to the Chambal area with whatever cash and jewellery she could arrange. She told the kidnappers that she had nothing more. The dacoits were moved by her pleading and the 'sardar' made her his sister and gave her two earrings and Rs 5,100 as a gift from a brother. Singh was kidnapped on August 5 from Agra.

"The dacoits at the den were very humane. They too wept on seeing me and even felt ashamed after taking the ransom. But their calling has made them hardy and they are only concerned with the money which helps them buy arms and survive," Sarjana said.

"A dacoit told me how atrocities were committed by influential persons who implicated him in false cases and thus made him what he was. He said it is a one-way lane. Entering it is easy, but there is no exit lane. Death is the only exit," Sarjana narrated.

"Circumstances have made them dacoits. Nobody is a born dacoit. Society and administration should take a lenient view and bring such distracted persons into the mainstream," she added.

New Delhi, August 11
A 17-year-old student allegedly committed suicide in his house in southeast Delhi this morning. He was reportedly depressed by his poor performance in exams.

The victim Anupam, a Class X student of a government school, was allegedly found hanging in a room of his Govindpuri house.

He lived with his parents and a brother, a senior police official said.

Anupam had reportedly been depressed for the past few days after his poor performance in board examinations. He had failed in two subjects. He recently appeared in compartment exams. But he failed in one subject again. Since then, he had been depressed, his family said.

New Delhi, August 11
The east district police has arrested two persons for the murder of a blind couple. One of the arrested persons has been identified as the tenant of the couple, who were found dead in their Vivek Vihar residence yesterday morning.

The arrested have been identified as Ashwani (24), the blind couple's tenant, and his friend Gaurav (21). Both are unemployed.

"Ashwani was arrested from Bagpat yesterday, while Gaurav apprehended today," said K.C. Dwivedi, additional commissioner of police (east).

The police suspected Ashwani's involvement as he had gone missing after the murder came to light.

The police said the accused, who are in early twenties, killed Rajinder Verma (55) and his wife Sobha (50) as the couple objected to their tenant's bringing girls to the house.

Ashwani told the police that he used to bring his girlfriends to his room which was not acceptable to the landlord. "The couple used to object to his activities. Besides, Ashwani had not event paid the rent. So the couple asked him to vacate the room. This enraged Ashwani and he planned to kill them. He asked Gaurav to help him," Dwivedi said.

Ashwani hails from Nangla Reva village in Haryana's Bagpat and had shifted to the victims' house only about two weeks ago. He is the son of an ayurveda doctor, while Gaurav is pursuing animation course in Janakpuri. 

Ghaziabad, August 11
Angered residents of Loni town in Ghaziabad district vandalised vehicles and blocked the Delhi-Saharanpur road on Tuesday after a 19-year-old youth was allegedly beaten to death in police custody.

The police said that the youth had complained of uneasiness and was taken to a Delhi hospital where he died.

The police said Rishi, son of Sher Singh of Jatav Colony in Loni was picked for interrogation. During questioning, he complained of uneasiness and was taken to a local hospital where his condition was termed critical.

On the doctors’ advice, he was taken to the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital in Delhi where doctors declared him brought dead. When Rishi complained of pain, his family members were informed but no one came, therefore he was taken to the hospital by the police only.

However, his father alleged that the police had picked his son without any reason.

He said that Rishi was playing cards with his friends when a police team reached the colony around 6 pm on Monday and took him with them without informing anybody. The police suspected his involvement in a crime and tortured him so badly that he succumbed to his injuries in police custody, he alleged.

Sher Singh said when they reached the police station, the police personnel there misbehaved with them and threatened to book the entire family in grave offences.

When the news of Rishi's death spread in the area, a huge crowd gathered on the Delhi-Saharanpur road, shouting slogans against the police. The angered residents damaged about a dozen public and private vehicles.

When the police failed to clear the blockade, the provincial armed constabulary (PAC) and the police baton-charged the mob, leading to some women sustaining injuries.

However, the increasing anger over the police action saw more crowds come out and continue the road blockade.

"We are trying to control the situation. Additional forces have been sent to the spot," superintendent of police (city) A.K. Vijaita said.— IANS