NEW DELHI (REUTERS, AFP) - India's capital city plans to make its state-run bus and metro network free for women commuters, hoping that higher use of public transport will improve women's safety in one of the world's largest metropolitan areas blighted by gender crime. The announcement on Monday (June 3) by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came months ahead of an election in the so-called union territory, as his party faces a tough fight from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's powerful Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "Public transport is considered the safest for women and keeping that in mind, the government had decided that... all buses and the metro will be made free for women," Kejriwal told reporters. The measure will be rolled out in the next two-to-three months for around 850,000 women. The regional government is also looking to install 150,000 CCTV cameras across the capital this year, Kejriwal added. Home to some 26 million people - nearly half of them women - Delhi recorded the … [Read more...] about New Delhi to offer free public transport for 850,000 women
Delhi
Delhi leader defies attacks on him to step up election fight
NEW DELHI: He has been smeared with chilli powder and slapped, but Delhi's Chief Minister will still be leading the fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the penultimate round of the Indian election. Fifty-nine seats are up for grabs on the sixth voting day of the marathon ballot. The tussle for the capital will be front and centre, with all eyes on its Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) - or Common Man Party - was formed seven years ago amid outrage over corruption. It has since taken control of Delhi's regional government and is fighting to add to its four seats in India's lower house of Parliament. Mr Modi's right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be trying to stave off the onslaught and keep the seven seats it holds. Mr Kejriwal, a tax commissioner turned campaigner, has suffered more than most in India's notoriously rough and tumble political ring. Since 2013 and his first term as Delhi chief minister, the 50-year-old has been the target of at … [Read more...] about Delhi leader defies attacks on him to step up election fight
Delhi leader defies slaps and shoes to step up election fight
NEW DELHI: He has been smeared with chilli powder and slapped, but Delhi's chief minister will still be leading the fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sunday's penultimate round of the Indian election.Fifty-nine seats are up for grabs across the country on the sixth voting day of the marathon ballot.The tussle for the capital will be front and centre, with all eyes on its chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) - or Common Man party - was formed just seven years ago amid outrage over corruption.It has since taken control of Delhi's regional government and is fighting to add to its four seats in India's lower house of parliament.Modi's right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be trying to stave off the onslaught and keep the seven seats it currently holds.Kejriwal, a tax commissioner-turned-campaigner, has suffered more than most in India's notoriously rough and tumble political bullring.Since 2013 and his first term as Delhi chief minister, the … [Read more...] about Delhi leader defies slaps and shoes to step up election fight
Minister promises clean Delhi air in three years
NEW DELHI: A top Indian minister has made an ambitious promise that the government will clean New Delhi's toxic air in the next three years.The World Health Organization ranks New Delhi as the world's most polluted capital, with the 20 million residents breathing air way above danger limits for most of the year.Transport and water resources minister Nitin Gadkari, plunged into a tense election campaign, vowed the megacity will be pollution free in three years because of measures the government has taken."Our government has done 100 per cent corruption-free, transparent, time-bound, result-oriented and quality work and that is why Delhi will be free of air and water pollution in the next three years," Gadkari told an election-campaign press conference late Thursday (May 9). "This is my promise to you," he said, speaking at the headquarters of the ruling conservative Bharatiya Janata Party.Gadkari said the government plans to spend more than US$7 billion on infrastructure around the … [Read more...] about Minister promises clean Delhi air in three years
From name to fortune, Delhi change for the better in IPL
NEW DELHI: For a franchise used to spending the business end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) wondering what went wrong, the Delhi Capitals have surprised themselves by making the playoff with two matches to spare in a remarkable turnaround.If their long-suffering fans found it difficult to be upbeat about the team at the start of this season, they could hardly be faulted.The underperforming side underwent a major rebranding late last year - becoming the Delhi Capitals with a new jersey, a new logo and a new anthem - after JSW Sport, part of a US$13 billion business conglomerate, acquired a 50 percent stake.They appointed Australian Ricky Ponting as the head coach, but still ended the season bottom of the standings, their fourth such finish in 11 seasons.To their fans, who had not seen the side make the playoffs since 2012, all of the changes looked cosmetic as they prepared for another season of underperformance.Ponting, however, knew they just needed to be patient."Success doesn't … [Read more...] about From name to fortune, Delhi change for the better in IPL