Dense Smog Engulfs Delhi; GRAP Stage-3 Restrictions Imposed Across NCR

"Our police officials had arrived here to talk to protesters and persuade them to remove the road jam at Nagar Palika roundabout. Meanwhile, someone pelted stone from behind. Keeping patience, we kept on trying to make them understand. However, stones were pelted on police. Despite that, we did not use any force, I tried to establish communication with people through loud alert. After a lot of efforts by us, people have finally gone back to their homes. I want to request the people of Pithampur that the Union Carbide waste that has arrived here... the govt will not take any step without taking people into confidence," says Dhar SP Manoj Singh.
 

IMD head Himachal Pradesh, Kuldeep Srivastava says, "...The minimum temperature in Shimla was recorded at 11.6 degrees Celsius...The effect of the western disturbance will be seen in Himachal Pradesh from January 4...Light to moderate rain and snowfall are expected in Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur. Rain and snowfall are expected in the central Himalayan region on January 6...There is a possibility of rain and thundershowers in the plains adjoining Punjab and Haryana on January 6..."

DCP South East district, Ravi Kumar says, "We have set up an illegal detention cell that keeps a watch on illegal immigrants, including Bangladeshis, and deports them. From a guest house in Sarita Vihar, the illegal detention cell team arrested five people from Bangladesh...They were staying illegally in India. Their visas had expired but they were still overstaying...They have been deported...An FIR has been filed against the guest house owner as he did not inform the police about their activities and did not check their documents"

Here's what Madhya Pradesh minister Vishwas Sarang said on the planned disposal of hazardous waste from Union Carbide factory in Bhopal.

"The disposal of hazardous waste from the Union Carbide factory is being done under judicial directions. The process is being done by ensuring safety."

Goa CM Pramod Sawant launches Food and Cultural Festival. Here's what he said:

"The Tourism Department has organised a Food and Cultural Festival in Madgaon. Through this, we are promoting the food and culture of Goa. During this three-day festival, I believe locals as well as tourists will enjoy it. This festival has been launched on the theme of 'Vocal for Local."

PM Modi tweets, "Glad to have met Koneru Humpy and her family. She is a sporting icon and a source of inspiration for aspiring players. Her sharp intellect and unwavering determination are visible. She has not only brought immense pride to India but has also redefined what excellence is."

"The administration officials have not said anything, they just came here to request (me) to end the hunger strike. I have told them that the protest will not be withdrawn till the issues of students are not resolved. We have suggested that the CM meets the students and finds a way out..." says Prashant Kishor

On China's two new counties in Hotan prefecture, Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdeva says, " China is increasing its hold in Aksai Chin region. This is an administrative mechanism...in Hoten, there are 7 counties already and now two more have been made...they are making rearrangements in the Aksai Chin region which is in their hold. Now each county will have its own administrative capital. It is obvious that China is increasing its hold and infrastructure. This also indicates that China is in no mood to improve its relation that much with India...China's overall attitude towards India is that they want to keep this conflict frozen and want to keep increasing it..."

Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde says, "In the housing department meeting, various projects pending for years were discussed... It is the responsibility of our government to provide eco-friendly and affordable rental housing... We are preparing a comprehensive policy for students, mill workers, police... This policy is in the best interest of the public... We aim to make a policy for the people of Mumbai who have migrated to different cities and bring them back... The state government is a common man's government... It is PM Modi's resolve to provide a house to every citizen..."

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai tweets, "The news of the murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar of Bijapur is extremely sad and heartbreaking...The culprit of this incident will not be spared under any circumstances. We have given instructions to arrest the criminals as soon as possible and give them the harshest punishment..."

More than 400 flights were delayed at the airport in the national capital on Friday morning as low visibility conditions due to dense fog disrupted operations, according to an official. Visibility conditions dropped to zero in some areas of the national capital due to the thick blanket of fog.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met noted chess player Koneru Humpy, who recently won the Women's World Rapid Chess Championship, and hailed her as a sporting icon.

PM Modi said on X, "Glad to have met Koneru Humpy and her family. She is a sporting icon and a source of inspiration for aspiring players. Her sharp intellect and unwavering determination are clearly visible. She has not only brought immense pride to India but has also redefined what excellence is."      

The chess grandmaster earlier described her meeting with Modi as "an incredible honor and a once-in-a-lifetime privilege".

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday targeted Mamata Benerjee, his counterpart in neighbouring West Bengal, and the previous BJD government for the potato crisis in the state.

“Facing potato crisis in Odisha, we have talked to Mamata Didi, but in vain. She settles a score on us at the appropriate time. There is no ‘mamata’ (affection) in Mamata Didi for Odisha,” Majhi said.

Pakistan has issued 94 visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims to visit the neighbouring country for the birth anniversary celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib at a shrine in Sindh, the High Commission here said on Friday. The issuance of visas is covered under the framework of Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has sought details from two visually-impaired candidates who had taken civil services examination over 15 years ago, so that they can be considered for appointment, according to an official statement issued on Friday. The move came following an order by the Supreme Court, which had in July last year directed that 11 candidates be considered for appointment against the backlog vacancies meant for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) candidates.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says, "There should not be anything that other nations have and we don't. Our nation is not the one to stay behind. It is not a nation of poverty. We are also capable of sitting in the first line and telling people what all we have..."

Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Sanjay Kumar says, "Today is a great day for the Ministry of Education...CBSE has got a new headquarters in Dwarka and PM Modi has dedicated it to the nation...Today the foundation stone of East Delhi Campus and West Delhi Campus has been laid and a new college is coming up in Najafgarh. This shows how keen we are to implement the National Education Policy 2020..."

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Cleaning work of Indrani river is going on. The Indrani River cannot be cleaned in one day... The water from the villages, cities and industries goes to the Indrani river. We have started the clarification of this water before releasing it in the Indrani River. We are arranging the funds for Nagar Palikas and Mahanagar Palika for this. We have also instructed industries to make sure that no influent goes in the river..."

Dense smog blankets several parts of the National Capital.

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invokes Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.

On HPMV virus outbreak and preparedness of Indian hospitals, Directorate General of Health Services, Dr Atul Goel says, "...  Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus that causes common cold, and in very old and very young it could cause flu-like symptoms... We have analysed the data of the respiratory outbreaks within the country, there is no such substantial increase in 2024 data... In any case during winter, there is an outbreak of respiratory infections and our hospitals are fully prepared for that with the necessary supplies and beds... I want to request the public to take general precautions, which means, those who have cough and cold should prevent coming in contact with other people to prevent the spread and take normal medicines prescribed for cold and fever... Otherwise, nothing to be alarmed about the present situation"

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, " ...Delhi remembers, during covid time when Delhi was in need of oxygen, you (Arvind Kejriwal) was making 'Sheesh Mahal'. Today, like PM said, if we wanted, we could have made 'Sheesh Mahal' too but instead we worked for poor people...Arvind Kejriwal couldn't even provide water to people...people of Delhi are forced to buy drinking water..."

Arjuna Award recipient and Hockey player Jarmanpreet Singh says, " It is the dream of an athlete to receive the Arjuna award and when you get to know that you are going to receive this, it is very exciting.  I am very happy..."

On PM Modi terming Delhi govt as "Aapda Sarkar, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, " Arvind Kejriwal has lost connection with the ground, now he is not in contact with people of villagers, poor people, people in slums, he is caught up in a dilemma now, which is the world of lies and loot. Therefore Arvind Kejriwal doesn't know what are there issues people are facing and what all people have received from the Centre...Arvind Kejriwal himself has become 'Aapda' to the people of Delhi...now the 'Aapda' needs to be removed and BJP should be brought in"

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says, "Paralympic player Praveen Kumar from Uttar Pradesh will be given the Khel Ratna award, he has won a gold medal in the Olympics. In individual sports, we gave Rs 6 crore to the gold medalist, Rs 4 crore to the silver medalist and Rs 2 crore to the bronze medalist... Till now we have given jobs in Uttar Pradesh Police and other departments to more than 500 players of Uttar Pradesh..."

On late former PM Dr Manmohan Singh's memorial, Former Rajasthan CM and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot says, "... The way the international media is expressing their thoughts after the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh, a great economist and humble person, is a message in itself... The US-India tie was also a great decision by him... The people of India wouldn't be able to forget his contributions and such a huge gathering at Gurudwara in his memory is symbolic of this... "

On late former PM Dr Manmohan Singh's memorial, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa says, "... All the party leaders see Manmohan Singh beyond any party... He was not bound to any party and he used to think about the progress of the country... He raised the country out of economic crisis and served as the Prime Minister for 10 years. So his name should not be linked to any party..."

On Release of fishermen by India and Bangladesh, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, " This exchange is going to happen on 5th January, 95 Indian fishermen will be released from their side and 90 (Bangladeshi fishermen) will be released from our side...this fishermen had gone astray...this approach of India of fostering ties with Bangladesh was made very clear during Foreign Secretary's visit to Dhaka, where he highlighted India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh..."

Union  Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, "An ultra-modern semiconductor plant is being constructed here. The semiconductor industry will play an important role in becoming Viksit Bharat...The construction is going on fast mode. Around 40,000 people will work here. I reviewed how an ecosystem including housing is being built for those who will work here. The first plant will be built by the end of 2025 and production will start in 2026. It will be a matter of pride to see 'made in India' chips being used in the telecom and automobile sector."

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviews the construction work of Tata Ultra Modern Semiconductor Factory.

On articles published by Washington Post on Maldives and Pakistan, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, " Both the newspaper and reporter in question, appear to nurse a compulsive hostility towards India. You can see a pattern in their activities. I leave you to judge their credibility. As far as we are concerned, they have none...on Pakistan, I would like to remind you of what Hillary Clinton said , 'you can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours'..."

Brother of Chandan Gupta, Vivek Gupta says, "...My brother was murdered and the accused have been sentenced to life imprisonment and 10 years of rigorous imprisonment...I thank the lawyers. In the High Court, we will demand that the main culprit be hanged and the two who have been acquitted should also be punished."

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant says, "We are going to place a demand of approx Rs  28000 crores for tourism, waste management, water resources department and agriculture department before the 16th Finance Commission. They have a meeting on the upcoming 9th Jan, and that meeting will be with the political parties, local bodies and industrial bodies. The 16th Finance Commission is very important for the overall development of Goa ..."

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal says “The main Aapda in Delhi is the law and order in Delhi.”

Father of 'Waris Punjab De' Chief and independent MP Amritpal Singh, Tarsem Singh says, "The party will be launched on January 14 in Sri Muktsar Sahib. A working committee will be announced which will decide on the party constitution and other things... I appeal to the people of Punjab to support the party and save Punjab from various issues like drugs, conversions, farmers..."

Chandan Gupta Murder case: District Government Counsel Manoj Kumar Tripathi says, "All the accused have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Two people have been acquitted. We will appeal against their acquittal. Salim has been sentenced additional 7 years of rigorous imprisonment..."

On people protesting against shifting of toxic waste from Bhopal's Union Carbide Factory to Dhar's Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav says, " In our state, govt will never want any citizen to face any problem but Supreme Court, High Court and the space that has been instructed by them for Union Carbide waste, it is a factory and as per Supreme Court, that space is suitable. I appeal to people that we shouldn't be influenced by the fake rumours. Govt will do the management of Union Carbide waste only with the guidance of scientists...we will never take a step that can put any person's life at risk..."

Former Haryana CM and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda says, "(Farmer leader) Dallewal sahib's health condition has deteriorated. Even the Supreme Court said that the way for talks should be opened but the attitude of the Central Government is stubborn. Be it BJP or AAP, both are against the farmers. Why don't they talk to the farmers?"

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted searches at the residence of DMK General Secretary and Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan in an alleged money laundering case linked to alleged violations of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines and cheating by bank officials during the demonetization period.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and said ‘Those who have been in power in Delhi for the last 10 years - have damaged school education’.
 

Director General of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Lieutenant General Gurbirpal Singh, on Friday said that the main focus for the NCC Republic Day Camp 2025 is to prepare cadets for 'Viksit Bharat.'
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 1,675 newly constructed flats for the dwellers of JJ clusters and also handed over keys to eligible beneficiaries at Swabhiman Apartments in Ashok Vihar, Delhi.
 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday inaugurated the water purification projects of the drains falling into the Rapti river. Addressing the media and the people present, the Chief Minister applauded the efforts made by the Municipal Corporation to keep the Rapti river clean and safe.
 

Economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia praised former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his efforts to bring 138 million people out of the 'below poverty line (BPL)'. Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, said that India grew faster in terms of economic growth during Singh's tenure than it had ever done.
 

Former Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla was sworn in as the 19th Governor of Manipur on Friday. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Raj Bhawan in Imphal. The ceremony was attended by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, his council of ministers and high-ranking government and police officials.
 

Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held protests in Bengaluru on Friday over the 15 percent fare hike for the Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC) buses.
 

PM to inaugurate 1,675 newly constructed flats for the Economically Weaker Section at Swabhiman Apartments, Ashok Vihar

PM to inaugurate two urban redevelopment projects - the World Trade Centre at Nauroji Nagar and GPRA Type-II Quarters at Sarojini Nagar

PM to inaugurate CBSE's Integrated Office Complex at Dwarka

PM to lay foundation stone of Veer Savarkar College at Roshanpura, Najafgarh
 

A group of people staged a protest against the shifting of toxic waste materials from Union Carbide Factory located in Bhopal to Pithampur in Dhar district for disposal on Friday, demanding to send back the containers carrying the hazardous waste.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said they praised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Saamana editorial as the state government had done a ‘commendable job’ by getting the Naxalites operating in Gadchiroli district to surrender. Raut hit out at the previous guardian minister of Gadchiroli, alleging that he appointed his agents and collected money that increased Naxalism. He said that Shiv Sena (UBT) appreciates that the Chief Minister has taken charge of Gadchiroli as the guardian minister.
 

Ahead of his visit to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah to offer the ‘Chadar’ on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 813th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju visited the Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah in Delhi on Friday to offer his prayers.
 

An LPG tanker on its way from Cochin to Coimbatore overturned at Avinashi road flyover in Tamil Nadu, an officer said on Friday. The fire department and City Police are present at the spot.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday extended his heartfelt greetings on the birth anniversary of Indian social reformer Savitribai Phule, the country's first female teacher and a pioneer of the women's liberation movement.
 

BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan slammed the Congress and Leader of Oppositionin Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to the lay foundation stone of Delhi University's Veer Savarkar College.
 

Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, has raised concerns about India's high fiscal deficit, stating that it is much more than other developing countries and hampering private investments.
 

Amid the ongoing protests by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) aspirants, seeking a re-examination of the 70th BPSC prelims, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi expressed his solidarity with the protesting students.
 

Rajasthan woke up to a chilly morning on Friday, as temperatures dropped across several districts of the state, severely affecting the daily life of the people.
 

The Vice President's House became the epicenter of spiritual enlightenment as it hosted the grand Shrimad Bhagwat Katha, a historic event that brought together faith, devotion, and timeless wisdom for many. Organized under the divine guidance of Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India, and his wife, Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar, the multi-day event was narrated by the revered spiritual orator and much loved amongst the youth, Shri Pundrik Goswami Ji Maharaj.
 

Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor on Friday expressed his continued support for the ongoing BPSC protest at Gandhi Maidan demanding the cancellation of the Bihar Civil Services (BPSC) examination over the alleged paper leak incident, stating that the protest will persist.
 

Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday paid his humble tributes to Savitribai Phule on her birth anniversary. Taking to social media X, Kharge said that Phule was a source of inspiration and a great educationist and poet. "Study to live with self-respect, school is the true jewel of a human being."~ Savitribai Phule

Union Minister of State Sanjay Seth on Friday launched a scathing attack on Delhi Chief Minister Atishi over her recent statement on Union Agricultural Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, calling her words ‘those of a terrorist.’
 

Prayagraj is filled with spiritual fervour as the highly anticipated Mahakumbh Mela draws near.

The festivities for Maha Kumbh 2025 have already begun with the devotees participating in morning Ganga 'aartis'. The 'aartis' are not only limited to the renowned ghats of Prayagraj but can be witnessed all across the flood plains of the Sangam.
 

The Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka will be staging a protest on January 4 calling for the resignation of Karnataka Minister for Information Technology (IT) and Biotechnology (BT) Priyank Kharge over the alleged suicide of Bidar contractor Sachin Panchal, with allegations linking the incident to Kharge's office. The protest will be held in the minister's home district of Kalaburagi.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that today is an important day for Delhi's development as he will shortly inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for a wide range of development works.
PM Modi said that the development works will boost 'Ease of Living' for the people of Delhi.
 

Preparations for the Maha Kumbh, which is scheduled to be held in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, are in full swing and rehearsals for ritualistic festivities such as special Ganga Aarti is being undertaken at Triveni Sangan (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati).
 

Amid the prevailing dense fog conditions, Delhi airport authorities on Friday issued an advisory and stated that flights which were not CAT III compliant would get affected.
 

The government strives to bring more and more people into the fishing business to enhance the blue economy in the state, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
 

Dense fog engulfed the national capital as cold waves gripped the city on Friday morning. According to the India Meteorological Department, Delhi recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am on Friday. The air quality in the national capital has deteriorated from 'poor' to 'very poor'. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI was recorded at 348 in Delhi today at 6 am.
 

A plane crashed into a commercial building in California killing 2 and injuring 18 people. 
 

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has said that his government has given special priority to the development of the education infrastructure and is working to provide quality education to children from all sections of society.
 

The Tripura government is actively implementing various measures to preserve folk culture and ensure the comprehensive development of Scheduled Caste communities, Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Thursday.
 

Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla has slammed Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his alleged remarks against Sanatan Dharma, saying that the people with a leftist mindset are suffering from a ‘mental disease’ of Sanatan Dharma phobia.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit newly constructed flats for the dwellers of Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters under the In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Project at Swabhiman Apartments, Ashok Vihar, Delhi, at around 12:10 PM, on Friday (January 3). At around 12:45 PM, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Delhi.