News for 'Urban'

Delhi sets countdown for ICE 2W, 3W phaseout

Delhi sets countdown for ICE 2W, 3W phaseout

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

The Delhi government has approved the Delhi EV Policy 2.0, which will phase out fresh registrations of internal combustion engine (ICE) two-wheelers and three-wheelers over the next two years, starting with a ban on ICE 3Ws and N1 category LCVs from January 1, 2027, and ICE 2Ws from April 1, 2028.

NBFCs show strong Q4, but near-term outlook remains cautious

NBFCs show strong Q4, but near-term outlook remains cautious

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) reported encouraging results for Q4FY26 with improved asset quality and earnings, but analysts maintain a cautious near-term outlook due to geopolitical tensions, monsoon risks, and specific portfolio concerns.

'I Want Roles That Scare Me'

'I Want Roles That Scare Me'

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

'If a character doesn't challenge me, I don't get excited about it.' 'I don't mind failing while trying, but I need to feel that fear of wondering how I'm going to pull it off.'

Ajay Devgn's Top 10 Funniest Performances

Ajay Devgn's Top 10 Funniest Performances

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Deadpan humour has become Ajay Devgn's trademark. Here's a look at the roles that turned him into one of Bollywood's most unexpected comedy stars.

Thane mayor orders tree safety survey post student's death

Thane mayor orders tree safety survey post student's death

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Following the tragic death of a student in Mumbai due to a tree collapse, Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar has mandated a city-wide safety survey of dangerous trees. The survey will cover schools, colleges, housing societies, hospitals, and major traffic junctions, with a focus on identifying and addressing unstable trees and branches to prevent future incidents, especially during the monsoon season.

Jammu Municipal Corporation Deploys AI And Cold Emulsion Machines For Smart Road Maintenance

Jammu Municipal Corporation Deploys AI And Cold Emulsion Machines For Smart Road Maintenance

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

The Jammu Municipal Corporation has launched an integrated system combining AI-based road monitoring with cold emulsion pothole patching machines. This initiative aims to ensure timely and scientific repair of damaged roads across the city, leveraging modern technology to identify and fix defects efficiently, especially before the monsoon season. The AI system also detects other civic issues, promoting smart urban governance.

Maharashtra students who haven't updated Aadhaar IDs won't lose benefits: Minister

Maharashtra students who haven't updated Aadhaar IDs won't lose benefits: Minister

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Maharashtra School Education Minister Dada Bhuse stated that despite 5.5 lakh students having non-updated Aadhaar IDs, no student is being deprived of government scheme benefits or facing educational hurdles. He clarified that the government is actively conducting special camps and has issued instructions to ensure continuous access to education and benefits while the update drive is underway.

Kolkata warehouse tragedy: Suvendu orders audit of all TMC-era projects

Kolkata warehouse tragedy: Suvendu orders audit of all TMC-era projects

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

A committee constituted by the West Bengal government to carry out a special audit of sanctioned plans for high-rise residential and commercial buildings in and around the city will meet on Friday to begin the exercise, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.

The Lifestyle Inflation Trap: Is Earning More Actually Making You Poor?

The Lifestyle Inflation Trap: Is Earning More Actually Making You Poor?

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Rising income feels like success but unchecked lifestyle inflation traps urban professionals into financing a more expensive version of living paycheck-to-paycheck -- buying material upgrades instead of true future financial freedom.

How AI Can Transform Delhi's Administration: LG Sandhu

How AI Can Transform Delhi's Administration: LG Sandhu

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing urban governance. He stressed that AI can address complex administrative challenges, improve efficiency in areas like traffic management and environmental monitoring, and shift governance towards an intelligence-driven model, provided it is human-centric and reflects India's diverse context.

UN warns Pakistan against 'reconstruction' at Taxila site

UN warns Pakistan against 'reconstruction' at Taxila site

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

UNESCO has warned Pakistan that two historical sites within the Taxila World Heritage site could be placed on a "danger list" or even delisted if "unnecessary interventions" and "reconstructions" are not reversed. The UN cultural agency highlighted concerns about new masonry replacing ancient walls and increased wall heights, compromising the authenticity of the sites. Pakistani officials, however, maintain that the work constitutes conservation, not reconstruction.

Vaishnaw to launch Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train tunnel work on Sunday

Vaishnaw to launch Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train tunnel work on Sunday

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will inaugurate the underground tunnel-boring work from Vikhroli to the Bandra Kurla Complex station in Mumbai on Sunday, marking the maiden use of a tunnel boring machine for the country's first bullet train project, between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

8 workers from Bihar killed in rock collapse in Bengaluru quarry

8 workers from Bihar killed in rock collapse in Bengaluru quarry

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Eight workers, mostly from Bihar, were killed after a massive granite rock collapsed at a stone quarry in Bengaluru South Taluk. The incident, which occurred at Madapattana, has led to allegations of illegal quarrying and negligence, with an MLA claiming police, forest, and mining department officials are involved. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar expressed grief and vowed action against violators, while rescue operations continue amidst fears of a rising death toll.

Maruti Suzuki sees strong PV growth, market share gains, but El Nio poses risk

Maruti Suzuki sees strong PV growth, market share gains, but El Nio poses risk

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Maruti Suzuki, India's leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, is experiencing robust growth in the June quarter, driven by a recovery in the entry-level segment, easing supply constraints, and significant market share gains. Despite potential headwinds from El Nio, analysts remain optimistic about the company's future performance.

Supreme Court declares right to walk on footpaths a fundamental right

Supreme Court declares right to walk on footpaths a fundamental right

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

The Supreme Court has declared the right to walk on demarcated footpaths a fundamental right, prioritising it over motorised vehicle movement, and has called for the establishment of a regulatory body to ensure its enforcement and provide restitutionary remedies for violations.

Domestic Passenger Vehicle Sales Rise 24.6% In June

Domestic Passenger Vehicle Sales Rise 24.6% In June

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

India's domestic passenger vehicle sales experienced a robust 24.6 per cent year-on-year increase in June, propelled by favourable government policies like income tax relief and repo rate cuts, alongside resilient rural demand, even as global crude oil prices pose potential cost pressures.

Heavy rains with 80 kmph winds alert for Mumbai; WFH for pvt firms

Heavy rains with 80 kmph winds alert for Mumbai; WFH for pvt firms

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

The India Meteorological Department has issued a 'red' alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, and warnings include potential flash floods, structural damage, and disruptions to essential services. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has also urged caution and deployed officials to monitor the situation.

Delhi Fires Reveal A Grim Reality

Delhi Fires Reveal A Grim Reality

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

We have built an economy that can deliver everything -- from iPhones to biryani -- to a doorstep in 10 minutes, but it cannot deliver a fire engine through a lane in 20, points out Amit Kapoor.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy unveils massive India qcomm expansion plan

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy unveils massive India qcomm expansion plan

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has announced a significant expansion of the company's quick commerce business, Amazon Now, to over 300 Indian cities, aiming to build the country's largest delivery-in-minutes network. This move follows a recent USD 35 billion investment commitment by Amazon in India.

'Methyl Isocyanate of law': SC flags AI-hallucinated judgments

'Methyl Isocyanate of law': SC flags AI-hallucinated judgments

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

The Supreme Court of India has issued a strong warning against the use of "non-existent, fake, and hallucinated" judgements generated by artificial intelligence (AI), likening it to "the release of methyl Isocyanate in the province of law and justice: invisible, insidious, and catastrophic." The court set aside an NCLT verdict that relied on such AI-generated precedents.

Kumaraswamy Calls For Tech Adoption In Steel To Boost Competitiveness

Kumaraswamy Calls For Tech Adoption In Steel To Boost Competitiveness

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Union Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy has urged the Indian steel industry to adopt advanced technologies like AI, Machine Learning, and IoT to enhance global competitiveness and productivity. Speaking at a Chintan Shivir, he highlighted that digitalisation is crucial for achieving ambitious steel capacity targets by 2035 and addressing challenges such as operational efficiency, decarbonisation, and export competitiveness. The minister also emphasised how technology can improve safety and reduce downtime in steel plants.

How Drones Are Revolutionising Power Transmission In Karnataka

How Drones Are Revolutionising Power Transmission In Karnataka

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has successfully deployed advanced drone technology for inspecting high voltage transmission corridors, leading to an 85 per cent reduction in power outages. This initiative has improved operational efficiency, workforce safety, and enabled precise fault detection and predictive maintenance across over 11,000 transmission towers and 3,370 km of lines.

Odisha changes English spellings of 64 places to match Odia phonetics

Odisha changes English spellings of 64 places to match Odia phonetics

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

The Odisha government has officially changed the English spellings of 64 places, including major cities like Cuttack (now Kataka) and Balasore (now Baleshwar), to align with Odia phonetics. This move aims to preserve the state's linguistic and cultural identity by correcting colonial-era anglicised names and standardising official records.

Major Step For Indus Valley Civilisation Research

Major Step For Indus Valley Civilisation Research

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Human skeletal remains from the ancient Indus-Saraswati Civilisation site of Rakhigarhi in Haryana have been formally transferred by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) for detailed scientific investigation. This transfer, under a new MoU, aims to advance multidisciplinary research into one of the largest known settlements of the Indus-Saraswati Civilisation, with archaeologists having uncovered eight burials, including three complete skeletons, during recent excavations.

ALL You Want To Know About Maharashtra's SIR!

ALL You Want To Know About Maharashtra's SIR!

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

'The final electoral roll will be published on October 7, 2026.' 'If someone who is otherwise eligible does not find his/her name in that electoral roll, they can fill Form 6 along with other necessary documents to enrol his/her name in the electoral roll after the final publication of the electoral roll also.'

TMC crisis deepens, Mamata camp files fresh police complaints against rebels

TMC crisis deepens, Mamata camp files fresh police complaints against rebels

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

The Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress has filed fresh police complaints against dissident leader Ritabrata Banerjee and his associates. The complaints accuse the rebels of illegally using the party's name, symbol, and designations to mislead workers, marking a significant escalation in the month-long internal struggle following the assembly poll defeat.

Urban India likely to account for 70% of GDP in FY26

Urban India likely to account for 70% of GDP in FY26

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

India's urban areas are projected to contribute 70 per cent of gross domestic product in 2025-26, up from 45 per cent in the 1990s, according to a report by Dun & Bradstreet.

Stir erupts against Karnataka's AI city

Stir erupts against Karnataka's AI city

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

About 45 km from the tech hub of Bengaluru, the Karnataka government is planning a mega artificial intelligence (AI)-powered city with a budget of more than Rs 18,000 crore. To be spread over 9,000 acres, the project aims to follow the theme "Work, live, play" with technology as its core. At the centre of it are, however, thousands of farmers who are protesting against land acquisition by the government.

Will Your Kids Pay For Your Retirement?

Will Your Kids Pay For Your Retirement?

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Your children may always love you but should you expect them to to finance your retirement in today's economy?

Mumbai man dies after falling into open manhole; 4 officials suspended

Mumbai man dies after falling into open manhole; 4 officials suspended

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

A 55-year-old man died after falling into an open manhole in Mumbai during heavy rains, leading to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) suspending four officials and initiating a homicide case against the responsible contractor for alleged negligence.

'We Treat Retirement Like A Distant Destination'

'We Treat Retirement Like A Distant Destination'

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

If you have ever said 'I'll sort retirement later,' now is when 'later' begins.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella EV makes its India debut

Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella EV makes its India debut

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Toyota on January 20, 2026, officially entered India's mass electric vehicle segment with the maiden launch of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella in Mumbai.

Mumbai grinds to a halt as BEST strike pulls 2,700 buses off roads

Mumbai grinds to a halt as BEST strike pulls 2,700 buses off roads

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Employees of Mumbai's BEST undertaking have launched an indefinite strike, severely impacting public transport and electricity services. The strike, called by a joint action committee, demands budget merger with BMC, settlement of dues, and implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, among other issues. Despite court orders and MESMA invocation, the strike continues, causing widespread inconvenience to millions of commuters and electricity consumers.

Tender Scam Blows Lid Off Bihar Corruption

Tender Scam Blows Lid Off Bihar Corruption

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

'As the Bihar government's focus is on development and infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores, Rishu Sinha created a network to pay a decent commission to government officials for securing tenders.'

Centre To Release Funds To Bolster Mizoram's Power Sector

Centre To Release Funds To Bolster Mizoram's Power Sector

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the Centre's readiness to release Rs 6 crore to Mizoram to strengthen its power sector. The announcement came during a meeting with BJP leaders in Aizawl, where issues concerning Mizoram, including pending central funds and housing schemes, were discussed.

TMC meltdown continues as ex-minister, Siliguri mayor resign

TMC meltdown continues as ex-minister, Siliguri mayor resign

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a severe leadership crisis as former minister Jyoti Priya Mallick resigned from all party organisational posts citing health, and senior North Bengal leader Goutam Deb stepped down as mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, amidst widespread internal rifts and electoral setbacks.

Pune Grand Tour Set To Become World's Fourth Grand Tour With UCI Support

Pune Grand Tour Set To Become World's Fourth Grand Tour With UCI Support

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has pledged its full support to establish the Pune Grand Tour as the world's fourth Grand Tour, aiming to transform it into a leading global sports tourism destination. The UCI praised the event's quality, crowd discipline, and rapid execution, committing expertise for its long-term growth and grassroots cycling development in India.

EV Adoption Rises As West Asia Crisis Makes Fuel Costly

EV Adoption Rises As West Asia Crisis Makes Fuel Costly

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

Fuel prices have risen by about Rs 7.5 per litre since May 15, as global crude oil prices surged due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia and supply concerns around the Strait of Hormuz.

India's unemployment rate rises to six-month high of 5.2% in April

India's unemployment rate rises to six-month high of 5.2% in April

Rediff.com15 May 2026

India's unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 years and above reached a six-month peak of 5.2 per cent in April 2026, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data.

Maa Inti Bangaram: A Step Forward For Telugu Cinema

Maa Inti Bangaram: A Step Forward For Telugu Cinema

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

As a film, Maa Inti Bangaram frustrates; as a milestone for Telugu cinema's female-led stories, it deserves to be celebrated.