Latest news with #Chandigarh
Skift
20 hours ago
- Business
- Skift
Geopolitical Tensions and Low Season Drag India Hotel Occupancy Below 60%
The conflict with Pakistan might have led to the Indian hotel industry declining in May month-on-month, but it does not seem to have derailed the sector from its long-term ascent. The seasonal slowdown and tensions with Pakistan brought occupancy and revenue per available room (RevPAR) down for the hospitality industry in India in May. According to hospitality advisory firm HVS Anarock's latest data, RevPAR for hotels across India in May were down by over 20% as compared to April. Occupancy also declined month-over-month to 58-60% in May. This was also lower than the occupancy rate last May. The average room rates declined 10-12% compared to April, HVS data showed. HVS said, 'Occupancy trends in May 2025 revealed a noticeable year-on-year dip across most major markets, reflecting seasonal softening combined with geopolitical sentiment dampening travel demand. Chandigarh reported the sharpest decline... possibly due to the tensions between India and Pakistan.' Sector Still Remains Strong: Despite the slowdown in May, compared to the month before, the industry fared better than it did last year. The average room rates were 6-8% as compared to May 2024, while the RevPAR increased by 4-6% year-on-year. This indicates that the dip in occupancy was likely driven more by geopolitical tensions as the sector continued to perform better than last year despite seasonal slowdown typically seen during May. 'Average rates in May 2025 saw robust year-on-year growth, with double-digit gains in several cities,' HVS said in its report. 'Mumbai and New Delhi maintained their premium positioning, with average rates exceeding ₹10,000 ($117) and ₹8,500 ($99), respectively, while Jaipur and Hyderabad saw tremendous year-on-year growth.' Through May this year, hotel brands signed nearly 19,100 rooms, up 27% year-on-year. During the same period, over 5,300 branded keys have been opened for operations, an increase of 46% as compared to last year. Earlier this year, HVS Anarock said that its outlook for the Indian hotel industry is 'not just optimistic; it's electric.'
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
UT sees 63% drop in conviction time under new criminal laws
The Chandigarh Police has recorded a significant leap in the delivery of justice under the new criminal laws, with the average conviction time dropping from 300 days to just 110 days—a 63% improvement in trial pace. The milestone comes a year after the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) came into effect on July 1, 2024. Senior superintendent of police Kanwardeep Kaur said the drop in conviction timelines shows how technology, forensic integration and legal reforms are creating a system where justice is not just delivered—but delivered fast. (HT) Sharing a performance snapshot marking one year of the implementation, the Chandigarh Police showcased advancements in digitised policing, tech-driven investigations and streamlined case handling. According to police data, 3,154 FIRs were registered between July 1, 2024, and June 29, 2025, including 1,459 e-FIRs. Of 78 cases decided in court, 71 resulted in convictions, pushing the conviction rate under the new laws to 91.1%. Additionally, 758 chargesheets were filed during this period. The new legal framework mandates that charges be framed within 60 days, and judgments pronounced within 45 days of trial conclusion. Trials may also proceed in absentia if the accused fails to appear within 90 days of charge framing—measures designed to eliminate procedural delays. Chandigarh was the first UT/state to fully implement the new criminal laws and remains a model for integrated justice reforms nationwide. 'The drop in conviction timelines shows how technology, forensic integration, and legal reforms are creating a system where justice is not just delivered—but delivered fast,' said senior superintendent of police Kanwardeep Kaur. On the technology front, the e-Sakshya app has become widely used for recording visual evidence of search and seizure, linked directly with FIRs. These are stored on cloud servers, complete with geotagging and tamper-proof hash values. So far, 2,675 e-Sakshya files have been created. The Nyay Setu platform enables officers to access real-time case data across all pillars of the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS), including courts, prisons, forensic labs, hospitals, and prosecution departments, enhancing coordination. Chandigarh has also deployed CCTNS Khoji, an AI-based suspect recognition tool integrated with the national CCTNS database, leveraging biometric data and geo-tagging. The e-Prosecution module has facilitated the online submission of 1,513 chargesheets directly to prosecutors. Medical examinations have also gone digital, with 11,327 requests processed through the MedLEaPR platform. To bolster forensic support, five Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) teams now operate round the clock for serious cases. A QR code-based forensic evidence tracking system has also been launched to ensure transparency and integrity in chain of custody protocols.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Demanding creation of ‘National Commission for Men', bikers on 16,000-km journey
A group of bikers riding across 20 states on a 16,000-km mission stopped in Chandigarh on Monday with a singular demand: the creation of a National Commission for Men. The campaign, Ride for Men's Commission 2.0, aims to bring national attention to what they describe as growing neglect of men's issues, including mental health, rising male suicides, domestic violence, and the alleged misuse of gender-based laws. The bikers, led by internationally recognised riders Dr Amjadkhan Nadim Shaikh and Sandeep Pawaria, addressed the media at the Chandigarh Press Club. Their second edition of the awareness ride began on May 31 from Faridabad. Riding over 500 km daily, the team is halting in major cities to hold press conferences and public interactions. 'Rain, heat or storm — nothing can stop this mission,' said Dr Shaikh, underscoring the group's resolve despite monsoon disruptions. Pawaria added, 'A Men's Commission must be formed. All are equal, whether man or woman. Yet, men are being disrespected even within their families. This isn't confined to one state; it's a nationwide issue.' The movement is backed by over 40 NGOs across India. Rohit Dogra, a founding member of the Save India Family (Chandigarh chapter), stressed the urgency of institutional action. 'Cruelty against men is three times more than against women. There's a growing gender war in the country, and if the government doesn't act, it will only escalate,' he said. 'We're not against women. We are against gender-biased laws.' Quoting Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law, Dogra asked why men are excluded from its promise in practice. 'The government speaks of equality under Article 15, which prohibits gender-based discrimination, but there is none for men. Article 21 promises life and personal liberty, yet no one cares about men's life or liberty.' The campaign gained national attention following the Atul Subhash case, in which a man from Maharashtra died by suicide in April this year, allegedly after being falsely accused in a domestic violence case. Men's rights groups claim his case reflects the broader misuse of gender-specific laws and the lack of institutional mechanisms to support male victims. On April 19, members of the campaign held a protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, calling for urgent policy intervention and recognition of male abuse survivors. Among those supporting the ride is Shalini Ranyal, a biker and podcaster. 'Through my podcast and this ride, I stand equally for both men and women. Women have laws and NGOs; men have almost nothing. That needs to change,' she said. According to Ranyal, 80 to 90 men and women riders have joined the cause so far. The bikers have already travelled through Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Patna, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Goa. Their next stretch includes Jammu, Kargil, Leh, Manali, Shimla, and will conclude with their return to Delhi.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Manimajra's 24x7 water supply project hits turbulence; MC internal report, Chandigarh BJP chief flag major flaws
1 2 3 4 Chandigarh: What was once hailed as a flagship initiative under the 'Viksit Bharat' vision is now under intense scrutiny. The ambitious 24x7 water supply pilot project in Manimajra, inaugurated with much fanfare by Union home minister Amit Shah in Aug 2024, has hit turbulent waters. Amid growing concerns and political pressure, Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria is set to convene a high-level meeting to dissect the project's faltering progress. The move comes in the wake of a strongly worded letter from Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra to the Union home minister, expressing alarm over the project's execution. Sources confirm that the ministry of home affairs has since forwarded the letter to the UT Administrator, prompting urgent administrative attention. The project, spearheaded by Chandigarh Smart City Limited and executed through a Rajasthan-based agency, was envisioned to revolutionize water supply in Manimajra — transitioning from intermittent to round-the-clock pressurized water delivery, complete with smart metering and automated control systems. But the reality on the ground paints a starkly different picture. A confidential internal report by the Engineering Department of the Municipal Corporation has laid bare a series of alarming discrepancies: No zone in Manimajra has achieved 24x7 pressurized water supply; pressure reducing valves (PRVs) and variable frequency drive (VFD) pumping systems remain non-operational; major lapses in the construction of underground reservoirs, pumping stations, and the rollout of the SCADA automation system; and much-touted smart water meters are yet to be fully deployed. The project was awarded through an e-tender at a staggering Rs 165.86 crore, split into capital expenditure (capex) — Rs 74.56 crore — and operational expenditure (OPEX) — Rs 91.29 crore. Despite the scale of investment, the outcomes have been underwhelming — a fact that has not gone unnoticed by local leadership. Malhotra has reportedly warned that the project's failure is damaging the BJP's image and undermining the Prime Minister's development agenda. What's Next? With the spotlight now firmly on the project, the upcoming meeting chaired by Kataria is expected to be a turning point. Malhotra's letter to Shah In a letter to Amit Shah, Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra said, "In August 2024, a project was inaugurated by you, in the presence of administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, chief secretary Rajeev Verma, and other dignitaries, for 24-hour water supply with proper pressure for all floors. The funds amounting to Rs 75 crore were allocated for the project under the smart city mission. The reality of this project clearly reflects that the whole project has collapsed, and nobody is held accountable and responsible for this wastage of Rs 75 crore. Sir, on one side, taxes are being imposed on the public, and on the other, Rs 75 crore have been wasted. Certainly, there are policy lapses or a lack of accountability in the system of administration of UT Chandigarh. The media reports are causing grave damage to our reputation in public at large and are also not in tune with our visionary Prime Minister's dream of VIKSIT BHARAT: 2047. Your good self is thus humbly requested to intervene in the matter and call for a detailed inquiry report on the same."
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Doon residents demand urgent tree health survey after three die by tree collapse
Dehradun: At least three people lost their lives in the state capital this pre-monsoon season due to incidents of trees collapsing, despite environmental activists urging authorities for nearly a decade to conduct a comprehensive survey and health assessment of Dehradun's trees. "Last year, we learned that the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation had engaged the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in 2013 to conduct a tree census and health survey within their municipality limits. In June, we met the then municipal commissioner in Dehradun and proposed a similar initiative here," said Sanjeev Srivastava, eco-activist and member of Dehradun-based environmental organisation Citizens for Green Doon. Following appeals from environmentalists, the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) wrote to FRI in Aug last year, seeking a survey like Chandigarh's. Documents accessed by TOI, reveal that Chandigarh municipality had allocated Rs 44 lakh for their tree health survey. "FRI asked the corporation to provide details of areas requiring the survey so they could prepare a cost estimate. However, there's been no progress in the past year, and the project was never handed over to new officers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These £39.90 Sandals Are Selling Out in Porthcawl Today wellnesstodayonline Buy Now Undo The callousness on the part of civic agencies is baffling. They don't act on time, and when unfortunate accidents happen, authorities often use it as an excuse to fell trees indiscriminately. Had a scientific health check been conducted, these incidents might have been prevented. We have FRI's services available right here in the city, yet it's not being utilised," said Srivastava. Environmentalists have renewed calls for a scientific tree health assessment. They also blame the concretisation around tree bases for weakening their stability. Meanwhile, DMC officials said they have written to the Chandigarh corporation to understand the details of their agreement with FRI. "We are also in talks with FRI to conduct this exercise pro bono, and we have a meeting scheduled with them in the first week of July," said municipal commissioner Namami Bansal.
