Dense fog and poor visibility triggered multiple vehicle collisions on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Haryana’s Nuh district, killing two people and injuring several others.
Dense fog and sharply reduced visibility led to multiple vehicle collisions on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Haryana’s Nuh district on Monday, leaving two people dead and several others injured.
The accident was reported as large parts of north India grappled with hazardous weather conditions marked by thick fog and severe air pollution.
Several vehicles were involved in collisions at different points along the stretch, triggering traffic disruption and chaos on the high-speed corridor.
Emergency response teams rushed to the spot, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Widespread other fog-related disruptions were also reported across the National Capital Region and neighbouring areas, as weather conditions deteriorated significantly.
The foggy conditions coincided with severe air pollution in Delhi, where the city remained shrouded in a thick blanket of smog.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) on Monday settled at 498, placing it in the higher spectrum of the ‘severe’ category, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
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Air quality was recorded as ‘severe’ at 38 monitoring stations across the capital, while it was ‘very poor’ at two stations. Jahangirpuri recorded the worst air quality among the 40 stations monitored, with an AQI of 498.
On Sunday, the AQI had climbed to 461, marking Delhi’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record.
The CPCB classifies AQI levels between 401 and 500 as ‘severe’.
According to officials, weak winds and low temperatures have contributed to pollutants remaining trapped close to the surface, worsening both air quality and visibility.
Dense fog also severely impacted air travel, with over 60 flights cancelled and five diverted at Delhi airport on Monday due to poor visibility, according to news agency PTI.
More than 250 flights were delayed, adding to passenger inconvenience.
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said flight operations continued to be impacted and that its on-ground teams were working with stakeholders to assist passengers across terminals.
Meanwhile, traffic authorities in the region last week issued advisories to mitigate the risk of accidents during foggy conditions.
The Gautam Buddha Nagar Traffic Police have reduced speed limits on major roads and expressways, including the Yamuna Expressway and the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, for the winter period, appealing to motorists to strictly adhere to the revised limits in the interest of road safety.
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Newsindia 2 Dead, Many Injured In Multi-Vehicle Collision Due To Dense Fog On Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
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It is one of the few places in the country where a railway line cuts across a busy national highway at ground level, bringing traffic to a complete halt whenever a train passes.
Since there is no alternate railway alignment available from the factory to the main rail network, the goods train has to cross NH-66 directly. Image: Canva
In most parts of India, railway tracks and national highways are carefully separated. Where they do meet, there are usually underpasses, flyovers, or railway overbridges to keep road traffic moving.
But in Mangaluru, one stretch of National Highway-66 breaks this rule in an unusual way. Here, trains do not pass beside the highway or above it. Instead, they run straight through the middle of the road.
This rare crossing is located in Panambur, an industrial area along the NH-66 corridor that connects Mangaluru to Udupi. It is one of the few places in the country where a functioning railway line cuts across a busy national highway at ground level, bringing traffic to a complete halt whenever a train passes.
Why the Highway Is Cut by a Railway Line
The railway crossing exists primarily to serve Paradeep Phosphates Limited, a major fertiliser and chemical manufacturing unit located in Panambur. The factory relies on rail transport to move fertilisers and chemicals to various parts of South India.
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Since there is no alternate railway alignment available from the factory to the main rail network, the goods train has to cross NH-66 directly.
Unlike passenger trains that operate on fixed schedules, these goods trains run only when there is a requirement to transport materials. This makes the crossing highly irregular, with trains passing through the highway only three or four days a week.
Complete Highway Closure During Train Movement
Whenever the goods train approaches the crossing, traffic on NH-66 is stopped completely. Barriers are lowered, vehicles are held on both sides, and the train moves slowly across the highway. The entire process usually takes no more than five minutes.
Because the train passes infrequently and the stoppage is brief, the closure has not triggered major public protests so far. Most commuters are aware of the crossing and accept the short delay as part of the local traffic pattern. However, the sudden halts can still catch motorists off guard, especially those unfamiliar with the area.
No Fixed Timing Adds to Uncertainty
One of the challenges with this crossing is the absence of a fixed schedule. The goods train can pass during the day or in the middle of the night, depending on operational needs. This unpredictability means that drivers cannot plan around the crossing in advance.
For long-distance travellers using NH-66, the unexpected halt can be frustrating, even if it lasts only a few minutes. Local residents say that while the delay is minor, the lack of information makes the crossing feel more disruptive than it actually is.
Ambulances and Emergency Vehicles Face Difficulties
While regular motorists may tolerate a five-minute stop, the situation becomes more complicated for emergency vehicles. Ambulances transporting patients have reportedly been forced to wait when the train crosses, leading to concerns about delays in medical emergencies.
Local voices have pointed out that even a short stoppage can have serious consequences when time is critical. This has renewed discussions about whether the current arrangement is sustainable in the long term, especially as traffic on NH-66 continues to increase.
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Calls for an Overbridge or Underpass
Given the unique nature of the crossing, there is growing opinion that an engineering solution is needed. Many believe that constructing a railway overbridge or an underpass would eliminate the need to stop highway traffic altogether.
However, such infrastructure projects involve significant cost, land acquisition, and coordination between multiple agencies. Until a permanent solution is implemented, the goods train crossing remains an accepted but unusual feature of Mangaluru’s transport landscape.
Railway crossings on national highways are uncommon, and at-grade crossings on busy corridors like NH-66 are even rarer. Panambur’s crossing stands out as an exception shaped by industrial logistics rather than urban planning.
For now, the sight of a train cutting through the middle of a national highway remains a curiosity for many and a reminder of how industrial needs and transport networks sometimes intersect in unexpected ways.
Newsindia This Train In Karnataka Cuts Right Through NH-66 And Stops All Traffic
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2026 Polls: BJP Appoints Piyush Goyal As In-Charge For Tamil Nadu, Baijayant Panda For Assam
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday appointed Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry as the Election Incharge for Tamil Nadu, while BJP MP Baijayant Panda takes charge of the state of Assam. Both states will go to the polls in 2026.
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (IC) for Law & Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Muralidhar Mohol, Minister of State Civil Aviation & Co-operations have been appointed as the Election Co-Incharge, for the forthcoming Tamil Nadu 2026 Assembly elections, while Sunil Kumar Sharma, MLA, Leader of Opposition, Jammu & Kashmir Assembly and Darshana Ben Jardosh, Former Union Minister, are co-incharge of Assam.
Meanwhile, a day after being appointed as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national working president, Bihar minister Nitin Nabin on Monday paid tribute to his father, veteran BJP leader and former MLA Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha, in Patna.
Speaking to reporters, he said the party leadership had consistently guided workers and that he was beginning the journey ahead with his father’s blessings. He also visited the Mahavir Mandir here to offer his prayers. State BJP chief and Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal accompanied him during his visit to the temple.
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“…I have come to pay tribute to my father. I also had the darshan at Mahavir Mandir, which fills us with energy. It is with the blessings of my father that I could reach where I am in these 20 years. I will begin the journey ahead with the blessings of my father," Nabin said.
Recalling the philosophy of his father and the BJP, the 45-year-old said, “They say to always keep your country first and yourself second, and we have tried our best to work with that mindset…"
“I am going to the temple to seek the blessings of the Almighty… The party has always entrusted the party workers with responsibilities and motivated them to work harder. I will strive to stand up to the expectations of the party leadership…" Nabin said. Nabin, a five-time MLA, will take formal charge as the BJP’s National Working President at the BJP headquarters later today.
Newsindia 2026 Polls: BJP Appoints Piyush Goyal As In-Charge For Tamil Nadu, Baijayant Panda For Assam
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‘Women Are Only For Sleeping With Husbands’: Kerala CPM Leader’s Victory Speech Sparks Outrage
CPM Leader Draws Flak After Saying ‘Women Are Only for Sleeping With Husbands’
A CPM regional leader’s victory speech in Malappuram district has triggered strong criticism after he made misogynistic remarks while addressing supporters. Saed Ali Majeed won the Thennela Panchayat ward by a narrow margin of 47 votes, but his comments have overshadowed the result.
Majeed secured 666 votes, defeating his rival from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). He had earlier resigned as CPM local secretary and contested the election as an independent candidate.
During his victory speech, Majeed made comments that were widely criticised as insulting to women. He said women who come into families through marriage should not be brought before strangers for votes or used to defeat him politically. He also implied that women were meant only to stay or sleep with their husbands, according to a TOI report.
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The remarks quickly spread on social media, drawing anger from women’s groups and political observers, who said such statements have no place in public life.
Comments on women’s league leader
Majeed also referred to a recent video released by the president of the Women’s League, the women’s wing of the IUML. He said that people entering politics should be prepared to face criticism, adding that even respected religious figures are spoken about in political debates.
He went on to say that only those with the courage to listen to criticism should enter politics, while others should remain at home as housewives. This statement further fuelled accusations of sexism and disrespect towards women.
So far, there has been no official response from the CPM leadership regarding the remarks.
Newsindia ‘Women Are Only For Sleeping With Husbands’: Kerala CPM Leader’s Victory Speech Sparks Outrage
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News18 Afternoon Digest: Fog Hits Flight Ops Across North India, Luthra Brothers May Land In Delhi Tomorrow & Other Top Stories
Dense Fog Disrupts Flights at Delhi Airport. (Representative Image)
In today’s afternoon digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on dense fog disrupting air travel and rail services across North India, Lutha brothers’ deportation from Thailand and other top stories.
light operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were affected on Monday morning as dense fog and smog reduced visibility across the National Capital Region. Several flights faced minor delays, some were also cancelled as airlines adjusted their schedules to ensure passenger safety. The fog has affected over 300lights at Delhi Airport including 40 cancellations and 4 diversions. Read more
Several videos have emerged showing the horrific shooting that unfolded during Hanukkah celebrations at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, capturing the final minutes of the attack that left 16 people dead and plunged Australia into mourning. Read more
The Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, are likely to be deported to India and land in Delhi as early as tomorrow, sources told CNN-News18. A Goa Police team is expected to reach Bangkok later tonight, while Indian authorities have already furnished all requisite documents, including Emergency Certificates (ECs), to Thai authorities. Read more
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to file its chargesheet on Monday in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case, marking a crucial milestone in the probe into the strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, sources familiar with the investigation said. Read more
The government is set to introduce a Bill in Parliament to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment to rural households every year. Read more
The fourth T20I of the ongoing five-match series between India and South Africa will be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday (December 17). For the match in Lucknow, Indian team management could make as many as three changes to the playing XI. India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill, who is horribly out of form these days, is likely to be left out of the playing XI, and in his place wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson could get a chance. Read more
Television actor Anuj Sachdeva has alleged that he was physically assaulted by a fellow resident at his housing society in Goregaon, Mumbai, and shared video footage of the incident on social media. The actor posted the clip on Instagram on Sunday evening, December 14, stating that he was attacked following an argument linked to parking and a complaint involving his dog. Read more
Newsindia News18 Afternoon Digest: Fog Hits Flight Ops Across North India, Luthra Brothers May Land In Delhi Tomorrow & Other Top Stories
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Govt To Introduce New Rural Jobs Bill: What It Is And What The Rules Say | FAQs Answered
Dubbed a “major overhaul”, the new Bill establishes a modern statutory framework aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047, guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment per rural household
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The new VB-G RAM G Bill will replace MGNREGA, raising guaranteed rural wage employment from 100 to 125 days per household, focusing on durable infrastructure, digital governance, and stricter oversight to address past inefficiencies and misuse.
MGNREGA is a demand-driven wage employment scheme and fund release is a continuous process, as per official records. (PTI)
The Union government will on Tuesday introduce a Bill in Parliament—the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB—G RAM G (विकवित भारत—जी राम जी) Bill, 2025—to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) that provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment to rural households every year.
Sources said the Bill is aimed at establishing a “rural development framework aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, by providing a statutory guarantee of one hundred and twenty-five days of wage employment in every financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work; to promote empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation for a prosperous and resilient rural Bharat".
So, what does the Bill entail and how will it be different from MGNREGA? Here are all your questions answered:
What Is The New Bill?
Dubbed a “major overhaul" of the 20-year-old MGNREGA, the new Bill establishes a modern statutory framework aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047, guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment per rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
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The Act aims to create both employment and durable rural infrastructure through four priority verticals:
o Water security through water-related works
o Core-rural infrastructure
o Livelihood- related infrastructure
o Special works to mitigate extreme weather events
All assets created are aggregated into the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, ensuring a unified, coordinated national development strategy.
How Is The New Act Different From MGNREGA? What Makes It Better?
The new Act represents a major upgrade over MGNREGA, fixing structural weaknesses while enhancing employment, transparency, planning, and accountability.
Key improvements include:
o Higher Employment Guarantee: Guarantee increases from 100 → 125 days, giving rural households higher income security.
o Strategic Infrastructure Focus: MGNREGA works were scattered across many categories without a robust national strategy. The new Act focuses on 4 major types of works ensuring durable assets that directly support water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure creation and climate adaptation
o Localised, Spatially Integrated Planning: The new Act mandates Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, prepared by panchayats themselves and integrated with national spatial systems like PM Gati-Shakti.
How Will The New Scheme Benefit The Rural Economy?
The Act strengthens the rural economy through productive asset creation, higher incomes, and better resilience:
o Water Security: Water-related works are prioritised. Mission Amrit Sarovar already created/rejuvenated 68,000+ water bodies, demonstrating clear agricultural and groundwater impact.
o Core Rural Infrastructure: Roads, connectivity and foundational infrastructure boost market access and rural business activity.
o Livelihood Infrastructure: Storage, markets, and production assets support income diversification.
o Climate Resilience: Infrastructure for water harvesting, flood drainage, and soil conservation protects rural livelihoods.
o Higher Employment & Consumption: 125 guaranteed days increase household earnings, stimulating the village economy.
o Reduced Distress Migration: With more rural opportunities and durable assets, migration pressures fall.
o Digital Formalisation: Digital attendance, digital payments and data-driven planning increase efficiency.
How Will The New Scheme Benefit Farmers?
Farmers benefit directly through both labour availability and better agricultural infrastructure.
o Guaranteed Labour Availability: States may notify periods aggregating up to 60 days during peak sowing/harvesting when MGNREGA work stops. This prevents labour shortages during critical farm operations and avoids labour being diverted away to guaranteed-wage worksites.
o Preventing Wage Inflation: Stopping public works during peaks prevents artificial wage inflation that raises food production costs.
o Water & Irrigation Assets: Prioritised water works improve irrigation, groundwater and multi-season cropping potential (supported by the 68,000+ Amrit Sarovar water bodies achievement).
o Better Connectivity & Storage: Core and livelihood infrastructure helps farmers store produce, reduce losses, and access markets.
o Climate Resilience: Flood-drainage, water harvesting and soil conservation protect crops and reduce damage.
How Will The New Scheme Benefit Labourers?
Labourers gain from higher guaranteed days, better wages, strong protections, and transparent systems.
o Higher Income: 125 guaranteed days = 25% more potential earnings.
o Predictable Work: Hyperlocal Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans ensure planned, advance-mapped work availability.
o Digital Payments & Protection: Electronic wages (already 99.94% in 2024-25) continue with full biometric and Aadhaar-based verification, eliminating wage theft.
o Unemployment Allowance: If work is not given, states must pay unemployment allowance.
o Asset Creation Benefits Workers Too: Workers build and benefit from improved roads, water, and livelihood assets.
Why Is There A Need To Change MGNREGA Now?
o MGNREGA was built for 2005, but rural India has transformed.
o Poverty fell sharply from 25.7% (2011–12) to 4.86% (2023–24), supported by rising consumption, incomes and financial access recorded in MPCE and NABARD RECSS surveys.
o With stronger social protection, better connectivity, deeper digital access and more diverse rural livelihoods, the old framework no longer matched today’s rural economy.
o Given this structural change, MGNREGA’s open-ended model had become outdated.
o The Bill modernises the system, raising guaranteed days, refocusing priorities, and building a more accountable, targeted, and relevant employment framework for today’s rural economy.
Why Shift From Demand-Based To Normative Funding?
o Normative funding aligns MGNREGA with the budgeting model used for most Government of India schemes, without reducing the employment guarantee.
o A demand-based model leads to unpredictable allocations and mismatched budgeting. Normative funding uses objective parameters, ensuring predictable, rational planning while still guaranteeing that every eligible worker receives employment or unemployment allowance.
Does Normative Funding Weaken The Guarantee Of 125 Days?
No, the guarantee is strengthened with employment days increased to 125.
o Forecasting accuracy shown by FY 2024-25 when allocation matched demand perfectly
o States + Centre share responsibility
o Special relaxations allowed during disasters
o If work is not provided, unemployment allowance is mandatory
o Thus the right to guaranteed employment remains legally protected.
Were No Attempts Made To Improve MNREGA Earlier?
Major improvements were made, but they could not overcome deeper structural problems.
Key gains (FY 13-14 vis a vis FY 2025-26):
o Women’s participation: 48% → 56.74%
o Aadhaar-seeded active workers: 76 lakhs → 12.11crore
o Workers on APBS: 0 → 11.93crore
o Geo-tagged assets: 0 → 6.44 crore+
o e-payments: 37% → 99.99%
o Individual assets: 17.6% → 62.96%
Despite these advances, misappropriation continued, digital attendance was bypassed, and assets often failed to match expenditure.
The scale and persistence of these issues showed that MNREGA’s architecture had reached its limits, making a new, modernised Bill necessary.
What Were The Problems With MGNREGA That Necessitated A Change?
While many attempts were made to improve its functioning, major systemic failures persisted:
o Investigations in 19 districts of West Bengal found non-existent works, rule violations, and fund misuse, leading to a freeze.
o Monitoring across 23 states in FY 2025–26 revealed works “not found or not commensurate with expenditure," machine use where labour was required, and large-scale bypassing of NMMS attendance.
o In 2024–25, misappropriation totalled ₹193.67 crore across states. Only 7.61% of households completed 100 days in the post-pandemic period.
o These entrenched issues such as leakages, weak verification, and poor compliance required a new framework, not minor tweaks. The GRG Act creates a clean, digitally governed, accountable, and infrastructure-focused system.
What Transparency And Social Protection Measures Are Built Into New Act?
o AI-based fraud detection
o Central + State Steering Committees for oversight
o Focus on 4 key verticals for rural development
o Enhanced monitoring role for Panchayats
o GPS/mobile-based monitoring
o real-time MIS dashboards
o weekly public disclosures
o stronger social audits (twice a year for every GP)
Why Shift From A Central Sector To A Centrally Sponsored Scheme?
Because rural employment is inherently local.
o States now share cost & responsibility
o Better incentives to prevent misuse
o Plans tailored to regional conditions through Gram Panchayat Plans
o Centre retains standards, while states execute with accountability
o This partnership model improves efficiency and reduces misuse.
Will This Burden States Financially?
No. The structure is balanced and sensitive to state capacity.
o Standard ratio: 60:40 (Centre: State)
o North-east & Himalayan states/UT: 90:10
o UTs without legislature: 100% funded by Central Funds
o States already paid 25% materials & 50% admin earlier
o Predictable normative allocation aids budgeting
o States can request extra support during disasters
o Better oversight reduces long-term losses from misappropriation
Why Is A 60-Day No-Work Period Mandated, And What Happens To Workers Then?
o It ensures labour availability during sowing/harvest
o Prevents sharp wage inflation that raises food prices
o Workers naturally shift to agriculture, which pays higher seasonal wages
Newsindia Govt To Introduce New Rural Jobs Bill: What It Is And What The Rules Say | FAQs Answered
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