Image Source: ANI

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said women-led startups and self-help groups in Delhi may soon get loans of up to ?10 crore without giving any property or security to banks. She said the Delhi government will take responsibility as guarantor for these loans.

She shared that the main aim of the plan is to help more women start small businesses and earn on their own.

The Delhi government is also preparing spaces in malls and big shopping centres where women groups can sell handmade products to more customers across the city.

Gupta spoke about the plan during the “Mega Self Help Group (SHG) Mela-2026” in Rohini. She said the event was organised to help local products reach more people and support women working in small businesses. The mela was linked to schemes like “Vocal for Local”, “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, and “One District, One Product”, started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Nearly 24 self-help groups joined the fair with different handmade goods such as khadi clothes, crochet items, handicrafts, food products, and daily-use items. Handmade products from North-West Delhi were also displayed under the “One District, One Product” program.

Gupta said many Indian handmade items match foreign products in quality, but local sellers need stronger promotion and better branding. She requested people to support Indian-made goods more often.

She also spoke about saving fuel and using public transport. Campaigns like “Monday Metro” and “No Vehicle Day” are being promoted by the Delhi government to reduce vehicle use.

Gupta said simple daily habits from the public can help the country and support local businesses at the same time.

Delhi-NCR may soon see a major change in public transport as the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has approved a step-by-step plan for electric auto-rickshaws.

Under the new order, fresh registration of L5 category three-wheelers will be limited to electric models in the coming years. Delhi will begin this system from January 1, 2027. After that, Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar will follow from January 1, 2028. The remaining NCR areas will start from January 1, 2029.

The pollution control body said the move aims to reduce dirty air caused by vehicles across the region. It has also announced strict action against vehicles running without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).

Starting October 1, 2026, fuel stations across NCR may stop giving petrol or diesel to vehicles that do not carry a valid PUCC. Authorities plan to track such vehicles through ANPR cameras and other digital systems placed at fuel stations.

Special relief may still be given during emergency cases like ambulance work, disaster help, police duty, or other urgent situations cleared by Delhi or nearby state governments.

CAQM has also asked officials in Delhi and NCR areas to quickly set up camera-based checking systems for smooth action and regular monitoring.

A few days ago, the panel also removed Stage-I limits under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after air quality got better in Delhi-NCR. Reports shared by IMD and IITM said the AQI may remain between satisfactory and moderate levels over the next few days.

Delhi has started running its first bus powered by hydrogen fuel in the Central Vista zone. The service began on May 15 under DMRC. The step came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about cutting fuel use during global uncertainty.

The shuttle bus will help metro passengers travel between Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth stations. The main focus is to reduce pollution and support cleaner public transport in the capital.

The vehicle was made by Tata Motors and later handed over to DMRC by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).IOCL introduced the bus in 2023 as part of a testing project for hydrogen-based public transport.

The vehicle runs using a hydrogen-based fuel cell system. It is equipped with a 350 bar hydrogen tank and a 70 kW fuel cell unit for power. Various modern safety systems have been added, such as electronic braking, balance control, smart monitoring and digital maintenance support.

It is 12 meters long and has a capacity of 35 passengers.

Its route will cover many important places in central Delhi, such as:

• Kartavya Bhawan
• Vigyan Bhawan
• Nirman Bhawan
• Akbar Road
• Baroda House
• National Stadium
• National Gallery of Modern Art
• India Gate
• Seva Teerth Metro Station

Hydrogen buses are seen as cleaner than CNG buses because they do not release harmful smoke into the air. Still, bringing large numbers of hydrogen buses to city roads may take more time because the fuel system is costly and needs special fuel stations.

At present, CNG buses remain the easier choice for regular city transport. The hydrogen bus service is mainly being used as a trial to check how this fuel can work in the future.