NEW DELHI: The record-breaking vehicle sales in the city in 2025 come with a warning — the growth is overwhelmingly driven by private vehicles, not public or shared transport.Of the 8,16,051 new registrations, around 7.2 lakh were private vehicles, highlighting that most buyers added personal vehicles rather than choosing public transport. About 75% of these vehicles run on petrol, including 3.89 lakh petrol-only and 1.99 lakh petrol/ethanol vehicles.

Amit Bhatt, India managing director at International Council for Clean Transportation, said, “While we were able to minimise diesel, petrol is still there and the EV push needs to be strengthened. This heavy reliance on personal petrol vehicles also suggests that while overall sales are rising, Delhi’s congestion and pollution challenges are likely to worsen rather than improve.”“More vehicles on the road, regardless of fuel type, inevitably increase congestion. However, internal combustion engine vehicles also place additional pressure on air quality. The sheer rise in overall vehicle registrations indicates that public transport systems are still not attractive or reliable enough for people to leave their private vehicles at home or avoid purchasing new ones,” he said.Anil Chhikara, faculty at Asian Institute of Transport Development, said, “With the govt mandating ethanol blending, most new petrol vehicles sold today are ethanol-compatible by default, which means that a large number of people are still using petrol.”“So petrol and petrol–ethanol should be read as 1 category. Buyers are not making a separate decision; they are complying with norms,” he said. “There is a need to give a better push to EV policy.”Even though electric and CNG vehicles are increasing, their share remains small compared to petrol-powered private vehicles. A month-wise break-up shows relatively stable sales between Jan and Sept, mostly in the 50,000-70,000 range. The standout month was Oct when registrations spiked to 1.14 lakh vehicles, followed by a strong Nov at 88,804. Officials and experts attributed this surge to the festive season, year-end discounts, new model launches, GST cuts and easier financing. Oct–Nov alone contributed over a quarter of the annual sales.Motorcycles and scooters dominate Delhi’s vehicle landscape, accounting for over 5.31 lakh registrations, or nearly two-thirds of total sales. Four-wheelers, including cars and SUVs, followed at 1.9 lakh, reflecting rising aspirations and greater affordability among middle-class households. Electric rickshaws (44,362) and goods carriers also saw notable numbers, pointing to growth in last-mile mobility and urban logistics. In contrast, sales of buses (2,810) and maxi cabs (174) remained marginal. Electric mobility continues to gain ground but remains secondary to petrol. Diesel’s decline reflects regulatory pressure, age caps on diesel vehicles in the NCR and growing consumer reluctance amid pollution concerns. Hybrids, while emerging, remained niche.So why did 2025 break all records? Economists and transport planners cite rising household purchasing power, easier access to auto loans, and aggressive festive discounts as key drivers. First-time buyers and upgraders alike entered the market, especially in two-wheelers and compact cars. “Another factor is the post-Covid shift away from shared mobility. Health concerns and reliability issues pushed many commuters towards private vehicles, a trend that did not fully reverse,” said Bhatt.Chikara argued that equally significant was the inadequate pull of public transport. Despite metro expansion, last-mile connectivity remained limited, prompting commuters to invest in second or even third vehicles, he said. Delhi’s 2025 vehicle boom, therefore, reflects economic confidence but also underscores the need for stronger public transport, cleaner mobility policies and congestion management if the city is to avoid paying a high environmental price for a record-breaking year.

Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ continues its phenomenal run, crossing THIS amount on its 28th day. Meanwhile, Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s rom-com ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ has faltered, earning less than Rs 30 crore by its eighth day, failing to gain traction despite the Christmas holiday.

Aditya Dhar‘s espionage thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ is showing no signs of slowing down at the box office since its release in cinemas. With every passing day, the movie has been breaking records one after another. Today is the 28th day since the film arrived in theaters, and it is still doing way better at the box office than the recently released ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’, starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday. The film has crossed Rs 728 crore at the box office on its fourth Thursday.Dhurandhar Movie ReviewOn the other hand, Kartik and Ananya’s ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ has fallen flat at the box office. The movie has been earning in single digits since its release in theaters on December 25, 2025. The Christmas holiday didn’t help the rom-com to gain momentum. On its eighth day since the release, the film has not yet crossed the 30 crore mark at the box office.

Let’s take a look at the box office numbers of both films.

‘Dhurandhar’ box office collection day 28 vs ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ day 8

The Ranveer Singh-led film is in its fourth week since release. According to the Sacnilk report, the movie has raked in Rs 5.12 crore at the box office on its 28th day (fourth Thursday) since the release. With this, the total collection of the spy action drama in India stands at Rs 728.37 crore.Meanwhile, Kartik and Ananya’s film has managed to earn Rs 0.39 crore on its eighth day since the release. As per the report, the total collection of the romantic comedy is now Rs 29.24 crore.

Day-wise collection of ‘Dhurandhar’

Week 1 Collection: Rs 207.25 crore Week 2 Collection: Rs 253.25 croreWeek 3 Collection: Rs 172 croreDay 22 [4th Friday]: Rs 15 croreDay 23 [4th Saturday]: Rs 20.5 croreDay 24 [4th Sunday]: Rs 22.5 croreDay 25 [4th Monday]: Rs 10.5 croreDay 26 [4th Tuesday]: Rs 11.25 croreDay 27 [4th Wednesday]: Rs 11 croreDay 28 [4th Thursday]: Rs 5.12 crore

Day-wise collection of ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’

Day 1 [1st Thursday]: Rs 7.75 croreDay 2 [1st Friday]: Rs 5.25 croreDay 3 [1st Saturday]: Rs 5.5 croreDay 4 [1st Sunday]: Rs 5 croreDay 5 [1st Monday]: Rs 1.75 croreDay 6 [1st Tuesday]: Rs 1.75 croreDay 7 [1st Wednesday]: Rs 1.85 croreDay 8 [1st Thursday]: Rs 0.39 croreTotal: Rs 29.24 croreThe numbers change as the day progresses.

DISCLAIMER: The box office numbers in this article are compiled from our proprietary sources and diverse public data. While we strive for accuracy, all figures are approximate unless explicitly mentioned, offering a fair representation of the project’s box office performance. We are open to feedback and suggestions on toientertainment@timesinternet.in.

Amazon is giving its India-based employees a temporary remote work pass until early March due to visa processing snags. But, there are strict rules: no coding, no big strategy talks, and definitely no chatting with customers. This shows how big tech companies are really feeling the pinch from H-1B visa backlogs, messing with their work and how much gets done.

Amazon is allowing employees stranded in India due to visa processing delays to work remotely until early March, marking a rare exception to CEO Andy Jassy’s strict five-day return-to-office policy that took effect in January 2025. The company informed affected workers through an internal memo that those in India as of December 13 and awaiting rescheduled visa appointments can work remotely until March 2, according to Business Insider, which obtained the document. However, the arrangement comes with significant restrictions: employees cannot code, make strategic decisions, or interact with customers.The move highlights how the Trump administration’s rapid changes to the H-1B visa program are forcing major tech companies to adapt their policies. New requirements mandating consular officers to review visa applicants’ social media posts before approval have created substantial processing delays, with some US embassies and consulates rescheduling appointments as far out as 2027.

Strict limitations apply to remote work arrangement

The temporary remote work permission includes extensive constraints that limit what employees can actually accomplish. Workers are barred from any coding activities, including troubleshooting and testing, and cannot work from or visit Amazon buildings. They also cannot negotiate contracts, make hiring decisions, or perform activities related to managing customer, partner, or vendor relationships.“All reviews, final decision making, and sign offs should be undertaken outside India,” the memo states, adding that “in compliance with local laws, there are no exceptions to these restrictions.”For technical employees whose roles center on coding and development, the limitations raise questions about productivity. One Amazon software engineer told Business Insider that 70-80% of their job involves coding, testing, deploying, and documentation—all prohibited under the remote work terms.

Amazon among largest H-1B program users facing delays

The visa delays pose particular challenges for Amazon, which filed 14,783 certified H-1B applications during the 2024 fiscal year, making it among the largest users of the program. The situation has prompted Google, Apple, Microsoft, and other tech companies to issue travel advisories warning US employees with visas to avoid international travel.Amazon’s normal policy allows employees traveling abroad for visa renewals to work remotely for up to 20 business days, but the memo doesn’t address employees whose appointments extend beyond March 2 or those stranded in other countries.

INDORE: A probe into the water contamination incident in Bhagirathpura, Indore, has exposed severe lapses in the city’s water supply system, with the death toll reaching seven on Wednesday and 162 patients undergoing treatment across 27 hospitals, both government and private.Indore draws its water from the Narmada river, sourced from Jalud in Khargone district, about 80 km away, through pipelines. key lapses:

Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav said a leakage was detected in the main water supply pipeline in Bhagirathpura, above which a toilet had been constructed, leading to possible contamination of drinking water.Dileep said, “We found that the illness was spread across the area, thus suspected that the contamination was near the main line, before it branched. The contamination point was identified near Bhagirathpura police check post, where a newly-constructed toilet was dumping waste in a pit instead of a proper septic tank. The pit was directly above the water supply line, which had a joint. We found that the joint was also loose. It was repaired.”The IMC is now flushing the water pipeline and has advised residents to avoid using the water until Friday. Around 60–70 water tankers have been deployed to supply drinking water in the area. Additionally, ASHA workers are conducting door-to-door surveys to monitor new cases.Confusion, however, persists over the exact number of fatalities. While city mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava stated that seven people had died, chief minister Mohan Yadav, speaking at a press conference after visiting patients in multiple hospitals, put the toll at four. “As of now, the number of deaths recorded is four. Patients have been admitted to different hospitals. Government has a system of collecting records. We have initiated a probe and the final figure would be clear once the report is filed,” the CM said. He added, “But why should even one person die? The episode has left us hurt and saddened.” Yadav visited Verma Hospital, Beema Hospital, DNS, MY Hospital, and Shalby Hospital during his tour.The health department has officially reported three deaths, but Mayor Bhargava said, “According to my information, seven persons have died after falling ill in Bhagirathpura area.” Verma Hospital officials confirmed that 162 patients are currently admitted across 27 hospitals.The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, hearing a public interest litigation filed by Indore High Court Bar Association president Ritesh Inani, directed the local municipal corporation and state government to ensure an immediate supply of clean drinking water. The court also mandated free treatment for residents suffering from vomiting and diarrhea and ordered both authorities to submit a detailed status report by January 2, including the number of affected residents, hospital admissions, and the medical care being provided.The incident highlights serious lapses in sanitation and water safety management, with both the civic body and state authorities facing scrutiny as families demand accountability for the preventable deaths caused by contaminated water.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (PTI photo)

The CIA has turned down Moscow’s claim that Ukraine tried to attack Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s residence earlier this week. US officials said CIA director John Ratcliffe briefed President Donald Trump on the assessment on Wednesday.Russia had publicly accused Ukraine of trying to strike Putin’s home on Monday, and Trump told reporters that Putin mentioned it to him during a phone call. Trump said he was troubled by the claim and seemed to accept it at first, even though Ukraine strongly denied any involvement.

“I don’t like it. It’s not good,” Trump said, adding that he was “very angry” when he heard about the alleged attack.Russia used the accusation to warn that it might take a tougher position in peace talks, even though it has not provided clear evidence of the supposed drone strike. Moscow claimed the target was Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, a rural area.But the US intelligence assessment matches Ukraine’s position. In a social media post, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russia’s claim “a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine, including Kyiv, as well as Russia’s own refusal to take necessary steps to end the war.”On Monday, even though Trump said he was upset about the reported attack, he admitted he had no confirmation and said it was “possible” it never happened.“It’s a delicate period of time,” he said. “This is not the right time. It’s one thing to be offensive because they’re offensive. It’s another thing to attack his house.”This episode came shortly after Trump hosted Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy at his private club Mar-a-Lago in Florida. While they appeared positive after the meeting, they made little progress on major issues such as security guarantees for Ukraine and Russia’s demand that Ukraine cede territory.Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Wednesday that he and other senior officials spoke with Rustem Umerov and several European national security officials about efforts to end the war.“We focused on how to move the discussions forward in a practical way on behalf of @POTUS’ peace process, including strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not restart,” he wrote on social media.

Sarfaraz Khan (Image credit: X)

JAIPUR: For months now, Sarfaraz Khan has lived with the noise — whispers about ‘missed chances’, stopstart opportunities and a nagging sense that he needed a statement knock. On Wednesday, he delivered it with a sledgehammer, scoring a blistering 157 off 75 balls to power Mumbai to a 87-run victory over Goa at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground. The fourth straight win kept Mumbai on top of the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group C table and ended Goa’s threematch winning streak.All eyes were on Yashasvi Jaiswal but it was Sarfaraz who stole the afternoon show. Riding on his brutal hitting, Mumbai posted a staggering 444/8, a total that effectively decided the contest by the interval. Goa fought hard and crossed 350 but the chase was always a bridge too far despite Abhinav Tejrana’s 100.

Jaiswal, back after acute gastroenteritis, made 46 before he fell trying to force the pace. Sarfaraz’s younger brother Musheer Khan then shaped the innings with a fluent 60, keeping the board moving and setting up the launchpad. Sarfaraz took over from there and turned the game into a highlights reel.Batting at No. 4, he blasted nine fours and 14 sixes, bringing up his hundred off just 56 balls. His innings left Goa’s bowlers and fielders looking shellshocked.“When I came in, the run-rate wasn’t too high because both openers saw off the tricky first hour,” Sarfaraz told TOI. “It’s always difficult in the morning when the ball is doing a bit. I settled down first and then attacked as the pitch eased out. The plan was to score as many runs as possible and set a strong target.”He also underlined how the platform helped him explode. “By the time I came to the crease, Musheer was batting really well. He was the first to reach fifty,” Sarfaraz said. “I’ve played plenty of one-dayers and I know how to pace an innings. I have a good sweep and cut, and in this format you can’t have more than five fielders out. That gives me freedom to play my shots.”Despite the dream knock, Sarfaraz admitted he had one regret. “We have a common dream of scoring hundreds in the same game,” he said. “We were close in the Ranji Trophy this season and again last week, but we both got out in the fifties. Today, Musheer was batting so well and I thought we could do it. But dreams don’t come true that quickly.”BRIEF SCORES: Mumbai 444/8 in 50 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 157 off 75 balls; Musheer Khan 60; Hardik Tamore 53; Yashasvi Jaiswal 46; Darshan Misal 3/98, V Koushik 2/60, Lalit Yadav 2/93) beat Goa 357/9 in 50 overs (Abhinav Tejrana 100; Deepraj Gaonkar 70; Lalit Yadav 64; Shardul Thakur 3/20, Yashasvi Jaiswal 2/52) by 87 runs.