The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Monday said that the new signal-free road connecting the SEBI Building to Avenue-5, passing under the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) connector and Avenue-3 (WeWork) has opened for commuters. According to MMRDA, this 180-metre missing link has been completed in a record-breaking time of three-and-a-half months— which is half the time of the originally planned deadline. The road will significantly reduce traffic congestion at BKC One and BKC Connector junctions. The road was opened in the presence of Joint MMRDA Commissioner Radhabinod Sharma and Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare. With this new addition, commuters from the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) now have three alternative routes to enter BKC, dramatically easing congestion and optimizing traffic flow. The new road ensures signal-free movement, reducing travel time and enabling seamless connectivity from the eastern suburbs to BKC in just 15 minutes. Out of the six lanes, three have been opened for vehicular traffic, while the remaining three will be operational soon. The link will provide signal-Free Connectivity:This 180-meter, six-lane (3 lanes opened for traffic+3) road offers uninterrupted traffic flow, minimizing delays and enhancing the commuter experience. Optimized Traffic Dispersal: By distributing traffic through three routes—BKC Connector, EEH, and internal avenues—the project reduces bottlenecks and accelerates traffic movement. Enhanced Accessibility: The new road ensures seamless connectivity for vehicles traveling to and from the NSE side, Avenue-5, and key BKC landmarks such as the MCA Club, consulates, and MTNL.This initiative is part of MMRDA's ongoing commitment to eliminating traffic jams and improving urban mobility. Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, said, “The opening of this new link road is a significant milestone in our efforts to make BKC more accessible and commuter-friendly. This road not only provides faster connectivity from the Eastern Express Highway but also ensures smoother traffic dispersal within BKC, enhancing its reputation as a global business hub. Completing this project in just 3.5 months underscores MMRDA’s commitment to delivering infrastructure with efficiency and excellence.” MMRDA remains dedicated to creating efficient, sustainable, and future-ready infrastructure that transforms the Mumbai Metropolitan Region into a globally competitive urban centre.
23 December,2024 07:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a groundbreaking adult BCG vaccination campaign targeting high-risk populations across 12 administrative divisions of Mumbai, the civic body said in an official statement. On the first day of implementation on Monday, 1,990 citizens were successfully vaccinated as part of a strategic effort to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, said BMC. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani emphasised the importance of preventive health services, urging citizens to participate in the voluntary vaccination program. The initiative, a pilot project by the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, focuses on six high-risk groups above 18 years of age for vaccination. The high-risk groups are patients who were diagnosed with TB in the last 5 years, household contacts of TB patients in the last 3 years, self-declared diabetes, self-declared smokers, undernourished and more than 60 years old age group. The vaccination drive introduces two innovative approaches to TB prevention. A voluntary BCG vaccination program will be implemented with written consent from eligible beneficiaries, following an extensive survey conducted by health volunteers from September 2024 onwards. Additionally, the Cyt-TB test, under the Programmatic Management of TB Preventive Therapy by the Central TB Department, is a skin layer test based on tuberculosis antigen, the civic body stated. In 2023, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region registered 50,206 TB patients undergoing treatment, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive prevention strategies. The Cyt-TB test specifically aims to identify asymptomatic individuals with potential TB infection, particularly focusing on family members of TB patients. The test has been started mainly to check the possibility of future TB infection in the family members of TB patients. If the test is positive only then the person in contact needs to take TB preventive medicines, BMC stated. Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr. Vipin Sharma appealed to Mumbai residents to contact their nearest health center and cooperate with TB staff to maximize the program's effectiveness. The test, which requires a follow-up within 48 to 72 hours, represents a simple, affordable, and proactive approach to tuberculosis management. The test is similar to the Tuberculin Skin Test. This comprehensive initiative aligns with the Government of India's ambitious goal of eliminating tuberculosis by 2025, demonstrating Mumbai's commitment to innovative public health interventions and preventive care.
23 December,2024 07:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday took a dig at the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, saying that they are together for political power and not because of ideological similarities, reported news agency ANI. The Sena (UBT) leader also said that the Mahayuti focuses on fulfilling their party's financial needs and then only come together to form the government in the state. "No matter how much those in the coalition government say that they are together because of ideological reasons, it is not like that. They come together for political power. They focus on fulfilling their party's financial needs and then come together to form the government," Raut told reporters in a press conference, stated ANI. Pointing out the delay in portfolio allocation even after forming the government a month ago, Raut, speaking on the allocation for guardian ministership, said that the process will remain ongoing. "First the government was not formed and once they formed the government, portfolio allocation happened after a month, yesterday only. Now there is a discussion regarding the Guardian minister post. Nothing will happen from this...this will continue till the end..." Raut said. Raut further added that the appointment of guardian ministers was of no use since they only serve their interests and it was another way to maintain power, stated ANI. "Munde (either Pankaja or Dhananjay) might be the guardian minister of Beed, will Santosh Deshmukh get justice? Whoever becomes the guardian minister for Parbhani, will Somnath Suryavanshi who was killed in police custody get justice? Whoever becomes the guardian minister of Thane, will the Marathi family get justice against the injustice they faced in Kalyan? This has no use. This is just another way to maintain power for oneself. Those who become the Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli don't work towards finishing Naxalism. The ministerial position is required for the mining companies worth crores. This is my assessment," Raut said in Marathi. Raut also took a dig at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, and said that his party was working with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which considers Devendra Fadnavis, Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah as their "ideals", stated ANI. However, the Shiv Sena MP said his party's position on the three BJP leaders was clear that they are responsible for looting Maharashtra and Mumbai. "If the Thackeray brothers come together, the people of Maharashtra will cherish it. People have an immense connection with the Thackeray family...Both brothers have different parties. Raj Thackeray established his own party (MNS) but works with the BJP. Devendra Fadnavis, Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah are their ideals. But our party doesn't work like this. We have a clear position that these people are enemies of Maharashtra. These three are responsible for looting Maharashtra and Mumbai," Raut said. Raut, on the changes in election conduct rules, said that it was the murder of democracy and called it dictatorship. "This is the murder of democracy. The rule that has been made is that we cannot go to the Election Commission and ask for information. Now we cannot ask for any kind of information from the Election Commission. This is a dictatorship. Why can't we ask? If you want that we don't ask for information from you, then first of all you should remove EVM and conduct elections on ballot paper," Raut said. He accused the Election Commission of changing the rules after it was asked for CCTV footage and election documents, stated ANI. "We will not ask for any information. What do you want to hide from the public? Advocate Mohammad tried to ask for documents. He asked for CCTV footage. After this, the Election Commission changed the rule. What kind of dictatorship is this? There is democracy in the country. That is why we say that these people are against the Constitution written by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar...We have the right to know what has happened to our votes. Where did the vote we gave go?" Raut remarked. These changes come in the wake of a recent Punjab and Haryana High Court directive in the Mahmoud Pracha vs ECI case, where the court ordered the sharing of all documents related to the Haryana Assembly elections, including CCTV footage under Rule 93(2) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, reported ANI. (With inputs from ANI)
23 December,2024 02:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSenior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who has expressed discontent over not being included in the newly-formed Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Monday. The 30-minute meeting, which took place at Fadnavis’s residence in the city, also included Bhujbal’s nephew Sameer Bhujbal. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Bhujbal shared that the conversation had revolved around the current political and social climate in Maharashtra. He mentioned that the Chief Minister had emphasised the vital role played by the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the overwhelming victory of the Mahayuti alliance during the state assembly elections held on November 20. “Fadnavis assured me that the interests of the OBC community, which has been crucial to the Mahayuti's success, would be safeguarded," Bhujbal said, adding that the Chief Minister had assured him that decisions on issues related to OBCs would be made thoughtfully. Bhujbal revealed that Fadnavis has requested a period of 10 to 12 days to consider the concerns raised during the meeting. The OBC community in Maharashtra has been protesting against activist Manoj Jarange’s demand for Maratha reservation within the OBC category, a matter which has been a source of contention. Bhujbal, an influential figure in the state’s OBC circles, has been outspoken in his opposition to Jarange’s demands and the potential shift of Maratha reservations into the OBC category. When asked whether he was considering joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bhujbal declined to comment directly. However, he did allude to his frustration over being overlooked during the latest cabinet expansion. Notably, Bhujbal had chosen to stay away from the winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur, leaving for Nashik after the first day of the session. This absence came just a day after 39 Mahayuti legislators took oath as ministers in the new government. Chhagan Bhujbal, who represents the Yevla constituency in Nashik district, has remained a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s political scene. The Mahayuti alliance, comprising BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar's NCP, emerged victorious with 230 out of 288 seats in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections. (With inputs from PTI)
23 December,2024 02:18 PM IST | MumbaiAn owl found itself perched in the window of an eighth-floor apartment in Maharashtra's Thane district, said officials on Monday. The owl, sitting in the window of Room No. 803, owned by Mr. Darshan Kariya, was discovered by the Disaster Management Room at approximately 10:49 AM on Monday. According to Kariya, the owl had perched on the window of his apartment located in Girija Society, a building with 10 floors. Upon receiving the report, the Disaster Management team swiftly responded to the scene. A pickup vehicle was deployed, and the team arrived promptly to ensure the safe rescue of the bird. No injuries were reported during the rescue operation. The owl was safely retrieved by the trained staff without incident. The event took place near A.K. Joshi School in Naupada, Thane and no one was harmed. Thane: Municipal Corporation rescues cat stuck on 15th-floor balcony in Manpada Last month, the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation rescued a cat that was stuck on the 15th-floor balcony of a residential building. The incident occurred at Ashwood Society, a 28-story building in Manpada. The distress call was received at 11.52 am from Shekhar Thorat, the owner of the flat where the cat was stranded. Following the call, a team of the Disaster Management Cell promptly dispatched a pickup vehicle to the site and efficiently carried out the rescue operation. The cat was safely rescued without any injuries. The Disaster Management Cell personnel earned appreciation from the residents for ensuring the safety of the animal while maintaining public safety. ‘Rescued dogs’ found under heaps of scrap at Badlapur shelter house Animal feeders from Vikhroli are at their wits’ end trying to get an FIR registered in a case where seven dogs were allegedly shoved under a scrap heap at a shelter house in Badlapur. The matter came to light when a feeder found out that the dogs were missing from the embassy park area in Vikhroli. The company had claimed that the dogs in the area had been behaving aggressively and had hence been shifted to a shelter home in Badlapur. However, they had no permission from BMC to relocate the dogs,” said Rita Monteiro, a dog lover. “We had to conduct several meetings before the company told us that the dogs had been moved to safe and hygienic conditions at Jannat Shelter House, Badlapur,” a community animal feeder told mid-day on condition of anonymity. The employees of the shelter house had initially shown the feeders that the dogs were all kept in a safe, hygienic environment, “The dogs were kept in a room and they had assured us that all the dogs would be safe,” Monteiro said. However, on December 1, when a team of feeders went to the shelter, they found out that the dogs were bundled under a pile of scrap. “We suspect they had even been intoxicated. Faecal matter was stuck to the pile of scraps and the dogs seemed terrified. We rescued six dogs; one was missing. They are currently undergoing treatment. Two dogs had maggots on their wounds and we have sent blood samples to see if they have been infected by some disease,” Monteiro said.
23 December,2024 01:49 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentCongress leader Rahul Gandhi departed from his residence in New Delhi on Monday morning to visit Parbhani district in Maharashtra, where he is set to meet families affected by the ongoing violence in the region. Among those he will meet is the family of Somnath Suryawanshi, a Dalit activist and budding advocate who allegedly died in judicial custody following protests over the alleged desecration of a replica of the Indian Constitution. According to ANI, heightened security arrangements have been put in place by Maharashtra Police ahead of the Leader of Opposition’s (LoP) visit. Gandhi's visit aims to provide support to the families of victims and to address their demands for justice. Somnath Suryawanshi’s family has called for strict action against the police officer under whose custody the activist reportedly died on December 15. Speaking to ANI, the activist’s brother, Premnath Suryawanshi, expressed anguish over the alleged lack of transparency and accountability from law enforcement. “The police did not inform us about my brother’s condition after his arrest. We were only told on December 15 that he had passed away due to a heart attack. We do not believe this explanation. Those responsible for my brother’s death should face the death penalty. Suspending them is not enough. We will demand this directly from Rahul Gandhi,” Premnath stated. His mother, Vijayabai Suryawanshi, echoed the sentiment, describing her son’s death as murder. She urged the government to take decisive action and reiterated the family’s demand for capital punishment for the accused. The alleged custodial death occurred against the backdrop of violent protests in Parbhani city on December 10. According to ANI reports, the unrest began following claims of vandalism involving a replica of the Indian Constitution. Special Inspector General of Nanded, Shahaji Umap, confirmed that eight cases had been registered in connection with the violence, and around 50 individuals had been arrested. During the clashes, a deputy superintendent of police and nine other police personnel reportedly sustained minor injuries. The arrests, according to Umap, were made at the scene of the unrest to maintain law and order.
23 December,2024 01:43 PM IST | MumbaiIn a significant judgement, a Thane court has acquitted ten individuals accused of murder in a 2016 case, citing substantial errors by the investigating agency and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence. The accused, charged with murder, rioting, and offences under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), were cleared by Special MCOCA Court Judge Amit M Shete. In a 56-page judgement delivered on 19th December, after a trial lasting over seven years, the court observed that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. A copy of the judgement was made available on Monday. According to PTI, the case pertained to the brutal assault on Ranjeet alias Bunty, a local security business operator, who was attacked with knives near a temple in Napoli, Thane district, on 24th October 2016. Despite extensive medical treatment, the victim succumbed to his injuries. The prosecution alleged that the attack was orchestrated by the prime accused, Akshay Nanda, as part of a conspiracy. The accused were also accused of robbing the victim of his gold chain and rings during the assault. However, the defence contended that the confessional statements used by the prosecution were obtained under duress. Judge Shete, examining the evidence, highlighted discrepancies in the prosecution’s version and cast doubt on the reliability of eyewitness accounts and the alleged motive. The court noted, “On perusal of the entire evidence on record, there appears reasonable doubt regarding the prosecution’s version of eyewitnesses and motive/mens rea. The prosecution and witnesses failed to establish the serious offence of murder beyond all reasonable doubt.” Further, the court remarked that the investigating agency had committed a “grave error” or had been “misguided and/or directed by the witnesses.” The judgement stated that the evidence presented was insufficient and inconsistent, leading to a reasonable doubt that entitled the accused to acquittal. The individuals acquitted in the case include Akshay Nanda alias Nandu Patil (36), Rohit Ravi Patil (35), Anil alias Pappya Nathuram Shelar (33), Ajinkya alias Ajju Vijay Jadhav (33), Abhishek Gangadhar Nimbolkar (36), Anil alias Bablu Shivaji Shelar (34), Sachin Sopan Wadkar (44), Rushikesh Ramdas Patil (34), Bharat Khandu Patil (36), and Rupesh Rajesh Khandagale (46). (With inputs from PTI)
23 December,2024 01:18 PM IST | MumbaiA 28-year-old biker was killed following a road rage incident involving an autorickshaw driver in Malad’s Dindoshi. The incident occurred on Saturday evening near Pushpa Park when the auto driver, identified as Avinash Kadam, abruptly cut in front of the motorcyclist, Akash Maeen, who then confronted Kadam. The situation escalated into violence as other auto drivers joined Kadam in beating Maeen, resulting in serious injuries. Maeen later died during treatment at the hospital. His family, who did everything they could to save him, is left with horrifying memories of that day. Narrating the incident to mid-day, Akash’s father, Dattatreya, said, “He had come home for Dussehra, excited about fulfilling his biggest dream of buying a car. He had booked an Ertiga from a showroom in Malad. We all gathered at the showroom to take delivery, but for some reason, the car wasn’t delivered. Akash was riding home on an Activa with his wife, while I was in an auto with my wife. When we got home, my daughter-in-law called, saying there was a fight involving Akash and the auto driver.” Parents of Akash Maeen who was killed in road rage. Pic/Nimesh Dave He added, “I rushed to the spot on foot. When I reached Daftari Road near Shivaji Chowk, I saw the commotion. Despite recognising several people, no one stepped in to help when I mentioned it was my son involved. Instead, they were recording videos. As I tried to intervene, one group of attackers turned on me, beating me and dragging me into the street. Meanwhile, my wife and daughter-in-law were trying to save Akash. When the attackers returned to him, I called the police for help.” By the time help arrived, Akash had been severely injured. His mother even laid on him to protect him, a video of which went viral on social media, but the attackers showed no mercy. Even after Akash was semi-conscious and his family put him in an auto to take him to the hospital, the assailants tried to stop and overturn the vehicle. Dattatreya recalled, “Many of the attackers appeared to be drunk. My wife and daughter-in-law managed to save Akash briefly and told him to go home on the bike. But as he tried to leave, they attacked him again. He collapsed on the ground, and my wife shielded him with her body. I was trying to stop the attackers when the police arrived. We put Akash in an auto and headed for the hospital. Even then, the attackers continued to beat him. The police intervened, and we made it to the hospital with their help.” The family’s ordeal didn’t end at the hospital. Upon arrival, treatment was delayed due to paperwork. Akash writhed in pain, especially in his stomach, but it took hours before a doctor attended to him. The family was told to take him to Cooper hospital or a private facility due to a lack of doctors at the Trauma centre. Akash’s mother, Deepali Maeen, said, “My husband and I were injured, but we barely felt our pain compared to Akash’s suffering. I could see my son’s body growing cold. I begged the doctor for immediate treatment, but they were focused on paperwork. Three hours passed, and my son died.” She added, “The Trauma hospital is responsible for my son’s death due to their negligence. They wasted precious time. I urge the government to punish the attackers and hold the hospital staff accountable.” Maharashtra Navnirman Sena spokesperson Hemant Kamble said, “We stand with the family in their grief and demand strict action against the accused.” The police arrested ten suspects within 24 hours of the incident. False rumours “Various rumours surfaced on social media, including claims that Akash’s wife had a miscarriage and that his mother, Deepali, had died from grief. These rumours are false. Another rumour suggested hawkers were responsible for Akash’s death, which is also untrue. However, the family believes that congested roads due to hawkers contributed to the road rage incident,” Kamble added. Akash’s father, Dattatreya, previously worked at the airport before becoming a state agent, and his mother, Deepali, is a social worker and nurse. Police Speak A police officer involved in the investigation said, “We have arrested ten suspects, all in remand until October 21, and are working to identify additional suspects. We’ve collected CCTV footage and videos recorded by witnesses. The main attacker has been nearly identified, along with two or three others.” In-charge police inspector Rais Sheikh stated that a special team, under the guidance of DCP Smita Patil of Zone 11, has been formed. He assured that strict action will be taken against all those involved.
23 December,2024 12:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe family of a 38-year-old man who died by suicide on Sunday were further traumatised by the negligence of Kandivali’s civic-run Shatabdi hospital, which left the man’s body to be gnawed on by rats. Deceased Sachin Madan Kakre’s family raised the issue with the civic hospital earlier this week and demanded better services. The hospital has claimed that the body was kept in a room adjacent to the mortuary. According to sources in the police, Sachin was a daily wage labourer residing in Anthony Chawl near the Shankar temple in Ketkipada, Dahisar East. On Sunday, he was alone inside his hut. His wife was in Virar at her parents’ home with their two children — aged eight and five years. Sachin’s brother, Mahendra and mother Tulsa, lived in a hut right behind the house. Around 10.30 pm, when Tulsa went to meet Sachin, she found him hanging from a bamboo from the hut’s roof. Sachin Madan Kakre’s body was left in a room meant only for a panchanama “My mother screamed and we ran to his house. With the help of neighbours, we brought his body down and rushed him to Kandivali's civic-run Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Municipal General Hospital (popularly known as Shatabdi Hospital). The doctors checked and declared him dead around 11.30 pm,” Mahendra said. The hospital informed the Dahisar police, which arrived to conduct the panchanama. “After the police conducted the panchanama, we gave the body to the hospital and left by around 4 am. The post-mortem had to be conducted at Bhagwati Hospital in Borivali later. We returned to the hospital around 10 am on Monday and the police also came to transport the body for post-mortem. When we took the shroud off, we were shocked to see that the nose, forehead, head, and private parts were gnawed by rats in the room where the body was kept,” Mahendra said. The police were as shocked as Sachin’s family upon seeing the condition of his body. Mahendra added, “When we left the body in the wee hours, everything was fine. When we complained to the hospital, the authorities immediately came to the spot and admitted that rats had gnawed the body. The hospital should improve its work culture. Such an incident cannot be repeated.” A senior doctor at Shatabdi hospital, Ajay Gupta, said, “There is a separate room that is meant for keeping bodies. The place where this incident took place is meant for the police to conduct the panchnama of bodies. The room has partitions made of wood. Somehow, rats made their way inside. We have repaired that room.” 11.30 pmApprox time Sachin was declared dead 04.00 amApprox time family, police left hospital 10.00 amApprox time family, police found body bitten by rats
23 December,2024 12:21 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA 22-year-old man, who is facing charges in a murder case, was booked by police on Monday after he threw a slipper at a judge during a hearing at a sessions court in Thane district, Maharashtra. The incident took place on Saturday afternoon at the court in Kalyan, where the accused, Kiran Santosh Bharam, appeared before District and Additional Sessions Judge R G Waghmare. According to police, the slipper did not strike the judge but instead hit a wooden frame situated in front of the judge’s desk before falling beside the bench clerk. The court proceedings were momentarily disrupted by the unexpected act, leaving everyone present in the courtroom stunned. The accused was brought to court for a hearing related to his involvement in a murder case. During the proceedings, Bharam made a request to Judge Waghmare to have his case transferred to another court. In response, the judge instructed the accused to file an application for the request through his lawyer. At that point, the name of Bharam's lawyer was called out, but he failed to appear in court. The judge then directed the accused to provide the name of a different lawyer to represent him. A fresh date for the case was set. It was at this point that Bharam, seemingly frustrated, bent down, removed his slipper, and threw it towards the judge. Fortunately, the slipper missed the judge and caused no harm. However, the incident was serious enough for the authorities to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Bharam. The police have filed charges under sections 132 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deal with assault or criminal force against a public servant in the discharge of their duty, and acts endangering the life or personal safety of others, respectively. The investigations are ongoing, and police have assured that strict action will be taken in accordance with the law. (With inputs from PTI)
23 December,2024 11:31 AM IST | MumbaiThe ticketing app for the Aqua Line underground Mumbai Metro Line 3 crashed and was facing technical difficulties, with QR code scanning for digital payments also non-functional on Monday morning. Queues formed, and passengers experienced hassles with change at ticket counters across stations. "If the administration knows there is a problem with digital payments and the ticketing app, they should provide change and not argue with customers," said Ankita Sisodiya, a commuter. "We are facing technical issues with our ticketing system on the mobile app and website. Our team is working to resolve this as a priority," an official said.
23 December,2024 11:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarADVERTISEMENT
