On Friday, the city saw a drop, with the minimum temperature reaching 18 degrees Celsius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience a cloudy sky on Friday, December 27, with temperatures ranging from a cool 22 degrees Celsius in the morning to a warm 31 degrees Celsius during the day. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai's Santacruz observatory in suburban Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 30.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 18.5 degrees Celsius. The weather department's data showed that the city observatory in Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 28.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 21.1 degrees Celsius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates by the IMD, the maximum temperature will likely be around 31 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature will likely be around 22 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity is 85 per cent. The sun rose at 07:10 AM and will set at 06:09 PM. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather update forecasts a "partly cloudy sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI in 'moderate' category On December 27, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality remained in the 'moderate' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 173 at 9:05 AM. As per the SAMEER app dashboard, many areas across Mumbai showed 'moderate' AQI. Bandra Kurla Complex recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 169. Colaba, Chembur and Ghatkopar recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 134, 141 and 147, respectively. Borivali and Sewri recorded 'poor' air quality, with an AQI of 261 and 208, respectively. Meanwhile, Malad recorded 'very poor' air quality with an AQI of 303. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 123, while Thane registered a 'moderate' AQI of 132. The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'. Meanwhile, as air pollution levels continue to rise in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revised guidelines issued last year for construction sites. The civic body will also form squads at the ward level to visit construction sites and act if guidelines are flouted. Sensor-based air pollution monitoring systems will be installed at all construction project work sites and immediate action to be taken if pollution levels are detected above the limit.
27 December,2024 09:27 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDue to the ongoing cement concreting work on T.J. Road in the Wadala area, bus routes A-45 and A-46 heading towards the south have been diverted. These buses will now travel via Zakariya Bandar Road to Waris Chowk (Shivdi). After that, they will resume their regular routes. Meanwhile, bus route number 177, also heading towards the south, will take a left turn at Waris Chowk (Shivdi) from Zakariya Bandar Road. The bus will then proceed along Sakharam Lanjekar Road, take a right turn towards Prabodhan Kar Thackeray Marg near Shivdi Bus Station, and continue via Acharya Donde Marg to resume its regular route. These diversions are in place to facilitate the ongoing roadwork and ensure smooth traffic flow in the area. Commuters are advised to be aware of these temporary changes and plan their travel accordingly. Mumbai: Major bus routes across city disrupted over minor reasons, activists cry foul The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has been frequently diverting buses for minor reasons such as pedestrian crowding, digging, roadworks, concretisation, pipeline work, political rallies, and metro construction. On Thursday, it diverted a bus route in Bhandup due to roadwork, stating, "Due to road work by BMC at Bhandup village road, Route No. 307 diverted via LBS Marg in down direction from 2.45 pm." On Wednesday, bus service on Route A-118 was curtailed at Kabutar Khana, Dadar, from 4.10 pm because of a heavy pedestrian crowd on M C Jawale Marg. Last Saturday, several key bus routes were diverted outside the busy Dadar East station due to "VIP movement" following the controversy over the demolition of a Hanuman temple. mid-day reported earlier last month how the undertaking had been forced to shut down one route after another due to a shortage of buses. Besides a shortage of routes, now it was cutting short existing routes too. The Kurla bus depot manager had similarly shut down all bus routes to Kurla station West for four days without any directives or notice to the public after the recent bus accident at Kurla, inconveniencing lakhs of commuters. Commuters and experts lambasted the undertaking for playing such "tricks".
27 December,2024 09:10 AM IST | MumbaiShiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam has strongly criticised Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, questioning his opposition to the inclusion of non-Muslims as members of the Waqf Board. Nirupam’s remarks come in the wake of discussions surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and its provisions to allow non-Muslims on the board. In a statement, Nirupam pointed out the irony in Yadav’s stance, citing the example of the Kumbh Mela, which took place in Prayagraj during the tenure of the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. Nirupam questioned how Azam Khan, a Muslim leader, was appointed to oversee the largest Hindu religious gathering, yet Yadav and his party are now opposing the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf Board. “Firstly, the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is a historic event... Hindus from all over the world will visit this event. During the Samajwadi Party's rule, a Muslim leader, Azam Khan, was given the responsibility of overseeing the Kumbh Mela. If a Muslim leader can manage the largest gathering of Hindus, then why should there be any objection to a non-Muslim being part of the Waqf Board?” Nirupam said in a tweet. The controversy is centred around the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which proposes the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board, a body responsible for managing properties belonging to the Muslim community. However, the Samajwadi Party has raised objections to this provision, with critics arguing that the bill undermines the spirit of the Waqf system. In recent developments, the Lok Sabha approved a motion to extend the tenure of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The committee is expected to present its report by the end of the 2025 Budget Session. On December 5, Jagdambika Pal, chairperson of the JPC, mentioned that the committee had conducted 27 meetings in Delhi, engaging with stakeholders from various ministries and communities to address the issues surrounding the Waqf system. The Waqf Act of 1995, established to regulate Waqf properties, has faced criticism over the years for mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. To address these concerns, the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to introduce reforms such as digitisation, better auditing practices, greater transparency, and legal provisions for reclaiming illegally occupied properties. (With inputs from ANI)
27 December,2024 08:50 AM IST | MumbaiHow can 2 crore vehicles get fitted with HSRP (High Security Registration Plates) within three months? The Maharashtra Transport Commissioner’s Office has set a deadline of March 31, 2025, for affixing HSRPs for the old vehicles registered before April 1, 2019. “We have issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the link is already live where people can go and start registering. The HSRPs are important to curb vehicle theft and bring uniformity to vehicle identification. "We have appointed three agencies for the task of installing new registration plates in three zones across Maharashtra. On Thursday the transport department took meetings of all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in the state to monitor the development and sensitise staff about handling citizens,” Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar told mid-day. As per SOP, the onus will be on the vehicle owner for getting HSRP installed by March 31, 2025. Enforcement authorities (RTOs and police) have been asked to take legal action and impose fines for non-compliance under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, after expiry of the March 2025 deadline. But how will 2 crore vehicles complete the process in three months? “Well, 2 crore is a rough estimate. It was a figure that we mentioned when the tender documents were being finalised between 2008 and 2019. The vehicles before 2019 have been on a natural decline and there are not as many now. It will be around 1 crore plus. The three agencies will have multiple centres in the respective RTOs that will complete the task,” Bhimanwar added. Won’t there be crowding and rush at the last minute? “No. We will assess how things are progressing and increase the number of centres in each RTO area as per requirement. The three agencies selected will be offering a warranty of one year so there will be assurance to vehicle owners,” he said. With the RTOs and police being authorised to take legal action for non-compliance, there will be panic. “Firstly, we will strive to complete it within the given timeframe. We will assess the progress and it is only after our authorisation that the process of challans for this offence will be activated. We will do it only after there has been satisfactory progress. Till then, no one will be able to generate fines for this. But we appeal to vehicle owners to get the process completed soon. All options like payment etc are online,” he said. What is HSRP? Made of a rare aluminium alloy, the HSRPs contain a retro-reflective film with a verification inscription ‘India’, a chromium-based Ashok Chakra hologram, the hot-stamped letter IND in blue, and a 10-digit laser branding of a unique serial number, making it tamper-proof. What is unique?The number plates will have snap lock which means the number plates cannot be tampered with. The non-removable snap lock ensures that the number plate cannot be removed without breaking the lock. Can I register now?Yes. The process has begun, with the link already active. The process will be expedited through aggressive promotion, etc by January 2025. What is the process?After payment is made online vendors will provide dates when one can take the vehicle for the change. There is software created for appointments, payments, and grievance handling. Vehicle owners will have to book an appointment for HSRP installation at least two days in advance, and the agencies are required to have the HSRP plates ready by that time. What is the cost?HSRP: The cost of each HSRP measuring 200 mm x 100 mm and 285 mm x 45 mm in size for two-wheelers and three-wheelers will be Rs 219.9, while the plates of 500 mm x 120 mm and 340 mm x 200 mm for four or more wheeled vehicles will cost Rs 342.41, excluding GST. Snap Lock: The cost of snap locks and the third registration mark, excluding GST, will be Rs 10.18 and Rs 50, respectively, for all types of vehicles. Including GST, the total cost per vehicle will fall in the range of Rs 531 to Rs 879. Link to register: https://transport.maharashtra.gov.in/ZoneWiseWebsiteRedirect.html
27 December,2024 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a R10 lakh fine on Akasa Air for not allowing seven passengers to board an aircraft and failing to offer the required compensation. The incident occurred on September 6 when the passengers were stopped from boarding a Bengaluru-Pune flight. An Akasa Air spokesperson confirmed the development and said, “We acknowledge receipt of an order by the DGCA dated December 24. We continue to work closely with the DGCA to address this matter.” A DGCA senior official said, “The original flight was delayed after the aircraft was grounded due to foreign object damage, and a replacement aircraft was brought in; but it had nine inoperable seats. As a result, seven passengers could not board.” “Though an alternative flight was arranged, the airline did not offer compensation to the affected passengers, which we (DGCA), while investigating, found to be a breach of the Civil Aviation Requirements, resulting in a fine being levied upon the airline,” the official added. Just two weeks back, the airline received a notice for lapses in aircraft maintenance and certification and was also issued a show cause notice for failing to update its operations manual in a timely manner. Show cause notice On December 9, the DGCA issued a show cause notice to Akasa’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME). This came after an inspection on August 30 at Bangalore International Airport revealed improper reinstallation of a nose wheel tyre pressure indication sensor on the Boeing 737-8 MAX. The certifying staff had not securely locked the sensor system. A DGCA senior official said, “The Akasa AME failed to adhere to specific provisions, attributing the violations to inadequate maintenance standards and certification practices by the AME.”
27 December,2024 07:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariThe Bombay High Court last week directed the DGCA to examine concerns raised by a pilot over the safety mechanism in Air India’s certain leased Boeing 777-200LR aircraft having long distance flight paths between India and the United States of America (USA). A bench of Justice B P Colabawalla and Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan on December 19 passed an order on a writ plea filed by the petitioner pilot, claiming that the said aircraft leased in November 2022 does not have adequate oxygen supply for certain paths between USA and India. According to the order, the court said, “The matter was not a bilateral dispute between the parties but it involves issues of a wider social impact involving flight safety and passenger safety.” DGCA to examine concerns The court in its order asked DGCA to consider whether Air India’s concerned leased Boeing 777-200LR aircraft (earlier with Delta Airlines) having 12 minutes of emergency oxygen supply can descend to an altitude of 10,000 feet within 12 minutes and land safely at the planned alternative airport in case of decompression. It asked the aviation safety regulator, DGCA to hear the petitioner pilot, the airline and consider all relevant materials and arrive at its findings on compliance with the regulations and certain needs for remedial measures and directions, if any. According to the order, “The petitioner in the plea claims that ‘as per the Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM) and Flight Planning and Performance Manual (FPPM) limitations and state regulations, it is necessary to have sufficient quantity of chemically generated stored breathing oxygen (more than 12 minutes) for all crew members and passengers. An adequate quantity of stored breathing oxygen is mandatory for long-distance flights on paths having high mountainous terrains till the aircraft reaches/descends to an altitude of 10,000 feet or lower. In case of depressurisation, it is not possible to descend to an altitude of 10,000 feet within 12 minutes due to vast stretches of mountainous terrains and the insufficiency was in violation of regulatory norms and detrimental to the passengers’ safety’.” The court noted that the petitioner, who had served as a Boeing 777 commander, as per his plea, had refused to operate a particular flight on January 30, 2023, till a legally viable and safe route was provided for him to fly from San Francisco to Bengaluru. He was grounded by the airline in February last year and was subsequently terminated in May 2023. He approached DGCA in October 2023 with a complaint raising concerns over lack of safety. Senior advocate appearing for Air India opposed the plea during the hearing stating, “The airline has complied with every applicable safety norm in this regard.” Unbiased regulatory oversight Disposing of the plea, the bench said, “After hearing submissions at length, as we are not experts in the field and the parties had consented to refer the matter to the aviation safety regulator, it was appropriate for DGCA to consider the issue without getting influenced by the court’s views. The DGCA, which has several pilots from Air India on deputation, should ensure no room is left for a perception of conflict of interest at any level during regulatory review.” A senior DGCA official speaking to mid-day said, “On January 24, we (DGCA) slapped R1.1 crore fine on Air India for prima facie non-compliance of regulations. The appellate authority on May 24 also upheld the order. However, the petitioner approached the High Court challenging the said orders, stating that mere imposition of the fine was insufficient to remedy the situation.” The official added, “As per the court directions, we (DGCA) will be looking into the matter again and will come to a proper unbiased conclusion.” Air India did not reply to the queries sent by mid-day till press time.
27 December,2024 07:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariRSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said the British rulers of India distorted the country’s history to propagate the message that the local populace was unfit to govern by themselves. “In 1857, the British rulers of India realized that despite innumerable castes, sects, languages, geographical disparities and Indians fighting among themselves, they stay united till they evict foreign invaders from the country,” Bhagwat said. He speaking at an event on the occasion of 70th foundation day of Somalwar Education Society in Nagpur on the role of teachers in 21st century. “The British rulers decided to do something that will end this trait of Indians to ensure that the British rule lasted forever. Their objective was to make Indians forget their history, ancestors and proud heritage. Towards this objective, the British, under the garb of facts, implanted several untruths in our heads,” the RSS chief said. “The biggest lie was that most of the people in India had come from outside. One such untruth was that India was invaded by Aryans who fought Dravidians, he said. They propagated that it is not in the Indians’ blood to govern by themselves and that people here live like those staying in dharmashalas,” Bhagwat said. The RSS chief said teachers will continue to play a very important role in the 21st century even in an era of Artificial Intelligence. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 December,2024 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesThe IMD has issued a light rainfall alert for Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts, alongside an orange alert for Dhule, Jalgaon, Nashik, and Ahilyanagar. Additionally, multiple districts in Maharashtra are under a yellow alert for the day, indicating possibilities of thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall on Friday. Sunil Kamble, director of IMD’s Colaba station, explained this unseasonal rain forecast: “Due to the interaction of two to three weather systems, there is a high possibility of thunderstorm activity in the northern Maharashtra region. This is why an orange alert has been issued for some districts. Meanwhile, the surrounding districts have been given a yellow alert for similar reasons.” He further elaborated, “When two wind systems interact and their directions are upwards in equal and opposite magnitudes, it leads to the formation of certain cloud types, which can result in thunderstorms.”
27 December,2024 07:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariWhy exactly is there opposition to the rehabilitation of project-affected persons (PAPs) from Dharavi in other neighbourhoods? Is it rooted in social stigma, with residents of areas like Mulund, Malad and Kurla hesitant about integrating people from Dharavi due to perceptions of slum life? Or are the concerns tied to the planning and execution of the rehabilitation process? Background In 2022, as part of the Dharavi cluster redevelopment project, Gautam Adani-led Adani Realty won the tender for the 259-hectare, R20,000-crore project to transform the hub into a “world-class township.” A special purpose vehicle (SPV), Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), was formed in collaboration with the state government’s Dharavi Redevelopment Project Authority under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). More than 58 acres of salt pan land in Mulund have been freed up. Pic/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI As the project began, several issues arose. Structures built after 2000 were deemed ineligible for rehabilitation. Many feared losing their ecosystem or being uprooted, while those eligible welcomed the change. Those declared ineligible are being shifted to areas such as Kurla, Mulund, Deonar and Malad, as well as 255.9 acres of ecologically fragile salt pan land. This has led to citywide protests—not against the people of Dharavi, but over displacement, environmental hazards and potential additional strain on civic infrastructure elsewhere. Kurla residents’ misgivings In Kurla, the contention is over a 10.4-hectare piece of land previously used by a government-run milk dairy at Nehru Nagar. The land, strategically located along the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, LTT Kurla Terminus, Mumbai Metro Yellow Line 2B, and the Harbour Line, was lying unused for nearly a decade. Initially earmarked by the MMRDA for infrastructure financing, the land was later designated for rehabilitating Dharavi slum dwellers. A Government Resolution (GR) issued on June 10, emphasised the public importance of the project, offering the land at a 25 per cent discount below the ready-reckoner rate. mid-day has been reporting since February about the issue. Residents launched a citizen movement called ‘Lok Chalwal’ to reserve the plot for a garden and recreation ground, citing the need for greenery and open spaces in Kurla. “We don’t have an issue with Dharavi residents. In fact, they don’t want to move here; they prefer in-situ rehabilitation. Our fight is to save the green plot,” said Kiran Pailwan, who is leading the protest. “There are 800–900 trees on the land. If this project proceeds, we’ll lose the green cover and face a 25–30 per cent rise in population,” he added. Dharavi MLA Jyoti Gaikwad echoed these concerns. “This is not redevelopment for Dharavi residents but for the builder. Dharavi is 600 acres, yet 1,500 acres of prime land across Mumbai are being handed over. It’s a land grab. They want people of Dharavi to move to places like Deonar dumping ground where people are already ill due to bad environment,” she said. Mulund protests In Mulund East, several rehabilitation projects are stirring opposition. One involves allocating 64 acres of land near the old Octroi Naka, 46 acres at an old dumping ground, and 7,439 tenements near Kelkar College for PAPs across Mumbai. “We are not against Dharavi residents, but Mulund’s civic infrastructure cannot bear such a load,” said Sagar Devre, convenor of the protest. “When we raised the issue during elections, we were accused of politicising the issue. So we sat quietly. But now that the elections are over, should we talk about the issue? The PAP project is being completed before our eyes. Our elected representatives have failed us. They are lying blatantly. On October 4, 2024, the government issued a GR. It confirmed that this Dharavi rehabilitation will take place on the sites of our salt pans in Mulund, Bhandup and Vikhroli. This GR is available on the government website. I just have one simple question for our lying elected representatives. Has the GR of 4 October 2024 been cancelled?” Devre questioned. Resident activist Chetan Bordawekar added, “Mulund East, with 1.5 lakh residents, is already struggling with crumbling infrastructure. Adding 3.5 lakh more people will collapse it entirely.” “Additional load of PAPs will choke our utility lines and will add to the load on public transport. We are struggling to understand why so much land is required outside of Dharavi to rehabilitate its residents. Both Dharavi residents and Mulund East residents are opposed to the relocation,” Bharat Soni, secretary, Hillside Residents' Welfare Association (HIRWA) said. Malad ‘fight’ In Malad, fisherfolk and locals from Aksa and Bhati villages are resisting the relocation of Dharavi residents to their lands. A November 7 survey by state officials was met with strong opposition, requiring police intervention. Local MLA Aslam Shaikh said, “This move disrupts the fabric of both Malad and Dharavi. Dharavi residents should be resettled where they belong.” “I stand with my community and have been strongly opposing any project that undermines their rights. I challenge BJP leader Ashish Shelar to allow Dharavi residents to settle in Bandra,” Shaikh added. The area has been traditionally populated by the fishermen’s community with local groups such as Bhati Fishermen Sarvodaya Society, Aadivasi Ekata Samajik Sanstha, and Madh Fishermen Society officially writing to the government expressing their reservations. “The fight is not against Dharavi or slums, but the shifting of outside residents in such large numbers will strain the existing infrastructure and even destabilise the locals who have been living here for ages,” a local fisherman said. Deonar situation The Deonar dumping ground, spanning 124.3 acres, is also earmarked for housing eligible and ineligible Dharavi residents. The land will be given to eligible and ineligible residents of Dharavi at a possession rate of 25 per cent of the prevailing market rate. However, this area contains nearly 80 lakh metric tonnes of waste, making up nearly 40 per cent of the total waste, requiring at least six to seven years and R1,000 crore for clearance. Residents and politicians argue against the relocation. Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad said, “It’s unethical to shift people to hazardous areas. Dharavi residents should stay in Dharavi.” A local resident summarised the issue: “Deonar residents want to leave due to toxic air and health hazards. Adding more people here is inhumane.” Voices Sagar Devre convenor of the protest‘We are not against Dharavi residents, but Mulund’s civic infrastructure cannot bear such a load’ Bharat Soni, secretary, HIRWAWe are struggling to understand why so much land is required outside of Dharavi to rehabilitate its residents. Both Dharavi residents and Mulund East residents are opposed to the relocation’ Varsha Gaikwad, Congress MP‘It’s unethical to shift people to hazardous areas. Dharavi residents should stay in Dharavi’ Chetan Bordawekar, resident-activist‘Mulund East, with 1.5 lakh residents, is already struggling with crumbling infrastructure. Adding 3.5 lakh more people will collapse it entirely’ Aslam Shaikh, Malad MLA‘I stand with my community and have been strongly opposing any project that undermines their rights. I challenge BJP leader Ashish Shelar to allow Dharavi residents to settle in Bandra’ Jyoti Gaikwad, Dharavi MLA‘This is not redevelopment for Dharavi residents, but for the builder. Dharavi is 600 acres in area, yet 1,500 acres of prime land across Mumbai are being handed over. It’s a land grab’
27 December,2024 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) is set to receive Rs 498 crore from the 15th Finance Commission to procure electric buses. BEST has also decided to add 1,300 new electric buses to its fleet. On July 30, 2023, mid-day reported that BEST’s fleet was shrinking. Later, on December 9, this year this newspaper highlighted that BEST was shutting down some routes due to a lack of buses. BEST’s current fleet comprises 2,889 buses, of which 1,900 are wet-leased, and 989 are owned by the undertaking. According to a 2019 memorandum, BEST is required to maintain a self-owned fleet of 3,337 buses. The 15th Finance Commission allocated Rs 992 crore for this purpose, out of which R493.38 crore has already been disbursed to BEST, and R498.62 crore remain. A BMC official said, “We will give this amount to BEST after receiving it from the Finance Commission.” The BMC has also allocated Rs 949.85 crore for electric buses, including Rs 128.65 crore for this initiative. As of last week, the BMC had already provided R737.21 crore to BEST. The BMC is considering allocating Rs 900 to Rs 1,000 crore to BEST in the next financial year. “Over the last 12 years, the BMC has given R11,232.80 crore to BEST,” an official said.
27 December,2024 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveMunicipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani visited Borivli on Thursday to take stock of ongoing development work at various spots. The civic chief directed officials to expedite road development work in the area, ensuring its completion before the onset of the monsoon season. During the inspection tour, Gagrani reviewed various ongoing and completed projects, including stormwater drain upgrades near Borivli railway station and the cement concreting of critical roads. Stressing quality and minimal disruption to citizens, Gagrani urged Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials and engineers to conduct regular on-site checks to maintain project standards. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani (first row, extreme left) at a work site in Borivli on Thursday The municipal commissioner also conducted a review meeting at the R Central ward office. Deputy Commissioner (Zone VII) Bhagyashree Kapse, Assistant Commissioner (R Central ward) Sandhya Nandedkar, and other officials were present during the visit and the meeting. Gagrani stated, “The BMC has undertaken a road cement concreting project, and it is crucial for officers and engineers to ensure that these works are of the highest standard. Efforts should be made to minimise inconvenience to citizens during ongoing development works. The construction of ‘RDP-10’ Road in Borivli West must be expedited to provide relief to the residents. All road development works must be completed before the monsoon,” he said. In response to complaints about waterlogging on Western Railway (WR) land in Borivli East during the monsoon, Gagrani reviewed proposed works by the stormwater drain department. The municipal commissioner also inspected the sites of completed projects in R Central ward, such as the Gorai Jetty Road and road widening and park development works carried out after the removal of Mahatma Phule slum near Pangat Hotel. He praised the progress of ongoing work at the Bharat Ratna Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Garden in Borivli West, noting that the athletic track and beautification efforts were exemplary. Gagrani also visited the Lalji Trikamji Mumbai Public School, where he interacted with students. Before this, he visited the Citizen Facilitation Centre, engaging with citizens and expressing satisfaction with its functioning.
27 December,2024 07:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariADVERTISEMENT
