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Mumbai Division of Indian Railways launches 'Porter on call' service
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Mumbai Division of the Indian Railways has launched 'Porter on call' for online booking of porter service. Initially, the service is being rolled out for three stations: Vasai Road, Vapi and Valsad. Bookings for the service can be made through the website, www.gofoodieonline.com/online-coolie-booking, or through registered numbers: 7229931116/9119222762. Passengers can also book their services by scanning the QR (quick response) code. To do the booking online, passengers can select the boarding/de-boarding station, following which they will receive a confirmation message on their WhatsApp number along with the name and contact number of the porter. The railways has introduced the system to ensure that passengers enjoy a smooth and effortless journey and do not have to carry heavy baggage while travelling alone or with their families. "To ensure that the passengers' need for porters at stations, where there are no licensed sahayaks, is met, the Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway has come up with this innovative initiative. Charges are capped at the level of our existing licensed sahayak charges. An agency has been contracted which will supply the porters on demand. This initiative underscores our commitment towards the safety, security and convenience of our esteemed passengers. It falls under the New, Innovative Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme (NINFRIS)," Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek said. Passengers can also book the service for patients, Divyangjan and senior citizens. The railways will take customer feedback from WhatsApp. Key points: This initiative only targets those stations which do not have licensed 'sahayaks'. This means the initiative will not be available on the Mumbai Central Railway Station, Bandra Terminus, Udhna Station (Surat), etc. Charges are capped as per the licensed sahayak charges. They can charge less, but not more. The agency which has got this contract pays license fee to railways. Benefits• Instant porter availability • Transparent and fixed pricing• Trained and verified porters• Convenient and time-saving• Luggage and passenger assistance.
04 April,2025 11:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Vikhroli Flyover project nears completion as BMC plans to open it by May-end
The construction of the Vikhroli flyover, connecting Mumbai's eastern and western suburbs near Vikhroli Railway Station, is in its final stages. The first phase of the flyover, comprising six girder sections, has been successfully completed, with all iron girders now in place at the project site. Work on the remaining two phases has also picked up pace, with 12 more girders to be placed in these sections. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to open the flyover to traffic by the end of May. Under the guidance of BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, the civic body has been spearheading significant infrastructural projects aimed at improving the city's connectivity. The flyover project at Vikhroli is part of the broader initiative to ease traffic congestion and provide quicker routes for commuters travelling between the eastern and western parts of Mumbai. The flyover, being constructed along the Central Railway line will be 12 metres wide and 615 metres long. Of this, the BMC is handling the construction of 565 metres, while the remaining 50 metres will be managed by the railways. The girders being installed weigh around 25 metric tonnes each and have a length of 25 to 30 metres. The girders are being placed in three phases, with six girders already installed in the first phase. The flyover will have a total of 19 pillars: 12 on the eastern side and seven on the western side. Currently, around 85 per cent of the work has been completed, and the remaining 15 per cent is scheduled to end by the end of May. Once completed, the flyover will significantly reduce travel time for vehicles heading towards Powai via the Eastern Express Highway, offering relief for both commuters and motorists. Additionally, the flyover will benefit drivers travelling from stations such as Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, and Kanjurmarg, located within a 5-kilometre radius. The eastern side of the flyover is 95 per cent complete, while work on the western side is ongoing. The approach to the western side is also finished. The western side of the flyover will curve near a school, where the "deck slab" will be installed. This part of the project is expected to be completed soon. Upon completion, the Vikhroli flyover will streamline traffic flow in a crucial part of Mumbai, providing much-needed relief to local commuters and reducing overall travel time.
04 April,2025 10:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Civic chief expresses displeasure over slow pace of road concretisation work
Mumbai civic chief Bhushan Gagrani has expressed his dissatisfaction over the pace of road concretisation work in the eastern suburbs. In a review meeting held in the civic body headquarters in south Mumbai, Gagrani has warned that if contractors do not improve the working method, their contract will be revoked and strict action will be taken against them. He also warned engineers against withholding contractors' payments without valid reasons. If payments are unjustifiably delayed, the engineers will be held responsible and action will be taken against them, the civic chief further cautioned. While the road works are in progress, it is extremely necessary for contractors to use road dividers and barricading for the safety of citizens and green cloth covering and green net to avoid pollution, the officials were told. If any shortcomings remain while the work is in progress, the contractors should remain vigilant and rectify them immediately. Strict action will be taken if the contractor neglects or deliberately does wrong things, Gagrani warned. The Mumbai civic body is facing a lot of criticism from residents over the ongoing road works. However, this criticism should be taken positively and viewed as an opportunity and a challenge, said Gagrani. "If the ongoing concretisation works are completed before the monsoon, the problem of potholes will be reduced, road connectivity will increase, and the journey of Mumbaikars will become smoother. Mumbaikars will have a pleasant experience," said Gagrani in the meeting. He also stated that no compromise will be tolerated over quality while expediting the concretisation works, and has asked the stakeholders concerned to remain more vigilant in this regard. In the first phase of the concretisation work, 698 roads on 324 kilometres is underway, while in the second phase, 1,420 roads spanning across 377 kilometres will be concretised. Nine contractors have been appointed for the road works, and there is a difference in the progress of their work. Gagrani has directed the contractors to complete the road works by May 31, failing which strict action will be taken against the contractor concerned. Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar was also present during the meeting.
04 April,2025 10:49 PM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
MHADA holds 'Janta Darbar' in Mumbai to resolve residents' grievances
As part of a state-wide initiative for responsive governance, a Janata Darbar was held at the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) headquarters in Bandra, Mumbai, on Friday for citizens to get their grievances resolved in real-time. The event was led by Sanjeev Jaiswal, the Vice President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MHADA, who reviewed 17 cases, including five formal applications, and gave instructions for their immediate resolution. Breaking from the conventional chamber-based hearings, Jaiswal visited various departments across MHADA’s Grihnirman Bhavan to engage with citizens in areas of high footfall. He assessed the grievance resolution process on the ground, gathered direct feedback, and ensured that departmental heads were held accountable for swift action. Among the key outcomes, several cases were resolved immediately, while others were escalated with set timelines. In many instances, the conduct and responsiveness of MHADA staff were commended for their citizen-centric approach. This Janata Darbar is part of the Maharashtra Government’s 100-day action plan, which was initiated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde. The plan includes defined timelines for grievance redressal across various departments, with MHADA incorporating these principles into its own grievance resolution mechanisms. Following directions from Jaiswal, similar public grievance hearings have already been conducted at MHADA’s regional boards in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nashik, both of which saw strong public engagement. All divisional boards have been instructed to hold Janata Darbars regularly to institutionalise accountability and ensure greater access for citizens. MHADA conducts lottery to allot houses to 663 Patra Chawl residents The long-standing wait of nearly 15 years for residents of the Siddharth Nagar Co-operative Housing Society (Patra Chawl) in Goregaon (West) in Mumbai has finally come to an end. A computerised lottery draw was successfully conducted on Friday by the Mumbai Housing and Area Development Board of MHADA for allotting rehabilitation tenements to 663 eligible members under the redevelopment project located on Plot No R-9. The lottery was held at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Hall in Goregaon (West) under the chairmanship of Milind Borikar, the Chief Officer of MHADA's Mumbai Board. Through the Randomised Allotment of Tenement (RAT) computerised system, eligible members were allotted the number of their rehab tenement, including details such as building number, wing, and floor. Speaking on the occasion, Borikar emphasised that MHADA’s computerised lottery system is highly transparent and free from any human interference. Being a government undertaking, MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority) strictly follows the prescribed procedures and government-approved methods for allotment, he added. While sharing the further project details, Borikar stated that based on the demands of the society, MHADA’s Vice President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sanjeev Jaiswal, has approved the installation of a solar power system for the housing society, and the planning for the project is currently underway. In addition to this, MHADA will also provide gym equipment for the society's fitness centre. The project received an Occupancy Certificate (OC) on Tuesday. Although the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) mandate 412 parking spaces, the board has arranged for a total of 686 parking spots, ensuring one dedicated parking space per tenement.
04 April,2025 10:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
MMRDA begins construction of FOBs at stations connecting Wadala-Thane Metro Line
To avoid repeating the oversight of missing foot overbridges (FOBs) and last-mile connectivity links during the construction of the Mumbai Metro Red Line (Line-7), the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) took a proactive step on Friday by initiating the construction of multiple FOBs at four locations, connecting suburban railway stations along the Wadala-Thane Green Line-4 and 4A. MMRDA has invited bids for the construction of FOBs at various locations across four stations, including Pant Nagar, Vikhroli, Bhandup, and Vijay Garden (Thane), with an estimated cost of Rs 129 crore. An additional Rs 8 crore will be allocated for the shifting of utilities. These bridges will enhance last-mile connectivity by linking railway stations to the existing skywalks at Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, and Bhandup. This project is in addition to a tender recently floated by the MMRDA for connecting the SEEPZ Metro station on Pink Line-6 (Swami Samarth Nagar to Vikhroli) to Aqua Line-3 (Aarey Colony to Cuffe Parade). Mumbai Metro Line-9: Advancing sustainable growth with eco-friendly infrastructure Metro Line-9, spanning 10.54 km from Dahisar East to Mira Bhayandar, is set to enhance Mumbai’s transportation network with eight elevated stations. The car depot for this metro line is planned at Dongri. In the first phase of development, a tree survey was conducted at the proposed depot site due to limited accessibility. A proposal concerning 2,500 affected trees was submitted to the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) in October 2024. Of these, 1,668 trees will be preserved, including 574 that will be transplanted and 1,094 left undisturbed. However, 832 trees have been proposed for removal. MMRDA has appointed a contractor for the necessary works, and initial tasks such as land surveys, tree assessments, and detailed studies have been completed. Once full access to the depot area was granted, a second-phase study was conducted. In February 2025, a proposal addressing 9,900 additional affected trees was submitted to MBMC. Among these, 7,016 trees will be transplanted within the Mira Bhayandar region, while 2,884 trees will need to be removed. Across both phases, a total of 3,716 trees will be cut as they cannot be transplanted. However, 7,590 trees will be relocated within the municipal area, and 1,094 will remain undisturbed. To compensate for the impact, approximately 25,000 new trees will be planted across Mira Bhayandar, with MMRDA providing the necessary funds for this afforestation effort. Committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly development, MMRDA is integrating eco-friendly technologies to maintain ecological balance throughout the metro project. By prioritising transplantation and afforestation, the authority aims to minimize tree loss while enhancing urban transport infrastructure. The project is progressing in a phased manner, ensuring that environmental conservation remains a top priority. Mumbai Metro projects emphasize sustainability, incorporating advanced technologies such as regenerative braking systems, which convert kinetic energy into electrical energy during braking, reducing energy consumption. By promoting public transportation, the metro significantly lowers carbon emissions and traffic congestion. Additionally, eco-conscious construction methods, including the use of precast segments and green building certifications for metro stations, are being implemented to minimize environmental impact.
04 April,2025 08:01 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
MHADA conducts lottery to allot homes to Patra Chawl residents
The long-standing wait of nearly 15 years for residents of the Siddharth Nagar Co-operative Housing Society (Patra Chawl) in Goregaon (West) in Mumbai has finally come to an end. A computerised lottery draw was successfully conducted on Friday by the Mumbai Housing and Area Development Board of MHADA for allotting rehabilitation tenements to 663 eligible members under the redevelopment project located on Plot No R-9. The lottery was held at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Hall in Goregaon (West) under the chairmanship of Milind Borikar, the Chief Officer of MHADA's Mumbai Board. Through the Randomised Allotment of Tenement (RAT) computerised system, eligible members were allotted the number of their rehab tenement, including details such as building number, wing, and floor. Speaking on the occasion, Borikar emphasised that MHADA’s computerised lottery system is highly transparent and free from any human interference. Being a government undertaking, MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority) strictly follows the prescribed procedures and government-approved methods for allotment, he added. While sharing the further project details, Borikar stated that based on the demands of the society, MHADA’s Vice President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sanjeev Jaiswal, has approved the installation of a solar power system for the housing society, and the planning for the project is currently underway. In addition to this, MHADA will also provide gym equipment for the society's fitness centre. The project received an Occupancy Certificate (OC) on Tuesday. Although the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) mandate 412 parking spaces, the board has arranged for a total of 686 parking spots, ensuring one dedicated parking space per tenement. Borikar also announced that if beneficiaries require any structural repairs within one year of taking possession, MHADA will ensure such services are provided free of cost through appointed contractors. He further informed that even though the possession process has commenced, the rent compensation will continue to be provided to all members until May. Since January 2018, the housing body has disbursed Rs 129 crore as rent compensation to eligible members. Following the conclusion of the lottery, the results were displayed on the notice boards outside the venue. MHADA said it will also be made available on its official website (mhada.gov.in). All the 663 beneficiaries whose names were declared in the lottery will receive their possession letters and keys from April 7 from the office of the Executive Engineer, Goregaon Division at MHADA's headquarters in Bandra (East). The beneficiaries will have to present a valid government identity card, such as Aadhaar Card, for the handover process.
04 April,2025 07:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CIDCO presents a budget of Rs 14,120 crore for FY 2025-26
The City And Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) presented its budget for financial year of 2025-26 on March 28. In the budget tabled by Vijay Singhal, the Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of CIDCO, a substantial provision of Rs 14,120 crore (expenditure) was made against the receipt of Rs 14,130 crore for various projects, including the Navi Mumbai International Airport, housing, Navi Mumbai Metro, Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), International Educity and water supply scheme. "CIDCO's projects such as Navi Mumbai International Airport, NAINA, International Educity, Mass Housing Scheme, etc are at important stage. Along with these ambitious projects, other schemes which are important for the common people of Navi Mumbai such as connectivity projects and water supply schemes have also been allocated with a substantial amount of Rs 14,120 crore in the budget of 2025-26. This will help in completing these projects within the scheduled time frame and will also provide a relief to the common man," said Singhal. The development authority has a history of about 55 years. Key highlights of CIDCO's Budget 2025-26 Project Amount (in crore) 1. General Budget - Rs 6,868.46 2. Housing - Rs 3,251.38 3. Water supply - Rs 1,120.50 4. New towns - Rs 1,073.42 5. Railway - Rs 653.63 6. Metro - Rs 625.48 7. NAINA - Rs 527.13 7 Total - Rs 14,120 "Looking at the past, CIDCO has always achieved a remarkable success in providing state of the art infrastructure for the betterment of the society. And accordingly, CIDCO has presented a highest budget of Rs. 14,120 crores (Expenditure) for 2025-26 against receipts of Rs. 14,130 crore with great sense of responsibility and accountability towards the development of the country," the development body said in a press release, issued on Friday. It also stated that it is committed to the "pillars of four principles of transparency, accountability, better accounting practices and performance" with an aim of achieving desired growth for the state and corporation. "CIDCO is committed towards development and have made tremendous strides in e-governance, with a focus on transparency and ease of access to its services for residents of Navi Mumbai & CIDCO jurisdiction area as well," the press release further stated.
04 April,2025 07:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Barcelona Legends vs Real Madrid Legends: Diversions issued for motorists
The much-anticipated Barcelona Legends vs Real Madrid Legends match is set to take place at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, this Sunday. The event is expected to draw thousands of football fans, which may lead to significant traffic congestion in and around the venue. Accordingly, Deputy Commissioner of Police Tirupati Kakade (Traffic) has announced traffic restrictions and diversions to manage vehicular movement. Majorly, vehicles will be redirected via the Sion-Panvel Highway between Uran Phata and LP Bridge. The traffic restrictions will be enforced on Sunday from 1 pm to 11 pm. However, emergency vehicles, including police vehicles, ambulances, and fire brigades, will be exempted from these traffic restrictions. The most affected traffic areas will be the service road between Bhimashankar Society and LP rickshaw stand, Shivaji Chowk, and Shani Mandir Arch, among others. To prevent congestion caused by illegal parking, the police have designated parking arrangements for fans at Raheja Universal and Mindspace. A notification issued by the Turbhe Traffic Division stated that heavy vehicles will be banned on the affected roads, except for emergency vehicles and those with official event passes. Additionally, the Thane Traffic Police have issued a separate notification regarding restrictions and diversions to ensure smooth traffic flow and minimise inconvenience to the general public and motorists. The notification was issued by Pankaj Shirsat, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Thane City. Traffic restrictions and road closures:Kasarvadavli Traffic Division: The Fountain Hotel stretch on Ghodbunder Road, for vehicles coming from Mumbai, Vasai, and Virar towards Thane, will be closed. The Gaumukh Naka will also be closed for traffic. Kalwa Traffic Division: Vehicles coming from Balkum- Saket-New Kalwa Bridge towards Kalwa Naka to Navi Mumbai will face restrictions. Kalwa Naka and Parsik Circle will remain closed. Mumbra Traffic Division: Shilphata on the Panvel to Kalyan Phata-Shilphata via Mahape route will be closed. Kongaon Traffic Division: The Ranjnoli Naka on Kalyan-Bhiwandi Road (Bhiwandi’s JNPT to Navi Mumbai route) will be closed. The stretch near Basuri Hotel will also remain shut. Narpoli Traffic Division: Chinchoti Naka, on the road from Gujarat towards Ghodbunder Road, will be closed. Kalyan Traffic Division: Gandhari Naka on Padgha Road (Bapgaon to JNPT stretch) will be closed. Patripool on Kalyan-Shilphata Road will also remain shut. Kolsewadi Traffic Division: Nisarg Naka on the Taloja Bypass Road (Badlapur-Ambernath Pipeline Road and Bandalpur Checkpoint) leading to Navi Mumbai will see traffic restrictions.
04 April,2025 06:20 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
Mumbai local train updates: Strong gusty winds affect Central Railway services
A sheet of flying metal got stuck in the overhead wires due to strong winds between Atgaon and Thansit stations on Central Railway, bringing the Mumbai local rail traffic to a halt on Friday evening. The entire section from Kasara to Kalyan stations on the Central Railway was affected owing to the incident. A Mumbai local train was stopped for 15 minutes while an Express train behind it was halted for eight minutes. Services have now been restored, Central Railway officials said. Central Railway marks huge progress in infrastructure development in 2024-25, check details Central Railway has made major progress in improving its infrastructure during the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25, an official statement said on Thursday. It said that the Central railway completed the commissioning of 325.93 kilometers of track, which includes both safety clearance and engine trial runs for new routes. The Central Railway also shared the details of the key accomplishments- It includes safety clearance of 258.44 kms of track given by Commissioner Railway Safety and completion of engine trial run of 67.49 kms of track. "Several key yards underwent remodelling to enhance capacity. A total of nine major yards, including CSMT, Khandwa, and Sindi, received updates to improve efficiency and safety. Alterations were also made at Kasara, Chalisgaon, and Godhani," the official statement said. It further said that Central Railway has completed 3 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and 3 Road Under Bridges (RUBs), contributing to safer and smoother travel for passengers and vehicles and the Railway Board received 19 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), with 6 already approved and 13 awaiting final approval. Two major traffic facility works have been successfully completed during this FY:- - Extension of Platform no 10/11 and platform no 12/13 at CSMT for accommodating 24 coach trains and provision of Electronic Interlocking along with yard remodelling work. - Extension of 3 receipt and despatch lines each in Up and Down lines at Kasara Yard and extension and widening of platform no 1 and 2 at Kasara. In addition, the various non-interlocking works done include: - Yard remodelling in 9 major yards having more than 100 routes viz. CSMT, Khandwa, Sindi, Puntamba, Pachora, Bhandak, Seloo Road, Hinganghat & Chikni Road. - Alteration in 3 major yards viz. Kasara, Chalisgaon and Godhani.
04 April,2025 05:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Bhivpuri car shed on track, big boost for Mumbai local trains
Mumbai’s local train network is set to get a much-needed boost with work finally beginning on a new rail car shed at Bhivpuri near Karjat. This marks the city’s first new local train maintenance shed in 13 years, the last one being built at Virar in 2012. The Bhivpuri facility will accommodate 20 12-car local trains. New EMU car shed “Apart from Bhivpuri, another EMU car shed has been proposed at Vangaon on Western Railway,” a senior official said. “The Bhivpuri location was finalised by Central Railway in coordination with Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC). Following site surveys and land acquisition, construction has now begun.” The current scope of work includes earth filling, compaction, drainage, boundary walls, road construction, and other preparatory tasks before the workshop is built. Shed layout and capacity As per the layout, the facility will have eight mid-section stabling lines capable of holding 20 12-car trains. Additional infrastructure includes: >> Eight extra lines, including two washing lines >> Three inspection shed lines, with future provision for eight >> Three parallel lines for a lifting shed Location details The car shed is located between Bhivpuri Road and Karjat stations in the Kalyan-Karjat section of Central Railway, spanning seven villages—Vanjale, Savargaon, Koshane, Ashane, Umroli, Garpoli, and Diksal. Local train fleet According to Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) data: >> CR Mumbai operates 74 12-car rakes, 2 15-car rakes, and 5 AC locals (total: 81) >> WR Mumbai operates 75 12-car rakes, 14 15-car rakes, and 8 AC locals (total: 95) Key role in new corridors The Bhivpuri car shed is expected to be a major support system for the Panvel-Karjat railway project, a crucial part of Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3 (MUTP-3). With work on this corridor 74 per cent complete, the new shed will help facilitate train operations in the region. Voices Nitin Parmar, Zonal Railway Users’ Consultative Committee Member“A car shed at Bhivpuri is a boon for Karjat. More rakes mean more services originating and terminating here. This will also support the upcoming Karjat-Panvel corridor. Commuters are eager for this development.” Ketan Shah, Zonal Railway Users’ Consultative Committee Member“This new shed will boost railway activity across the entire stretch from Karjat to Kalyan. It could pave the way for dedicated shuttle services between Karjat and Kalyan.”
04 April,2025 05:07 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Milind Deora highlights parliament’s late-night efforts in passing Waqf Bill
Hours after the Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in Parliament, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora highlighted the rigorous schedule of parliamentary proceedings, emphasising the dedication of lawmakers in passing crucial legislation. “For those who say MPs don’t work—just yesterday (or today), Rajya Sabha sat till 4 AM to pass two historic laws & the night before, Lok Sabha debated & legislated until 3 AM. I slept at 5 AM & was up at 7:45 AM to fly back to Mumbai for an important meeting. Democracy in action! #Parliament,” he said in a post on X. For those who say MPs don’t work—just yesterday (or today), Rajya Sabha sat till 4 AM to pass two historic laws & the night before, Lok Sabha debated & legislated until 3 AM. I slept at 5 AM & was up at 7:45 AM to fly back to Mumbai for an important meeting.Democracy in action!… — Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) April 4, 2025 His tweet comes in the wake of back-to-back late-night sessions in both Houses of Parliament, where the Waqf Amendment Bill was discussed and passed. The Rajya Sabha’s session stretched till 4 AM, while the Lok Sabha debated legislation until 3 AM the previous night. Parliament passes Waqf Amendment Bill Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate. In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected. In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it. Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders. "The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board. He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22. Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill. "You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added. He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty. "Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said. According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution. As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors. A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency. The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules. It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans. The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf. It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity. (With inputs from Agencies)
04 April,2025 02:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent