Four individuals allegedly attacked the SUV of a sarpanch in Maharashtra's Dharashiv district, smashing its windshield with a cement block and throwing a petrol-filled condom into the vehicle. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, also left the sarpanch and another occupant injured, as per police reports. According to officials, the attack took place around 10 pm near Tuljapur, when the sarpanch of Mesai Jawalga, Namdeo Nikam, was travelling towards his village from Barul in his SUV. As per PTI reports, four assailants on two motorcycles approached the vehicle and initially threw eggs on its windshield. Following this, they smashed the front glass using a cement block improvised as a hammer. The attackers then hurled a petrol-filled condom into the car, splashing the flammable fuel inside, police said. The windshield was shattered, and the sarpanch, along with another individual inside the vehicle, sustained injuries during the incident. Based on a complaint filed by Nikam, the Tuljapur police have registered a case under section 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to attempted culpable homicide. As of now, the attackers remain unidentified, and a probe is underway to determine their motives and identities. Nikam informed the police that he resides in Pune and visits his native village two to three times a week. He also stated that he has no known enmity or disputes with anyone in Mesai Jawalga, according to the police. Woman sarpanch, husband injured in attack in Thane district A newly-elected woman sarpanch and her husband were attacked by a group of persons in Bhiwandi town of Thane district, police said on Thursday. The couple received injuries in the attack, which took place on Tuesday, and was undergoing treatment at a local hospital, they said. Local political rivalry is said to be the reason behind the incident. The 26-year-old sarpanch and her husband were proceeding to Thane city in a car when they were waylaid by around 10 persons travelling in two vehicles, the police said. The assailants, armed with iron rods and a sword, pulled out the couple from the car and assaulted them, they said.
27 December,2024 12:27 PM IST | MumbaiThe 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 11:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariMaharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday condoled the death of former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh saying the former PM's vision has inspired generations to aim higher and do more. "When Dr Manmohan Singh became the Finance Minister in 1991, India's economy was in a dire state. The Berlin Wall had just fallen, the Cold War had ended, and the economic power of communist China was beginning to emerge. At that time, Dr Manmohan Singh implemented a policy of liberalisation to break the constraints imposed on Indian industries by previous Congress governments. It is also important to acknowledge that he had the support of leaders like Prime Minister Narasimha Rao during this critical period," Raj Thackeray said on X. भारताचे माजी पंतप्रधान डॉ. मनमोहन सिंग यांचं निधन झालं. १९९१ ला जेंव्हा मनमोहन सिंग देशाचे अर्थमंत्री झाले तेंव्हा देशाची अर्थव्यवस्था अतिशय तोळामासाची होती. एका बाजूला बर्लिन भिंत कोसळली होती आणि शीतयुद्धाचा शेवट झाला होता, साम्यवादी चीनच्या आर्थिक ताकदीची चुणूक दिसायला लागली… pic.twitter.com/hZCkKw8jqv — Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) December 27, 2024 "In July 1991, while speaking in Parliament, Dr Manmohan Singh used the powerful phrase, "No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come." In essence, he was asserting that India’s moment had arrived, and no force could hinder its progress. Dr Manmohan Singh was truly the architect of this transformative era in India’s history," Thackeray said. "Later, Dr Manmohan Singh became the Prime Minister of India, serving for ten consecutive years. It is natural that any leader in such a position will make both good and controversial decisions. Unfortunately, during his tenure, he faced intense criticism, with his motives often questioned. In response to the relentless scrutiny, he once remarked, "I do not believe that I have been a weak Prime Minister. I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or, for that matter, the Opposition in Parliament..." History will never be harsh on Dr Manmohan Singh; in fact, it will undoubtedly glorify him. Dr. Manmohan Singh's vision has inspired generations to aim higher and do more," he added. "Dr. Manmohan Singh was globally respected as an exceptional economist, a reputation reflected in the actions and statements of the Presidents and Prime Ministers of advanced nations. His expertise and contributions were celebrated by universities around the world. With his silence, Dr Manmohan Singh, through his intelligence and accomplishments, achieved what many could not even accomplish with words. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena offers its humble tributes to the memory of Dr Manmohan Singh...," Raj Thackeray said in a post on X. Manmohan Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms, passed away on Thursday night at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was 92. The Congress leader, who steered the country for 10 years from 2004-2014 and helped set up the country's economic framework as finance minister before that, was a renowned name in the global financial and economic sectors.
27 December,2024 11:42 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhy 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 11:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA tragic accident occurred in Maharashtra's Jalna district on Thursday afternoon when a sulphur tank exploded at a sugar factory, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving another person injured. The explosion took place at Bagehswari Sugar Factory in Partur, located approximately 390 kilometres from Mumbai. The victims have been identified as Ashok Tejrao Deshmukh (56), a resident of Sindkhedraja, and Appasaheb Shankar Parkhe (42), a local resident of Partur. Both men tragically lost their lives in the explosion. Another individual, who was working at the factory at the time of the incident, sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. According to an official statement, the accident occurred during ongoing work at the factory when the sulphur tank, which was reportedly part of the factory’s operations, exploded. The force of the blast caused fatal injuries to Deshmukh and Parkhe, while the third person, whose identity has not been disclosed, is receiving medical attention for injuries sustained in the explosion. Partur police have registered an accidental death case and initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion. Initial reports suggest that the explosion may have been the result of a technical failure, though further investigation is underway to ascertain the full details. Six killed in explosion in Karnataka sugar factory At least six people were killed in an explosion in a boiler at a sugar factory in Bagalkot district of Karnataka on Sunday. "Six people have died on the spot due to the blast in the boiler of the sugar factory in Kulali village," a police control room official told IANS from Mudhol, about 550 km northwest of Bengaluru. At least three others were injured in the blast, the official added. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy directed district officials to shift the injured to hospitals immediately and asked for the site to be inspected to ascertain the cause of the explosion. "The death of the six people in the blast in the sugar factory is saddening. Bagalkot district officials have been directed to conduct a probe and submit a report. The State government will provide compensation to the deceased's kin," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said.
27 December,2024 11:02 AM IST | MumbaiAs the festive season kicks off across India, Mumbai is gearing up for the celebrations of Christmas and the New Year. Several government offices, courts, and banks in Mumbai, Maharashtra, will remain closed to observe Christmas on December 25, and New Year's Day. This closure will impact residents who may need to visit these institutions for official or banking matters during this time, so plan accordingly. Here is a list of key offices and institutions that will be closed: 1. Bombay High Court will be closed from December 24th till January 1st. 2. Bombay Stock Market will be closed on December 25th on the occasion of Christmas. 3. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will be closed on December 25th. 4. Reserve Bank of India observes a bank holiday on December 25th. All banks in Mumbai will be closed. 5. Government of Maharashtra will be closed on December 25th. 6. State Secretariat will be closed on December 25th. 7. MMRDA will be closed on December 25th. 8. Mumbai Port Trust will be closed on December 25th. 9. Byculla Zoo will be closed on December 26th instead of December 25th, as per BMC. 10. Post offices in Mumbai will remain closed on December 25th. Schools, colleges, businesses, and government offices will remain closed on December 25th.
27 December,2024 10:52 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentResidents of the Juhu JVPD area are facing inconvenience with illegal parking along the right side of Gulmohar Road, allegedly caused by local hotel owners. Customers visiting hotels along the Gulmohar Road, from the Mithibai college signal to Criticare hospital, are said to be parking their vehicles creating the problem. Every day, thousands of vehicles travel along the Gulmohar Road stretch, from the Juhu JVPD signal to Mithibai college, which is also the route for the upcoming D N Nagar to Mandale Metro line. During the construction phase, a section of the road was barricaded, but after the piers were erected and the girder launched, the barricades were removed. Traffic snarls caused as a result of the parked cars. Pics/Anurag Ahire Activist, filmmaker, and chairman of the Gulmohar Area Society’s Welfare Group, Ashok Pandit said, “This is causing significant inconvenience not only to local residents but also to motorists using this road. We have raised complaints about this issue with the local authorities, but no action has been taken against the illegal parking. Although we’re not sure who is parking these vehicles, it is believed that some local restaurant and café owners are parking their customers’ cars. We demand strict action against these illegally parked vehicles, and we urge the traffic police to issue fines.” Locals also voiced concerns that the parked vehicles narrow down the road, leading to traffic jams. Local resident Bharat Shetty, also a trustee of the Gulmohar Area Society’s Welfare Group, said, “Numerous complaints have been made, but nothing has been done. The traffic police frequently use this road, so why aren’t they taking action against the cars parked along the median?” Nita Bajpai, a local resident and social activist from the Juhu Gulmohar area, said, “The chances of accidents increase due to these parked cars, yet the traffic police aren’t taking any action. We’ve filed complaints with the authorities. People park their cars along the median in front of eateries on Gulmohar Road. We've also observed that sometimes car owners just sit in their vehicles, and move them without signalling, which could cause accidents.” Samarth Das, an architect and town planner, said, “This was happening informally during the construction of the Metro pillars due to loose barricades, but now that the formal divider has been reinstated and the median built, this is absolutely unacceptable.” A traffic police official from D N Nagar traffic division said, “Time and again, we have taken action against the illegally parked vehicles and we will continue the same. On Thursday night, around 7 pm, our staff took a ride on the stretch and did not find any car parked along the median of the road.”
27 December,2024 10:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMotorists who thronged Bandra Reclamation and Carter Road, drawn by beautifully lit-up scenes on Christmas Eve, were issued e-challans by the traffic department for illegal parking, which caused severe traffic jams. Traffic cops told mid-day that many of these motorists were taking selfies while standing on the highway at Reclamation and had parked their vehicles in double and triple rows, exacerbating the gridlock. Bandra West, which includes hotspots like Reclamation, Bandstand, and Carter Road, is one of Mumbai’s most famous areas, home to many celebrities. On Christmas Eve, more than 25,000–30,000 people visited Reclamation and Carter Road for the lighting shows. According to traffic cops, the lack of parking facilities in the nearby areas forced motorists to park on the highway, leading to chaos. Speaking to mid-day, Senior Inspector Subhash Shinde of the Bandra Traffic Division said, “On Christmas Eve, there was massive traffic at Reclamation and Carter Road. The entire Bandra West area was gridlocked. Most people parked their vehicles on the highway. We sought help from city police to ease the situation.” "Visitors were parking their vehicles on the highway and taking selfies with their families. Traffic started building up from 5.30 pm and only eased after midnight. Even after the lighting shows ended, many people continued to visit the spot for selfies," explained Senior PI Shinde. "We took action against 479 vehicles, but this is a small number as most of our officers and constables were busy clearing the traffic. Our main focus was to ease the congestion, and where necessary, we issued fines. Most of Bandra West is dug up for ongoing construction work, especially at Lucky Junction, adding to the traffic woes," Shinde added. Visitors also complained about the lack of autos operating on meters for trips to Bandra Reclamation. A police officer shared, “We have been working long hours, often going home at 3-4 am and returning to duty by 8-9 am for the past few days.” Traffic Advisory for New Year’s Eve Mumbai traffic police has warned of heavy congestion in Bandra West due to celebrations at Reclamation, KC Road, and Carter Road. No Parking Carter Road: Parking is prohibited for all vehicles (except emergency service vehicles) on both the northbound and southbound lanes of Carter Road, from Otters Club to Cafe Coffee Day. KC Marg: From the Reclamation BEST Bus Depot to MSRDC, parking on both the northbound and southbound lanes is prohibited for all vehicles (except emergency service vehicles). Alternative routes Vehicles heading toward MSRDC should take a left turn from Reclamation Road, proceed straight to Zenda Point, take a U-turn before the Toll Plaza, and continue on the northbound road before taking a left turn toward MSRDC. No Entry The southbound stretch of Reclamation Road, from Zenda Point to MSRDC, will remain closed.
27 December,2024 10:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaIn a bid to bolster safety measures on New Year’s Eve, the Mumbai police said it would intensify patrolling and checking of vehicles to maintain law and order in the city. The Maharashtra government has allowed the pubs and bars in the city to remain open till late at night on New Year’s Eve. The city traffic police had, till December this year, detected 9,168 cases of drinking and driving, and to curb such instances this New Year’s Eve, thousands of police personnel will be deployed across the city. Pradnya Jhende, DCP, traffic, south zone, said that there will be heavy deployment of police personnel who will conduct day-night patrolling in public hotspots like Marine Drive, Bandra Bandstand, Girgaon, and other popular areas. “Last year, we had observed that a large number of people had gathered around Marine Drive hoping to witness fireworks. I have urged the citizens to not gather here as there is no such event taking place on December 31,” DCP Jhende said. The DCP said, “We urge the citizens to use public transport on the occasion of New Year.” Jhende added that those found violating the traffic rules will be fined as per the law. Pillion riders not wearing a helmet will also be fined. “We have intensified checking. We have also changed the areas of patrolling, and this has all helped us to increase the detection rate. We also request the citizens not to drink and drive,” the DCP said. The traffic police will soon issue the advisory about the no parking zones and alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion. “As of now, the road from Regal Junction to the Gateway of India will be a pedestrian area, and no vehicles will be allowed to enter the area on the evening of December 31,” said another traffic officer. A drive will be held to create public awareness about the traffic laws, the officer added.
27 December,2024 10:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Apoorva AgasheThough the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) spent Rs 900 crore on the construction of 36 skywalks—including 24 in the island city and suburbs—to help pedestrians steer clear of vehicular traffic, citizens tend to shun these elevated walkways, which have been reduced to havens for hawkers, beggars and drug addicts. Activists have demanded that the authorities audit the use of skywalks, most of which are poorly maintained and lack escalators, stating that they no longer serve their purpose. mid-day recently assessed the condition of several skywalks, and the picture was grim. The elevated walkway at Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Vikhroli West on December 1. Pics/Satej Shinde The 24 elevated walkways in Mumbai were handed over to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in 2016-17 and the civic body spends around R2 crore on their maintenance every month. When mid-day visited the Nana Chowk skywalk at Grant Road, pedestrians could be mostly seen making their way from Grant Road station to the D ward office while the rest of the infrastructure was hardly used. The skywalk is one of the few that has an escalator. A pedestrian, Sidharth Hegiste, said it had been closed for several months. The malodorous Sion skywalk on December 3. Pic/Atul Kamble At Sion, the skywalk, which stank, wore an abandoned look. Two employees of the state security guard board keep watch only from 7 am to 11 pm. Drug addicts and beggars could be seen when they weren’t around. The story was no different at Dharavi and Cotton Green. A foul smell was emanating even from the Santacruz skywalk, which was occupied by beggars and hawkers, on the Western Express Highway. The Ghatkopar, Goregaon, Borivli and Kandivli were similarly encroached upon while the Vikhroli skywalk was half demolished due to ongoing work on the east-west connector. The intact part, which was covered in filth, was hardly used by pedestrians. The Dahisar East, Bhandup and Kanjurmarg skywalks were also very unclean. The BMC has started repairing the Dahisar West skywalk, spending Rs 23.98 crore for this purpose. The skywalk in Goregaon West wears an abandoned look. Pic/Nimesh Dave Activist Speak Anil Galgali, a civic activist, said Mumbai needs foot overbridges rather than skywalks. “It’s time to audit the use of skywalks. Pedestrians are not using them so why is the BMC maintaining them? The authorities should take a final call on dismantling skywalks, which people avoid as they lack escalators,” he said. Advocate and activist Godfrey Pimenta said, “These skywalks are white elephants. Hawkers have encroached upon most of them while hardly any pedestrian uses them. They aren’t even properly maintained or cleaned. No one knows the reason why they were built.” The skywalk in Mahim East, which has been reduced to a dormitory for beggars. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi Civic activist Sanjay Gurav said, “Skywalks were built so citizens could avoid traffic and hawkers. However, pedestrians prefer to walk on the road. Now hawkers are encroaching skywalks. I suggest that the BMC rehabilitate all hawkers on skywalks and clean every footpath. That way, pedestrians can walk easily on pavements and shoppers can visit skywalks!” Apprised of mid-day’s findings, Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar said, “We will look into this.”
27 December,2024 10:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveOn 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 correspondentADVERTISEMENT
