The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday lashed back at the NCP (SP), stating that it has a "bad habit" of opposing welfare schemes just because it is in the opposition. "It always opposes good things," the party said. "Whenever the BJP introduces welfare schemes, the people's enthusiastic response to them causes pain in the stomach of the opposition. But as the lives of the people start getting better with these schemes and BJP's popularity begins increasing, the opposition, irritated by their own earlier stand, starts making strange and lame excuses," BJP chief spokesperson Niranjan Shetty said. "As soon as Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced a welfare scheme to make all local trains in Mumbai air-conditioned, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar opposed it. The opposition to the welfare scheme by a veteran leader like Sharad Pawar, who has been the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a Union Minister, and has been in politics for a long time, was incomprehensible. In fact, it was expected that he would welcome the scheme. His party should not have done politics in the matter of welfare schemes, at least," Shetty added. "After a huge response from Mumbaikars to the plan announced by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, the sand began to slide under the feet of the NCP, and they took a new stance. "We wanted the Mumbai local trains to be air-conditioned without increasing ticket prices," he said. "But don't you find this weird? It is surprising that a leader who has been a Union Minister doesn't understand that while people are getting the benefit of technology, we can't avoid its costs. It is not possible to avoid the necessary expenditure of any technology-driven welfare scheme," Shetty said. A mid-day article on the possibility of Mumbai's AC local trains getting a push now that the BJP and Mahayuti government are in power has firmly triggered a reaction from the NCP's Sharad Pawar on Monday. NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said the opposition was to the higher fare structure, not to AC trains per say, challenging Vaishnav to get it done. "The fare of AC trains is more than the regular local trains, which is not acceptable to the commuters. We are representing commuters and fighting for them," he told mid-day. "Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw must walk the talk. A fake narrative was created in the name of Sharad Pawar, when asked why Mumbai’s AC local train plans were stranded. Will he implement the plans now that the BJP has the mandate in Maharashtra? Or will he find another excuse?" Crasto said.
26 November,2024 09:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Western Railway on Tuesday, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, said that it will introduce 13 more AC local train services from November 27. The addition of services will bring the total number of AC local services from 96 to 109, the Western Railway said. It said, looking at the popularity and growing demand by the commuters, Western Railway has decided to increase the number of AC local services over Mumbai Suburban section with effect from Wednesday, 27th November, 2024. With the introduction of 13 new AC services, the total number of AC services will now increase from 96 to 109 on Weekdays and from 52 to 65 on Saturdays and Sundays. According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, there has been a substantial rise in the number of commuters traveling by AC local trains. Hence, for the benefit of passengers and to ease the crowd, 13 more AC services are being augmented over WR by replacing existing non AC 12 car services. These services will run as AC services on all days of the week. It said, there will be no change in the total number of services, i.e. the count of local services is 1406 including the 109 AC local train services. On 27th November, 2024, out of these newly introduced AC Locals, the first local service will run from Churchgate at 12:34 hrs and thereafter, the regular run of all the newly introduced AC locals will run as per the Time Table below. Vineet further stated that, out of the additional 13 services being introduced, 6 services are in UP direction and 7 services are in down direction. In the up direction, there are 2 services each between Virar – Churchgate and Bhayandar – Churchgate and one service each between Virar – Bandra and Bhayandar – Andheri. Similarly, in the down direction, there are two services between Churchgate – Virar, one service each between Churchgate – Bhayandar, Andheri – Virar, Bandra – Bhayandar, Mahalaxmi – Borivali and Borivali – Bhayandar. "In the morning peak hour, Bhayandar-Churchgate at 8:34 am, this will be benificial to the commutters who faced problem during peak hour. Another similar service will be run from Andheri," said the railway PRO.
26 November,2024 07:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA heartwarming story of selflessness and generosity emerged from Dr. L. H. Hiranandani Hospital in Powai, where a 47-year-old man, declared brain stem dead after a brain hemorrhage, became an organ donor, giving three individuals a second chance at life. The man from Ghatkopar was admitted with a brain hemorrhage in an unconscious state to Dr. L. H. Hiranandani Hospital in Powai on 22nd November. In spite of numerous efforts by doctors to revive him, the patient was declared brain stem dead on the evening of 24th November. The hospital approached and requested his family to donate his vital organs to save other individuals' lives. After about 28 hours, the family gave their consent for the same. Thereafter, in coordination with ZTCC and following established protocols, the organs were harvested. According to ZTCC guidelines, the organs were allocated as follows: the lungs were sent to KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad, one kidney to a needy patient at L. H. Hiranandani Hospital, and the other kidney to Wockhardt Hospital in Mira Road. (The liver and heart were not suitable for donation.) The selfless act of this 47-year-old man has given a new lease of life to three individuals. "To honor and acknowledge the donor and his family's generosity, L. H. Hiranandani Hospital on bid farewell to the donor's body with a solemn salute from its management and staff," said Dr. Arpita Dwivedy, Head of the Critical Care Unit at Dr. L. H. Hiranandani Hospital, Powai.
26 November,2024 07:01 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe suspense over Maharashtra CM on Tuesday continued as sources in the BJP said that the party will only announce candidate once it decides on portfolio allocations, the PTI reported. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is taking a measured approach regarding the announcement of its chief ministerial candidate for Maharashtra, the party will wait until the allocation of ministerial portfolios in the new state government is finalised before naming its candidate, reported news agency PTI on Tuesday. The BJP emerged victorious after the Maharashtra assembly election result was announced on November 23. The party won 132 seats, while its coalition partners, the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), secured 57 and 41 seats, respectively. Despite the BJP's impressive win, there seems to be a lack of consensus among the coalition partners about who should assume the chief minister's office. Following Eknath Shinde's resignation as chief minister, the Governor has appointed him to continue in a caretaker capacity. This development has delayed the decision-making process of the next chief minister. "The central leadership is in no hurry to name a candidate for the chief minister's post. We have secured a decisive mandate, and the priority now is to work out a comprehensive plan for government formation. That includes finalising ministerial portfolios and distribution of key posts such as district guardian ministers," stated PTI quoting a state BJP leader who requested anonymity. This cautious approach aims to ensure unity within the Mahayuti coalition and prevent any discord that could arise from portfolio distribution. Elaborating, another BJP insider cited the case of Mahendra Thorave, an MLA from Raigad district who had opposed the appointment of NCP's Aditi Tatkare as district guardian minister earlier this year, owing to the long-standing local rivalry, stated PTI. "We want to address such issues now, ensuring that everyone is on the same page before moving forward," he said. With the state's 288-member assembly, a Maharashtra cabinet can have a maximum of 43 ministers, both cabinet and junior. There are 36 districts, and for a chief minister it becomes imperative that each of them gets representation, stated PTI. "With the ongoing parliamentary session, the central leadership is stretched thin, holding meetings with both Maharashtra BJP leaders and allies while also handling floor management in Parliament," said a BJP leader. Regarding the announcement of the chief minister candidate, the leader said, "The BJP central body will appoint an observer or a team of observers who will visit Mumbai. They will meet the MLAs and senior party functionaries to finalise the cabinet formula. Once that is done, they will announce the party's choice for the leader of the legislative wing," PTI stated. Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is viewed as a strong contender for the position, especially after his prominent role in the election campaign. However, Shiv Sena leaders have expressed their preference for Shinde to remain in the role, indicating ongoing negotiations. Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, which is the third player in Mahayuti, is yet to open its cards regarding the chief minister candidate. Recently senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal publicly stated that Fadnavis was acceptable to them. "This has strengthened the calls from several BJP leaders, including newly-elected MLAs, that Fadnavis should be the next CM," the leader told PTI However, the BJP remains careful, as the final decision will be made only after the distributions of cabinet portfolios. "There is no rush. Once the cabinet formula is finalised, we will announce the candidate," said the BJP leader. (With inputs from PTI)
26 November,2024 05:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSenior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday expressed grief over a student's death in Nagpur school bus accident and said that he was ensuring that the injured in the incident are getting best treatment at hospital. In a post on X, Devendra Fadnavis wrote, "An unfortunate accident occurred in a vehicle during a trip to Saraswati High School in Nagpur. It is very sad that one student died. We share in the grief of those families. Some students were injured in the accident, one of them is in critical condition. The injured are being treated at the AIIMS hospital and are being given all possible help by the district administration. The Collector visited AIIMS and interacted with the parents. I am constantly in touch with him." नागपुरातील सरस्वती हायस्कूलच्या सहलीतील वाहनाचा एक दुर्दैवी अपघात झाला. त्यात एका विद्यार्थिनीचा मृत्यू झाला, हे अतिशय दुःखद आहे. त्या कुटुंबियांच्या दुःखात आम्ही सहभागी आहोत.या अपघातात काही विद्यार्थी जखमी झाले, त्यातील एकाची प्रकृती गंभीर आहे. जखमींवर एम्स रुग्णालयात उपचार… — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 26, 2024 A tragic accident occurred involving a vehicle carrying students from Saraswati High School in Nagpur. In this unfortunate incident, one student lost his life. A student was killed and several students and teachers were injured as the bus carrying them to a picnic spot overturned on Tuesday morning, police said. The accident took place when students and teachers of Saraswati High School in Shankar Nagar area in Nagpur were heading for a picnic spot in neighbouring Wardha district in five buses. One of the buses, with some 50 persons on board, overturned near Deoli Pendhari village on Hingani Road in a hilly section on the outskirts of the city, said an official of Hingna police station. The deceased boy was a Class 7 student, he said, without disclosing the name. A girl and a teacher sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, while others were taken to a nearby rural hospital, as per the PTI. Several others were injured in the accident. The injured students are receiving treatment at the AIIMS Hospital, and the district administration is providing all possible assistance. The District Collector on Tuesday also visited the hospital to meet with the parents and offer support. Fadnavis said that he is in continuous contact with the concerned authorities to ensure the students receive the best care possible. The police said that the investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident, as per the news agency. (with PTI inputs)
26 November,2024 04:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWater supply suspension due to pipeline maintenance Due to maintenance of the pipeline, there will be a water supply shutdown in certain areas of the South and North Zones on Thursday, 28th November 2024, from 10:00 PM to Friday, 29th November 2024, till 8:00 PM. • During the 22-hour maintenance period, citizens are requested to use water conservatively. The maintenance work on the 1,450mm diameter Tansa main pipeline at Lower Parel will begin at 10:00 PM on Thursday, 28th November 2024, and will conclude by 8:00 PM on Friday, 29th November 2024. This will lead to a complete or partial disruption of the water supply in certain areas of the South and North Zones during the 22-hour period. The repair work will be carried out by the Water Engineers Department on the Tansa main pipeline located at Gavde Chowk, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel. The water supply to the following areas will be affected: South zone areas affected: Completely affected: Kari Road, Sakharam Bala Pawar Marg, Mahadev Palav Marg, Na. M. Joshi Marg, BDD Chawl, Lower Parel Area, Na. M. Joshi Marg (Regular water supply time: 4:30 AM to 7:45 AM) Completely affected: Prabhadevi Area, P. Balu Marg, Hatiskar Marg, Adarsh Nagar, Janta Vasahat, Appasaheb Marathe Marg, Veer Savarkar Marg, Na. M. Joshi Marg, Senapati Bapat Marg, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Prabhadevi and Lower Parel Station Area (Regular water supply time: 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM) North zone areas affected: Completely affected: Senapati Bapat Marg, Veer Savarkar Marg, Gokhale Marg, Kakasahab Gadgil Marg, Sayani Marg, Bhavani Shankar Marg (Regular water supply time: 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM) Partially affected (33% disruption): Senapati Bapat Marg, L. J. Marg, Veer Savarkar Marg, Gokhale Marg, Arunkumar Vaidya Marg (Regular water supply time: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM)Citizens in the affected areas are requested to store adequate water in advance and use it wisely during the maintenance period. Your cooperation is highly appreciated. (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Public Relations Department)
26 November,2024 02:43 PM IST | MumbaiCentral Railway trains in the morning rush hour were delayed on Tuesday morning due to a rail fracture at Badlapur. Trains had to be run with restrained speed after restoration collapsing the peak hour timetable. "My expected was 16 minute late. It was stuck in the m-indicator and was not moving. There seemed to be some problem," commuter Vilas Chavan said on social media. Central Railway spokesperson confirmed of a disruption." At Badlapur there was a rail fracture and it was attended and movement permitted initially with 10 kmph and then 30 kmph. It will be attended after taking a block and speed will be normalised," a Central Railway spokesperson said.
26 November,2024 02:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarAs the term of the Maharashtra Assembly concluded on Tuesday, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tendered his resignation to Governor C P Radhakrishnan. Shinde, who led the state since June 2022, has been appointed as the caretaker Chief Minister until a new government is established, ANI reports. Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis also met the Governor earlier in the day to submit their resignations. Despite the decisive victory of the Mahayuti alliance in the recently concluded assembly elections, the alliance is yet to finalise its candidate for the top post. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which emerged as the single largest party in the state assembly with 132 seats, is seen as the frontrunner in determining the next Chief Minister. Devendra Fadnavis, the two-time CM and current Deputy CM, is viewed as a strong contender due to his leadership within the BJP and his extensive political experience. Earlier, BJP leader and former Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar stated that Shinde would be asked to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until the new government is formed. "Today marks the end of the current assembly's term. If CM Shinde resigns today, he will be requested to act as a caretaker CM until the new government is sworn in. Leaders from all three Mahayuti alliance parties and our parliamentary board will finalise the Chief Minister soon," Narvekar told ANI. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shinde appealed to his supporters not to gather in Mumbai in his favour, emphasising the need for calm and unity. "Out of love for me, some gatherings have been planned to show support. I am deeply grateful, but I humbly request Shiv Sena workers not to assemble at Varsha bungalow or elsewhere in my support," he wrote. He also reaffirmed the unity and strength of the Mahayuti alliance, stating that the coalition remains intact and committed to forming a stable government. "After our grand victory, our government will once again serve the people of Maharashtra. As a strong alliance, we contested the elections together and remain united today. The Mahayuti alliance will continue to work for a prosperous and strong Maharashtra," Shinde added. Fadnavis, in an open letter to the people of Maharashtra, expressed gratitude for their trust in the alliance. "This victory of the Mahayuti has charted a new course for Maharashtra. With your support, we will work towards achieving the dream of a developed India and a progressive Maharashtra under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said, calling the alliance's win an inspiration for the state's future. The Mahayuti coalition’s victory marks a significant chapter in Maharashtra's political landscape, with its leadership soon to take shape amidst discussions and deliberations within the alliance. (With inputs from ANI)
26 November,2024 12:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid ongoing discussions surrounding the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a leader from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has stated that the Maratha community is in favour of Shinde continuing in the top position. According to Shiv Sena spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre, the Maratha community’s support for Shinde is evident, and it would be prudent for him to retain the post in light of the upcoming local body elections in the state. Although the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a resounding victory in the state assembly elections, winning 230 out of 288 seats, consensus among the alliance leaders on who should become the next chief minister has remained elusive. The current situation has left many wondering about the future leadership of the state. Mhatre highlighted that Shinde, who hails from Satara district in western Maharashtra and belongs to the influential Maratha community, had delivered significant benefits to the community during his tenure. Notably, Shinde successfully provided a 10 per cent reservation for the Maratha community under the economically and socially backward category. He also worked to support the community through schemes such as the Annasaheb Patil and Sarathi Corporations, initiatives aimed at uplifting the Maratha people. "The Maratha community stands firmly behind Shinde due to his efforts to secure their interests. The demand for a Maratha chief minister is gaining traction," Mhatre added, emphasizing that the community's political backing played a crucial role in the alliance's electoral success. While Shinde, a prominent Maratha leader, enjoys significant support within his community, speculation around the potential next CM has focused on BJP's deputy CM, Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis, a Brahmin from Nagpur, is widely regarded as a strong contender for the role, particularly after the BJP’s strong performance in the elections. However, the question of whether the chief minister should come from the Maratha community remains a point of contention. In a related development, a group of women from Maharashtra met with Shinde on Monday to express their gratitude for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Under this scheme, eligible women receive Rs 1,500 per month, and it is believed to have contributed significantly to the electoral success of the ruling coalition. As per PTI, the ongoing discussions about the leadership position in Maharashtra continue, with both the Maratha community's demand for representation and the BJP's growing influence influencing the political landscape. Further developments are expected as the state approaches the local body elections. (With inputs from PTI)
26 November,2024 11:19 AM IST | MumbaiThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted foggy and misty conditions for Mumbai this week as winter begins to settle in. The city is experiencing cooler-than-usual temperatures, accompanied by lower humidity levels. However, deteriorating air quality remains a concern, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) highlighting moderate pollution levels. Right now: Smoke, Temperature: 23.99C, Humidity: 43, Wind: From E at 2.06KPH, Updated: 8:18AM #Mumbai #Weather — WeatherMumbai (@WeatherMumbai) November 26, 2024 Mumbai weather overview Mumbai is set to experience chilly, misty mornings, followed by clearer skies later in the day. On 26 November 2024, temperatures are expected to range between a minimum of 18°C and a maximum of 34°C. According to the IMD, fog or mist is likely during the morning hours, giving way to bright sunshine in the afternoon. Residents are advised to prepare for both cool early hours and warmer daytime conditions. At present, Mumbai's temperature stands at 24°C, with a humidity level of 46% and light winds blowing at 10 km/h. Sunrise today occurred at 6:52 AM, and sunset is expected at 5:59 PM. For those stepping out, sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended to make the most of the sunshine while staying protected. Rainfall Warning : 26th November 2024वर्षा की चेतावनी : 26th नवंबर 2024Press Release Link (25-11-2024): https://t.co/yOBxb6dPp3#rainfallwarning #IMDWeatherUpdate #stayalert #staysafe #TamilNadu #Kerala #AndhraPradesh @moesgoi @ndmaindia @DDNational @airnewsalerts @tnsdma… pic.twitter.com/mYxMnPLcFb — India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) November 25, 2024 Weather outlook for 26 November 2024 On Tuesday, Mumbai is predicted to experience temperatures ranging between 24°C and 28°C, with a humidity level of 42%. Morning fog will likely dominate the skies, followed by clearer conditions as the day progresses. Air quality concerns in Mumbai The city's AQI remains at moderate levels, with a reading of 141 on 26 November, slightly improved from 150 recorded earlier. While this classification is not alarming, it may still pose difficulties for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma or heart-related concerns. The main pollutants contributing to the current air quality include PM2.5 particles and ozone, which can exacerbate health issues in vulnerable groups. Weekly weather forecast Mumbai’s weather is expected to remain consistent over the coming days. 27 November: Temperatures between 17°C and 34°C, with morning fog followed by partly cloudy skies.28 November: Similar conditions, with temperatures ranging from 17°C to 33°C.29–30 November: Cloudier skies are forecasted, with temperatures hovering between 19°C and 33°C.As winter unfolds, Mumbai residents are encouraged to prepare for cooler mornings and fluctuating air quality. Those with pre-existing health conditions should monitor AQI levels closely and take precautions when venturing outdoors.
26 November,2024 11:05 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOver two months after a tragic accident claimed the life of a worker at a casting yard for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, authorities have registered a case of alleged negligence, police said on Tuesday. The incident occurred on September 16 at the casting yard located in Padle village, near Thane. Santram Sukhdeo Singh, a 30-year-old worker, lost his life after being caught in a concrete mixer machine. Following an investigation, an FIR was lodged two days ago at Shil-Daighar police station under Section 106(1) (death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to officials. The case has been registered against 28-year-old Mohammad Sarvar Sahid, who is believed to have been operating the concrete mixer at the time of the incident. Police officials allege that the operator failed to take essential safety precautions before starting the machine, leading to the fatal accident. No arrests have been made so far, and the investigation is ongoing, an official from Shil-Daighar police station informed. The officer stated that the inquiry would delve into whether safety protocols were adhered to at the construction site, particularly regarding the use of heavy machinery. According to PTI reports, Singh had been performing his duties at the Bullet Train project's casting yard when the mishap occurred. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure ventures, has faced scrutiny in the past over worker safety and adherence to labour regulations at its construction sites. The incident has raised questions about safety measures in place at large-scale infrastructure projects, with labour rights groups calling for stricter enforcement of safety guidelines and accountability for negligence. As per PTI, police officials are investigating the extent of the operator's negligence and whether site managers or other individuals share responsibility for the accident. A detailed report is expected to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding Singh's death. The casting yard at Padle village forms a crucial part of the high-speed rail project, which aims to connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad with a state-of-the-art bullet train system. However, the unfortunate loss of life underscores the importance of stringent safety measures to protect workers involved in such large-scale initiatives. The victim's family and labour organisations have expressed grief and demanded justice for Singh, urging authorities to ensure that safety lapses do not lead to further tragedies. The police assured that all necessary action will be taken following the investigation's findings. (With inputs from PTI)
26 November,2024 10:14 AM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
