Water 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 | MumbaiMaharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has appealed to his supporters to avoid gathering at his official residence, ‘Varsha,’ in south Mumbai as speculation continues over the next chief minister. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Shinde expressed gratitude for the affection shown by his supporters but urged them to refrain from assembling in his support. "Following the Mahayuti alliance's significant victory, our government will once again be formed in Maharashtra. We contested the elections together as a grand alliance and remain united," Shinde stated, as per PTI. He added, “Out of love for me, some people have called for a gathering in Mumbai. I am deeply grateful for your affection, but I sincerely request that no one assemble outside Varsha or any other location in my support.” This appeal comes amidst a delay in reaching a consensus within the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance over who will lead the state. The alliance secured a sweeping victory in the assembly elections, winning 230 of the 288 seats, but a decision on the chief minister's post remains unresolved. Shinde’s supporters are backing him for the role, emphasising that the landslide win was achieved under his leadership. However, the BJP, which recorded its highest-ever tally in the Maharashtra assembly with 132 seats, is pushing for Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to assume the role of chief minister for the third time. In the recent elections, Shinde-led Shiv Sena secured 57 seats, while the NCP faction loyal to Ajit Pawar won 41 seats. The counting of votes for the 20 November polls was completed on Saturday. Despite the alliance’s strong mandate, the leadership issue has created a stalemate, with neither camp willing to back down. As per PTI reports, the lack of clarity on the chief minister’s position is causing unease among supporters of both leaders. While Shinde’s camp is highlighting his role in consolidating the alliance’s voter base, the BJP points to Fadnavis’s administrative experience and the party's significant seat tally as reasons for him to take the top post. The ongoing deliberations reflect the complexities of coalition politics, even in the aftermath of a decisive electoral victory. Shinde’s plea for restraint highlights his attempt to maintain unity within the alliance while ensuring that public support does not escalate into a political confrontation. (With inputs from PTI)
26 November,2024 09:01 AM IST | MumbaiThe Maharashtra government has reinstated IPS officer Rashmi Shukla as the Director General of Police (DGP) following the conclusion of the assembly elections, according to an order issued by the state home department on Monday evening. Shukla had been removed from her post as DGP prior to the elections on the directive of the Election Commission of India (ECI). During this period, Sanjay Kumar Verma, another senior officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS), had taken charge as the state's top police officer. This move came after demands from the Congress party, which had called for Shukla to be shunted out of her position ahead of the polls. As per PTI, Verma was appointed as an interim arrangement until the election process was completed, while Shukla was placed on compulsory leave for the duration of the electoral period. With the conclusion of the electoral process and the announcement of the election results, the Model Code of Conduct ceased to be in effect as of Monday. This allowed the government to make administrative changes, including reinstating Shukla to her previous position. According to the home department's order, Rashmi Shukla's period of forced leave has officially ended, and she has been instructed to resume her duties as the Director General of Police. This decision comes in light of the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition securing a decisive victory in the assembly elections, retaining power with a strong majority, PTI reports. Shukla's removal from office prior to the elections had been a politically charged move, as Congress leaders had alleged her proximity to the BJP and demanded her transfer. However, with the elections concluded and the BJP-led coalition firmly back in power, the state government has reinstated her to the key administrative role. The reinstatement underscores the political undercurrents often associated with high-profile appointments in the police force, particularly during election periods. The decision also reflects the state government's confidence in Shukla’s leadership as the head of the Maharashtra police. As per PTI, Rashmi Shukla’s reinstatement is expected to bring continuity to the state’s law enforcement operations after the temporary reshuffle necessitated by the electoral process. The Maharashtra police force will now resume its work under her leadership as the state moves past the election season. (With inputs from PTI)
26 November,2024 08:56 AM IST | MumbaiThe number of Marathi MLAs in Mumbai has reduced from 25 after the 2019 Assembly election to 23 following the 2024 polls. Meanwhile, the number of Gujarati/Marwadi and Hindi-speaking MLAs has grown. In Borivli, BJP’s Sunil Rane won the election in 2019. This year, the BJP gave a ticket to Sanjay Upadhyay who won the seat. In Andheri East, Murji Patel from the Shiv Sena won against sitting Marathi MLA Rutuja Latke (Sena UBT). In Versova, Sena UBT’s only minority candidate, Haroon Khan defeated BJP’s sitting Marathi MLA Dr Bharati Lavekar. In 2019 there were four Gujarati/Marwadi MLAs—Mangal Prabhat Lodha (Malabar Hill), Parag Shah (Ghatkopar East), Mihir Kotecha (Mulund) and Yogesh Sagar (Charkop) who were re-elected this year. Murji Patel’s win has taken the number to five this year. Captain R Tamil Selvan is the only south Indian MLA in Mumbai. The BJP candidate won from Sion Koliwada. The number of minority MLAs elected is the same. In 2019, Amin Patel (Mumbadevi), Zeeshan Siddique (Bandra East) and Aslam Shekh (Malad West) were the three minority MLAs from Congress. Nawab Malik of the NCP won from Anushakti Nagar and Abu Azmi of the Samajwadi Party won from Shivaji Nagar (Mankhurd). This year, Varun Sardesai of Sena UBT defeated Zeeshan Siddique who contested as an NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) candidate from Bandra East. But Haroon Khan of Sena UBT won in Versova. Also, Sana Malik of NCP Ajit Pawar faction won from Anushakti Nagar and Samjwadi Party candidate Abu Azmi won from Mankhurd so the tally of minority MLAs stands at five. Vidya Thakur of BJP was the only north Indian MLA in 2019. She won again along with another north Indian candidate Sanjay Upadhyay (BJP) who won in Borivali constituency.
26 November,2024 08:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveIn Mumbai, of the 12 MLAs who won with a margin of fewer than 10,000 votes, seven are from Shiv Sena (UBT). This includes Aaditya Thackeray, who secured a landslide victory with a margin of 67,427 votes in 2019. The narrowest win was in Jogeshwari East, where the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate triumphed by just 1,316 votes. In comparison, only four MLAs had won with such narrow margins in the last election. Meanwhile, all the candidates with the highest winning margins are from the BJP. Mumbai has 36 Assembly constituencies, and five MLAs—all from the BJP—secured victories with margins exceeding 50,000 votes. However, in one-third of the constituencies, the winning margin was less than 10,000 votes. Among these 12 constituencies, seven are represented by Shiv Sena (UBT). Aaditya Thackeray narrowly defeated Milind Deora of Shiv Sena by just 8,801 votes this time. Sandeep Deshpande of MNS garnered 19,367 votes in the same constituency. Notably, veteran MLAs such as Ajay Choudhari, Sunil Prabhu, and Sanjay Potnis held onto their constituencies in closely contested battles. Choudhari, who had won in 2014 and 2019 with margins of over 40,000 votes, secured his seat this time with a margin of 7,140 votes. Sunil Prabhu, who previously won by a margin of 45,000 votes, managed to retain his seat with an edge of just 6,182 votes. Similarly, Sanjay Potnis made it through with a margin of 5,008 votes. Other razor-thin victories include Bala Nar from Jogeshwari East, Haroon Khan from Versova, and Mahesh Sawant from Mahim, all of whom won with margins under 1,600 votes. In contrast, the five MLAs with the highest winning margins—all from the BJP—dominated the results. Sanjay Upadhyay from Borivli reclaimed his seat with a margin exceeding 1 lakh votes. Yogesh Sagar from Charkop and Atul Bhatkhalkar from Kandivli East also won decisively, with margins of over 90,000 votes. In the previous election, over 10 MLAs had won with margins exceeding 50,000 votes, including eight from the BJP and two from Shiv Sena—Aaditya Thackeray and Ravindra Waikar. Notably, only four MLAs had won with margins under 10,000 votes in 2019.
26 November,2024 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta KasaleTo safeguard the interests of homebuyers and ensure transparency in real estate project registrations, the division bench of the Bombay High Court recently passed a six-point directive, which includes: linking all municipal corporations, municipalities, and urban local authority websites with MahaRERA portal within three months and uploading Commencement Certificate (CC) and Occupation Certificate (OC) issued certificate within 48 hours on their respective websites etc. The Public Interest Litigation Sandeep Patil, an architect from Dombivli, and whistleblower turned petitioner, contends that under Sections 32 and 34 of the RERA Act, MahaRERA is vested with powers to facilitate an effective regulatory mechanism, which includes devising methods to ensure the verification of documents submitted by developers. The petitioner has argued that the lack of coordination between MahaRERA and local authorities contravenes the fundamental objectives of the RERA Act, particularly the protection of home buyers from fraudulent real estate practices. Mandatory norms The petitioner emphasised that the RERA Act requires developers to obtain a valid registration certificate by submitting genuine project details, including approvals from competent authorities. This is crucial for safeguarding potential buyers, in line with the objectives of the RERA Act. Additionally, the Government Resolution dated September 20, 2019, restricts the registration of projects that lack RERA certification or a completion certificate, reaffirming the intent to prohibit the registration of projects developed without requisite approvals. These measures reflect a legislative and administrative commitment to protect the public interest, and the petitioner argues that the respondents must implement them to prevent malpractices in the real estate sector. Unauthorised constructions The petitioner submitted that the project by M/s Sai Builders and Developers, Kalyan (East), allegedly registered on October 15, 2020, based on a forged commencement certificate, illustrates a larger issue of developers exploiting regulatory loopholes. The petitioner pointed to widespread unauthorised construction in approximately 27 villages within Kalyan and Ambernath Talukas, suggesting that developers circumvent compliance requirements by creating forged documents. The petitioner argued that under Section 7 of the RERA Act, MahaRERA possesses the authority to revoke registrations obtained through fraudulent means, and thus a coordinated mechanism is essential to detect and deter such malpractice. MahaRERA response In response to the court’s notice, MahaRERA in its affidavit stated that it has exercised its powers under Section 7(1) of the RERA Act, which authorises the authority to revoke project registration in cases of fraudulent documentation. The authority’s decision to revoke the project registration empowers MahaRERA to freeze accounts related to non-compliant projects, preventing further transactions that could affect innocent purchasers. MahaRERA further submits that it has urged the Government of Maharashtra to establish a centralised digital platform facilitating inter-agency verification of milestone approvals like commencement and occupation certificates. MahaRERA also received a list of 65 fraudulent commencement certificates from the assistant town planner, KDMC were used by other developers. In light of this, MahaRERA has initiated proceedings to cancel registrations for 64 projects under Section 7(1) and froze bank accounts u/s 7 (4) (C)of the RERA Act. Court directives The division bench comprising of Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court and Justice Amit Borkar, after hearing all the sides passed six points directives, which include: 1. Compliance with GR: The State of Maharashtra must enforce strict adherence to the February 23, 2023, resolution ensuring standardized processes for issuing and publishing commencement and occupation certificates. 2. Website integration: All municipal bodies in Maharashtra must link their websites with the MahaRERA portal within three months. 3. Interim transparency: Until integration, municipal bodies must upload commencement and occupation certificates on their websites within 48 hours of issuance. 4. Document verification: From June 19, 2023, MahaRERA will verify commencement certificates before approving project registrations, as per the RERA Act and Order No. 45 of 2023. 5. System integration: The Building Plan Management System (BPMS) must be linked with MahaRERA’s online system within three months to prevent fraudulent certificates. 6. Demolition of illegal structures: The KDMC Commissioner must demolish illegal structures as per the affidavit dated August 26, 2024, with police support. The process must be completed in three months. Petitioner speak “We are satisfied with some of the directives that the high court has passed and hope that this would bring in some form of transparency and safeguard the flat buyers. Our main contention was to have a single web portal, as practiced in London, UK, where every detail of a particular residential/ commercial project is made available right from building approval to building completion, registration of any unit in the said project, taxes paid and legal compliances, etc is available on the tip of the finger, but such a practice is yet lacking in Maharashtra/ India,” said architect Sandeep Patil.
26 November,2024 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonADVERTISEMENT
