The Bombay High Court has approved the felling of over 24,000 mangrove trees on 24.5 hectares of land to make way for the expansion of tracks on the Virar-Dahanu section of the Western Railway. This will allow for the addition of two new rail lines, enabling more services and segregating suburban and outstation train traffic. The project, costing Rs 3,500 crore, will also involve the construction of new platforms, an electrical sub-station, and road over-bridges and under-bridges. The increased capacity is expected to alleviate congestion on roads and encourage more people to use trains.from Mumbai News: Latest Mumbai News Headlines, Coronavirus News, BMC Elections 2022 Updates from Mumbai - Times of India https://ift.tt/1BnaejM
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More than 2.8 crore customers of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) will experience an increase in their electricity bills due to a fuel adjustment charge (FAC) of up to 35 paise per unit. The FAC will be collected for the next two months. MSEDCL purchased additional power at higher prices during the summer months, leading to the need for this charge. Other power utilities in Mumbai have not announced any additional charges in their power bills for this month. The FAC will also affect customers in the below-poverty-line category.
A businessman's bodyguard has been arrested after a road rage incident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The bodyguard allegedly smashed the windscreen of a bus with a hockey stick and fired a bullet at the driver. The incident occurred after a near-collision between the businessman's BMW and the bus. The bodyguard then assaulted the bus driver before being apprehended by the police.
Mumbai airport saw a 33% increase in passenger traffic in the July to September period, handling close to 13 million passengers. The top three international destinations were Dubai, London, and Abu Dhabi, with a 21% increase in passenger traffic. The top three domestic destinations were Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai, with a 31% surge in passenger traffic. August was the busiest month, with 4.3 million passengers. London has replaced Singapore as the second most preferred international destination. IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara were the top airlines in the domestic sector, and IndiGo, Air India, and Emirates maintained their leading positions in the international sector.
The Bengali community is preparing to celebrate Durga Puja from October 20-24, with various traditional festivities taking place in Mumbai. The Ramakrishna Mission in Khar will host the celebrations, including Kumari Puja and a three-day festival. The Durga Bari Samiti at Tejpal Hall is organizing one of the oldest Pujas in its 94th year, while the Bengal Club in Shivaji Park has created a grand Sheesh Mahal set. The celebrations will feature performances, art showcases, and food and handicraft stalls.
The Bombay High Court has ruled that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) must compensate developer Runwal Township for setback land acquired 54 years ago. The BMC took over the land in 1969 to create a public street, but the original owner and subsequent buyer had sought compensation in the form of floor space index (FSI) or transfer of development rights (TDR). The court held that the BMC could not reject the claim and that the petitioners were entitled to compensation according to the law. This ruling may lead to compensation claims for other private land acquired by authorities for public use.
Saki Naka police booked Khan on Saturday after they found out during the investigation that he did not keep the car keys in a safe place and knew his minor son used to take the vehicle out for a spin resulting in the accident on September 6 evening.
A 28-year-old architect and activist with the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has accused the Mankhurd police in Mumbai of torturing him after being arrested for protesting against the Israel-Palestine conflict. The architect alleged that three policemen beat him up severely, resulting in a head injury and swollen arms and hands. The police denied the allegations, and the magistrate's court refused to grant them further custody, ordering a medical examination and preservation of CCTV footage. The PUCL condemned the arrest and alleged police assault on their activists.
Two men on a motorcycle were seriously injured after being fired upon by two masked individuals on another bike near the Padgha area in Thane district. The reason for the shooting is still unknown. The victims, residents of Virar, were on their way to Nashik when the incident occurred. The suspects fled the scene on foot, leaving their bike behind. The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at Sion Hospital. Police have registered a case and formed teams to investigate the incident.
A sweeper at the Bank of Maharashtra in Turbhe, Mumbai has been accused of stealing gold ornaments worth Rs 11 lakh from the bank's lockers. The theft was discovered during an audit in March, and the prime suspect is the sweeper, Ashwin Bhoir. The bank manager filed a police complaint, but Bhoir has not been arrested due to lack of CCTV evidence. He has been summoned to the police station and served a notice to cooperate with the investigation.
There is reportedly a shortage of cartridges needed to run tests that can detect drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Mumbai. Patients are now undergoing tests with lower accuracy due to the unavailability of cartridges. The shortage has also affected the functioning of CBNAAT and TrueNat machines in the city's TB treatment centers. The BMC has borrowed cartridges from other cities and states, and has placed an order for more cartridges. The World Health Organization recommends replacing microscopy tests with molecular tests for TB detection by 2027.
Rahul Narwekar, the Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly, has stated that he will not disrespect the Supreme Court and will make a decision as soon as possible. However, he also emphasized that he will not compromise on the sovereignty of the legislature and its constitutional provisions. The Chief Minister-led Shiv Sena has urged Narwekar to make a decision quickly, stating that they have a strong moral and constitutional case. Narwekar stated that he will consider principles of natural justice and seek legal advice before taking appropriate action.
A woman in her early thirties lost her life after a motorbike accident that led to her being struck by a dumper truck. The incident occurred late on Thursday night on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway.
A health company in Mumbai was defrauded of Rs 2.25 crore when an international hacker posed as a corporate communication manager and sent a phishing link to the company's owner. When the owner clicked on the link, Rs 2.5 crore from the company's cryptocurrency wallet was stolen. Despite warnings against clicking on unknown links, people continue to fall victim to phishing scams. The police have formed a special team to investigate the case and suspect that inferno drainer tools were used in the hacking.
The hearing in the Shiv Sena MLAs' disqualification case saw arguments from lawyers on whether all the 34 petitions should be clubbed. The Uddhav faction argued in favor of clubbing the pleas and having a joint hearing, while the Shinde group demanded separate hearings for each petition. The Speaker will make a decision on October 20. The Uddhav faction also submitted new applications, while the Shinde faction was accused of delaying the hearings. Both sides presented their arguments on why the petitions should or should not be heard together.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced measures to streamline the process of granting permission to Navratri festival mandals and ensure cleanliness and facilities at Chhath Puja sites in Mumbai. The BMC will implement a single window system for mandals, create artificial ponds for idol immersion, and provide lighting and other necessary arrangements. They will also maintain cleanliness and provide additional facilities at the 82 Chhath Puja sites in Mumbai. The efforts aim to make the celebrations smoother and safer for devotees.
A 4-year-old girl died after falling from the fourth floor of a building in Virar, Mumbai. The girl woke up to find her parents gone and fell from a window while looking for them. Her parents have donated her eyes. The building did not have a grille on the window, and the parents had recently stopped taking the girl out due to a scooter accident. The police have filed an accidental death report and are urging parents to be cautious.
A recent survey conducted at IIT-Bombay has revealed that a majority of first-year students at the prestigious engineering school feel stressed, with 76% of the students polled attributing their stress to academics. The survey findings align with the recommendations of a high-level committee formed in response to a student suicide case, which suggested measures such as closing the option to change branches, offering supplementary tests, and updating parents on attendance. The institute is taking steps to create a more accommodating and less competitive environment for its students.
