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Fire breaks out at Bandra street after gas pipeline burst

A fire erupted after an underground gas pipeline ruptured on Tuesday afternoon in Bandra West area of suburban Mumbai, the officials said. The incident took place near Anderida Road in Bandra west, triggering flames and causing a disruption in gas supply to the area. Sources said that the incident occurred while workers were allegedly digging the asphalt road as part of ongoing road concretisation work in the locality. Mumbai Fire Brigade officials reached the site and launched a fire-fighting operation. Firefighters worked efficiently to ensure the safety of the residents in the area, sources said. An underground natural gas pipeline was damaged on Tuesday afternoon at Pro Anderida Road, Bandra West, during road digging for concretisation work, triggering a fire. The Mumbai Fire Brigade rushed to the spot, but the gas supply to Bandra West and Khar West has been affected.… pic.twitter.com/mG9Gn6Pv8T — Mid Day (@mid_day) February 25, 2025 The gas pipe was damaged during the roadwork, leading to the release of gas and the subsequent fire. The incident resulted in a temporary disruption in the gas supply to residents in Bandra West and Khar West. Gas services in the affected areas were cut off for safety reasons and was likely to be restored by 6 am on Wednesday, sources said. No injuries were reported in the incident.

25 February,2025 10:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Sameer Surve
The relatives of deceased were handed over cheques on Tuesday

Kurla accident: BEST hands over financial assistance cheques to victims kins

SVR Srinivas, holding the additional charge of Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply And Transport (BEST) General Manager, on Tuesday presented the first set of cheques of Rs 2 lakh as financial assistance to the three relatives of the victims of the Kurla bus accident, the officials said. The relatives of deceased Afreen Abdul Salim Shahu (19), Mohammed Islam Mohammed Nizam Ansari (49), and Mehtab Shaikh (22) were handed over cheques on Tuesday, a BEST spokesperson said. It may be recalled that the accident occurred around 10:30 pm on December 9, when a BEST bus driver on route 332 from Kurla to Andheri lost control of the bus. It ploughed through pedestrians and vehicles over a 100-meter stretch before crashing into a building wall, killing nine pedestrians and injuring 40 others. Shocking visuals of minutes before the horrific Kurla BEST bus crash took place showed the horrific accident. The CCTV footage from the BEST bus in the Kurla crash had showed the panic among the passengers present inside the vehicle. In the CCTV footage of inside the BEST bus and the spot where the accident took place shows panicking commuters inside the bus figuring out as to why the bus was on a rampage. Moreover, the conductor of the bus was seen shocked to see the driver rashly driving and crashing into whatever was on the way of the BEST bus. Moments later, panicked passengers, some of them elderly are seen attempting to save their lives as they witnessed the uncontrollable speeding bus going on dashing people and vehicles coming its way. The police investigations into the horrific Kurla bus accident had revealed that the bus driver identified as Sanjay More, 54, began operating the electric BEST bus just days before the crash took place. More's alleged negligence had killed 9 and injured at least 40 people, the police had earlier said. Following the incident, More was initially detained by the Kurla police and was later placed under arrest. He was booked under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.

25 February,2025 10:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
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Eknath Shinde orders probe after French firm accuses MMRDA of corruption

The Bombay High Court (HC) on Tuesday set aside a contract termination notice issued by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to French consultancy firm Systra, reported news agency PTI. The firm had accused several MMRDA officials of corruption related to metro projects in Mumbai. The court ruled that the termination decision was "arbitrary and unfair" and directed the state agency to reconsider the matter after hearing the company’s side. Following the allegations, which sparked a political controversy, sources said Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Urban Development Department (UDD), instructed the Additional Chief Secretary (UD-1) to "inspect the matter" after consulting officials from both the French firm and MMRDA. A report is to be submitted within 15 days, reported PTI. However, the MMRDA, in a statement, claimed that Systra "misrepresented" certain facts to French government representatives only after receiving suspension and termination notices. "This clearly indicates that the allegations are an afterthought aimed at deflecting attention from their own contractual breaches," the agency stated. The MMRDA further pointed out that while Systra claimed the issues began in August 2023, it did not submit any formal complaints to the agency, the UDD, the Chief Secretary's Office, or the Chief Minister's Office until after the termination notice. It also noted that Systra’s complaint was unsigned and, as per Maharashtra government policy, such documents are considered "mere printouts of wild allegations". Last month, MMRDA terminated contract of firm's Indian subsidiary "The French Embassy merely forwarded this printout without endorsing its veracity or merit (to the Maharashtra government)," the statement added. According to PTI, last month, MMRDA terminated the contract of Systra's Indian subsidiary, which had been appointed in 2021 as a general consultant for designing, procurement assistance, construction management, and supervision of three Mumbai Metro routes — Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan, Andheri-CSMIA (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport), and Dahisar-Mira Road. The issue gained traction after the French Embassy, in a letter dated November 12, 2024, urged the Maharashtra government to "resolve the situation" and conduct a thorough investigation, citing Systra's claims of "severe harassment" while working on MMRDA projects. Systra alleged that MMRDA officials sought "undue favours," delayed payments, pressured the firm to inflate contractor orders, stalled approvals for key personnel, and imposed arbitrary penalties. While the contract was originally set to expire in November 2024, it had been extended until December 2026. However, on January 3, 2025, the MMRDA issued a termination notice, prompting Systra to approach the High Court. The agency argued that the contract's general conditions allowed it to terminate services without giving reasons. On Tuesday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Arif Doctor noted that the MMRDA had not provided any justification for terminating Systra MVA Consulting (India) Pvt Ltd. Opposition slams Mahayuti government "We find that the action of the MMRDA in discontinuation of the terms of the contract, which was extended up to December 2026, without assigning any reasons, is arbitrary, unfair and unreasonable," the court said. It emphasised that state agencies must act fairly and cannot make arbitrary or unreasonable decisions, even in contractual matters. "The general conditions of the contract cannot be read to mean that the MMRDA has a license to act unfairly, arbitrarily or unreasonably in the contractual field without assigning reasons," the bench observed. Setting aside the termination notice, the court directed the MMRDA to reconsider the decision after hearing from Systra. Despite this, the MMRDA, in its statement, claimed that the court's ruling reaffirmed its "procedural integrity and rightful discretion" in the matter. However, the court did not examine Systra’s performance. Meanwhile, opposition leaders criticised the Mahayuti government and called for an impartial probe. Urge CM to launch free and fair inquiry into issue: Aaditya Thackeray Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former minister Aaditya Thackeray accused Shinde’s Urban Development Department of dismissing corruption concerns raised by the French consultant. "While India and France get closer diplomatically, the @MMRDAOfficial run by Eknath Shinde's Urban Development department rubbishes concerns of corruption raised by the French consultant," he wrote on X. "I urge @CMOMaharashtra to launch an open, free and fair inquiry into this issue," he added. The Maharashtra Congress also called for an impartial investigation, stating that the allegations had tarnished India's global reputation. Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, "We demand a judicial investigation into this grave issue. No international agency would choose to work in India if justice is not done here." The NCP (SP), led by Sharad Pawar, called it a serious issue and "an absolute embarrassment for our country." "#BJP-led Maharashtra government that cries hoarse about transparency must clarify and expose all involved. It will not be surprising if they give a clean chit to the guilty and instead accuse the French company," NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto wrote on X. (With PTI inputs)  

25 February,2025 10:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Sanjay Raut lauds CM Fadnavis for not allowing 'fixers' to become OSDs or PSs

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday lauded Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for not allowing "fixers" to be named as personal secretaries (PS) or Officers on Special Duty (OSD) of cabinet members and said most of those ignored for the posts were of Shiv Sena ministers. According to news agency PTI, the Member of Parliament (MP) claimed that of the 16 PSs or OSDs for cabinet ministers whose appointment was not approved by Fadnavis, 13 were of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Talking to reporters in Mumbai, the Rajya Sabha lawmaker lauded Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, for stopping the appointment of "fixers" as personal staffers or OSDs of cabinet ministers. "I have the names of 16 PSs of which 13 are of (deputy CM Eknath) Shinde (Shiv Sena ministers) and remaining are of the Ajit Pawar camp. He [Fadnavis] is taking tough decisions. We may have political differences, but we support decisions taken in the interest of the state," Raut stated, according to PTI. The Shiv Sena (UBT) member said that the Maharashtra CM stopped the "state loot" by suspending the work on projects approved when Shinde was he was the CM,  from June 2022 to November 2024, and whose costs were inflated. Fadnavis has stopped the "loot" of Maharashtra treasury, said Raut. On Monday, the Maharashtra CM said he cleared 109 out of 125 names referred by cabinet ministers for their appointment as PSs or OSDs, but did not approve others because they are either facing inquiries or known as "fixers". "The reasons behind not clearing the names of the remaining [16] is either there is some inquiry going on against those officials or they are known as fixers in the administrative circles," Fadnavis had told reporters.  Maharashtra will lead the AI and technology revolution: CM Devendra Fadnavis The Maharashtra government is accelerating the administration and economy through technology and artificial intelligence (AI) and Maharashtra state will soon lead India's AI and technology revolution, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reported news agency ANI. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was interviewed by NASSCOM's Srikanth Velamkanni at the NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Summit program at Hotel Grand Hyatt. Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the level of digital services has increased in the state and most government services have become available online. The state government has set up an AI centre at Mumbai University. An industry centre has been set up in partnership with the World Economic Forum, reported ANI. Maharashtra CM Fadnavis said that the state has set a goal of taking the economy to 1 trillion dollars, adding "For this, the state is preparing a new economic roadmap in collaboration with the NITI Aayog. Efforts are being made to make the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMRDA) the hub of a $1.5 trillion economy," reported ANI. 60 per cent of the country's data centres are in Maharashtra. A data centre park is being set up in New Mumbai, and by 2030, 50 pc of the state's power generation will be based on green energy, according to an official statement from the state government. He also said that Mumbai is the 'fintech capital' of India. (With PTI and ANI inputs) 

25 February,2025 09:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Harbour line services disrupted after man climbs OHE pole at Wadala

The Mumbai local trains on the Harbour Line of Central Railway were disrupted after a man climbed on the OHE pole at Wadala Road Station, the officials said. According to the officials, the man was spotted climbing over an overhead equipment (OHE) pole on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred around 7:47 pm, led to an immediate disruption in the Harbour Line services. According to Central Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer, Dr. Swapnil Nila, the situation was quickly identified, and action was taken to ensure the safety of the man. “The person’s presence on the overhead equipment pole was noticed immediately, and successful efforts were made to turn off the OHE to prevent any accidents,” Dr. Swapnil Nila told mid-day. An unidentified person climbed onto the overhead equipment (OHE) pole at Vadala Road station, disrupting Harbour line services from 7:47 PM to 8:20 PM. The individual is suspected to be mentally ill."He has been rescued and will be admitted to the hospital if required,"… pic.twitter.com/S1YJqfPvFK — Mid Day (@mid_day) February 25, 2025 As a result of the incident, the movement of trains on the Harbour Line was halted for about 33 minutes, from 7:47 pm to 8:20 pm, causing a temporary disruption in services. The man, who was suspected to be mentally ill, was safely rescued by the railway officials. Nila confirmed that the person was taken into custody and was shifted to a hospital.

25 February,2025 09:13 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
(Pics/Atul Kamble) 

IMD warns of heatwave in Thane this week | Check latest weather update

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for Thane till March 1. Mumbai and its neighbouring districts are bracing for intense heat as the IMD has issued a heatwave warning for the region.  According to the latest IMD forecast, heatwave conditions are expected to prevail in isolated pockets of Mumbai, Raigad and Ratnagiri till Thursday with temperatures likely to soar above normal levels.   Residents have been advised to take precautions against the extreme heat, which may lead to dehydration and heat-related illnesses.  The IMD report highlights that Palghar will have a brief spike in temperature on February 26 before stabilising. Sindhudurg will also see increased humidity levels during this period.   A 'yellow warning' has been issued for heatwave in Mumbai, Thane district, and Raigad and Ratnagiri districts in the Konkan region of Maharashtra as the highest temperatures are expected to reach 37-38 degree Celsius.  At 38.4 degrees, the IMD Santacruz's maximum temperature was 6.4 degrees above normal today. Meanwhile, the IMD’s coastal observatory at Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 36.8 degrees on Tuesday, which was also 6.2 degrees above normal.  Sunil Kamble, the director of India Meteorological Department (Mumbai), said easterly winds are blowing until around noon, following which the wind direction is changing to north-westerly, which is leading to a rise in temperatures during the day. He predicted temperatures to soar further by one or two degrees in March.  Other parts of Maharashtra remain dry Meanwhile, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, and Satara, will remain dry, with no heat wave warnings issued. Also, districts like Nagpur, Amravati, and Aurangabad, will experience normal temperatures.  Precautionary measures for heatwave With temperatures rising, health officials and local authorities have urged residents to take necessary precautions to avoid heatstroke and dehydration. The IMD advises the following steps:  Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and fluids like coconut water, lemon juice, and ORS to stay hydrated.Avoid Direct Sunlight: Try to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours and avoid strenuous activities.Dress Appropriately: Wear loose, light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption.Use Protective Gear: Carry umbrellas, hats, and sunglasses when stepping out.Take Frequent Breaks: If working outdoors, take breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. According to meteorologists, this sudden rise in temperature is due to dry winds and changing weather patterns over Maharashtra. While the heat wave is expected to ease by the end of February, residents are advised to stay updated with IMD alerts and take necessary safety measures.

25 February,2025 08:19 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha Shrivastava
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Maharashtra government gives nod to veterinary colleges in Parli, Baramati

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved new veterinary colleges in Parli and Baramati, news agency PTI reported. While Baramati is the assembly constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dhananjay Munde is the elected representative from Parli in Beed district. The decision to set up the veterinary colleges was taken during a cabinet meeting in Mumbai. The Maharashtra government also decided to allot Rs 617 crore for the two projects, PTI reported. Around 75 acres will be made available for the proposed college in Parli while 82 acres will be allotted in Baramati. Both the colleges will have intake capacity of 80 students each. A total of 276 posts have been sanctioned for the two colleges, including 96 teachers, PTI reported. The announcement comes as a positive development for Munde who is facing flak following the arrest of his close aid Walmik Karad in the extortion case related to the murder of Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. Maharashtra will lead the AI and technology revolution: CM Devendra Fadnavis The Maharashtra government is accelerating the administration and economy through technology and artificial intelligence (AI) and Maharashtra state will soon lead India's AI and technology revolution, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reported news agency ANI. Fadnavis was interviewed by NASSCOM's Srikanth Velamkanni at the NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Summit program at Hotel Grand Hyatt. Fadnavis said that the level of digital services has increased in the state and most government services have become available online. The state government has set up an AI centre at Mumbai University. An industry centre has been set up in partnership with the World Economic Forum, reported ANI. Maharashtra CM Fadnavis said that the state has set a goal of taking the economy to 1 trillion dollars, adding "For this, the state is preparing a new economic roadmap in collaboration with the NITI Aayog. Efforts are being made to make the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMRDA) the hub of a $1.5 trillion economy," reported ANI. 60 per cent of the country's data centres are in Maharashtra. A data centre park is being set up in New Mumbai, and by 2030, 50 pc of the state's power generation will be based on green energy, according to an official statement from the state government. He also said that Mumbai is the 'fintech capital' of India. (With PTI and ANI inputs)  

25 February,2025 07:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic

Maharashtra govt raises DA of employees by 12 per cent

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday issued an order increasing the dearness allowance (DA) of its employees by 12 per cent under the unrevised pay scale of the 5th Pay Commission, effective from July 1, 2024, reported the PTI. The DA revised from 443 per cent to 455 per cent will be paid in cash along with the salary for February 2025, including arrears for July 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025, as per a Government Resolution (GR). The DA hike is expected to benefit approximately 17 lakh employees, said an official from the state finance department. The existing procedures and provisions regarding DA disbursement will continue to apply in the future, the GR stated. The expenditure on the revised DA will be met from the budgetary provisions allocated under the respective salary and allowance heads for government employees, the order said. For grant-in-aid institutions and Zilla Parishad employees, the expenditure will be booked under the sub-heads specified for their financial assistance. Farmers to get Rs 3,000 more under state-run scheme: CM Fadnavis Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the state government would raise its contribution to the state-run Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana (NSMNY) by Rs 3,000 annually, raising the amount to Rs 9,000, reported the PTI. The initiative aims to provide a total of Rs 15,000 to eligible farmers in Maharashtra each year. He said the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PMKSNY) and Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana currently offer Rs 6,000 each to eligible farmers per year. "Maharashtra government has launched Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana on the lines of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Both schemes give Rs 6,000 each to eligible farmers. The Maharashtra government will soon increase its contribution in the state scheme by Rs 3,000 so that farmers will get Rs 15,000 in a year," CM Devendra Fadnavis said at an event on Monday, according to the PTI. The rise demonstrates the state's commitment to supporting its agricultural sector, which is important for the livelihoods of many residents, he said. CM Fadnavis said that the government was criticised by the Opposition and other sections in the past after the NKSY was launched. The chief minister said that agriculturists have realised how funds helps them in buying things useful for agriculture production in the state. "The announcement is part of efforts taken by the state government to enhance agricultural productivity and relieve financial stress on farmers. Additionally, the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojan provides extra Rs 6,000 annually to farmers in state, complementing the benefits of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme," the chief minister added, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)

25 February,2025 06:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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French firm accuses MMRDA officials of graft

French firm Systra which provides consultancy services to metro projects has accused officials of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority of corruption, even as the Bombay High Court on Tuesday quashed MMRDA's notice terminating the contract of its Indian subsidiary. On November 12, 2024, the French Embassy wrote a letter to Rupinder Singh, Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra in Delhi, requesting the government to study the issue "in depth" and "resolve the situation", while citing Systra's complaint to the embassy about "severe harassment/challenges being faced while working as a general consultant on projects with MMRDA." Senior officials of MMRDA, the planning and development agency of the state government, were not available for commenting on the issue. The multinational engineering firm accused MMRDA officials of seeking "undue favours," as well as delaying payments, pressuring the firm to inflate orders to contractors, stalling approvals for key staff, and imposing arbitrary penalties. On Tuesday, a bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Arif Doctor of the high court noted that the MMRDA did not give reasons while discontining the services of Systra MVA Consulting (India) Pvt Ltd on January 3, 2025. As per Systra's complaint that the Embassy sent to the Maharashtra government, "major harassment began in August 2023 after the change of some senior MMRDA officials, who summoned the company and asked for undue favours in the form of monetary benefits on the pretext that MMRDA is demanding it."Systra "politely informed" them that it would not comply, the letter said. Systra is working as a general consultant for various metro projects executed by MMRDA in Mumbai's metropolitan region including Metro Lines 5, 6, 7A, 9, 10, and 12, in addition to providing detailed design consultancy services for Metro Lines 2A and 7, Mandale Depot, Kasheli Depot, and branding guidelines for all Metro Lines of MMRDA. The MMRDA issued a notice of suspension of payments in January 2024, alleging various deficiencies related to old issues that had already been resolved concerning general consultancy services for Metro Lines 5, 6, 7A, and 9, the letter said. "Furthermore, Systra has been put under pressure to recommend an inflated variation order for one of the major contractors working on Line 9 of the project. Since we are not complying with this, we believe MMRDA is continuing the suspension of payments for General Consultancy Services for Lines 5, 9, and 7A (civil) projects," the letter alleged. MMRDA had "stopped making payments," with the pending payments accumulating to Rs 30 crore, the complaint said, alleging pressure to certify payments for petty contractors appointed directly by MMRDA. Despite repeated attempts, the MMRDA spokesperson did not provide any comment on the issue. As per the petition filed by Systra MVA Consulting (India) Pvt Ltd in the Bombay High Court challenging the termination of its contract, it was appointed a general consultant for design, assistance in procurement, construction, management and supervision of three routes of Mumbai Metro -- Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan, Andheri -CSIA and Mira Bhayander -- in 2021. While the initial contract was to expire on November 2024, it was extended till December 2026. But on January 3, 2025, the MMRDA issued the company a notice, stating it had decided to discontinue its services. The firm then moved the HC. "We find that the action of the MMRDA in discontinuation of the terms of the contract, which was extended up to December 2026, without assigning any reasons, is arbitrary, unfair and unreasonable," the HC said in the order on Tuesday. "The general conditions of the contract cannot be read to mean that the MMRDA has a license to act unfairly, arbitrarily or unreasonably in the contractual field without assigning reasons," the court said, asking the MMRDA to take a fresh decision after hearing the company.  This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

25 February,2025 05:33 PM IST | Mumbai | PTI
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Civic body carries out massive demolition drives in Thane district

The civic authorities in Thane district of Maharashtra has launched massive demolition drives amid stiff opposition from local people, the civic officials said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. Demolition drives are being carried out in various cities of Thane district, officials said.  In Diva, a planned demolition of 54 unauthorised buildings was opposed by hundreds of locals, forcing officials to withdraw further action on Monday, an official said. Viral videos showed some residents carrying bottles of inflammable liquid and threatening drastic measures in case of forceful action. In Ulhasnagar, a woman climbed onto a JCB machine on Monday, disrupting the demolition work until authorities managed to persuade her to step down. Separately, a woman doused herself in kerosene but swift intervention by police prevented a potential tragedy, officials added. According to the PTI, the fate of 57 disputed buildings in Kalyan city remains uncertain. A delegation of affected residents met Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Monday at his Janta Darbar at Thane. He reportedly assured them that the matter would be addressed in the upcoming state Cabinet meeting. Demolish illegal structures without delay: Thane civic chief Meanwhile, last week, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) Commissioner Saurabh Rao on Friday asked the civic officials to demolish illegal structures without delay, reported the PTI. Chairing a high-level meeting on the demolition drives and the process to be followed, Thane civic chief Saurabh Rao said that lack of police support or opposition from political outfits must not stop the demolition process, adding that assistant municipal commissioners will be responsible for the work. "It was revealed in the meeting that there are 769 unauthorised constructions in Thane Municipal Corporation limits. Of these, 663 are recorded in the beat diaries of ward inspectors. Saurabh Rao said that all such constructions must be demolished," an official said, according to the PTI. The Assistant Commissioners of the Thane Municipal Corporation have been asked to inspect such sites personally and be present during the demolition process, the official said, according to the PTI. Several senior TMC officials including Additional Commissioner Prashant Rode, Assistant Director of Urban Planning Sangram Kanade, Legal Officer Makarand Kale, among others were present during the meeting chaired by the civic chief, he added. (with PTI inputs)

25 February,2025 05:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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NMMC Budget 2025: Rs 5,685 crore allocated for expenditure

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) on Tuesday approved NMMC budget 2025 of Rs 5709.95 crore for the financial year 2025-26 which proposed to boost revenue by incorporating properties outside the tax net while strengthening infrastructure, reported the PTI. As expected, no new taxes were imposed in the NMMC Budget 2025 as civic elections may be held in the coming months. The maximum allocation of Rs 5,684.95 crore is made for expenditure, leaving a surplus of Rs 25 crore. NMMC commissioner and administrator Kailas Shinde said the budget focuses on improving the livability index of Navi Mumbai while ensuring comprehensive development across key sectors of education, health, civic facilities, environment, and infrastructure for the disabled, as per PTI. Addressing reporters, Kailas Shinde said the decision to not impose new taxes is not influenced by the upcoming civic elections but is aimed at enhancing public welfare. Kailas Shinde underscored the civic body's strategy to boost revenue, particularly by incorporating properties outside the tax net. He said that values of properties in areas like Palm Beach Road have surged from Rs 2.5 lakh per square foot to Rs 5 lakh, largely due to the upcoming international airport. "This economic growth is expected to attract high-end infrastructure, including luxury hotels, further enhancing municipal revenue," he added. Kailas Shinde said the budget is designed with the vision of transforming Navi Mumbai into a major development centre. "The city will witness significant industrial and commercial expansion due to the upcoming international airport. It is our responsibility to create the necessary infrastructure to support this growth," he added, according to the PTI. He said infrastructure development, including financial reform to ensure sustainable growth, employment generation through industrial and commercial expansion, and quality education by enhancing infrastructure and standards are the key areas of the Budget. It emphasises easy transportation with improved public transit and road connectivity, strengthening healthcare through upgraded medical services, and sustainable water management for efficient and eco-friendly distribution. Kailas Shinde said the NMMC aims to make Navi Mumbai a model city that balances growth with environmental and social well-being, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)

25 February,2025 04:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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