BEST bus services have been affected as the wet lease company workers have gone on a flash strike at Sion Pratiksha Nagar and Dharavi bus depots since this morning. BEST bus services were disrupted as wet lease workers staged a flash strike at Sion Pratiksha Nagar and Dharavi depots. The protest was triggered by the alleged mistreatment of a pregnant conductor denied light duties by a manager. Workers also cited delayed salaries, low… pic.twitter.com/iybVJAaddq — Mid Day (@mid_day) January 13, 2025 The immediate trigger for this strike seems "insulting treatment" meted out to a pregnant lady conductor by employees of the wet lease company. BEST commuters lamented that services of a once trusted and reliable undertaking have now become so unpredictable. As per preliminary information, a lady bus conductor in her advanced stage of pregnancy sought light duties from the company manager, who denied it and insulted the lady. This has led to other employees protesting, leading to a flash strike. The employees have also been upset about low and delayed salaries. According to the information received, the bus conductors and drivers are not receiving their salaries on time and there are various demands that they should be hired as permanent workers. The workers belong to the wet lease company Mateshwari Urban Transport, which is operational at Santacruz, Majas, Wadala, Mulund besides Dharavi and Sion Pratiksha Nagar. The wet-lease employees have been raising issue of better wages and also demanding better amenities at bus depots. The undertaking has said it will penalise contractors and levy fines.
13 January,2025 11:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe BMC has decided to procure mobile dust suction vans, which will be deployed in every ward to tackle air pollution caused by construction dust. According to data from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, construction dust is a significant contributor to Mumbai’s air pollution, accounting for around 28-30 per cent of total pollution. To address this issue, the BMC has implemented a 28-point dust mitigation guideline for construction sites. Now, the BMC plans to introduce dust suction vans. “These will be deployed in every ward. We are currently evaluating the effectiveness of these machines. Each machine is estimated to cost R40 lakh,” a civic official said. Officials also mentioned considering the addition of dust suction units to BEST buses. “We will prioritise areas with severe dust problems in every ward, and these machines will move around different parts of the ward,” the official added. The dust collection system installed in these vehicles operates as a single-stage vacuum unit. It creates suction, performs air filtration, and deposits the collected dust into a container. The air is recirculated through a filter to trap smaller particles. Additionally, the BMC has banned construction at 191 sites that failed to comply with the dust mitigation guidelines. As per the guidelines, construction sites must enclose buildings under construction on all four sides with green cloth, jute, or tarpaulin. A 25-foot-high sheet or metal covering is required around the construction project, along with regular water spraying, the use of misting plants, scientific storage and transportation of debris, air quality monitoring sensors, and vehicle wheel washing facilities. Furthermore, project promoters, building developers, and mechanical/electrical contractors are required to prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
13 January,2025 11:23 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThere has been a frenzy surrounding the sale of branded sneakers on Instagram, with people rushing to grab the best pair, often without verifying the authenticity of the shoes, despite sellers’ claims of legitimacy. To investigate, undercover reporters from mid-day logged into various online platforms and contacted several sellers, uncovering an extensive network of counterfeit sneaker vendors operating out of Agra. Astonishingly, as the investigation deepened, it was revealed that nearly every house in the area doubles as a factory outlet for mass-producing counterfeit sneakers at throwaway prices. Mimicking designs of OG The sneaker fanatics, driving the high-end sneaker market, have turned sneakers into a cornerstone of fashion, blurring the lines between athletic wear and luxury. The craze for limited-edition releases and exclusive collaborations has fuelled demand, making sneakers a symbol of status, culture, and style. Fake Air Jordan purchased by mid-day. Pic/Ashish Raje (right) Fake Adidas Samba purchased by mid-day. Pic/Ashish Raje As the market evolved, demand for high-end sneakers skyrocketed, with prices reaching astronomical levels in secondary markets. Simultaneously, the rise of ‘first copy’ sneakers—high-quality replicas mimicking coveted originals—gained traction among budget-conscious buyers. These enthusiasts, passionate about stylish footwear yet constrained financially, seek deals and alternatives to expensive limited-edition releases. The counterfeiters not only replicate the look of branded sneakers but also imitate packaging, including trademarks, to deceive buyers. Counterfeiters in Agra revealed to mid-day that they source soles, laces, and packaging materials from nearby markets, including Delhi/NCR and Ludhiana. Agra, a manufacturing hub mid-day discovered that Hing Ki Mandi in Agra is a hub for manufacturing first-copy branded sports shoes. Almost every house in the area is involved in this illegal activity, selling replicas locally and exporting them across India. Manufacturers sell these shoes to wholesalers for as little as R240–R400 per pair, regardless of exclusive branding. mid-day reporter with the fake shoes. Pics/Ashish Raje During a three-day investigation, undercover reporters visited multiple manufacturing units in Agra, posing as wholesalers and retailers. They discovered that small houses in Hing Ki Mandi produce 200–300 pairs of shoes daily. Materials, including soles from Jalandhar and branded cloth from Delhi, are assembled by labourers who heat and paste the soles onto the upper materials. History of Hing Ki Mandi Historically, Hing Ki Mandi was renowned for the asafoetida (hing) trade during the Mughal era of Akbar and Shah Jahan. Today, it has transformed into a hub for counterfeit sneaker production. Counterfeiting operations in Agra have existed for over a decade, with techniques passed down through generations. Mad rush for sneakers Sneaker releases have become much-anticipated events, often creating chaotic scenes in retail stores. Shoppers queue for hours to snag coveted pairs, as budget-conscious buyers celebrate scoring deals in retail stores while resale prices skyrocket online. Fake Adidas Samba shoes at the manufacturing unit The rise of online platforms has further fuelled the global sneaker trade, cementing sneakers as a cultural and fashion staple driven by passionate fans and savvy marketers. To understand the world of first-copy sneakers, a mid-day undercover reporter spent three days in Agra, purchasing samples directly from local manufacturers. The reporter found that bulk orders significantly reduced prices, making replicas even more affordable. Day 1: December 19, 2024Kaibo Shoes Manufacturer, Loha Mandi, Agra, UP mid-day contacted Kaibo Shoes Manufacturer via IndiaMART and visited their manufacturing unit in Loha Mandi. Reporter: I am looking for first-copy branded shoes. I’m a retailer in Mumbai, where there is a high demand for them. Can you share the price range and show me some samples?Manufacturer: We offer first copies of many brands, such as Adidas, Puma, Nike, Air Jordan, and others. Will they look the same as the original? What about the quality?Manufacturer: Yes, the quality will be identical to what you need. However, you must purchase a minimum of one carton, which includes 40 pairs in various colours and sizes. Shoaib, manufacturer in Agra Can I take some samples to show my partner in Mumbai?Manufacturer: We don’t provide individual samples from cartons, but we can give you sample pairs of first-copy brands.The reporter purchased six pairs of sample shoes (Puma, Adidas, Nike) for Rs 3,500. Day 2: December 20, 2024 (Morning)Sultanpura, Agra Manufacturer Shoaib: We can manufacture first copies of any brand you want. Just show us the brand’s photo, and we’ll make it for you. Reporter: Do you have any sample pairs?Shoaib: Yes, we have first copies of Nike shoes. We are currently manufacturing 300 pairs for a customer. Manufacturer at Agra Reporter: What is the cost?Shoaib: Rs 280 per pair. Reporter: That’s impressive—it looks just like the original!Shoaib: Yes, check the market rate. It’s very expensive. You can easily sell it for Rs 1,000-Rs 1,500 in the market. We supply these products to Mumbai, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and many parts of Maharashtra. The reporter verified online that the original Nike shoes were priced at R7,085 on the official Nike website. Shoaib: We have two colours in this Nike edition—red and green.Reporter: How do you manufacture these shoes?Shoaib: All materials are sourced—soles from Jalandhar and branded cloth from Delhi. At home, labourers assemble the materials, heat the soles twice, and paste them onto the upper materials.The reporter purchased one sample pair of Nike Sega first-copy shoes for R280. (Evening) Hing Ki Mandi After extensive searching, the reporters found the hub of shoe manufacturing units in Hing Ki Mandi, where almost every house produces first-copy branded shoes.Manufacturer: We have been running this manufacturing unit for many years. We make the first copies of all major brands. Reporter: Show the shoes.Manufacturer: We source materials from Delhi factories and produce brands like Adidas, Puma, Nike, Skechers, and Air Jordan. You can get these first copies for Rs 260-Rs 350. The manufacturer explained the process, which takes 8–10 days for bulk orders. However, the reporter did not purchase shoes from this manufacturer. Day 3: Dec 21, 2024Hing Ki Mandi The manufacturer took the reporter to his unit, which had three floors: Ground Floor: Storage for finished products.First Floor: Manufacturing of first-copy sports shoes.Second Floor: Manufacturing of leather shoes. Manufacturer: We produce 200–300 pairs daily, priced between R240–R300 per pair, and deliver them to Mumbai.The reporter purchased seven pairs of Air Jordan’s first copies for R300 each. These shoes were priced at R28,000 on the official website. Sneaker lovers speak Danish Alfaaz,Singer and rapper Singer and rapper Danish Alfaaz said, “OG is OG. If you’re wearing originals, it feels good because you’ve earned it. But most people can’t afford them, so they go for first copies. I’ve done the same in the past.” Alfaaz stressed the importance of personal style. “The brand stamp makes it unique, but creativity matters more. ‘Bhed Bakri ki chal duniya chalti hai – apne aapko khud design karo’ (Don’t follow the herd; create your own style). Handmade designs and your own brand hold more value than anything else.” Ayush Palande,A third-year mechanical engineering student at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology ”I use branded shoes which give me comfort while walking and running. I feel bad seeing others wearing fake or first copies of branded shoes, but many college students can’t afford to purchase expensive ones. However, we can easily identify the first-copy shoes.” Anurag Kamat, Third-year hotel management student “First copies of shoes should be available in the market for people who can’t afford expensive ones. Shoes are daily necessities, but college students can’t spend Rs 10,000-30,000 on them. It’s true that original sneakers provide comfort but they’re expensive. However, first-copy manufacturing companies should not use the brand names as it damages their brands and affects their business.” Avantika Padalkar, Final-year architecture student ”I never use first-copy sneakers. I only use original brand sneakers which give me comfort. First-copy shoes are not comfortable and look cheap in style. Many college students save money from their pocket money to purchase branded shoes. I think the first-copy market should be shut down as it is damaging brands.” Raftaar Rapper “I’m a sneaker fanatic. I have no objections to replicas because, during my early career, I wore first copies,” rapper Raftaar told mid-day. “I used to buy them from Chor Bazaar for Rs 300 or Palika Bazaar.” Acknowledging the illegality of the replica business, he added, “Once I could afford expensive sneakers, I replaced all my fake with originals.” Raftaar compared replicas to ambition. “Not everyone can afford a luxury car, but they can modify theirs to look like one. People buy replicas out of ambition, and that’s why originals retain their value. Companies often don’t stop counterfeiting for this reason.” “Today, I can’t wear replicas—they’re easily identified in my circle. But I’m not upset seeing others wear them. For many, it’s the start of a dream,” he concluded. Police’s role Last December, Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) police carried out raids at three shops in the Naya Nagar area of Mira Road where shopkeepers had been selling counterfeit branded footwear. Police officers privy to the investigation told mid-day that fake products worth over R12 lakh were confiscated from these retail outlets and three to four people were arrested. The cops had also confiscated cartons bearing logos of branded footwear companies. Counterfeiting issues are dealt with under the Copyright Act, 1957, and Trademarks Act, 1999, said a senior police officer, adding, “In cases of copyright infringement, the aggrieved party approaches us against people selling counterfeit products.” “Based on the complaint of the aggrieved party, an FIR is registered and counterfeit products are seized,” said the police officer. Such cases are investigated by an officer, not below the rank of a sub-inspector. An officer privy to the investigation of an infringement case in Mira Road said, “Sample pieces of counterfeit products are sealed in the presence of panch witnesses and sent to experts to check their quality. The experts issue a certificate, which is crucial in such cases.” “The experts’ observations differentiate between original and fake products available in the market,” said the officer. Though the cops can also take suo moto action in such matters, they generally prefer the aggrieved party to file a complaint.
13 January,2025 11:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania | Diwakar SharmaDhananjay Deshmukh, the brother of slain sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, has threatened to jump to death from a mobile phone tower in Maharashtra's Beed, claiming information about the murder case probe was not being shared with his family, reported news agency PTI. Reiterating the demand for stringent action against the accused, Dhananjay Deshmukh on Sunday said he feared the evidence might be destroyed and he and his family might meet the same fate as his brother if the accused in the Beed sarpanch murder and a related extortion case are set free. Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, was abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9, allegedly in retaliation for his efforts to prevent extortion attempts against an energy firm linked to a windmill project, reported PTI. As part of the investigation, police have so far arrested seven persons connected to the case. One of the accused is still absconding. All the eight accused have been booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), as per police, reported PTI. Walmik Karad, an associate of Maharashtra NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, has been arrested in a related extortion case. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Maharashtra CID was conducting a probe into the cases. Speaking to reporters in Beed on Sunday night, Dhananjay Deshmukh said, "Thirty five days have passed since my brother's murder. We have faith in the CM (Devendra Fadnavis). I was expecting that information about the investigation will be shared with me. But there is no value of the information if it shared after the evidences are destroyed," reported PTI. Dhananjay Deshmukh said that since day one they have been demanding strict punishment for the accused in the Beed sarpanch murder and the related extortion case. "If the accused (in the murder and extortion cases) are not booked under the MCOCA and on murder charges, I will start an agitation from 10 am on Monday. I will jump from a mobile tower here (in Beed) because once the accused are freed, they will kill me brutally...there will be no one in my family then to seek justice," he said, reported PTI. He claimed his brother's murder was linked to the extortion case. "If my family and I are not provided proper information, then we will have to take a decision, as what happened to my brother may happen to us also," he said. (With inputs from PTI)
13 January,2025 10:14 AM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentThe addition of poor-quality soil during a 2021 beautification project at Shivaji Park has turned the iconic ground into a dust bowl, sparking complaints from residents. The red soil layer, blamed for the dust pollution, continues to plague the area as the BMC delays its decision to remove it. A proposal to level the ground and address the issue has been pending since December 2024, leaving citizens frustrated and choking in the meantime. Shivaji Park was covered in smog last month. File pic/Ashish Raje The proposal was submitted by the G North ward office to tackle the dust problem by removing a 9-inch layer of soil from the ground. According to records, the proposal was tabled in the last week of December 2024. “While removing the soil layer, care must be taken not to disturb the original appearance of the ground,” said a civic official. Officials added that the problem of dust could be significantly reduced as the layer underneath consists of sand-mixed soil. The BMC is consulting experts from IIT Mumbai. Last week, Siddesh Kadam, Chairman of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, visited Shivaji Park and ordered the BMC to take an immediate decision. Shivaji Park, which spans 28 acres or 1.2 square kilometres, consists of 70 per cent soil and 30 per cent green cover. In 2021, as part of a beautification project, the BMC deposited around 250 truckloads of soil at the ground. “Since 2021, the dust problem has only worsened,” said a resident. “The issue becomes especially bad after the monsoon season, the dust issue starts at 10 am and lasts almost all day,” another resident added. Prakash Belvade, a local resident, said, “Citizens have been suffering from the dust at Shivaji Park for years, but the problem has intensified since 2021. At that time, the BMC used dry soil of poor quality, which was spread improperly. Even after sprinkling water, the soil dries within an hour. During storms, the dust even reaches the 13th floor of buildings! Despite repeated complaints, there has been no response from the authorities.” Civic Chief Bhushan Gagrani confirmed that the civic administration has yet to make a final decision regarding the removal of the soil layer. 70 per centArea of park covered in soil
13 January,2025 10:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde attended the three-day 'Autofest-2025' in Thane, where he reflected on his early days as an auto-rickshaw driver before entering politics, reported ANI. The event featured a stunning display of vintage cars and bikes, which Shinde praised during his visit on Sunday. The Deputy CM shared his thoughts on a social media post, saying, "This time, I not only drove the auto-rickshaw, the vehicle in which I started my life, but also took a nice ride on a Riveco Pure GTI bike and a vintage car." During his visit, Shinde rode and admired several vehicles, including an orange superbike. "Every year, this event showcases an incredible variety of vintage cars and bikes. Visitors get to see everything from Rolls Royce to superbikes. These vehicles, collectively worth over Rs 1,000 crore, are made available for public viewing," Shinde said while addressing car enthusiasts, reported ANI. He highlighted the historical significance of the vehicles, pointing out a 1903 vintage car in the collection and comparing it to newer models, emphasizing the evolution and connection between them. The Autofest, organized by Raymond in collaboration with the Super Car Club Garage (SCCG), marked the centenary celebration of Raymond's operations in Thane. Gautam Singhania, Managing Director of Raymond, was also present at the event. "Attended the 'Autofest-2025' auto car festival, jointly organized by 'Raymond Company' and 'Super Club' to celebrate the centenary of the Raymond Company in the city, and enjoyed seeing many antique two-wheelers and four-wheelers. I also enjoyed riding the Riveco Pure GTI bike on the occasion," Shinde said in a post on X. The event saw participation from several dignitaries, including Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, former corporator Purvesh Sarnaik, antique vehicle owners, and numerous car enthusiasts. The Transport Minister and Raymond MD were seen riding alongside Shinde in a black vintage car during the event. The Autofest featured around 700 vehicles and was held from January 10 to January 12 at JK Gram, Thane. "State has shown which Shiv Sena is real": Eknath Shinde on Shiv Sena (UBT) workers joining Shiv Sena Following the recent switch of several Shiv Sena (UBT) workers to Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde claimed that the state has already shown which Shiv Sena is the "real" one and accused Shiv Sena (UBT) of betraying the ideology of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. (With inputs from ANI)
13 January,2025 09:44 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe police said that at least six people died while five others were injured in a collision between a tempo and a truck on the Nashik-Mumbai Highway flyover on Sunday, reported news agency ANI. Nashik Police said two of the five injured people are in critical condition and have been receiving treatment in the district hospital. "6 people have lost their lives in an accident between a temp and a mini truck on the Nashik-Mumbai Highway flyover. 5 other people are injured out of which 2 are in critical condition. The injured are being treated at the district hospital," said the Nashik Police, reported ANI. Eight dead, several injured as tempo rams into truck carrying iron rods in Nashik Eight persons were killed and several others injured after a tempo and truck collided on Sunday at Dwarka Circle in Maharashtra's Nashik district, a police official said, reported PTI. The incident took place near an Ayyappa temple at 7:30 pm, he added. "There were 16 passengers in the tempo, which was on its way to the CIDCO area. They were returning from a religious event in Niphad. The tempo driver lost control of the vehicle and rear-ended the truck carrying iron rods. Some of the deaths took place on the spot. Some of the injured are critical," the official said, reported PTI. He added that police and fire brigade personnel, along with residents and passersby, started rescue operations immediately in the congested stretch. The official said the injured are recuperating at the district hospital and in some private facilities. There is a likelihood of the death toll rising since some of the passengers have sustained grievous injuries, police and health officials informed. MSRTC bus hits metro pillar in Thane; 8 sustain minor injuries Eight passengers sustained minor injuries after an MSRTC bus hit a metro rail pillar in Thane, a police official said on Saturday, reported PTI. The incident took place at 6 am on Friday on Pankhanda road near Ovla village and the injured persons were discharged after preliminary treatment, the Kasarvadavali police station official said. "Driver Krishna Adsul (34) was driving the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner. The FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Motor Vehicles Act was registered on the complaint of the MSRTC. He has not been arrested as yet," the official said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
13 January,2025 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn Monday, the minimum temperature in Mumbai reached 19.8 degrees Celsius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience a clear sky on Monday, January 13. Temperatures will range from a cool 17 degrees Celsius in the morning to a warm 33 degrees Celsius during the day. The relative humidity is 64 percent. The sun rose at 07:15 AM and will set at 06:20 PM. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai's Santacruz observatory in suburban Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 30.6 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 19.8 degrees Celsius. The weather department's data showed that the city observatory in Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 27.9 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 21.4 degrees Celsius. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather update forecasts a "clear sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI in 'moderate' category On January 13, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality remained in the 'moderate' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 125 at 9:05 AM. As per the SAMEER app dashboard, many areas across Mumbai showed 'moderate' AQI. Byculla recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 138. Colaba, Ghatkopar and Kurla recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 109, 140 and 110, respectively. Meanwhile, Shivaji Nagar recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 49. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 110, while Thane registered a 'moderate' AQI of 134. The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'. Meanwhile, as air pollution levels continue to rise in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revised guidelines issued last year for construction sites. The civic body will also form squads at the ward level to visit construction sites and act if guidelines are flouted. Sensor-based air pollution monitoring systems will be installed at all construction project work sites and immediate action to be taken if pollution levels are detected above the limit.
13 January,2025 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe civic officials said that a hotel in Maharashtra's Thane city was destroyed in a fire which broke out in the premises on Monday morning, reported news agency PTI. No person was injured in the incident, they said, adding a cat inside the Thane hotel got suffocated to death. The blaze erupted at 6.15 am in the Bombay Duck Hotel located near the Upvan lake, Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said, reported PTI. Local fire personnel and the regional disaster management cell team rushed to the spot. The blaze was brought under control after about an hour and extinguished by 7.45 am, he said, reported PTI. The Thane hotel's furniture, air conditioners, television sets, computers, bar counter, refrigerators and electrical wiring were completely destroyed, he said. "In the smoke-filled environment, a cat inside the Thane hotel succumbed to asphyxiation," Tadvi said, adding that firefighters later found the carcass in the premises, reported PTI. The cause of the blaze was under investigation, he said. Flat kitchen gutted in blaze; none hurt A fire destroyed the kitchen of a flat in Thane on Sunday evening, Fire Brigade officials said. No one was injured in the incident which occurred in Saket Complex in Rabodi area, chief of the Disaster Management Cell, TMC, Yasin Tadvi. Around 15 residents from the sixth and seventh floors of the building were evacuated due to smoke. Teams of fire brigade and disaster management cell personnel rushed to the spot around 6 PM after receiving the emergency call. The blaze was quickly doused. The cause of the fire is not known. 250 residents evacuated after fire in Thane building; no casualty Nearly 250 residents were evacuated after a fire broke out in a five-storey building in Maharashtra's Thane city on Sunday morning, civic officials said. No one was injured in the blaze which erupted at around 5 am in a laundry shop on the ground floor of the building located at Srinagar in Wagle Estate area, Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said. After being alerted, local fire personnel and the regional disaster management cell team members rushed to the spot to carry out the fire extinguishing operations and evacuated the building occupants, he said. The blaze was put out in about an hour following which the people were allowed to return to their apartments, the official said. The cause of fire was under investigation, he added. (With inputs from PTI)
13 January,2025 09:11 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe operation to capture a tiger that walked approximately 500 kilometres from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary near Yavatmal to Dharashiv in Solapur district is set to commence today. Forest department officials will use thermal drones and camera traps to track and capture the animal. Sources revealed that the tiger has been killing two cattle daily, causing widespread panic among locals. Dr V Clement Ben, additional principal chief conservator forest (Western Wildlife Region), said, “The state government has authorised the capture of the tiger that journeyed from Tipeshwar to Solapur district. After its safe capture, the tiger will be fitted with a radio collar and released into the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.” The Rapid Rescue Team (RRT) from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) will lead the operation. The team, headed by Dr Ravikant S. Khobragade (veterinary officer, wildlife, TATR), includes Ajay C. Marathe (police constable and shooter), Vikas Tajne, Yogesh Lakde, Praful Wadghure, Gunanak Dhore, Dipesh Tumhare, Wasim Sheikh, and drivers Amol Korpe and Akshay Dandekar. The team is expected to leave TATR shortly, with the operation beginning by Monday. Kushagra Pathak, deputy conservator of forest (Solapur), and B A Pol, deputy conservator of forest (Dharashiv), along with their teams, are monitoring the tiger’s movement with support from Pune-based RESQ Charitable Trust. B A Pol said, “The RRT will work with our staff to capture the tiger. We’ve installed camera traps and are using drones, including thermal drones, to track its movements along the Barshi-Dharashiv border. The tiger is killing two cattle daily, and the decision to capture it is in the interest of both the tiger and the people.” This young male tiger, born in 2022 to tigress T22 in Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, has been dispersing in search of new territory. It has travelled about 500 kilometres to Solapur district and will be relocated to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, about 300 kilometres from Mumbai and spread across Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Ratnagiri districts. The longest journey In June 2019, a tiger named Walker, fitted with a radio collar, began its journey from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal. By December 2019, it had reached Dnyanganga Sanctuary, travelling through eight districts of Maharashtra and Telangana. The tiger’s movement was tracked until February 2020, when its radio collar was removed. Walker covered nearly 3,000 km, making it the longest distance travelled by a tiger with a radio collar. Its current whereabouts are unknown. The silent journey In 2021, a young male tiger, T3C1, travelled 330 km from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Vidarbha to Gautala Autram Sanctuary in Aurangabad. This tiger’s journey involved no human-animal conflict and went unnoticed by the public. It was first spotted on March 15, 2021, through camera traps, marking the first sighting of a tiger in Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary since 1940. Experts believe T3C1 travelled through Pandharkawada, Umarkhed, parts of Telangana, Akola, Dnyanganga, Hingoli, and Ajanta mountain ranges, covering around 2,000 km.
13 January,2025 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA 39-year-old motorcyclist, who was out with his wife and 10-year-old son on Sunday evening, suffered serious injuries when a banned synthetic plastic manja got entangled around his neck in the Madhuban area of Vasai, where a kite festival is organised by Suraksha Smart City. The victim Vikram Dange works in the sales department of an automobile company. His wife immediately removed her dupatta and wrapped it around his neck before he was taken to a nearby hospital. “A total nine stitches were administered at a multi-speciality hospital in Vasai,” said his wife Neetal Dange. Neetal told mid-day, “My husband was riding the motorcycle, and I was sitting pillion with our 10-year-old son. When we reached the Madhuban area, my husband suddenly screamed, ‘Arey, arey!’. I turned to see a cobweb of sharp kite strings around his neck. “By the time I could hold these strings my husband’s neck was badly cut. After he stopped the motorcycle, I immediately removed my dupatta and wrapped it around his neck which had started to ooze blood. His T-shirt got stained with blood. It was a scary moment for us, but none of the passers-by came to help us,” Neetal said. “I called my husband’s friends who were nearby and they immediately arrived and rushed him to a hospital. There was a deep wound around his neck and he received nine stitches,” Neetal said. “Strong legal action must be taken against the organiser of this ongoing kite festival which has risked the lives of many people. Who permitted them to organise a kite festival using the banned manja? And what is the police doing? Do the police wait for someone like my husband to get injured to initiate action? I will submit a complaint against this organiser. I won’t spare anyone in this matter,” Neetal added. A team from Valiv police station rushed to the spot and the kite festival was suspended for a while. At the time of going to the press, the cops had been conducting panchanama at the accident spot.“We will record the statement of the victim in this matter and initiate legal action,” said a police officer.
13 January,2025 07:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaADVERTISEMENT
