Commuters on the Western Railway experienced major disruptions on Tuesday due to a crack detected on the railway track at Vaitarna railway station. A crack appeared on the up-line track heading towards Mumbai, affecting long-distance trains approaching the city. As the issue was identified in time, a major accident was averted. The railway administration has undertaken the task of replacing the damaged track. Long-distance trains from Gujarat have been halted at other railway stations in Palghar district. Currently, trains on the up-line are running at a slow speed. Meanwhile, the Western Railway said that the Mumbai suburban local trains and long-distance trains were running late by 15-20 minutes due to a technical failure at Vaitarna railway station. "WR's Mumbai Suburban local trains and long-distance trains entering Mumbai are running late by 15-20 minutes late due to technical failure at Vaitarna Station," Western Railway said in a post on X. "A technical failure occurred at Vaitarna on the UP line at 7:30 AM. Operations returned to normal by 8:00 AM. Mail express trains towards Mumbai were delayed by 20 to 30 minutes," said the Western Railway CPRO. Western Railway announces major block on January 24-26, impacting services Western Railway has announced major blocks on the nights of 24th/25th January 2025 (Friday/Saturday) and 25th/26th January 2025 (Saturday/Sunday) for the rebuilding of the southern abutment of Bridge No. 20 located between Mahim and Bandra stations. The blocks will necessitate significant alterations to train schedules on these dates. The blocks will be as follows: 24th/25th January 2025: From 23:00 hrs to 08:30 hrs on UP & Down Slow lines and 00:30 hrs to 06:30 hrs on the Down Fast line. 25th/26th January 2025: From 23:00 hrs to 08:30 hrs on UP & Down Slow and Down Fast lines and from 23:00 hrs to 07:30 hrs on the UP Fast line. According to a press release issued by Shri Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway, the execution of this critical work will impact suburban and long-distance services. The detailed repercussions are as follows: Impact on Suburban Services – 24th/25th January 2025 (Friday/Saturday): The last Slow service towards Virar will depart from Churchgate at 23:58 hrs. All Slow services departing Churchgate after 23:00 hrs on Friday will operate on the Fast line between Mumbai Central and Santacruz, bypassing stops at Mahalaxmi, Lower Parel, Prabhadevi, Matunga Road, Mahim, and Khar Road. Similarly, after 23:00 hrs, Slow services departing from Virar, Bhayandar, and Borivali will operate on the Fast line between Santacruz and Mumbai Central, skipping the same intermediate stations. Services between Churchgate and Dadar will run on Fast lines during the block period. Select services between Goregaon and Bandra on Western & Central Railways will operate on Harbour lines. On the morning of 25th January, Slow and Fast services originating from Virar, Nallasopara, Vasai Road, Bhayandar, and Borivali will run only up to Andheri. The first Fast train service for Churchgate after the block will depart Virar at 05:47 hrs, reaching Churchgate at 07:05 hrs. The first Down Fast line service post-block will depart from Churchgate at 06:14 hrs. The first Down Slow line service post-block will leave Churchgate at 08:03 hrs. On Friday/Saturday, approximately 127 suburban services will be cancelled, and 60 services will be partially cancelled. Impact on Suburban Services – 25th/26th January 2025 (Saturday/Sunday): During the block, services between Churchgate and Dadar will operate on Fast lines. Both Slow and Fast services originating from Virar, Nallasopara, Vasai Road, Bhayandar, and Borivali will terminate at Andheri during the block period. Select services between Goregaon and Bandra on Western & Central Railways will be diverted to Harbour lines. The last local train on the UP Fast line will be the Virar-Churchgate service departing Virar at 22:07 hrs, while the last service on the UP Slow line will be the Borivali-Churchgate train departing Borivali at 22:22 hrs. The last local train on the Down Fast line will be the Churchgate-Borivali service, leaving Churchgate at 22:33 hrs, while the last Down Slow line train will be the Churchgate-Bhayandar service departing Churchgate at 22:26 hrs. These services will be extended to Virar. The first train after the block on the Down Fast line will depart from Churchgate for Virar at 08:35 hrs, while the first train on the Down Slow line will be a Churchgate-Borivali service departing at the same time. On the UP Fast line, the first service after the block will be the Virar-Churchgate train, departing Virar at 07:38 hrs, and the first service on the UP Slow line will depart Virar at 07:35 hrs. On Saturday/Sunday, approximately 150 suburban services will be cancelled, and 90 services will be partially cancelled. Cancellation of long-distance trains: 12267 Mumbai Central–Hapa Duronto Express (25th January 2025) 12268 Hapa-Mumbai Central Duronto Express (26th January 2025) 12227 Mumbai Central–Indore Duronto Express (25th January 2025) 12228 Indore-Mumbai Central Duronto Express (26th January 2025) Short termination/origination of trains: 09052 Bhusaval–Dadar Special (25th January 2025) – Short terminates at Borivali. 12927 Dadar–Ekta Nagar Superfast Express (25th January 2025) – Short originates from Borivali. 19003 Dadar–Bhusaval Khandesh Express (26th January 2025) – Short originates from Borivali. 19015 Dadar–Porbandar Saurashtra Express (26th January 2025) – Short originates from Borivali. 22946 Okha–Mumbai Central Saurashtra Mail (25th January 2025) – Short terminates at Borivali. 12902 Ahmedabad–Dadar Gujarat Mail (25th January 2025) – Short terminates at Palghar. 59024 Valsad–Mumbai Central Passenger (26th January 2025) – Short terminates at Borivali. 59045 Mumbai Central–Vapi Passenger (26th January 2025) – Short originates from Borivali. 12904 Amritsar–Mumbai Central Golden Temple Mail (24th January 2025) – Short terminates at Andheri. 19016 Porbandar–Dadar Saurashtra Express (24th January 2025) – Short terminates at Borivali. Rescheduling and regulation of trains: 20901 Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Vande Bharat Express (25th January) – Rescheduled to 06:15 hrs. 20901 Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Vande Bharat Express (26th January) – Rescheduled to 08:15 hrs. 22953 Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Gujarat Superfast Express (25th January) – Rescheduled to 06:40 hrs. 22953 Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Gujarat Superfast Express (26th January) – Rescheduled to 08:15 hrs. 12928 Ekta Nagar–Dadar Express (25th January) – Rescheduled to 23:25 hrs. 14707 Lalgarh–Dadar Ranakpur Express (25th January) – Rescheduled to 10:00 hrs. 12962 Indore–Mumbai Central Avantika Express (25th January) – Rescheduled to 19:40 hrs. 12956 Jaipur–Mumbai Central Superfast Express (25th January) – Rescheduled to 16:30 hrs. 12268 Hapa–Mumbai Central Duronto Express (25th January) – Regulated by 45-50 minutes. 12952 New Delhi–Mumbai Central Rajdhani Express (25th January) – Regulated by 20-25 minutes.
21 January,2025 09:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar Sharma | Prasun ChoudhariThe Mumbai-Bengaluru sectors, one of the busiest in domestic aviation, will experience disruptions as Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport plans runway closures during the biennial Aero India show at the nearby Air Force Station in Yelahanka. The event will take place from February 10 to 14, 2025. Starting February 5, the airport will be closed for six hours daily until February 8. On February 13 and 14, there will be two closure blocks each day, one in the morning and another in the evening, lasting three hours each. The Mumbai-Bengaluru sector has at least 25 daily flights operating each side. Similarly, many of these flights pose as a connecting flight for passengers who have to travel abroad which will also affect the passengers who will have their flights rescheduled due to this which will eventually lead to passengers missing their connecting flights. A senior pilot currently working with an airline told mid-day, “Aero India was announced a few months ago and the show website has had details of aerial display timings for quite a while now. The Notice To Airmen (NOTAMs) were declared late in the cycle, which has more impact on passengers, airports and airlines; not just in Bengaluru but across the country due to many flights which will need to be rescheduled.” “On a typical Monday, Bengaluru airport handles 370 departures and 367 arrivals according to available data. At certain hours of the day, there are over 40 movements at the airport and not all can be accommodated at other times. This would mean that passengers will face disruption as well as cancellations. With the airport being a hub for domestic transit passengers, it could have a higher impact on airlines.” the senior pilot added. What passengers can expect “Airlines are now hard-pressed for time to make changes to their network in such a way that disruptions are minimal. This would involve seeking changes at multiple airports across the country, not an easy task especially for the major ones which are operating at capacity,” said a Ministry of Civil Aviation analyst. “Once these changes are done, airlines will start informing the passengers. The flights that may not depart or land during these hours would also be impacted as airlines try to reshuffle their network for this period. Passengers should keep their contact details updated with the airline and booking agencies so that they get the updates at the earliest and can replan their travel,” the analyst added.
21 January,2025 08:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariThe parents of two-year-old Aakriti Singh diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy – SMA type-1, are worried about her next dose of medicine. They were confident of getting central government financial aid from the Rs 924 crore, assured in the budget for rare diseases, as directed by the Delhi High Court. But, the parents are shocked to learn that the Supreme Court recently put a stay on the Delhi HC order, putting SMA type-1 patients and parents in limbo. With no cure for SMA, the medicines are imported and the prices are unaffordable, which puts patients suffering from SMA at the risk of early death. Wonder drug Her mother Kirti said, “Risdiplam, a medication for definitive therapy manufactured by a multinational pharma company, is one of the treatments for SMA. This medication is life-saving and must be given lifelong to reverse or stabilise the disease's manifestations and to prolong event-free survival. Aakriti requires one bottle every 30 days. The approximate cost of each bottle, including GST, is Rs 6,20,000, and the annual cost is nearly Rs 75,00,000.” An earlier pic of baby Aakriti when she was diagnosed with SMA Significant improvement The improvements observed through Risdiplam are significant. Aakriti has achieved milestones such as sitting without support, increased weight-bearing in her legs, and improved knee strength. She can also scribble and recite poems like other children her age, and she has shown no respiratory or swallowing problems. The fear When asked what happens after the medicine is finished, an emotional mother said, “All her current milestones may regress, which is not good for her. Without medication she will be more prone to lung infections, which could be life-threatening. As per the MNC pharma company scheme, if we buy two bottles they give us three bottles without any cost. So technically for Rs 12 lakh, we get five bottles, but this scheme is at the discretion of the MNC company.” Access to treatment tough “In India, approximately 4,000 children are born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) every year. This genetic disorder, leads to severe muscle weakness, impacting essential functions like movement, swallowing, and even breathing,” said Alpana Sharma, co-founder, director of patient advocacy, CureSMA Foundation India, the largest parent-led patient advocacy organisation floated by SMA children’s parents. SMA treatment in India currently faces significant hurdles. Among the three globally available treatments—gene therapy Zolgensma, Spinraza (Nusinersen), and Evrysdi (Risdiplam)—only Evrysdi is approved for use in the country. “It is important to note that SMA patients are running against time. The life-saving medicines can not only arrest disease progression but also preserve functionalities in SMA patients. We humbly request the government to give a new lease of life to our dying children by ensuring that all SMA patients get access to life-saving medicine at the earliest,” Alpana said. “We are still awaiting a response from the government and are hopeful of receiving National Rare Disease funds as per the law. Given the exorbitant cost of the medication, it is challenging for an average family to afford this treatment. However, does this mean denying the right to life to a little girl with so much potential and a future ahead?" Kirti concluded. What is SMA? Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic condition that causes worsening muscle weakness. There are five subtypes, which range in severity and age of onset. There’s no cure for SMA, but certain therapies and medications can help manage symptoms.
21 January,2025 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonThe lack of burial space for children has become a pressing concern for residents of Ulhasnagar. Previously, bodies were buried at the cemeteries in Camp 4 and Camp 5. However, as these facilities ran out of space, residents turned to a cemetery in the Venus area. Despite sufficient available space, this cemetery remains underutilised due to poor maintenance and lack of cleanliness. In order to address the issue, advocate Prashant Chandanshiv has written to Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation’s (ULMC) Additional Commissioner, Kishore Gavas, urging immediate intervention. The Venus cemetery was rarely used in the past, as residents preferred the Camp 4 and Camp 5 facilities. However, with these locations fully occupied, the Venus cemetery has begun receiving increased attention. “Only half of the Venus cemetery is being used, and even that is now nearly full. The rest of the space is littered with garbage, discarded flowers, garlands, and plastic waste. There is no one to clean or maintain the cemetery,” said resident Rajesh Gaikwad. “While people are struggling to find burial space for their loved ones, the authorities have failed to provide any assistance.” Due to the space shortage, there have been instances of children’s bodies being buried in existing graves. “It’s tragic. Many parents had no choice but to bury their child in an already occupied grave. With no alternatives, they had to endure this heart-wrenching ordeal,” a local resident told mid-day. Advocate Chandanshiv has urged the municipal corporation to take immediate action and has also appealed to the chief minister of Maharashtra, the secretary of the Women and Child Welfare Department, and the tehsildar for their intervention and support. ULMC's additional commissioner, Kishore Gavas, told mid-day, “We will look into the issue, and necessary actions will be taken to resolve the problem.”
21 January,2025 07:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is exploring the possibility of developing a theme park on the Gorai dumping ground, which was scientifically closed 18 years ago. Part of the 19-hectare site is currently used as a waste transfer station. After its closure, the BMC developed green spaces on the landfill. An earlier plan in 2020 to set up a waste-to-energy plant on the site was put on hold for the last four years. Recently, Union Minister and North Mumbai MP Piyush Goyal held a meeting with civic officials, suggesting a tourism project for the area. Following his proposal, the BMC is now considering creating a theme-based park on the reclaimed land. “There is still a 26-metre-tall hill of waste. We’ve scientifically capped it and developed a green area on top. Now, we’re exploring the possibility of a theme park or another sustainable tourism project on the site,” said a BMC official. In a related development, the civic body has extended the deadline for processing waste at the Mulund dumping ground to June 2025. This project, initiated eight years ago, aims to clear the landfill and create open land. It was originally slated for completion by October 2024.
21 January,2025 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentIn an indication that the local body polls will be held soon, the state government filled the vacancy of the state election commissioner (SEC) on Monday, appointing senior bureaucrat Dinesh Waghmare its the head of the commission. His tenure will be of five years. Waghmare, a 1994 batch IAS officer, worked as the additional chief secretary of the medical education department. U P S Madan, the previous SEC, retired last September. The state election commission is responsible for conducting the polls to civic bodies, zilla parishad, panchayat samitis and gram panchayats. Dinesh Waghmare, Maharashtra state election commissioner. Pic/MahaTransco People in the know said that the appointment could be seen as the beginning of the election process. Most local bodies in the state are overdue for elections and are administered by the respective commissioners and chief executive officers. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election was scheduled for February 2022, but it didn’t take place, like most others, because of the legal cases being heard by the Supreme Court. The apex court is hearing petitions regarding the other backward class reservation, the reorganisation of wards and the (increased/decreased) number of elected representatives of local bodies. The next hearing is expected to be held on January 28. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had indicated a few days ago that the local body elections will likely take place in April-May this year, saying that the government would do its best to get the legal ground cleared for holding the polls. Local body polls are generally considered mini Assembly elections, which give political parties an opportunity to fathom their individual strength at the local level where their workers prefer to contest the polls without having an alliance with the parties that share power at the state and Central level. Most ruling and Opposition parties have been talking about going solo in the forthcoming elections.
21 January,2025 07:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra JoreIntensifying its campaign banning single-use plastic, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday seized 61.5 kg of plastic from various establishments and collected a fine of Rs 1.45 lakh from them. The move comes after an order from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board chairman Siddhesh Kadam. The BMC had last Monday (January 13) launched a campaign to tackle the use of single-use plastics, thermocol products like dishes, spoons, glasses, and carry bags. According to a BMC official, teams from each ward visited a total of 1145 establishments. Among these, 29 cases were registered, resulting in the seizure of approximately 61.5 kg of plastic from where fines amounting to Rs 1.45 lakh were collected. Deputy Chief Municipal Commissioner Chanda Jadhav has appealed to citizens to comply with the law and cooperate in this effort. According to the BMC, from January 1 to January 19, inspections were conducted at 5783 establishments, resulting in 118 cases where approximately 167 kg of plastic was seized, and a total fine of Rs 6.10 lakh was collected. The Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products (MUSTH&S) Notification, 2018, bans the sale and usage of single-use plastic items such as carry bags, earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration, plates, cups, glasses, and cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, and trays. According to the notification, non-woven polypropylene carry bags not more than 60 grams per square meter and plastic packaging material with a thickness of less than 50 microns can be used if necessary to maintain the functionality of the product.
21 January,2025 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentA Std IV student of JBCN International School, Borivli, sustained a head injury on the school premises in December 2024, requiring eight stitches. Following the incident, the child’s parents withdrew her admission from the school and sent a legal notice to the management, alleging negligence in providing prompt medical attention and accusing the staff of insensitivity in handling the matter. The school management, however, has denied all allegations made by the parents in the legal notice and stated that they have responded to their legal notice. According to the child’s parents—Satyakam Gautam and Vandana Devi Laishram—the school failed to act promptly, causing delays in providing necessary medical care. They claim the staff displayed negligence and insensitivity, further exacerbating their daughter’s trauma. The parents have accused the school of jeopardising student safety by not implementing adequate emergency protocols and maintaining an apathetic attitude. JBCN International School in Borivli The incident occurred on December 20, 2024, during the last period of the day, which was a swimming class. After the session, as part of the usual routine, students were expected to shower and change into their uniforms before leaving. According to the parents, their daughter slipped near the shower area after taking a shower, resulting in a head injury. According to the school, the incident occurred at around 2.25 pm. The girl’s mother arrived at the school at 2.50 pm, and the child was subsequently rushed to the Karuna Hospital nearby at 3.10 pm, where she received eight stitches. The parents stated that their daughter informed them she got accidentally pushed by someone, causing her to slip and hit her head on a faucet. However, when they inquired with the school, the staff claimed she had been playing in a wet, restricted area, which led to the accident. “We visited the school again on January 3 and after much insistence, we were allowed to view the CCTV footage. The footage only showed her coming out of the pool area and being taken in the lift. There was no CCTV coverage of the shower area, so we have no way of knowing how the accident actually occurred,” said Vandana. Recounting the day Satyakam told said, “The day will forever haunt us. It was the day we realised how misplaced our trust had been in an institution we thought was safe for our daughter. She sustained a severe head injury on the school premises, a place where we expected her to be protected, nurtured, and cared for. Instead, what we encountered was gross negligence, insensitive behaviour, and a complete lack of preparedness for emergencies.” According to Vandana, panic set in when the school informed her that her daughter had fallen in a “restricted area” near the swimming pool. “By the time we (Vandana and the girl’s caretaker) reached the school, she was wrapped in bandages, her head soaked in blood. There were three other blood-soaked cotton balls lying near her. The sight of her sitting there, with no immediate steps taken to transport her to a hospital, was beyond horrifying. The principal was not present there. The staff’s dismissive attitude and refusal to provide clarity only added to the ordeal. Refusal to show CCTV footage The refusal to show us CCTV footage, the insensitive remarks from staff about unrelated matters, and the principal’s alarming absence during those critical moments left us feeling abandoned by a system that should have prioritised our child’s well-being. Instead of focusing on the urgent need for medical attention, we were met with arrogance and excuses,” Vandana said. Principal missing She added, “We rushed our daughter to the hospital ourselves, without so much as an offer of assistance from the school. Eight stitches later, and after what could have been a life-threatening delay, we were left grappling with not just her physical pain but also the emotional trauma caused by the school’s handling of the situation. How can a school justify leaving a bleeding child unattended while waiting for parents to arrive? How can educators, who are meant to be caregivers, behave with such callousness? And how can a principal, leader of the institution, remain absent and unaccountable for over 35 minutes during an emergency?” According to Satyakam, the incident has left the family questioning not just the infrastructure of the institution but also the values it claims to uphold. “Our daughter’s smile, once vibrant and carefree, now carries the weight of pain and trauma. As her parents, we are left to pick up the pieces, but the scars, both seen and unseen, will remain. To other parents, we urge vigilance. A school is meant to be a sanctuary for our children. When it fails in that duty, it’s not just negligence, it’s a betrayal.” School responds Responding to the allegations made by the parents and clarifying their position, a spokesperson for the school said, “Approximately a month ago, following the conclusion of a swimming session, an unfortunate incident occurred where a learner, despite being advised against playing near the poolside, slipped and sustained an injury.” As per the spokesperson, the student received immediate attention within two minutes of the incident with the school’s paramedical team responding swiftly and with great care. “The school principal, along with key members of the team, was present to personally check on the learner’s condition, and within a few minutes, first aid was administered under the guidance of a doctor consulted via call. The parents were promptly notified, and by the time they arrived, the learner had already received medical attention and was in a stable condition. We maintained close communication with the family throughout the process to ensure the learner’s well-being and recovery. The safety and well-being of our learners remain our highest priority. We take pride in upholding rigorous safety protocols, compliance measures, and a nurturing environment, reaffirming our commitment to providing a secure and supportive space for every learner,” the spokesperson added.
21 January,2025 07:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghResidents of Versova and Four Bungalows in Andheri West, already dealing with dug-up roads, must brace themselves for even worse traffic congestion as work on the Bandra-Versova Sea Link (BVSL) has commenced on Juhu-Versova Link Road. A Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) official said, “The geotechnical work for the construction of the connector starting from the Juhu-Versova Link Road towards the Versova-end of the sea link has begun, and barricades have been placed on the road. We will see to it that the work is carried out in such a manner that there is minimum inconvenience to motorists using Juhu-Versova Link Road.” On Monday, when this correspondent travelled on the stretch, barricades had been placed along the median of the road. When the actual construction work begins, there is a high chance that traffic jam will take place on this stretch. Residents have been complaining about traffic due to ongoing concreting work at Seven Bungalows, Four Bungalows areas and Juhu-Versova Link Road. Project progress An official attached to the BVSL project told this newspaper that around 25 per cent of civil work on the project was complete and the speed of the work would increase as Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) had recently granted certain permissions related to the project. According to the minutes of the last MCZMA meeting that took place in December 2024, the MSRDC proposed a few amendments, including bifurcating and extending the Versova connector using a cable-stayed bridge for better traffic disbursal (to minimise impacts on mangroves and reduce traffic congestion at earlier proposed connector end), relocating two navigational spans on the main alignment and adding two new 12O-metre navigational spans on the Juhu connector, and extending the Juhu connector towards the Western Express Highway for better traffic disbursal. Facts and figures The BVSL project cost has increased from R11,332 crore, an amount sanctioned in 2018, to Rs 18,120 crore. The increase is attributed to the shifting of a casting yard from Juhu to Malad as well as beautification and lighting. Once completed, the BVSL will save the 45 to 60 minutes it currently takes to travel between Bandra and Versova. According to MSRDC officials, the project will also have indirect pluses such as a reduction in the maintenance cost of vehicles along with environmental benefits, an increase in land appreciation and an increase in job opportunities and mental tranquillity for drivers. The BVSL comprises a 2.25-km (2+2 lane) connector at Bandra, a 2.57-km (3+3 lane) connector at Carter Road, a 4.5-km ( 2+2 lane) connector at Juhu and 4.29-km connector at Versova along with a cable-stayed bridge.
21 January,2025 07:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMumbaikars are set to face a double whammy this weekend as over 270 suburban train services are set to be cancelled, with 150 partially affected, due to a major block for Bandra-Mahim rail bridge work. Adding to the woes, a traffic block on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will disrupt travel from Wednesday to Friday afternoon. The work of replacing the Indian Railways’ last screw pile found bridge at Bandra has entered the next phase. Work on the south abutment of Bridge No 20, located between Mahim and Bandra stations, will result in a block on the nights of January 24-25 (Friday-Saturday) and January 25-26 (Saturday-Sunday). Motorists travelling on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will face delays on three days this week. File pic On Friday-Saturday, the block will impact the up and down slow lines from 11 pm to 8.30 am and the down fast line from 12.30 am to 6.30 am. On Saturday-Sunday, similar disruptions will occur across slow and fast lines. The Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Vineet Abhishek, has announced that suburban and long-distance train services will be affected during maintenance work. MSRDC urged travellers to plan accordingly Commuting by train? Here’s how your weekend is going to pan out Friday–Saturday (Jan 24–25) 1. Slow Services>> Last slow train to Virar departs Churchgate at 11.58 pm. >> All slow trains from Churchgate post-11 pm will run on the fast line between Mumbai Central and Santacruz, skipping stops at Mahalaxmi, Lower Parel, Prabhadevi, Matunga Road, Mahim, and Khar Road. >> Similar rerouting for slow trains from Virar, Bhayandar, and Borivli. 2. Changes in Service Operation >> Churchgate-Dadar services will run on fast lines. >> Some services between Goregaon and Bandra will operate on Harbour lines. >> Early morning on Jan 25, slow and fast trains from Virar, Nallasopara, Vasai Road, Bhayandar, and Borivli will terminate at Andheri. 3. Key First Trains Post-Block >> First fast line train from Virar departs at 5.47 am for Churchgate (reaches at 7.05 am). >> First down fast train from Churchgate departs at 6.14 am. >> First down slow train from Churchgate departs at 8.03 am. 4. Cancellations >> Approximately 127 suburban services cancelled; approximately 60 partially cancelled. Saturday–Sunday (Jan 25–26) 1. Service Adjustments>> Churchgate-Dadar services on fast lines. >> Late-night trains (after 10 pm) terminate at Andheri. >> Some Goregaon-Bandra services on Harbour lines. 2. Last Trains Before BlockUp fast line: Virar-Churchgate departs Virar at 10.07 pm. Up slow line: Borivli-Churchgate departs Borivli at 10.22 pm. Down fast line: Churchgate-Borivli departs Churchgate at 10.33 pm. Down slow line: Churchgate-Bhayandar departs Churchgate at 10.26 pm. 3. Key First Trains Post-Block Down fast: Churchgate-Virar departs Churchgate at 8.35 am. Down slow: Churchgate-Borivli departs Churchgate at 8.35 am. Up fast: Virar-Churchgate departs Virar at 7.38 am. Up slow: Virar-Churchgate departs Virar at 7.35 am. 4. Cancellations >> Approximately 150 suburban services cancelled; approximately 90 partially cancelled. Short-Terminated/Originated Trains Several trains will be short-terminated or short-originated between Borivli, Palghar, and Mumbai Central. Key affected trains include: 12927 Dadar–Ekta Nagar Superfast 12902 Ahmedabad–Dadar Gujarat Mail 19016 Porbandar–Dadar Saurashtra Express Rescheduled/Regulated Trains 1. RescheduledMumbai Central–Gandhinagar Vande Bharat (20901): Jan 25 departure: 6.15 am. Jan 26 departure: 8.15 am. Other affected trains include: 22953 Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad12956 Jaipur–Mumbai Central 12962 Indore–Mumbai Central) 2. Regulated>> Hapa–Mumbai Central Duronto delayed by 45–50 mins. >> New Delhi–Mumbai Central Rajdhani delayed by 20–25 mins. For detailed timings, commuters are advised to check railway updates before travel. Mumbai-Pune Expressway Traffic Block Motorists travelling on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will face delays from January 22 to 24, between 12 pm and 3 pm. This is to facilitate girder installation near Dongargaon/Kusgaon. Pune-bound traffic will be diverted via NH-48 during this period, while Pune-to-Mumbai traffic remains unaffected. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has urged travellers to plan accordingly and use alternate routes. HelplinesFor assistance, motorists can contact the expressway control room at 98224 98224 or the Highway Police at 98334 98334.
21 January,2025 07:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayThe arrest of Saif Ali Khan’s attacker, Shariful Islam, 30, has not only fetched police officers laurels but has also brought to light an unusual route Bangladeshis use to cross the border in a manner akin to that depicted in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki. Hours after his arrest, Shariful narrated to the cops how he eluded the Border Security Force (BSF) by crossing the Dawki river, also known as the Umngot, which flows between India and Bangladesh. The alleged attacker, who is in the custody of the Bandra police. File Pic/Anurag Ahire According to the police, Islam swam across the river, which is about 200 metres in length, and entered Meghalaya before making his way to Mumbai. He told the cops that due to increasing tensions with Bangladesh, the usual route through Kolkata was fraught with risk as the 500-km border between West Bengal and his country was being rigorously monitored by security forces. Hence, he tried to enter through the Northeast. Shariful, a resident of Gram Rajabari, Nalchity Upazil in the Jhalokathi district of Bangladesh’s Barisal division, became the sole breadwinner of his family after his father died a few years ago. He is unmarried and he used to live with his mother, sister and younger brother. The police have contacted his brother in the neighbouring country and informed him of his arrest. The cops suspect that Shariful is a habitual criminal as he is well-versed in the methods of climbing buildings. The police also stated that he claimed to be a good swimmer. A screengrab of CCTV footage of the accused near Bandra station around 7.05 am on January 16 Shariful had left his home seven months ago, informing his family that he setting out to earn money and would return soon. A police officer said, “While crossing the Dawki river seven months ago, the accused brought along a little money in a plastic bag. In India, he met some agents, including one Amit Pandey, who help people land jobs in restaurants.” According to the police, Shariful started working as a housekeeping staffer at a swanky Worli restaurant in August 2024. However, he was fired after he was caught stealing Rs 1000 in cash, which a customer had accidentally dropped. Later, Pandey found him a similar job, but he fell short of his employer’s expectations and was dismissed. Finally, Shariful managed to gain employment with an eatery in Thane, but he was sacked as he lacked documents proving his nationality. Stringent crackdown Police teams that played a role in nabbing Shariful on January 19 are felicitated by Satyanarayan Chaudhary, joint commissioner, law and order, on Monday Concerned about the increasing numbers of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India, two months ago, the authorities started a campaign to nab and deport them. Several restaurants in Mumbai were also told not to employ such individuals. A police officer said, “Due to this, Shariful was jobless for the past month. He wanted to return to Bangladesh but didn’t have money for this. A few days before the robbery attempt at Saif Ali Khan’s house in Bandra, the accused tasked an auto driver with showing him the flats of celebrities. The driver took him to many such spots. At Saif’s residence, Satguru Sharan, two security guards were stationed at both gates and both were sleeping at the time of the incident. Chinks in the armour The society also lacks an intercom and there were no CCTV cameras available on the floors belonging to the actor. The doors accessible by the stairs also lacked security latches. Meanwhile, the police teams that played a role in nabbing Shariful on January 19 were felicitated by Satyanarayan Chaudhary, joint commissioner, law and order, on Monday. According to the police more than footage from more than 450 CCTV cameras was examined to nab the accused from Hiranandani Estate, Thane. According to the police, the accused was using a SIM card registered in the name of a friend from West Bengal. The cops are now tracing this individual.
21 January,2025 06:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaADVERTISEMENT
