The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), in collaboration with Mission Rabies India, will be launching a special 'Rabies Free Thane' campaign to make it a rabies-free city and has set a target of vaccinating 10,000 stray dogs under the campaign, an official statement said on Monday. The campaign aims to prevent rabies-related deaths in humans and break the cycle of rabies virus transmission, it said. The rabies vaccination drive will run from January 29 to February 4, 2025, with the target of vaccinating 10,000 stray dogs across the city. Last year, more than 7,000 dogs were vaccinated as part of this initiative, the statement said. The 'Rabies Free Thane' campaign is supported by various organisations including Thane CPCA, Indian Society for Veterinary Animal Protection, Citizens for Animal Protection, VTEAMS, and PAWS Asia and the main focus is to vaccinate stray dogs, as dog bites can lead to rabies infection, which can sometimes result in death, it said. The state government has set a goal to eliminate rabies-related deaths by 2030, and this vaccination drive is an important step in achieving that target. The Thane Municipal Corporation has been actively working on this campaign, and last year, 7,409 stray dogs were vaccinated against rabies, a press release said. For this year’s vaccination campaign, 25 teams have been formed, each consisting of one doctor and three staff members. The teams will focus on areas with higher instances of dog bites, as reported by local citizens and animal activists. Dr. Kshama Shirodkar, the Veterinary Officer, mentioned that the teams are prepared to start the vaccination in different wards based on these reports, it said. The vaccination campaign is a crucial step towards ensuring the health and safety of both the city's residents and its animals, it further said. A similar campaign was launched by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai last year with an effort to combat the deadly rabies virus transmitted by stray dogs. The BMC had reportedly launched a massive vaccination campaign across Mumbai. The officials had earlier said that the rabies vaccination campaign starting September 28, 2024, aiming to eradicate the virus from the city.
27 January,2025 09:24 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe upcoming Pushpotsav (Mumbai Flower Festival) at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo in Byculla is set to showcase replicas of India’s national symbols in an exciting new theme this year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Monday. The festival will take place from January 31 to February 2, 2025. "This year's theme will feature replicas of India's national symbols, made entirely from flowers, offering both entertainment and educational value to visitors," the BMC said. The festival, which celebrates a different theme every year, aims to increase awareness and pride among Mumbaikars about India’s national symbols. The event will display large flower arrangements representing various symbols, such as the Ashoka Chakra, the national flag, the national animal (tiger), the national flower (lotus), the national fruit (mango), the national bird (peacock), and more, the BMC said in a statement. The initiative is being organised under the guidance of BMC Commissioner and administrator Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Commissioner Dr. Amit Saini, and Deputy Commissioner of Gardens Chanda Jadhav, along with Garden Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi, it said. This is the 28th edition of the Mumbai Pushpotsav, which promises to be an engaging and educational experience for all. One of the unique features of this festival is the opportunity to view thousands of different flowers and plants in one location. Visitors can admire a variety of colorful and fragrant blooms, as well as medicinal plants. The BMC's Garden Department works diligently to plant, maintain, and decorate these flowers, ensuring an eye-catching display, the statement said. In previous years, the Mumbai Flower Festival has featured creative themes such as cartoons, "Our Mumbai," music, Disney Land, aquatic life, animal kingdoms, and more. This year, the focus will be on India's national symbols, offering a meaningful experience that combines nature with national pride, it further said. The festival will feature nearly 5,000 plants, including a wide variety of flowers, fruit-bearing plants, and medicinal herbs. Notably, there will be replicas of the Ashoka Pillar, the national flag, the Bharat Ratna award, the national animal (tiger), the national flower (lotus), the national fruit (mango), and many other iconic symbols, it said.
27 January,2025 07:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Monday that around 70 hectares of green space was being developed as part of the The Mumbai Coastal Road Project’s beautification plan. The Mumbai coastal Road was furthered on Sunday with the inauguration of the northern bridge, which connects the Mumbai Coastal Road to the Worli-Bandra Sea Link. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis had formally inaugurated the northern connector bridge at a on January 26, 2025. The newly opened road will be accessible for motorists daily from 7 am to midnight. In an official statement, the BMC said that the project, named after the legendary warrior and protector, Dharmveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has enhanced Mumbai's global recognition. The Mumbai Coastal Road will not only save fuel and time but also contribute to reducing pollution in the city. "70 hectares of green space are being developed as part of the project’s beautification efforts," the BMC said. The northern bridge, which connects Nariman Point to the Worli-Bandra Sea Link, was inaugurated by CM Fadnavis, along with three new interchanges for smoother traffic flow in areas like Worli, Prabhadevi, Lower Parel, and Lotus Junction. Speaking at the event on Sunday, CM Fadnavis had highlighted the significance of the project, calling the Coastal Road a "jewel" of Mumbai. He stated, “This project will not only provide much-needed traffic relief but will also play a key role in enhancing Mumbai’s global standing.” The Mumbai Coastal Road, which spans 10.58 kilometers from Princess Street Flyover to the Worli-Bandra Sea Link, is 94 per cent complete, with the remainder of the construction scheduled for completion in the coming months. Over 5 million vehicles have already traveled along the road between March 12, 2024, and December 31, 2024, indicating its significant impact on easing congestion. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde remarked, “The Mumbai Coastal Road Project is a landmark achievement. The infrastructure's international standards and technical excellence make it stand out globally. With the completion of the Northern Bridge, travel between the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link and Worli Marine Drive will take just 10-12 minutes, reducing both travel time and fuel consumption." The project has also seen the involvement of prominent officials, including Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, who praised the completion of the major infrastructure initiative. The beautification of road dividers and tree planting were also part of the event, with CM Fadnavis and Shinde planting trees to mark the occasion. The Coastal Road project is being developed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with an investment of Rs 14,000 crore. With several more interchanges and routes expected to open in the coming months, this development is set to significantly improve Mumbai's traffic flow and livability. The northern connector bridge will now allow traffic from Marine Drive to the Sea Link and traffic between Marine Drive and Prabhadevi, Marine Drive and Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk, and Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk to the Sea Link will now flow seamlessly via the newly inaugurated interchanges, the BMC statement said. By the end of February 2025, the final interchange will be opened, completing the full Mumbai Coastal Road network, it said.
27 January,2025 07:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWestern Railway (WR) on Monday announced the successful completion of the first phase of bridge No. 20 between Mahim and Bandra railway stations in Mumbai. On the intervening night of January 24-25 and January 25-26, Western Railway took major blocks to rebuild the south abutment of the bridge. In an official statement, the WR said, the major blocks of 9 hrs 30 mins each taken on two successive nights lead to completion of phase-I of rebuilding of the south abutment of Bridge No. 20 on the Mithi River between Mahim and Bandra stations. In the first phase of this work, four sets of RH girders of 20.4 m length, weighing 42 tonnes were launched with cranes. Excavation of approximately 2.5 m was carried out under the railway tracks during the block period, WR said. This was done through trucks and other machinery on running tracks, as there is no direct approach to the site. The execution work was undertaken with the help of various advanced machines, such as 700 tonne capacity cranes, excavators, dumper trucks, hydra lift, tamping machines etc. Besides this, two locomotives and a team of about 100 dedicated employees worked day and night on this task. It was not easy to carry out such a large scale work in a limited space, but the efficiency and dedication of the team made it possible, stated WR. This task was carried out keeping in mind the safety of passengers and the strength of the railway structure. The block was taken as a crucial step to reconstruct the abutment, which is based on old technology and had weakened over the time. It has been reconstructed using modern technology and advanced structural design. Western Railway stated the bridge is now stronger and capable of meeting the future needs of the Railways. The equally challenging second phase of dismantling unserviceable abutment, rebuilding the abutment and laying tracks on proper girders is slated to complete in the month of May 2025. Few trains to affect due to block on Vangaon-Dahanu road route Western Railway said a block is expected on Tuesday due to the launch of Composite Girder for construction of Road Over Bridge between Vangaon and Dahanu Road stations of Mumbai Central Division, an official statement. In a press release, Western Railway on Monday said the one-hour fifteen minutes block, from 10:30 hrs to 11:45 on Tuesday, January 28 will be undertaken on UP & Down Main Line, due to which a few Western Railway's Mumbai local trains will be affected.
27 January,2025 07:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Central Railway on Monday, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, announced that a block between CSMT and Masjid station will be operated on January 27 for Carnac ROB girder adjustment. The Mumbai Division of the Central Railway said that a special emergency block between CSMT and Masjid stations for adjustment of open web girders for reconstruction of Carnac ROB (Span-2) will be operated. The block will be operated on 27/28.01.2025 (Monday/Tuesday Night time) from 00.30 hrs to 04.00 hrs (3.30 hours). Traffic Block Section: UP & DOWN SLOW Lines and UP & DOWN FAST Lines - Between Byculla and CSMT (excluding both stations) UP & DOWN HARBOUR Lines - Between Vadala Road and CSMT (excluding both stations) Repurcussions on train operations Working of Suburban trains during the block period: - Suburban services will not be available between Byculla & CSMT stations on MAIN line and Vadala Road & CSMT stations on HARBOUR line during the block period. - UP and DOWN suburban services on MAIN Line will be short terminated/originate at Kalyan, Thane, Parel and Byculla, stations. - UP and DOWN suburban services on HARBOUR Line will be short terminated/originate at Vadala Road station. Details of Last Local before the block on Main Line: On Down Slow line-for Karjat-departing CSMT at 00.12 hrs & arriving Karjat at 02.33 hrs On UP Slow line-for CSMT-departing Dombivali at 22.48 hrs & arriving CSMT at 00.10 hrs Details of First Local after the block on Main Line: On Down Slow line-for Karjat-departing CSMT at 04.47 hrs & arriving Karjat at 07.08 hrs On UP Slow line-for CSMT-departing Kalyan at 03.23 hrs & arriving CSMT at 04.56 hrs Details of Last Local before the block on Harbour Line: On Down line for Panvel-departing CSMT at 00.13 hrs & arriving Panvel at 01.33 hrs On UP line-for CSMT-departing Panvel at 22.46 hrs & arriving CSMT at 00.05 hrs Details of First Local after the block on Harbour Line: On Down line-for Panvel-departing CSMT at 04.52 hrs & arriving Panvel at 06.12 hrs On UP line-for CSMT-departing Bandra at 04.17 hrs & arriving CSMT at 04.48 hrs Short termination of UP Mail/Express trains at Dadar: 1. 12052 Madgaon-CSMT Exp JCO 27.01.2025 2. 11058 Amritsar-CSMT Exp JCO 26.01.2025 3. 22120 Madgaon-CSMT Tejas Exp JCO 27.01.2025 4. 11020 Bhubhaneshwar -CSMT Konark Exp JCO 26.01.2025 "These blocks are essential for infrastructure development. Passengers are requested to bear with the Railway Administration for the inconvenience caused," the Central Railway said.
27 January,2025 07:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a significant milestone for urban transport development, the UK government, through the Department for Transport (DFT) and Crossrail International (CI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Monday. The MoU was signed under the leadership of CM Devendra Fadnavis, DyCM Eknath Shinde, and initiative of Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee IAS. Jonathan Reynolds, Business and Trade Secretary, UK, and Paul Dyson, CEO, Crossrail International were also present during the deal, MMRDA said in an official statement. The agreement, witnessed during the World Economic Forum at Davos, focuses on developing a world-class intermodal transport system, including an operational and maintenance strategy for Mumbai’s future 14-line metro network. According to MMRDA, the partnership aims to fast-track the work of Mumbai’s metro network, creating a fully integrated transport system to support the city's rapid growth and establish MMRDA as a model for urban infrastructure across India. Reynolds met CM Fadnavis to further strengthen UK-India cooperation on key infrastructure projects. The MoU underscores the UK's commitment to sharing its extensive transport expertise, fostering investment, and creating jobs and strengthening ties between UK and India, the release stated. Key focus areas of the MoU 1. Integrated Infrastructure Development: Enabling a seamless transportation experience through intermodal connectivity, enhanced first- and last-mile options, and digital transformation.2. Sustainability and Innovation: Focus on funding models like Land Value Capture (LVC) and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) to promote sustainable urban growth.3. Global Knowledge Exchange: Fostering research and innovation through partnerships with academic institutions in India and the UK.4. Expert Collaboration: Leveraging expertise from UK institutions like Transport for London (TfL), Network Rail, and UK Export Finance to achieve world-class project execution. About the MoU Partners UK Department for Transport (DfT)As the central body overseeing transport infrastructure in the UK, DfT focuses on economic growth, connectivity, and sustainability. Its policies aim to improve public transport, reduce carbon emissions, and foster innovation in autonomous and greener transport technologies. Crossrail International (CI)CI, a public body under DfT, specializes in strategic advisory services for complex rail projects worldwide. Drawing on its experience from the Crossrail project (Elizabeth Line) and global benchmarking, CI helps deliver sustainable, high-impact transport solutions. MMRDA is currently constructing a 337 km metro network, with approximately 59 km of routes already operational, including sections of underground metro.
27 January,2025 06:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a fillip to its ongoing efforts to ban single-use plastics, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has taken stern action against shop owners and retailers across the state, the officials said. They said that between June 5, 2024, and January 26, 2025, MPCB's state-wide flying squads conducted intensive inspections, leading to the seizure of 14.50 tons of various single-use plastic items, including plastic bags. As part of this statewide crackdown, the squads inspected a total of 15,420 retail shops. Action was taken against 901 shop owners for violating the ban, resulting in the confiscation of 13.43 tons of single-use plastic and the collection of fines amounting to Rs 26.36 lakh. In addition to targeting retailers, MPCB also inspected 58 storage warehouses. The inspections led to the seizure of 1.087 tons of single-use plastic from 13 warehouses. The enforcement drive covered areas under major municipal corporations, including Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi Nizampur, Sangli, Kolhapur, Chiplun, Kankavli, Chandrapur, Akola, Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, and Navi Mumbai. Earlier this month, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to intensify its efforts to enforce the ban on single-use plastics in Mumbai. This includes imposing stricter penalties on citizens found using plastic carry bags, which remain prohibited under the ongoing ban. In a bid to enhance compliance, civic authorities are considering revising the current fine structure to make penalties more stringent. However, the revised fine policy will require formal approval from both the BMC administrator and the state government before it can be implemented. The state government had imposed a comprehensive ban on the production, use, sale, transportation, handling, and storage of plastic products under a notification issued on March 23, 2018. Despite this, the widespread use of plastic products continues to pose a significant challenge in Mumbai, underlining the need for stronger enforcement measures. MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam emphasized the Board's commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the single-use plastic ban in collaboration with municipalities, municipal corporations, and local governing bodies. He urged citizens to proactively avoid the use of single-use plastics and appealed to retail and wholesale trader associations to stop the distribution, storage, and sale of these prohibited items.
27 January,2025 06:35 PM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghWestern Railway said a block is expected on Tuesday due to the launch of Composite Girder for construction of Road Over Bridge between Vangaon and Dahanu Road stations of Mumbai Central Division, an official statement. In a press release, Western Railway on Monday said the one-hour fifteen minutes block, from 10:30 hrs to 11:45 on Tuesday, January 28 will be undertaken on UP & Down Main Line, due to which a few Western Railway's Mumbai local trains will be affected. The details of the trains which will be affected on 28th January, 2025 are as follows: Short Termination/Cancellation of Trains on Tuesday, 28th January, 2025:1. Train No. 93013 Virar – Dahanu Road Passenger will short terminate at Vangaon and hence Train Nos. 93013 & 93014 will be partially cancelled between Vangaon and Dahanu Road. 2. Train No. 93015 Churchgate – Dahanu Road Passenger will short terminate at Boisar and hence Train Nos. 93015 & 93016 will be partially cancelled between Boisar and Dahanu Road. Regulation of Trains on Tuesday, 28th January, 2025: 1. Train No. 20483 Bhagat Ki Kothi - Dadar Superfast Express will be regulated by 45 minutes.2. Train No. 12980 Jaipur - Bandra Terminus Express will be regulated by 45 minutes.3. Train No. 12932 Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central Double Decker Express will be regulated by 30 minutes.4. Train No. 82902 Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central Tejas Express will be regulated by 30 minutes.5. Train No. 93018 Dahanu Road - Virar Passenger will be regulated by 25 minutes. Western Railway issues alert after Jalgaon train accident, orders equipment checks on crowded routes Following the Jalgaon train accident, the Western Railway has issued an alert and directed all divisions, particularly those managing trains travelling to or from North India with crowded general coaches, to double-check all equipment. This measure aims to eliminate any possibility of smoke or related issues during the journey. "In addition to this, the commercial department and security staff have been directed to take strict action against anyone found smoking or creating conditions where smoke can emanate," an official said. "All electrical equipment on coaches, particularly in the vicinity of gates like control panels, and wires in ducts over doors but visible due to any reason must be attended to and put right. All staff should inspect passing through trains and ensure that the possibility of the occurrence of smoke for any reason is eliminated," the directive stated.
27 January,2025 05:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFour trees and a toilet block are blocking the demolition of the Sion Road Over Bridge, which has been shut since August 2024. The railways have sent a letter to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) expressing urgency in addressing these hurdles, as work on the bridge has been severely delayed, the officials said. The bridge is being rebuilt as part of a larger project to lay the fifth and sixth railway lines between Parel and Kurla. “There are four trees, two in the east and two in the west. In addition to this, there is a public toilet on the footpath, high-power cables, and electrical utilities for which shutting the Dharavi underpass is mandatory. The diversion of the BMC colony's drain, the road, and the water pipeline is also required. CR officials have highlighted several obstacles that have stalled the demolition. Work on piling and strengthening the sidewalls is currently in progress, and so far, 10 percent of the work has been completed. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai, in their structural audit report, recommended dismantling the existing bridge and reconstructing a new one with steel girders and RCC slabs. Furthermore, the existing Sion Road Over Bridge is obstructing the proposed fifth and sixth railway lines between CSMT and Kurla, and therefore it needs to be dismantled and reconstructed.
27 January,2025 05:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMaharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has given administrative approval to expand Mahatma Phule Wada and Savitribai Phule memorials in Pune, an official statement said on Monday. The approval also includes land acquisition and the relocation of residents in the area, it said. A fund of Rs 200 crores has been approved for the project, and with the approval, the expansion of the memorials will now proceed more quickly, the statement further said. "The expansion will involve acquiring land and relocating the residents to make space for the development of both memorials," the official statement said. It further said that a road will be constructed to connect Mahatma Phule Wada with the Savitribai Phule Memorial. The preservation and development of these memorials will also be carried out as part of the project. Once the administrative approval is in place, the approved funds will be distributed to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) which will help speed up the work on the memorials and ensure their proper development. IIM Mumbai to set up Ashwin Mittal CoE in advanced AI solutions Meanwhile, the IIM Mumbai has inked an agreement with the Ashwin Mittal Foundation to establish the Ashwin Mittal Center of Excellence (CoE) in advanced AI solutions for business decisions, according to the PTI. The CoE will promote research, innovation and collaboration with an initial focus on the transformative impact of technologies, the IIM Mumbai stated on Monday. As per the MoU, IIM Mumbai and AM Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, will focus on the facilitation, development, and promotion of advanced R&D and innovation emerging from the CoE, the PTI reported. "The CoE will empower students and faculty to address complex challenges in business and commerce by leveraging AI's transformative potential. Building on the success of our Data Science Lab, established in 2021, this collaboration will position IIM Mumbai at the forefront of AI and Analytics innovation, the PTI reported on Monday. "It will create opportunities to develop real-world, data-driven solutions along with wide-reaching impact across industries and communities," IIM Mumbai Director Prof Manoj Kumar Tiwari said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
27 January,2025 05:07 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway announced that it is set to run Unreserved Special Trains between New Amravati & Veer on the occasion of Dharatirth Gadkot Mohim 2025. The CR, in an official statement on Friday said that this decision to run Unreserved Special Trains on the route was for the benefit of passengers. The details of New Amravati & Veer train timings are as follows: 01101 special will leave New Amravati at 15.30 hrs on 6.02.2025 and will arrive at Veer at 07.45 hrs next day. (One trip) 01102 special will leave Veer at 22.00 hrs on 11.02.2025 and will arrive at New Amravati at 12.30 hrs next day. (One trip) Halts for 01101 - Badnera, Murtizapur, Akola, Shegaon, Nandura, Malkapur, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Chalisgaon, Manmad, Nashik Road, Igatpuri, Kalyan, Panvel and Roha Composition: 16 General Second Class and 2 second seating cum guard’s brake van. The CR requested the passengers note the details and avail these services in the statement. For detailed timings, passengers may visit www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in or download NTES App. Mumbai local train update: Block burst disrupts services, commuters struggle Train services on the Central Railway's main and harbour lines were disrupted on Sunday morning due to an extended mega block for a bridge girder launch, causing inconvenience to local and long-distance travellers. As many as 11 long-distance trains that depart from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai have been rescheduled so far and nine trains that arrive at CSMT have been short-terminated due to the block burst, the Central Railway said in a post on X. There were also reports of a labourer getting injured during the girder launch, an official said. The six-hour-long mega block conducted for launching the girder of the under-construction Carnac Bridge was initially scheduled to end at 5.30 am, but it got delayed, railway officials told PTI. This caused inconvenience to passengers travelling by the local as well as long-distance trains. The Central Railway's local train operations were cancelled between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Byculla and between CSMT and Wadala stations on the main and harbour lines, respectively, due to the mega block which was scheduled from 11.30 pm on Saturday to 5.30 am on Sunday, an official said. "Working of Suburban and Mail Express trains is continuing from Byculla and Dadar on the main line and Wadala Road on the Harbour line till the completion of the block," he told PTI.
27 January,2025 03:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
