In a distressing incident in Thane, Maharashtra, a four-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped by an unidentified person on Sunday evening. The incident took place in the Kalyan Phata area, according to police officials. The boy was reportedly abducted from near his home, and his family, upon noticing his disappearance, began an immediate search for him but was unable to locate him. The family approached the local Shil-Daighar police station on Monday to file a report. As per the police official, a case of kidnapping was registered under section 137(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to kidnapping. "The family had made attempts to search for the boy on their own, but as they were unsuccessful, they reached out to the police authorities on Monday," said the official from Shil-Daighar police station. He did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident but assured that all possible efforts were being made to trace the child and locate the person responsible for the abduction. Following the registration of the case, the police launched a search operation, scouring the surrounding areas and conducting inquiries with local residents. The police have also been using available resources to monitor security footage and collect information that could lead to the identification of the suspect. Earlier this year The Thane police, through a collaborative effort with a hospital in Thane, and the Madhya Pradesh police, reunited a 17-year-old specially-abled boy from Ujjain, with his family, officials said. Police said that the boy, who had been missing for nearly three years, from his home in MP, was reportedly found wandering barefoot and in tattered clothes on the streets in Thane in August 2022. The case came to light after a local resident alerted the Child Welfare Commission (CWC) about a ‘homeless’ boy under Thane’s Kasarvadavli police jurisdiction. The CWC took custody of the boy and told the police to trace his origins. Initially identified under a different name, the boy was placed in a children’s home. However, during a medical evaluation, he exhibited symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions, prompting authorities to transfer him to the Thane Mental Hospital.
17 December,2024 09:49 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Shiv Sena has issued a whip to all its Lok Sabha members, instructing them to remain present in the House on Tuesday as the bill for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies is scheduled for introduction. According to PTI, the whip was issued by Shrirang Barne, the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, who emphasised the importance of attending the session as “some very important issue/legislative business” is expected to be discussed and passed. The Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is a key ally of the BJP. PTI reports that the bill, titled The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, often referred to as the “one nation, one election” bill, will be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Following its introduction, Meghwal will seek the permission of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the bill to a Joint Committee of Parliament for further deliberation and consultations. The joint parliamentary panel will be formed on a pro-rata basis, ensuring representation based on the strength of various parties in both Houses. As per PTI, the BJP, being the largest party, is likely to secure the chairmanship of the committee in addition to nominating several of its members. The proposed bill is a significant step towards the central government's vision of synchronising Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. PTI reports that the Union Cabinet had recently approved the decision to move forward with simultaneous polls, while choosing not to include local body elections in the current proposal. Additionally, the Union Law Minister will introduce another piece of legislation – The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill aims to streamline and align the electoral processes in the Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, and the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The concept of “one nation, one election” has been a subject of much debate and discussion across the political spectrum. Proponents of the measure argue that simultaneous elections will reduce the financial burden and administrative challenges caused by frequent polls. However, opponents have raised concerns regarding its impact on federalism and regional political dynamics. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2024 09:03 AM IST | MumbaiIn a story reminiscent of the film ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, where actor Salman Khan’s character reunites a lost girl with her family across borders, Pakistani imam and YouTuber Waliullah Maroof undertook a similar mission. Maroof successfully reunited Hamida Banu—an Indian woman trafficked to Pakistan 24 years ago—with her family in India. Maroof, 29, the imam of a mosque in Karachi’s Manghopir, discovered Hamida’s story through social media. Driven to help, he began a quest to trace her family. His efforts gained momentum when a report in mid-day brought the case to the attention of the Indian government. On Monday afternoon, her long-lost children and family members, who had been awaiting her return for over two decades, embraced her with tears and open arms near the Wagah border. Maroof has made it his mission since 2018 to help those trafficked to Pakistan return to their countries. He has assisted nearly 100 individuals, inspired by his mother’s encouragement to help reunite a Bangladeshi woman with his family. Waliullah Maroof, YouTuber and imam in Karachi Speaking with mid-day, Maroof said, “One day, while browsing social media on my phone, my mother scolded me saying I was wasting my time. She suggested that I should instead help the Bangladeshi woman in our neighbourhood. That marked the beginning of my journey to reunite trafficked individuals with their families—a mission that continues to this day. Over time, I managed to trace the families of many Bangladeshi women and helped reunite them. Hamida was the only Indian woman I helped reconnect with family.” According to Maroof, Hamida Banu visited his home and narrated her story. He recorded an 11-minute video of her and posted it on his YouTube channel and on Facebook, urging viewers to help locate her family. “In July 2022,I connected with Khalfan Shaikh, an Indian YouTuber, who identified Hamida Banu’s family,” he said. Subsequently, the Indian Embassy in Pakistan contacted Maroof and Hamida Banu was taken to the embassy, where officials questioned her to verify her identity. On November 25, 2023, Maroof received another call from the embassy, confirming her Indian citizenship had been verified and arrangements were being made to facilitate her return to India. On Monday, the two travelled from Karachi to Lahore by flight. From there, they journeyed to the Wagah border by road, where Hamida was handed over to Indian authorities and finally sent back to her homeland. Hamida Banu after crossing over to India “It was a profoundly emotional moment, marking the end of Hamida’s long and harrowing journey. The embassy covered the cost of flight tickets from Karachi to Lahore. I purchased some essentials for Hamida using our funds to ensure she had what she needed for the journey. Following protocol, we were escorted from Lahore airport to the Wagah border, where Hamida Banu crossed over into India and was reunited with her family,” Maroof said. Maroof said that Hamida Banu recounted that there were five women trafficked with her. Three of them were young and were sold by the traffickers. Hamida, being older, was left behind in a hut while the human traffickers fled. “After Hamida, I found another woman named Shahnaz, originally from Bangalore, residing in the Pak Colony area of Karachi. I was able to locate Shahnaz’s family and even spoke to her daughters. However, the challenge lies in proving her Indian citizenship. When Shahnaz was trafficked to Pakistan, her children were very young, and they did not have any documents to establish her identity as an Indian. Despite this, Shahnaz belongs to India, and I am committed to finding a way to help her return,” Maroof said. Family never gave up “We had given up hope but never believed she was no longer alive,” said Shahida, Hamida Banu’s sister, told mid-day. “We didn’t know where she was, but we prayed for her safety. May Allah bless Maroof who found her and reunited us.” Indian officers at the border process Banu’s documents “We did everything possible to bring her back to India. mid-day also helped us immensely by taking our message to the government. Today, after 24 years, we finally have her back. Our parents passed away when I was a child, and it was Hamida who raised me and cared for me like a mother”. Apart from meeting Banu near the border, the family did not get a chance to talk much as Indian officials completed formalities.
17 December,2024 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanA Preliminary finding based on submissions by wet-lease contractors has revealed that the BEST undertaking does not have any training standard operating procedures (SoPs) for electric vehicles like that of standard, mechanical buses, a senior official told mid-day. The BEST undertaking has been receiving inputs from the six wet-lease operators over the weekend. “Usually, BEST trains drivers to operate manual buses for four weeks, but there is no prescribed training process for automatic and electric buses,” the official said. BEST officials said no concrete rules have been made yet for the training of drivers of automatic and electric buses compared to those of manual buses. Due to this, there are no set rules and the investigation revealed that the driver involved in the recent accident at Kurla was given three days of training, one of the key reasons why drivers are unable to operate these buses properly, which increases the chances of accidents. Kurla mishap toll rises The toll in the December 3 BEST bus accident in Kurla West rose to eight on Monday after an injured victim, Fazlu Rehman, 52, succumbed to his injuries at 5.30 am at Sion Hospital. Ganesh Gawade, DCP, Zone V, meanwhile, told mid-day that the police had received reports from the RTO and the BEST. “The reports state that there was no mechanical fault with the bus. We are investigating the matter.” 52Age of Kurla victim who died on Monday
17 December,2024 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarFor the convenience of passengers boarding local trains from Bhayandar station, the Western Railway (WR) took a decision to convert the morning 8 am existing 12-car non-AC regular local train to a 15-car, boosting capacity by 33 per cent. Political protests had erupted at Bhayandar station on December 2 after the 8.24 am non-AC Bhayandar local was converted to AC local. WR officials said there has been huge demand for AC local trains, and there had been significant crowding for the AC train from Bhayandar due to which the 8:24 am non-AC local train was converted to AC. The WR from November 27 increased the number of AC local services over the Mumbai Suburban section, replacing existing non-AC services. The 8.24 am regular Bhayandar local was heavily patronised by those wanting to reach Churchgate by 10 am. To compensate for this and to accommodate the crowd, the WR decided to convert a local train before the 8.24 am AC local into a 15-car to increase its carrying capacity. "For the convenience of passengers, WR will be operating train number 90208 fast local (15-car) at 8 am between Bhayandar and Churchgate, with effect from December 16, 2024. The train will return at 9.09 am fast from Churchgate to Nalasopara," a WR spokesperson said.
17 December,2024 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMumbai's minimum temperature plummeted to 14 degrees Celsius on Monday morning, recording a sharp drop in the last 48 hours. After witnessing a significant drop in its minimum temperature by four degrees Celsius within 24 hours on Sunday and by six degrees in 48 hours, meteorologists now anticipate a sharp decline in temperatures to continue across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, in the coming days. This sudden change, described by many as "unexpected," has already started to take effect from Monday morning. Two schoolkids of St Joseph High School in Wadala wear beanies as they wait for their school bus in Sion. Pic/Atul Kamble As per the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Santacruz observatory, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 16.3 degrees Celsius on Sunday, which is 2.2 degrees below the seasonal average, which dropped further to 14 degrees Celsius on Monday. On Saturday, December 14, the nighttime temperature was recorded at 20.1 degrees Celsius, exceeding the normal by 1.6 degrees. Weather experts have indicated that the city’s nighttime temperatures are expected to remain below average during the first half of this week. “We had predicted a dip in minimum temperature hovering around 18-16 degrees Celsius. However, such a sharp drop was unexpected due to the incoming northerly winds. There is a possibility of temperatures increasing again after December 18 due to the influence of easterly winds. For now, the overall temperature drop can be attributed to a shift in the prevailing weather patterns,” said Sushma Nair, scientist at IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre Mumbai. "The anticyclone we mentioned on Monday persisted and extended into Madhya Maharashtra now, resulting in low temperatures. Surely current low temperatures were not expected," said climatologist Rajesh Kapadia of Vagaries of Weather, a private weather blog. Explaining the weather system and the dip in temperature, meteorologists at Skymet Weather, a private weather forecasting agency, said, "Snowfall over the Himalayas is crucial for the onset of winter in the region. As the western disturbance passed, cold winds from the snow-covered mountains began to sweep across the Northwest and parts of Central India, leading to a sharp decline in temperatures. Currently, temperatures have dropped significantly over many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra, including Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). While Mumbai recorded a minimum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, other areas in Maharashtra also experienced low temperatures. Some of the areas that recorded minimum temperature below seven degrees include Ahilyanagar: 5.5 degrees Celsius, Pusad (Yavatmal): 5.6 degrees Celsius, Mohol (Solapur): 6 degrees Celsius, NDA (Pune): 6.1 degrees Celsius, Pabal (Shirur): 6.2 degrees Celsius, and Shahada (Nandurbar): 6.4 degrees Celsius. Apart from this, other areas with lower temperatures include Talegaon (Pune) at 8.3 degrees Celsius, Rajgurunagar (Pune) at 8.5 degrees Celsius, Baramati at seven degrees Celsius, and Daund at 7.3 degrees Celsius.
17 December,2024 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghA safety lapse was observed on Singapore Airlines flight SQ424 on December 11 as the aircraft, bound for Mumbai, took off with what appeared to be a crack in the structure. Flight passengers had also pointed out the issue to the crew as it was about to take off from Singapore, however, the flight anyway departed after being cleared by an airline staff member. Aviation experts believe that this could have turned out to be a major catastrophic incident if the fuselage had burst open. Passengers point out leakage Passengers on board pointed out to the crew about water seeping in the aircraft from a point. Speaking to mid-day, Siddhesh Vartak, a passenger, said, “On the evening of the flight, heavy rain in Singapore caused water to drip continuously inside the aircraft. Several seats were wet, and tissues were used as a temporary solution. This made many passengers, including myself, extremely uncomfortable and raised serious concerns about safety. To our surprise, the cabin crew instructed passengers to sit on the drenched seats, cover themselves with blankets, and proceed to watch the safety video. This approach was highly inappropriate and dismissive of passenger well-being.” He added, “My primary concern is that proceeding with the flight under such conditions posed a significant safety risk. Increased air pressure or other in-flight complications could have resulted in an emergency situation. A more prudent and safety-conscious decision would have been to delay the flight or rebook passengers on a subsequent one.” Sharing a video of the incident, Vartak added, “Safety must always take precedence over scheduling. Although we landed safely in Mumbai, the experience has left me deeply concerned about the airline’s commitment to passenger safety. When some passengers voiced their discomfort, they were met with an unprofessional response from the crew.” Vartak further disclosed, “An airline official was called in to check the leakage issue. I am not sure if he was an engineer or a technician, but he cleared the aircraft for the flight.” Following the incident, Vartak had also lodged an official complaint with the Singapore Airlines as well as the civil aviation ministry. Airline admits leakage in flight After the issue was raised by the passengers, Singapore Airlines admitted that there was a leakage in their flight SQ424 on December 11, which was due to the seepage of rainwater. In its official statement sent to mid-day replying to a WhatsApp query sent by mid-day, the airline said, “On 11 December 2024, following a heavy downpour in Singapore, water seeped into an Airbus A380 operating Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ424 from Singapore to Mumbai and on to 20 Economy Class seats in the aircraft. The water seepage stopped shortly after takeoff. To mitigate the situation, the affected 20 seats were covered with plastic sheets prior to boarding, and our cabin crew provided the necessary assistance to the affected customers during the flight, including changing the seat cushion covers, pillows, and blankets. SIA sincerely apologises to the 20 affected customers. The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority.” ExpertSpeak Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a seasoned aviator and aviation expert, told mid-day, “Any flight that is potentially not safe for passengers is grounded, and then work starts on the aircraft. If the cabin had been depressurised, an emergency landing would have been needed as the pressure in the cabin would have dropped drastically and in a matter of seconds. This, again, depends on the size of the hole or the crack in the aircraft that was allowing water to seep in.” A senior investigator at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) told mid-day, “This indeed has multiple factors at play. No doubt that the water was pouring into the aircraft, but it needs to be investigated whether the crack or hole through which the water was seeping was directly on the fuselage of the aircraft or some other place from where the water seeped in and then made its way to the cabin. It is also a fact that if the crack or hole was directly on the fuselage, there was a possibility that the cabin might have burst open due to the pressure difference between the low air pressure at high altitudes and high air pressure in the cabin.” He added, “Luckily no such catastrophe happened on this flight, and the aircraft reached Mumbai safely considering the flight path. There is a section where the aircraft has to travel over the ocean, which we call the oceanic transfer. During this phase, there is no land kilometres away from the aircraft. If any fuselage burst would have happened during this phase, the aircraft would have had to make an emergency landing in the ocean and wait for a rescue mission to reach them.” Dec 11Day of the incident
17 December,2024 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariSounds like Christmas Revellers and the faithful gather around the decked-up Mount Mary Basilica in Bandra to catch glimpses of carolers ringing in the festive season in the city. Kabir goes local Mumbai’s local trains teach you something new every day. For commuters travelling towards CSMT last week, it was the verses of saint and mystic Kabir, all thanks to Dharavi-based musician Sairaj Methari. In his new music video titled Local Pakadlo Dhimi, Methari recites Kabir’s Aisi Mhari Preet with a hint of rap music. “Mumbaikars are perpetually in a hurry to be somewhere. The song asks them to slow down and savour the smaller joys life has to offer. There couldn’t have been a better location to shoot the video,” Methari told us. As for how the hurried Mumbaikars took to Methari’s experiment, he revealed, “People were intrigued by the concept. I was initially worried that the idea of being in a music video might not sit right with some passengers, but I was pleasantly surprised. Some of the older passengers struck up a conversation, and we ended up discussing everything from philosophy to hip-hop.” While Methari doesn’t plan on hopping into a local to rap again anytime soon, the video can be viewed on @bboy_chosenone on Instagram. Ustad’s seva for Prithvi (From left) Zubin Balaporia, Zahan Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor, Sheldon D’Silva (on guitar), Taufiq Qureshi, Rakesh Chaurasia and Ustad Zakir Hussain with the strings ensemble This diarist considers herself blessed to have witnessed late Ustad Zakir Hussain’s performance for Prithvi Theatre’s 40th memorial concert in February this year. Hosted by Kunal and Zahan Kapoor, it was to mark the birth anniversary of its visionary founder and actor Jennifer Kendal Kapoor. Prior to the show, bowls of sheera to say happy birthday, were passed around the audience that waited patiently in the porch prior to the show. The sons and shagirds of late pakhawaj player Pandit Bhavani Shankar, hosted a mini ‘porch performance’. The evening was dedicated to Shankar, and Hindustani classical maestro late Ustad Rashid Khan. Inside, we were treated to a mesmeric performance, courtesy a stellar line-up, from Ustad ji to sarangi maestro Sabir Khan, to Ustad ji’s brothers, Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi, and Grammy-winning Rakesh Chaurasia. There were others too, like Zubin Balaporia and Vijay Prakash. The venue was choc-a-bloc but who was complaining! Jaya Bachchan and granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda were sandwiched between regular music lovers. At least, they got seats. Ashutosh Gowarikar silently squatted in the gangway for the first half hour of the concert. The staircase treads were occupied. The pit in front of the stage was overflowing. From Vishal and Rekha Bhardwaj, to Gino and Louiz Banks, and Ranjit Barot, the audience latched on to every note and word from the tabla maestro. Remarkably modest, and fresh from his triple Grammy win, he was grateful to be at Prithvi, despite his hectic schedule. He said he was “doing seva” for an institution that had kept the honest spirit of the arts alive. And seva, he did, playing almost continuously for two hours with his fellow musicians. One moment stood out — his magical jugalbandi with Chaurasia and Khan (Yaad piya ki aaye…). The applause still rings in our ears, not just from fans but from contemporaries too. Those melodies will forever be embedded in Prithvi Theatre’s corners and contours, we know. Go well, Ustad ji. Delivering chai breaks in Mulund The group distributes tea and snacks to the delivery partners You’d usually spot them zooming and swerving past commuters to beat the clock, but last weekend, Mumbai’s food delivery partners slowed down for a well-deserved breather. At special ‘relax stations’ built by the Leo Club of Mulund Lakeside at multiple spots across the neighbourhood, the classic chai-samosa combo awaited the task force who continue to deliver in Mumbai’s unforgiving weather. “Initially, the delivery partners were hesitant to indulge in a break and accept the snacks. But once we picked up pace, there was no holding us back. By the end of the day, we had served nearly 180 delivery partners across various quick commerce platforms. We could see how much the short five-minute break, and our acknowledgement and gratitude meant to them,” revealed group member Gauri Deshmukh. Healthy bonds Rachna Tahilyani Medical research is more than just laboratory tests. It requires a keen understanding of global technology and co-operation, said Rachna Tahilyani, director, Columbia Global Center, Mumbai. The center will host experts from Columbia University’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICC), Tata Memorial Centre and Tata Memorial Hospital today, in the first of a series of webinars on breast cancer awareness and treatment using cutting-edge scientific research in genetic technology today. “For a general audience, this webinar offers insights into breast cancer genetics, the role of early detection, and advancements in treatment options. The vision is to create awareness and bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and its practical implications for breast cancer treatment in India and the United States,” Tahilyani shared. For those keen to participate, register at @cgcmumbai.
17 December,2024 07:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayA day after the state cabinet was expanded, some senior leaders from the ruling Mahayuti are upset because they have not been considered for the new council of ministers. Some skipped the day’s proceedings of the first day of the winter session in Nagpur, some attended but did not hide their displeasure. Prominent leaders who have been dropped by their respective parties, Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP) and Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP), attracted media attention. Bhujbal skipped the party’s programme in Nagpur on Sunday following the denial. He visited the legislature on Monday surrounded by the supporters. He said he was offered a seat in the Rajya Sabha a few days ago but he refused it because wanted the party to give it to him early this year. “Instead I was asked to contest the Assembly polls from Yevala. I can’t go to Rajya Sabha because I will have to resign from the Yevala seat and it would mean betraying the voters. I will think about the offer two years later,” he told media persons before he left for Nashik where his supporters have been protesting against the party’s decision. He said he was not upset about losing the cabinet berth but he didn’t like the way he was treated. A former DyCM, Bhujbal was food and civil supplies minister in the previous government. Mungantiwar told news channels that he skipped the proceedings because he did not want to encourage the media to ask him questions. “I’m not upset. I work as per the party’s instructions. I preferred to be silent rather than go to the session where I would have been asked questions for no reason whatsoever,” said Mungantiwar, who was the forest minister in the Eknath Shinde government and worked as the finance and forest minister in the Devendra Fadnavis government between 2014 and 2019. However, he said he was never told either by Fadnavis or Chandrashekhar Bawankule that he would not be inducted into the cabinet. In the Shiv Sena camp, former health minister Tanaji Sawant made his displeasure public by abruptly leaving Nagpur. Narendra Bhondekar quit as the coordinator of the party’s eastern Vidarbha. He said on Monday that he was promised a ministerial berth when he joined Eknath Shinde’s party ahead of the elections. Sena’s Vijay Shivtare was also very upset. He asked whether he was expected to be a slave. He was a junior minister in the first Devendra Fadnavis government. BJP’s Sanjay Kute, who is considered very close to Fadnavis yet missed the bus, issued an appeal to his supporters, explaining his position as a disciplined party worker and an RSS volunteer. “The party has asked me to sacrifice. I’m not upset. However, I feel that I have lacked in fulfilling the party’s expectations,” he said in his appeal posted on social media. Kute has worked as a cabinet minister for the last six months of the Fadnavis government. The reactions followed the first cabinet expansion in which many heavyweights from Mahayuti parties were dropped. As of now, 42 ministers, including the CM and two DyCMs, have been sworn in. There is only one vacancy (BJP’s share) in Fadnavis’s team. The portfolios have not been allocated yet. In addition to Mungantiwar, the BJP didn’t give Vijay Kumar Gavit, Ravindra Chavan and Suresh Khade another chance. Shinde didn’t induct Sawant, Deepak Kesarkar and Abdul Sattar. Pawar didn’t repeat Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Dharamrao Baba Atram, Anil Bhaidas Patil and Sanjay Bansode. 42No. of ministers sworn in so far
17 December,2024 07:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra JoreMumbai's subways, crucial lifelines for pedestrians navigating the city’s bustling streets, continue to highlight stark disparities in maintenance between the suburbs and the city. While subways in suburbs paint a grim picture, areas like Churchgate, CSMT, and Metro Junction, Fort were found clean and orderly during a mid-day inspection. The Mahim subway has remained closed since the pandemic, while others, like the Sion subway, grapple with issues such as inadequate cleaning, insufficient security, and structural shortcomings. Civic activists have criticised the BMC for its “stepmotherly treatment” of the suburbs, arguing that these areas, despite contributing significantly to property taxes, are often overlooked in favour of South Mumbai’s well-maintained subways. Metro Junction Subway One of the largest subways in the city, Metro Junction subway, is clean and well-maintained, with eight entry points. Security is in place, and cleaning is done daily. However, pedestrians have requested better illustrations and signage inside the subway. Churchgate Subway One of the busiest subways where hawkers continue to be a nuisance As one of Mumbai’s busiest subways, the main issue here is hawker nuisance. During the team’s visit on Monday, it was found that the BMC had taken action against hawkers. Paan stained walls of Churchgate Subway. Pics/Shadab Khan Sion Circle Subway Security guards inside the subway This subway is relatively clean and has two security guards stationed. However, one entrance, leading to Sion Circle Subway, is closed. Two of the entrances, specifically gates 1 and 5, are not wheelchair-friendly, as they are elevated above ground level. One entrance, leading to Sion Circle subway, is closed. Pics/Ashish Raje Mahim Subway Mahim Subway has been closed since the pandemic. Pic/Ashish Raje The Mahim Subway was originally planned in 2008 to connect Veer Savarkar Marg to Lady Jamshedji Road. However, after a few months, the BMC closed it, citing nuisance caused by beggars. Following persistent follow-ups by locals, the BMC reopened the subway in 2015. Yet, within a few months, it was closed again. After further demands from residents, the BMC reopened it a few years later. In 2020, the subway was partially constructed near Mohammad Ali Rogay Garden at the Lady Jamshedji Road junction. However, the BMC ultimately scrapped the project, citing the Metro 3 line passing underneath L J Road as the reason. Despite spending over R3 crore on the project, the subway has remained unused for the past four years. Irfan Machiwala, a local resident, said, “The subway has been closed since the pandemic. We proposed converting it into a medical centre, public library, or study space for students, but we haven’t received any response.” Another resident added, “When we spoke to BMC officials, they informed us that the subway was shut down due to drug addicts causing a nuisance at night.” Sion Subway Sion Subway is cleaner but the walls have paan stains. Pic/Ashish Raje The Sion Subway near the BEST depot is in reasonably good condition. The BMC has deployed a security guard and a housekeeper to clean the subway once a day. However, paan stains are still visible on the walls. “This subway has five access points, each with two lanes. There should be at least three security guards,” said a pedestrian. Sadanand Shetty, a regular subway user, said, “There are paan stains on the walls. Proper cleaning is required.” A college student noted, “This subway has two internal lanes, but there is only one security guard. Sometimes it feels unsafe in the evenings. Also, there is a need for CCTV surveillance,” she added. CSMT Subway CSMT Subway appeared to be free of hawkers on Monday evening as the BMC had been actively cracking down on them. Pics/Shadab Khan Another of the city’s busiest subways, the CSMT Subway, appeared free of hawkers on Monday evening as the BMC had been actively cracking down on them in recent days. However, a pedestrian noted, “Some hawkers return late in the evening.”Sanjay Gurav, a resident of Fort, said, “After office hours, hawkers resume their business. The BMC should appoint its own security guards to control this issue.” Abhijit Bangar, additional municipal commissioner, said, “Subways should be clean and well-lit. We have appointed agencies for this, and if there are any issues, we will address them.” CSMT Subway appeared to be free of hawkers on Monday evening as the BMC had been actively cracking down on them. Pics/Shadab Khan Civic activists slam BMC Civic activists criticised the BMC for its alleged bias towards South Mumbai. Godfrey Pimenta, a civic activist, said, “The BMC has a regular pattern of stepmotherly treatment towards the suburbs, even though the suburbs pay higher property taxes.” Anil Galgali, another activist, added, “South Mumbai receives better attention because government officials, industrialists, and ministers live there. This disparity is unacceptable.”
17 December,2024 07:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for December 17. Aries March 21 – April 20Continue behaving in such a manner as to incur positive karmas. Brush off people’s negative energy.Cosmic tip: Don’t rush to guess what’s the matter or start being judgmental. Wait and see till evening. Taurus April 21 – May 20Making sure there’s another job in the kitty keeps away stress. Don’t arbitrarily and impulsively hand in the resignation letter. Cosmic tip: Be independent without coming across as a cold person or someone uncaring. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Focus on career without becoming complacent due to receiving so much (well deserved) praise. Signing a contract manifests before a trip.Cosmic tip: Maintain this strong mind and opinions, but rein in the temper. Cancer June 22 – July 23Rectify the situation at work immediately if there is some unnecessary misunderstanding. Plan a budget and stay with it completely.Cosmic tip: Strengthen bonds of love or the tattered silken threads of friendships. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Investing in real estate is being considered by some. You are the pivot around which family revolves. Do get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Consciously control impulsive words bubbling from inside. Be peaceful and kind. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Appreciating family for the love and caring should be an on-going process that never ends. Handle professional equations with care.Cosmic tip: Deal with inner conflicts successfully, particularly if motives and aims are clear. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Keeping behaviour and manner of interacting flexible works in your favour eventually as you become every one’s favourite. Just enjoy this.Cosmic tip: Maintain razor sharp focus while completing an important piece of work. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Some have an optional transfer for a while. Attending a one day seminar further polishes interaction skills. Cosmic tip: Trust the universe truly and from the bottom of your heart, just flowing with the tide. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Staying with the point in issue has always been so you, and teamed with speaking out clearly, no one wants to cross you. Cosmic tip: Don’t punish yourself with unnecessary self-imposed do’s and don’ts. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20A plan of action has been thought out extremely carefully since you are attempting something very different. Do get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Spend more time with family as that always lifts up spirits. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Work around obstacles instead of being dejected. Let go of ego based arguments. Take better care of health without becoming obsessed with the latest health fads. Cosmic tip: Close your eyes, making a heartfelt wish. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20One to one relationships are in a positive phase with there being so much closeness and camaraderie. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Aim for clarity first before considering pros and cons of a situation.
17 December,2024 12:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseADVERTISEMENT
