News / Author / Chetna Yerunkar

Chetna Yerunkar

Chetna Yerunkar is a Senior Correspondent for Hindustan Times, Mumbai. She is currently covering civic and governance issues for the Mumbai bureau.

Articles by Chetna Yerunkar

Byculla zoo’s penguins bring in more visitors; entry fee up from ₹5 to ₹100

Officials say decision will curb large crowds that were disturbing penguins; first hike in 2 decades

The penguins, Bubble, Mr Molt, Flipper, Donald, Daisy, Popeye and Olive, swim in their new home at Byculla zoo. They are all between the ages of 2 and 3 and were named after famous Disney characters, based on their behaviour.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

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Published on Apr 01, 2017 11:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Breaking down the BMC budget: 1% surcharge will hit realty, say Mumbai builders

The civic budget could make owning a home in Mumbai costlier than it already is, with its proposal to charge a 1% surcharge on all property deals.

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Published on Mar 31, 2017 09:27 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Shiv Sena’s mayor, but is it BJP’s budget for Mumbai civic body?

The Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation’s (BMC) mayor may be from the Shiv Sena, but it is the second largest party in the BMC — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — which has managed to get its poll promises to the civic budget.

BMC chief Ajoy Mehta announces the budget.(Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

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Updated on May 18, 2017 11:30 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai corporators get time to study DP, delay finalisation by 2 months

The newly-elected corporators had — in their first general body meeting 10 days ago— asked for an extension of two months to study the draft before approving it.

The state government recently gave in to the general body of corporators’ demand that they be given a two months’ extension before approving the draft DP 2034.(HT file)

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Updated on Mar 28, 2017 09:27 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

BMC’s plan of 24X7 water supply for Mumbai delayed indefinitely

Currently about 10% of Mumbai’s population in areas like Ghatkopar, Bhandup and Mulund receives uninterrupted water supply. On average, each household in Mumbai gets about four hours of water daily.

The BMC is planning to construct four new dams that will add about 2900 million litres of water every day (mld).(HT file photo)

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Published on Mar 25, 2017 11:05 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Byculla zoo officials dance with joy as happy feet bring in revenue

The penguins, kept in a 1,550-sqft soundproof public exhibit, have been attracting a large number of visitors

Visitor watching Humboldt penguins kept inside a 1,500-square-foot encloser in Byculla Zoo in Mumbai. Seven months after they were bought to the city, seven Humboldt penguins will finally go on display to the public on Saturday.(Prashant Waydande / HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 25, 2017 02:00 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar and Kanchan Chaudhari, Mumbai

Mumbai civic body blacklists 11 road contractors

The civic body on Thursday issued show-cause notices to 11 of the 16 contractors named in the second report of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) internal inquiry into the 2015 roads scam. They won’t be allowed to take up any new civic contract, an official said.

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Published on Mar 24, 2017 09:44 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

No contractors for desilting work, Mumbai civic body to clean minor nullahs, drains

For yet another year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will have to rely on ward officials to get roadside and minor storm water drains cleaned before monsoon.

Civic officials did not get a response from a single contractor despite floating tenders four times in the past few months(Hindustan Times)

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Published on Mar 23, 2017 11:05 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Road scam: Mumbai civic body to pay road contractors in parts, keep security deposits

After holding payments of ₹900cr for 4 months, BMC will pay tainted contractors to complete pending works

Civic officials said the contractors delayed work on 281 roads, citing lack of funds and thus this decision has to be taken.(HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Mar 22, 2017 10:30 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Will finalise property for new office by April 7, MTDC tells Bombay high court

The MTDC told the HC that it will shift out of its current Nariman Point office — a major portion of which has been illegally occupied and encroached upon by the corporation — by October 31.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the association of residents of Nariman Point and Churchgate area.(File photo)

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Published on Mar 22, 2017 12:16 AM IST

ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

New road repair technique quick, inexpensive, says Mumbai civic body

Civic body to repair 1,032 roads for Rs351 crore using new method

The quality of roads has been deteriorating over the past few years, though the civic body continues to spend crores of rupees to repair and maintain them.(HT File Phto)

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Updated on Mar 21, 2017 01:10 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

In Mumbai: You can view penguins at Byculla zoo from Saturday

Seven Humboldt penguins set for weekend opening after inauguration on Friday evening.

After a positive report from microbiologists who tested the condition of the enclosure, especially the water, the penguins were moved from their 250-square-foot quarantine area to their 1,550-square-foot permanent home on March 6.(HT)

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Updated on Mar 15, 2017 09:39 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai’s Development Plan may be delayed

The draft Development Plan (DP) 203 may have to wait before it can be approved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) newly elected representatives.

The new general body of corporators, in which over 50% of them are unaware about the plan, is most likely to demand for an extension from the state government to study the plan and to propose any changes(HT)

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Published on Mar 14, 2017 09:26 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Foundation of 200 roads in Mumbai weak: Report

The second and final civic body report in the 2015 roads scam has revealed irregularities such as contractors using fewer materials in the foundation layer of 200 roads in the city. According to the civic body’s guidelines, these materials were supposed to increase the lifespan of the roads.

An earlier report, which investigated 34 roads and found similar irregularities, points to a nexus between officials and contractors(HT)

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Updated on Mar 14, 2017 10:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai gets its 76th mayor as Shiv Sena wins fifth term in a row

Mahadeshwar, an educationist and three-term councillor, defeated Congress candidate Vithal Lokare by securing 171 votes in the house of 227.

Ongoing Mayor Snehal Ambekar felicitates new mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar at BMC headquaters in Mumbai on Wednesday.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

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Updated on Mar 09, 2017 12:10 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar and Sanjana Bhalerao, Mumbai

BMC polls: New Mumbai mayor promises to speed up projects, Sena’s deputy mayor candidate poised to win

BMC mayoral election today. Follow this link for live updates.

Shiv Sena’s Vishwanath Mahadeshwar wins BMC mayoral election.(Kunal Patil/HT)

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Updated on Mar 08, 2017 04:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySanjana Bhalerao and Chetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Cheap homes for Mumbai: Builders may get more incentives in new Development Plan

More and more no development zones could be opened up for construction over the next 20 years to build more affordable homes.

The draft planning committee has recommended increasing the affordable housing allotment to 30%.(Pic for Representation)

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Updated on Mar 09, 2017 07:16 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Development Plan: Final step for BMC will be giant step for Mumbai

The draft plan has been in the public domain since May 2016.

The revised draft DP report comes with 2,245 changes as recommended by the committee after hearing Mumbai citizens’ suggestions and objections since November last year.(Pic for Representation)

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Published on Mar 07, 2017 12:18 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar and Tanushree Venkatraman, Mumbai

You may have to pay Rs 100 to visit the penguin enclosure at Byculla zoo in Mumbai

The original proposal had suggestion of charging Rs 200 for family of four with free entry to the.children

Standing committee members inspect the new penguin enclosure at Byculla zoo in Mumbai.(Pratik Chorge/HT)

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Updated on Mar 07, 2017 12:54 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Development Plan 2034 gives boost to Mumbai’s eastern waterfront revamp

Under the eastern waterfront project, the MbPT aims to develop 500 hectares between Wadala and Ferry Wharf

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Published on Mar 07, 2017 09:05 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai will get 300 new BMC parking lots by next month

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta instructed the ward officers of all 24 administrative wards, as well as the roads and traffic department of civic body to identify spots that can be used as pay-and-park spaces

The civic body currently has 92 lots set aside for street parking.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Mar 05, 2017 12:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Byculla Zoo penguin exhibit likely to be thrown open to public by next week

Shiv Sena leaders are pushing for the exhibit to be inaugurated before a new mayor is elected on March 8

An unsatisfactory report by the microbiologist who tested water samples from the exhibit is what is delaying the process.(HT File Photo)

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Updated on Mar 03, 2017 11:55 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai mayor election set stage for another BJP-Sena tiff

Nearly a week after the results were announced, there are no signs of the Sena and BJP working together again. The election for the mayor’s post is set to be yet another contest of one-upmanship between the allies-turned-rivals

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Updated on Mar 02, 2017 01:05 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai bungalow given for Bal Thackeray memorial, where will the BMC mayor stay now?

The sea-facing Shivaji Park bungalow, which has been home to Mumbai’s mayors for the past five decades, will be converted into a memorial for the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray

The bungalow at Byculla zoo is yet to be renovated.(Pratik Chorge/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Feb 28, 2017 09:48 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

BMC polls: Western suburbs gave BJP its edge over Shiv Sena

The BJP won with a margin of more than 1,000 votes in a majority of Shiv Sena strongholds

Winning Shiv Sena candidate Vishakha Raut at a procession in Dadar on Sunday.(Kunal Patil/HT)

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Updated on Feb 27, 2017 12:50 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Former allies race for Mumbai civic body mayor’s post

The BJP has just a few names while the Shiv Sena is spoilt for choice, with as many as seven veterans in the race to be mayor

The Shiv Sena’s most prominent names include former mayor Milind Vaidya, senior leaders Mangesh Satamkar, Ashish Chemburkar (above) and Yashwant Jadhav.(HT photo)

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Updated on Feb 25, 2017 01:34 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Here’s how the parties shared Mumbai’s vote

While the Sena, which had the highest tally of 84 seats, got the largest share of total votes, BJP is the biggest gainer in terms of votes as well as strike rate

Shiv sena chief Uddhav Thackeray meets party workers at his residence on Friday.(Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Feb 25, 2017 11:49 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManasi Phadke and Chetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

How the Sena and the BJP battled it out across Mumbai

After weeks of bitter battle, it was close finish between allies-turned-rivals Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — a difference of just two seats — when votes were counted on Thursday.

The richest candidate and BJP leader Parag Shah being greeted by his supporters at Ghatkopar on Thursday.(Arijit Sen/HT PHOTO)

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Updated on Feb 24, 2017 07:27 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManasi Phadke, Chetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

BMC polls: Noisy campaigns silent on citizens’ woes

Goons versus extortionists, transparency in the civic body versus transparency in the state government, tiffs over who the real Mumbaiite is, and,an opposition fighting for its own space by hitting out at the two ruling parties...

It’s time to vote now, but rarely were the real, chronic issues with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) that directly impact citizens’ lives were sidelined in the shrill campaign.(HT)

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Updated on Feb 21, 2017 09:04 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManasi Phadke, Chetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

Mumbai civic body spends Rs90 crore on elections

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be spending about Rs90 crore on the elections to be held on February 21.

According to officials, the money will be spent on the entire election procedure — from setting up polling centres, transportation of electronic voting machines (EVMs), deputing surveillance squads, election-related advertisements and polling staff as well as the expenditure on the staff that will be handling the polling and counting of votes.(HT)

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Published on Feb 19, 2017 12:43 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByChetna Yerunkar, Mumbai

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Chetna Yerunkar

Chetna Yerunkar is a Senior Correspondent for Hindustan Times, Mumbai. She is currently covering civic and governance issues for the Mumbai bureau.

Officials say decision will curb large crowds that were disturbing penguins; first hike in 2 decades

The civic budget could make owning a home in Mumbai costlier than it already is, with its proposal to charge a 1% surcharge on all property deals.

The Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation’s (BMC) mayor may be from the Shiv Sena, but it is the second largest party in the BMC — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — which has managed to get its poll promises to the civic budget.

The newly-elected corporators had — in their first general body meeting 10 days ago— asked for an extension of two months to study the draft before approving it.

Currently about 10% of Mumbai’s population in areas like Ghatkopar, Bhandup and Mulund receives uninterrupted water supply. On average, each household in Mumbai gets about four hours of water daily.

The penguins, kept in a 1,550-sqft soundproof public exhibit, have been attracting a large number of visitors

The civic body on Thursday issued show-cause notices to 11 of the 16 contractors named in the second report of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) internal inquiry into the 2015 roads scam. They won’t be allowed to take up any new civic contract, an official said.

For yet another year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will have to rely on ward officials to get roadside and minor storm water drains cleaned before monsoon.

After holding payments of ₹900cr for 4 months, BMC will pay tainted contractors to complete pending works

The MTDC told the HC that it will shift out of its current Nariman Point office — a major portion of which has been illegally occupied and encroached upon by the corporation — by October 31.

Civic body to repair 1,032 roads for Rs351 crore using new method

Seven Humboldt penguins set for weekend opening after inauguration on Friday evening.

The draft Development Plan (DP) 203 may have to wait before it can be approved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) newly elected representatives.

The second and final civic body report in the 2015 roads scam has revealed irregularities such as contractors using fewer materials in the foundation layer of 200 roads in the city. According to the civic body’s guidelines, these materials were supposed to increase the lifespan of the roads.

Mahadeshwar, an educationist and three-term councillor, defeated Congress candidate Vithal Lokare by securing 171 votes in the house of 227.

BMC mayoral election today. Follow this link for live updates.

More and more no development zones could be opened up for construction over the next 20 years to build more affordable homes.

The draft plan has been in the public domain since May 2016.

The original proposal had suggestion of charging Rs 200 for family of four with free entry to the.children

Under the eastern waterfront project, the MbPT aims to develop 500 hectares between Wadala and Ferry Wharf

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta instructed the ward officers of all 24 administrative wards, as well as the roads and traffic department of civic body to identify spots that can be used as pay-and-park spaces

Shiv Sena leaders are pushing for the exhibit to be inaugurated before a new mayor is elected on March 8

Nearly a week after the results were announced, there are no signs of the Sena and BJP working together again. The election for the mayor’s post is set to be yet another contest of one-upmanship between the allies-turned-rivals

The sea-facing Shivaji Park bungalow, which has been home to Mumbai’s mayors for the past five decades, will be converted into a memorial for the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray

The BJP won with a margin of more than 1,000 votes in a majority of Shiv Sena strongholds

The BJP has just a few names while the Shiv Sena is spoilt for choice, with as many as seven veterans in the race to be mayor

While the Sena, which had the highest tally of 84 seats, got the largest share of total votes, BJP is the biggest gainer in terms of votes as well as strike rate

After weeks of bitter battle, it was close finish between allies-turned-rivals Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — a difference of just two seats — when votes were counted on Thursday.

Goons versus extortionists, transparency in the civic body versus transparency in the state government, tiffs over who the real Mumbaiite is, and,an opposition fighting for its own space by hitting out at the two ruling parties...

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be spending about Rs90 crore on the elections to be held on February 21.

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