Articles by Jeet Mashru
Come Tuesday, BMC will prosecute shops without Marathi signboard
The BMC, which initiated an inspection drive on October 10, had served notices to more than 3,000 non-compliant shops in just nine days. The Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA), with around five lakh shopkeepers as members
Updated on Nov 26, 2023 05:44 PM IST
Air quality in MMR poorer than in city
Data also shows that on an average, five of the nine corporations recorded higher PM 2.5 levels compared to Mumbai during this period
Updated on Nov 25, 2023 08:14 AM IST
BMC announces ‘zero prescription policy’ in its hospitals
The BMC in Mumbai has announced a 'zero prescription policy' that will allow patients to obtain all necessary medicines from civic hospitals, eliminating the need to purchase them from outside drug stores. The BMC's central purchase department has expanded its list of procured items from 1,000 to 4,000, covering medicines, drugs, and surgical items. The move comes after an inquiry into the artificial shortage of medicines at BMC-run hospitals, which forced patients to buy them externally. The BMC aims to become the first municipal corporation in India to implement such a policy.
Updated on Nov 24, 2023 08:54 AM IST
Stop work notices limited to Mumbai, MMR construction sites spared
Only one construction site out of nearly 4,000 in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has been issued a stop work notice for violating pollution measures, raising concerns about air pollution in other areas. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has issued stop work notices to 527 sites in Mumbai, while other municipal corporations have issued warning notices but no stop work notices. Experts are calling for more action on violators and stricter enforcement of pollution guidelines across the region.
Updated on Nov 23, 2023 07:54 AM IST
Deadly tract: 1 death in 5 days along Dahisar-Acchad border
At least one person has died every five days in road accidents on National Highway 48 between Dahisar and Acchad in Mumbai. Local leaders and police have requested the National Highway Authority of India to fix potholes and clear encroachments that lead to accidents and waterlogging. NHAI has recorded 47 deaths and 439 accidents on this stretch between January and August 2023. MP Rajendra Gavit has held meetings with NHAI and local authorities to address the issue. NHAI has spent ₹20.15 crore on repairs and maintenance in the area. Complaints have been filed regarding the poor condition of the road.
Updated on Nov 22, 2023 08:16 AM IST
Jeet MashruMegha Sood
RMC plant creates dust pollution havoc on Chandivali road
Tired of the civic body’s inaction, the residents on Monday evening reached the RMC plant and requested the manager to follow all the norms
Updated on Nov 21, 2023 07:58 AM IST
Gas leakage and cylinder blast in Bandra injures 10
The Fitter Gully area is part of thousands of shanties, mostly ground-plus-one structures. According to the Mumbai fire brigade, the fire was confined to the electric wiring, electric installation and a stock of clothes in a 10ft-by-10ft house
Updated on Nov 19, 2023 06:34 AM IST
On a night train to back Team India
The Indian flag was aflutter as fans in blue jerseys flooded the station to board the CSMT-Ahmedabad Special Express to Ahmedabad to watch India take on Australia at the ICC World Cup 2023 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium
Updated on Nov 19, 2023 06:32 AM IST
BMC issues stop work notices to 296 sites
BMC issues stop-work notices to 296 construction sites in Mumbai for failing to comply with air pollution mitigation guidelines.
Updated on Nov 17, 2023 07:50 AM IST
BMC urges Powai police vigilance against potential road encroachment
BMC's L ward has asked Powai police station for increased vigilance on Raheja Vihar road to prevent potential road encroachments after a recent demolition.
Updated on Nov 16, 2023 08:10 AM IST
BMC to add 5 CAAQMS and 4 mobile vans
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai plans to add five more Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) and four air quality monitoring mobile vans to address air pollution and improve air quality in the city. The additional stations and vans will help build a better network for monitoring air quality and pollution patterns. The BMC is also planning to set up hundreds of sensor-based air quality monitoring stations across the city. In addition, the BMC has sent stop-work notices to 100 construction sites that were not complying with air pollution mitigation guidelines.
Updated on Nov 12, 2023 06:22 AM IST
Strays at Carter Road Equipped with QR Tags for Diwali Safety
The initiative, led by Planet for Plants and Animals India (PPA) and Pawfriend.in, aims to help track and retrieve dogs that may wander away due to the noise from firecrackers. The initiative aligns with a collective effort to safeguard animals during festive celebrations
Updated on Nov 11, 2023 08:12 AM IST
Court denies relief to man who challenged demolition of shed
The city civil court rejected a man's plea to challenge the demolition of his shed in Powai-Chandivali by the BMC, stating that the structure did not exist.
Updated on Nov 11, 2023 08:08 AM IST
Jeet Mashru, Mumbai
Faced with BMC anti-pollution diktat, builders claim green cloth, anti-smog guns unavailable or too expensive
Builders claimed that anti-smog guns, also mandated by the new rules, were unavailable. “Imagine three or four vendors getting 5,000 calls, all asking for anti-smog machines,” said Mehta. “It is natural that supply will not meet the demand. We have no problems in complying with the guidelines, but it needs a practical approach.”
Updated on Nov 09, 2023 09:14 AM IST
MPCB, traffic police crack down on concrete plants, heavy vehicles
Maharashtra Pollution control board issues notices to 14 RMC plants associated with infrastructure projects in Mumbai. Mumbai Traffic police to take strict action against heavy vehicles not complying with air pollution mitigation guidelines.
Updated on Nov 09, 2023 08:16 AM IST
916 projects issued warning notices for flouting norms
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued warning notices to 916 construction sites and infrastructure projects in Mumbai for not following guidelines. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has also issued notices to its 281 projects. Measures include barricading and covering construction sites. The real estate industry is asking authorities to recognise that Mumbai's pollution problem is multifaceted.
Updated on Nov 08, 2023 08:04 AM IST
BMC’s lab to track air quality has staff of 5 of 42
Both EIG and ED “died a slow death since 2009-2010” said a BMC officer, as it was understood that MPCB was on the job anyway, unknowing that it is tasked to monitor industrial emissions across the state, while the other two bodies were set up for micro monitoring
Updated on Nov 07, 2023 07:32 AM IST
‘Our AQI monitors are not inaccurate’
In an exclusive interview to Hindustan Times, B S Murthy, scientist and director of SAFAR, refuted the BMC’s claims on inaccuracy in the monitors that record levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and ozone, and read the air quality index (AQI) in the city
Updated on Nov 05, 2023 06:56 AM IST
Data from BMC’s five AQI stations now live for public
Citizens in Mumbai can now access air quality readings from five new monitoring stations on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) website. These stations have been installed as per CPCB guidelines and will be added to CPCB's portal. Mumbai will now have a total of 25 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) stations.
Updated on Nov 05, 2023 06:54 AM IST
SAFAR monitors: BMC asks IITM to fix location, maintenance issues
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has requested the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) to address issues with the city's air quality monitors. The BMC's environment department conducted a study and found that the monitors were not properly maintained and were located near construction sites, resulting in high air quality index readings. The BMC has asked for the monitors to be fixed to ensure accurate readings. The Maharashtra Pollution Control board (MPCB) had previously requested that the monitors be disconnected until they were recalibrated or relocated.
Updated on Nov 04, 2023 06:14 AM IST
Fire in one more SRA building, two injured
Two persons injured in a Level 1 fire at an SRA building in Pant Nagar, Mumbai. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Updated on Nov 03, 2023 08:42 AM IST
BMC, citizens to form joint committee to resolve Malabar Hill reservoir logjam
The decision was taken after a meeting between citizens, Lodha, BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and other senior officials of the civic body
Updated on Nov 01, 2023 07:24 AM IST
Shivaji Park next in line to be beautified
The BMC plans to beautify Dadar's Shivaji Park by setting up smog towers, increasing greenery, and renovating the Samarth Vyayam Mandir and Scout Guide Hall. The park will also feature the tallest tricolour in the country. However, some residents oppose the plans, stating that the park should be preserved as a playing ground. The 2021 project to grow grass was halted due to criticism.
Updated on Nov 01, 2023 07:02 AM IST
HC takes suo moto cognisance of city’s poor AQI, seeks authorities’ response
Expressing concern over the poor air quality index, the petitioners have sought HC directions to BMC to immediately undertake a tree plantation drive. The plea has also sought an inquiry into the functioning of BMC’s garden department and action against those found indulging in wrongdoings
Updated on Nov 01, 2023 06:48 AM IST
Jeet Mashru, Mumbai
Vikhroli residents grapple with waterlogging as MHADA, BMC pass the buck
Tagore Nagar is home to hundreds of tenements built by MHADA in the 1970s, as well as over 30 buildings. Water and sewerage lines in the area were laid by MHADA 40-45 years ago, but their maintenance has not been handed over to the BMC
Updated on Oct 31, 2023 07:00 AM IST
BMC razes illegal structures at private zoo in Shivaji Park
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has demolished six unauthorized structures at a private zoo in Dadar West. The zoo did not have permission from the civic body and did not have the necessary permits from the Central Zoo Authority. The forest department will decide the fate of the animals kept in the enclosures. The zoo's management claims that this is a political vendetta and that they had provided all necessary documents to the BMC.
Updated on Oct 31, 2023 06:42 AM IST
Jeet Mashru, Mumbai
MPCB decides to ‘put off’ SAFAR monitors from CPCB portal till they are recalibrated or relocated
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has decided to remove nine air quality monitoring stations from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal due to inaccurate readings. The monitors, managed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, will be recalibrated and relocated before being added back to the portal. The SAFAR app, however, will continue to display data independently. The MPCB has 14 monitoring stations, while the IITM has nine.
Updated on Oct 28, 2023 07:48 AM IST
BMC looked the other way, as citizens complained
Citizens in Mumbai have complained about air pollution caused by illegal chimneys, road concretisation, building demolition works, and road dust. They argue that the situation could have been avoided if the authorities had acted on their complaints earlier. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now issued new guidelines and mandated penalties for construction sites violating air pollution rules. However, citizen forums believe that other sources of pollution, such as RMC plants, illegal bhattis, and chimneys, should also be included in the mandate.
Updated on Oct 27, 2023 06:44 AM IST
It is official, Gokhale bridge will definitely not open this year
As per officials, the BMC requested a 3–4-hour block to push the girder on the railway portion and another 48-hour block to place the girder on the pillars. An official requesting anonymity said, “The 48-hour block will likely be split into 16 blocks of three hours each
Updated on Oct 26, 2023 05:09 PM IST
BMC writes to police to initiate legal action against hawkers encroaching Chandivali areas
The development comes after the Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA) had over the past few months complained to BMC and police through letters and social media about illegal stalls selling shawarma using gas cylinders on footpaths
Published on Oct 25, 2023 06:41 PM IST