Articles by Sabah Virani
100 years later, villagers in Mulshi satyagraha suffer on, says new book
Mulshi dam's impact lingers for 52 villages, lacking land rights and basic services, despite a century-old anti-dam movement. A new book highlights their plight.
Published on Mar 15, 2025 05:06 AM IST
Vikhroli bridge: Stretching commuters’ patience
In our series on Mumbai’s bridges, some new, others being reinvented, we spotlight the Vikhroli ROB – a saga of delays that goes back almost 30 years. Now the BMC says it will be opened to traffic before the monsoon
Published on Mar 13, 2025 07:38 AM IST
Citizens oppose raised platform on Carter Road beachfront
After noticing trucks dumping stones on the Carter Road beachfront, 30 residents have penned a letter to the public works department (PWD) to stop work on the 150-square-metre raised platform intended for local fishermen to park their boats.
Published on Mar 12, 2025 06:27 AM IST
Kandivali slum razed twice, residents in limbo
This is not the first time they have found themselves in this predicament. In 2012, the slum was razed, ironically for another road-widening project. While a few families were rehabilitated then, the other residents rebuilt their tenements when they were found ineligible for rehousing
Published on Mar 09, 2025 08:00 AM IST
Residents of Charkop Sector 8 rally to save 336 trees from axing for Coastal Road project
Residents of Charkop, Kandivali, face the loss of 336 trees for a Coastal Road project, sparking community outrage and concerns over environmental impact.
Published on Mar 08, 2025 08:20 AM IST
The Bandra woman who stopped road digging
Though relieved about halting the wreckage of the quaint lane, Natasha Pereira said concretisation had ruined the look and feel of many neighborhoods
Published on Mar 07, 2025 07:12 AM IST
Inching forward: State clears plan to continue building SGNP wall
The wall was ordered to be built by the Bombay High Court in 1997, as a measure to prevent encroachments in Mumbai’s green lung
Published on Mar 07, 2025 06:46 AM IST
Frequent power cuts add to residents’ woes amid Khar road work
The prolonged roadwork and indiscriminate dumping of debris have left the air thick with dust and cement. Even after work is completed, the roads are not cleaned,” said Anupama Shankar, another resident. “The trees are suffocating, and mosquito infestations have increased
Published on Mar 06, 2025 08:20 AM IST
Carnac Bridge to rise 10 yrs after unsafe tag
MUMBAI: Carnac Bridge, closed for over a decade, will reopen on June 10 after extensive reconstruction, following delays and safety concerns.
Published on Mar 06, 2025 07:52 AM IST
Janak Daftari returns to the Mithi, one last time
Janak Daftari, a river revivalist, was honored as family immersed his ashes in Powai Lake, reflecting his lifelong dedication to the Mithi River.
Published on Mar 04, 2025 08:52 AM IST
25 comedians talk funny about air pollution
Denial taken to absurd heights and razor-sharp wit laid bare the bizarre new normal Mumbaiites are being forced to adapt to. This was Mumbai’s first-ever stand-up comedy show on air pollution
Published on Mar 01, 2025 08:18 AM IST
Vehicle ramps razed in Santacruz East to improve footpaths
Building ramps within housing society premises was not possible due to paucity of space, said residents
Published on Feb 28, 2025 07:38 AM IST
Reay Road Bridge: Waiting for the CM
MUMBAI: The new Reay Road bridge, a cable-stayed structure, set to ease traffic, awaits inauguration. It preserves historical elements while enhancing connectivity.
Published on Feb 27, 2025 08:02 AM IST
BMC to impose garbage tax soon
The ‘user fee’ will be imposed on residential and commercial units, and will require an amendment to the solid waste management by-laws, after 20 years.
Published on Feb 25, 2025 07:58 AM IST
Fires near their huts keep Jai Bhim Nagar residents on edge
Labelling them as scare tactics, the resident footpath-dwellers at Jai Bhim Nagar, Powai, have claimed there has been a sequence of little fires in and around their homes for the past four nights.
Published on Feb 23, 2025 07:54 AM IST
Borivali subway culvert project gains hope as WR, BMC resolve dispute
The WR, which began installing three 1,200 mm diameter pipes stretching 90 meters across the Borivali subway in March 2024, has received only ₹2 crore from the BMC, leaving pending dues of ₹26.29 crore. Citing the unpaid amount, WR had threatened to halt further work and prevent the culvert from being put into operation
Published on Feb 22, 2025 08:20 AM IST
Fire-hit Ambewadi residents worried for future
Many families were scourging through the rubble and ash all day on Friday, desperate to locate anything they could find of their belongings
Published on Feb 22, 2025 07:38 AM IST
Additional coastal road exit at Nepean Sea Road ‘feasible’: BMC
To ensure the coastal road remains signal-free, one possibility for the proposed exit is a vehicular underpass after the Amarsons interchange for southbound traffic
Published on Feb 21, 2025 07:40 AM IST
Two housing societies in Borivali complain of dirty tap water
After the water took a muddier turn on Monday, most residents switched to bottled water for their drinking and cooking needs, even as they wait for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to act on their complaints
Published on Feb 19, 2025 07:24 AM IST
Juhu beach patch being used as garbage dumping and collection spot
At the southern end of Juhu Beach, away from the upscale hotels and residences, lies a spot where civic authorities dump all the garbage collected from the entire six-kilometre beach
Published on Feb 18, 2025 06:20 AM IST
215 species spotted in MMR during annual birding event
Birders said what was particularly of concern was the lower number of most bird species being sighted and reported
Published on Feb 18, 2025 06:18 AM IST
BMC gives permission to cops to probe alleged encroachment in Kamla Vihar Sports Club
The controversy was first flagged by activist Reji Abraham in 2023, when he observed structural modifications, including the opening of a new restaurant on the premises
Published on Feb 17, 2025 08:08 AM IST
BMC suspends concretisation of Pali Hill road after residents’ request
After the residents approached the BMC with many reasons why the road should not be concretised, municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani instructed civic authorities to hear them out and inspect the road before taking any further decisions, according to a press note issued on Friday
Published on Feb 15, 2025 08:52 AM IST
Family walks from Pune to Mumbai, seeking justice from CM
Sonam Londhe and her family walked for six days, a distance of 150 km, from Pune to Mumbai, seeking justice and an audience with the chief minister
Published on Feb 14, 2025 08:12 AM IST
Pali Hill residents stop concretisation of two roads
The residents were armed with reasons why the Auxilium Convent Road and the Dilip Kumar Lane should not be concretised
Published on Feb 14, 2025 07:02 AM IST
₹20 crore and all hope lost in 2nd Oshiwara furniture market fire
The Mumbai fire brigade is still investigating the cause of the level 2 (medium emergency fire), which began around 11.30 am on Tuesday
Published on Feb 12, 2025 07:22 AM IST
Demolition of Evershine Nagar bridge ramp irks Malvani residents
The approximately 12-feet-wide bridge meant for pedestrians had been used for over a decade by two-wheelers to get to Malvani, as the alternative Malad Marve road is perennially jammed
Published on Feb 11, 2025 08:56 AM IST
Marol citizens take traffic troubles head-on
MUMBAI: Marol residents, after tragic losses, secured commitments from authorities for two new traffic signals and plans to relocate encroaching hawkers.
Published on Feb 09, 2025 05:40 AM IST
Indie bookstores need patrons, not buyers, to stay relevant
Mumbai's indie bookstores face challenges from online discounts, but owners stress community engagement and nurturing readers to survive.
Published on Feb 08, 2025 09:18 AM IST
Indigenous East Indians to get themed garden and museum in Juhu
A ceremonial coconut-breaking event was held in 2022 to mark the project’s commencement. However, obtaining the necessary clearances delayed progress
Published on Feb 07, 2025 08:28 AM IST