Articles by Sameera Kapoor Munshi
38 days of water left in Morbe dam, NMMC braces for more water cuts
Due to the delay in the monsoon onset and the fast-depleting reserves in Morbe reservoir, the civic administration of Navi Mumbai is likely to take expand the water cuts from one to two days a week
Updated on Jun 20, 2023 09:48 PM IST
Inlets in Talave flamingo wetlands found blocked
Citizen activism got the forest officials to act in record time to remove the man-made blockages created to prevent free flow of tidal water into the Talave Wetlands frequented by the Greater Flamingos last week
Updated on Jun 19, 2023 10:55 PM IST
Navi Mumbai’s Wonders Park rides to remain shut during monsoon to prevent accidents
Navi Mumbai's Wonders Park has closed its amusement section due to the rainy season, following an incident in which six people were injured when a joyride malfunctioned. City engineer Sanjay Desai said standard procedure is to close the park during the monsoon season to prevent accidents, and it will reopen in October. The park's gardens, musical fountain and laser show will remain open, along with special monthly passes for morning walkers. The revamped park reopened on 31 May, with over 56,000 visitors in the first fortnight.
Updated on Jun 17, 2023 12:48 AM IST
MIDC’s 24-hour water cut to affect NMMC areas
The Maharashtra industrial development Corporation (MIDC) has announced a 24-hour water cut starting from midnight of June 15. The shutdown will also impact parts of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) area, specifically the rural and slum belts
Updated on Jun 15, 2023 10:10 PM IST
Illegal banner in N Mumbai, NMMC files FIR
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation on Wednesday took cognisance of an illegal Marathi banner with a NMMC logo using intemperate language and threatening violence against those dumping waste within the premises of a temple in Sector 15 of Koparkhairane
Updated on Jun 15, 2023 10:06 PM IST
Navi Mumbai hospital nurses back premature twins
Their lungs were not fully developed and they weighed 750 and 800 grams each and they survival seemed like a miracle to the doctors. Yet after four months of intensive care provided by the team of doctors and nursing staff, the baby boys have survived the odds
Updated on Jun 13, 2023 10:52 PM IST
Pipeline rupture likely to affect Navi Mumbai water supply for two days
According to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), a sudden increase in water pressure from Bhokarpada Filtration Plant led to a portion of the pipeline getting damaged at 11.20 am. The NMMC swung into action and carried out a 14-hour-long repair to fix the pipeline
Updated on Jun 11, 2023 12:39 AM IST
Kharghar residents complain of contaminated water
The woes of Kharghar residents about water supply don’t seem to end. After facing acute water shortage over the past 10 days, five sectors comprising 50 odd residents housing societies are receiving water that is yellowish in colour
Updated on Jun 10, 2023 10:24 PM IST
Lack of parks, open spaces frustrate residents of sector 50 E, Seawoods
Residents of sector 50 E in Navi Mumbai are complaining about the lack of public amenities, including playgrounds, markets and gardens, in the area. Despite repeated complaints, authorities have not allocated any of the 10 vacant plots in the sector for such facilities. Youngsters are forced to play in the streets, while fitness enthusiasts must travel to other sectors to exercise. Women also have to travel for recreational purposes, as no open spaces are available in the sector.
Updated on Jun 08, 2023 01:02 AM IST
Forest dept replants mangroves in Vashi on two hectares
The plantation was done in the mangrove belts adjacent to Vashi Railway station and sector 36 adjacent to the Kamothe highway. The resident activists, volunteers and organisations were invited to participate in the process to regenerate mangroves in areas that were earlier encroached upon
Updated on Jun 06, 2023 09:53 PM IST
Rotary initiative for free open heart surgeries
The Rotary Club of Bombay Airport along with five Rotary districts and nine different clubs. They have raised a corpus of ₹1.92 crore which is being used for the treatment of 140 children suffering from the congenital heart disease this year.
Updated on Jun 06, 2023 03:55 PM IST
Digha railway station name sparks row
The naming of a new railway station in Navi Mumbai as Dighe instead of Digha has sparked a controversy, with activists and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena questioning the change. The station is part of a $62m project to connect central and harbour railway lines, but despite the infrastructure being ready, trains are not yet stopping at the site. Critics have also raised concerns that the station's name does not reflect the area it serves. The matter has been referred to the state department for resolution.
Updated on Jun 03, 2023 08:42 PM IST
After award ceremony, debris dumping resumes at Kharghar’s Corporate Park
The ground was cleared of debris and encroachments to host Maharashtra Bhushan award ceremony but it has returned to being a dumping ground for debris and encroachments are slowly taking over, claim residents.
Updated on Jun 01, 2023 12:38 AM IST
Debris dumping menace at Kharghar award venue
More than 150-acre wide Corporate Park in Kharghar’s Sector 34, which was cleared of debris and encroachments before it was used to host the Maharashtra Bhushan awards ceremony, has returned to its original state with heavy dumping of debris and encroachments, say residents
Updated on May 31, 2023 04:23 PM IST
Food delivery agent steals iPhone 14 Pro while picking up order
As per the police, the accused went to Gobblers’ Restro Café in sector 7, Kharghar, to collect an order and whisked away the brand new iPhone 14 Pro from the cash counter while the owner was away. Police refused to reveal the name of the accused as they are still investigating the matter.
Updated on May 30, 2023 01:08 AM IST
100 trees cut for power grids in Navi Mumbai bird sanctuary: Visitors
The park, dubbed as Mini Lonavala as it is nestled atop a hillock, witnessed the hacking of more than 100 trees, including Gulmohar trees, which were more than 30 years old and fruit-bearing mango trees, Gaurav Karande, a volunteer of the Nature Valley Walker Association, said
Updated on May 29, 2023 12:25 AM IST
Bison on the loose since December rescued and released in its habitat
The bison was earlier seen roaming the streets of Pendhar village and eventually strayed into the farmlands adjacent to the chemical factories. Since it was a holiday, thankfully the streets were free of people. Otherwise, chaos would have ensued
Updated on May 23, 2023 12:39 AM IST
Environmentalists warn of massive flooding if illegal dumping is not stopped in Ulwe
All these areas fall under the jurisdiction of CIDCO, but there are no steps being taken to prevent the brazen destruction of mangroves. Every day tonnes of debris-laden vehicles can be seen moving around without any fear of getting nabbed by the authorities
Updated on May 21, 2023 12:51 AM IST
40 gardens in Panvel not being adequately watered
Trees and plants in nearly 40-odd gardens in the jurisdiction of Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) are gradually wilting after CIDCO, which handed over the administrative reins to the newly formed PMC in October 2022, disconnected the water connections, forcing the PMC to water the plants
Updated on May 20, 2023 11:06 PM IST
NMMC declares five schools unauthorised
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) on Wednesday declared five schools as unauthorised for allegedly violating the Right to Education Act parameters. The civic body has urged parents not to enrol their wards in these schools
Updated on May 20, 2023 09:50 PM IST
One month for CIDCO to transfer mangrove land
CIDCO has been given one month’s time by the State-appointed wetlands grievance redressal committee to hand over mangrove area to the forest department in line with the 2005 High Court directive to transfer all mangrove land to the Forest department
Updated on May 18, 2023 11:43 PM IST
Flamingo dies after hitting 20-feet Nerul Jetty signboard
Confusion prevailed among residents on how to attend to the bird. They informed birders, forest officials as well as NGOs working to rescue wildlife about the incident. However, residents said no help came for two hours after the incident
Updated on May 18, 2023 12:49 AM IST
Civic apathy turns Jewel of Navi Mumbai into a dry patch, squalor
The activist has raised multiple complaints with the administration as well as consistently tweeted about the mishappenings to draw the attention of the authorities. Another alarming factor raised by the activist about the garden is the continuing thefts of objects going unchecked
Updated on May 16, 2023 12:28 AM IST
Greens oppose Palm Beach service road work
A service road parallel to the Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai has been facing stiff opposition from environmental activists, who claimed the work was in gross violation of environmental norms. On Friday, a team of officials from Mangrove cell visited the work site and sought from the contractor the mandatory permission from the high court to proceed with the work
Updated on May 13, 2023 01:02 AM IST
Man drives away flamingoes, residents upset
Talawe wetlands have been brimming with the presence of Pink lesser and greater flamingos. On Wednesday, bird watchers’ joy turned into concern after residents from buildings near the wetlands saw a man wading into the deeper end of the lake with the intention to drive the birds away
Updated on May 11, 2023 02:19 AM IST
No nod for RMC plants on Turbhe quarry lands: RTI
Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plants operating on the lands earlier identified as quarry site by CIDCO in Turbhe have been found to be operating without any permission from CIDCO. The finding has provided a whole new insight into the reason for air pollution in Koparkharine
Updated on May 11, 2023 02:05 AM IST
Rider dies after collision on spot of prior accident
After the 2017 mishap, 24-year-old’s uncle had moved HC about the sorry state of Sion-Panvel Highway, which is still dangerous.
Updated on May 09, 2023 03:33 AM IST
Baffled residents seek probe as birds fall dead in Navi Mumbai
While some believe the rise in temperatures in the city could be the reason, there are others who believe that there is more to this issue and want authorities to investigate. An expert has said that crows might have been feeding on poisoned rats and must be dying because of that.
Updated on May 02, 2023 12:11 AM IST
Vashi residents complain against blasting works by developer
Residents of neighboring societies to Godrej Bayview redevelopment project in Navi Mumbai have complained to NMMC about the blasting work, which has caused concerns over tremors and aftershocks. The impact of the work has led to fears of earthquakes, which could be dangerous for an area already within a seismic zone. Residents have called on NMMC to take immediate measures to control noise and dust pollution, while the town planning department investigates the situation. A spokesperson for Godrej Properties stated that all work is being carried out within safety guidelines and with requisite permissions.
Updated on Apr 30, 2023 08:28 PM IST
Navi Mumbai to face weekly water cuts in evening
Water storage in Morbe Dam has come down to 74.3 MCM which is 38.9% of the total capacity. Officials keeping a daily track of the storage in Morbe term the available storage to be quite less compared to water storage in April 2022
Updated on Apr 28, 2023 11:54 PM IST