The Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Rahul Narwekar, on Thursday asked the state government to examine the possibility of accommodating tenants residing on the first floors of slum structures under Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) schemes, noting that ignoring them during the demolition of ground-floor units could lead to the creation of new shanty sprawls, defeating the government’s goal of a slum-free Mumbai. Upper-level obstacle Members of the Legislative Assembly said that unless the existing SRA policy is revised, the issue of upper floors in slum structures could become a hurdle in the redevelopment of several projects where many slum dwellings have additional floors constructed above the ground-floor units. The members demanded a change in housing policy to address this issue. Rahul Narwekar, speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. FILE PIC/SATEJ SHINDE What is SRA? Set up by the Maharashtra government in 1995, the SRA oversees the implementation of slum redevelopment projects. The scheme allows private developers to redevelop slum land by constructing buildings to rehabilitate eligible slum dwellers while using the remaining development potential of the land to build additional flats for sale. Under the model, developers provide free housing to slum residents and, in return, receive additional development rights that enable them to construct and sell extra apartments. Eligibility issue The SRA has struggled to address the issue of slum dwellers living on upper floors or mezzanine levels, as current rules do not recognise them as eligible for free housing under the rehabilitation scheme. Govt non-committal Replying to the query in the Assembly on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who holds the urban development and housing portfolio, minister Shambhuraj Desai said the issue would need to be discussed with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies (Shinde and Sunetra Pawar) before taking any decision. Desai said he would place the suggestion raised in the House before the chief minister and the deputy chief ministers, who would jointly examine what could be done. Speaker’s point Narwekar said that whenever ground-floor slum structures are demolished, it is natural that those residing in the unauthorised upper floors would move elsewhere and set up new slums. “Therefore, the government should explore what can be done to accommodate tenants residing on the upper floors of slum structures under SRA schemes,” he said. Ambitious goal About thirty years ago, the government set out to make Mumbai slum-free. A total of 2545 projects had been completed as of December 2025, rehabilitating 2,83,955 slum-dwelling families in permanent housing units. In neighbouring Thane, 51 projects have been completed, under which 7815 families living in slums have been rehabilitated into housing units.
13 March,2026 09:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarA road cavity on Bandra’s busy Hill Road that remained loosely covered with a metal plate for nearly 20 days has finally been filled after an accident involving a 79-year-old resident exposed the safety risk to pedestrians. The repair, carried out overnight by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s H West ward, came after Shobha Tendulkar fell into the partially covered opening while crossing the road on Monday, suffering fractures that required surgery. The incident triggered complaints from residents who said the hazard had been left unattended for weeks. Incident snapshot Location Hill Road, BandraHazard duration 20 daysVictim Shobha Tendulkar, 79Injuries Fractured left leg and right big toeSurgery Performed on TuesdayRepair Hole filled with tar overnight What happened Tendulkar was crossing the road when she stepped onto the metal plate that partly covered the hole, but failed to conceal an exposed gap. Her brother Vidyut Tendulkar said doctors had to operate on both injured legs. “After the fall, the doctors told us she would need surgery on both legs, which happened on Tuesday. She is stable now and should be discharged soon,” he said. Family account Victim’s niece Karuna Desai, who injured herself while helping Tendulkar, said the accident was avoidable. “This was completely avoidable. If the authorities had fixed the hole without leaving a gap, such an accident would never have happened. The tar is still uneven, but at least the hole has finally been fixed.” Resident complaints Neighbour Poonam Choudhary said the temporary cover itself created problems.“The metal plate made a lot of noise, and the vibrations could be felt inside our building.” Civic response Mandar Choudhary, H West ward Assistant Engineer“There was a lapse in communication as the construction department did not inform the ward about the issue on Hill Road. And in the matter of if any compensation will be provided to the elderly lady, it hasn’t been discussed yet. And I am looking into the matter to see what can be done.” Ashfaq Khan, assistant engineer Water works“We had tied a barricade at the site, but it was opened by the public. To prevent further incidents, we have now filled the road and ensured it is safe.”
13 March,2026 09:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturCatering onboard long-distance trains has been declared an essential category even as the cooking was restored, and regular catering has been started from Thursday night. The petroleum ministry, following a letter from the Railway Board, has advised petroleum companies — BPCL, HPCL, and Indian Oil — and all the states to provide 19 kg cylinders to all railway kitchens as per the requirement. Mid-day had mentioned in Thursday’s edition that ‘catering on trains may become an essential service'. “The total allotment for Mumbai has been about 171 gas cylinder units, and our teams have now gone to procure them. So cooking will begin tonight,” a railway source said. Seven cloud kitchens While IRCTC did not comment on the issue, sources said the Mumbai region IRCTC has about seven cloud kitchens that supply cooked food onboard premium trains. The seven cloud kitchens are Sewri, Kurla, Borivli, Chembur, Panvel, Valsad, and Powai. 171Total allotment of cylinders for Mumbai
13 March,2026 08:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarBangur Nagar police have arrested two men, Raj Singh and Prakash Gupta, for allegedly cheating a Goregaon worker of Rs 7 lakh by claiming they could turn plain paper into Indian currency using a “special chemical powder”. Police said the accused first gained the trust of the 34-year-old Bharat Gas godown worker from Goregaon West through a series of demonstrations. In December 2025, they called him to Vasai and showed a trick where a Rs 500 note appeared to double after applying a chemical powder. The Con: After winning his confidence, the man asked for a larger sum. They pack R7 lakh in Khaki paper bundles, say the “process” takes two hours, and leave — only for the victim to find the bundles filled with plain paper later. ILLUSTRATIONS/UDAY MOHITE Over several meetings, they repeated the act with small amounts — first doubling Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 and then Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 — eventually showing nearly Rs 1 lakh as “doubled”. Since the notes were accepted in the market, the victim believed the method worked. On February 12, the accused came to the victim’s house, applied powder to Rs 7 lakh, wrapped the cash in khaki paper bundles and sealed them, claiming the process would take two hours. When the victim opened them later, he found only folded white papers inside, but by then the accused had fled. The Demonstration: To gain trust, the accused stages a demo — applying powder on paper and showing a Rs 500 note seemingly turn into two. Small amounts like Rs 10,000 are doubled to Rs 20,000 and then Rs 40,000, convincing the victim that the method works Police later registered a case and arrested the accused. "We are now trying to recover the cheated amount and check if more victims were targeted using the same trick” said a police officer. The accused, Raj Singh (left) and Prakash Gupta. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Arrest & investigation FIR under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)Accused: Prakash Kumar Dilip Prasad Gupta, 25, from (Buxar) Bihar, and Raj Singh alias Rajsingh Manoj Singh Prasad, 47, from (Ghazipur), UPThe Mumbai Police traced and arrested the duo on March 8Both are in police custody till March 14
13 March,2026 08:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Santacruz skywalk, a crucial east-west connector, has been without a proper roof for months. Pedestrians have said that using this piece of infrastructure these days, when the daytime temperature is scorching, is an ordeal. Residents told mid-day they’ve been contacting the H East ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for about a year to resolve the issue, but no comprehensive action has been taken despite officials assuring them that work would be done. A harassed-looking pedestrian, requesting anonymity, told this reporter on Wednesday afternoon, “I usually avoid taking the sky-walk during the daytime, but today, I used it as traffic was heavy on the road. The heat has been so intense that walking only 500 metres, I’m feeling breathless. A roof over my head would have made a difference.” mid-day contacted BMC officials to gauge what would be done to improve walkway’s condition, but received no response by press time. Locals’ Accounts Ivan Pais, resident, Santacruz East‘I have been consistently following up with the authorities about the sky-walk. While I have received responses, I didn’t see any actual work starting. But this week, when I contacted Additional Municipal Commissioner, Projects Abhijit Bangar, he said that the tender for the roof work would be floated soon’Maxim Fernandes, member, St Anthony’s Street Welfare Association‘We met Assistant Commissioner Mrudula Ande and an executive engineer who informed us that it will take about two to three months for everything to fall into place, but since we haven’t seen any paperwork, we have no clue what is happening’ Roof or no roof Fernandes stated that whenever residents asked the authorities the reason for the lack of a roof, they were told there were fears that hawkers and addicts would maintain a presence on the structure. “But with or without a roof, that is happening,” he added.
13 March,2026 08:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturWhile hazy skies and low visibility have become a common sight for Mumbaikars these days, the numbers on air quality index (AQI) monitors across the city keep telling a different story. If these devices are to be believed, Mumbai’s air quality was largely satisfactory (51-100) or moderate (101-200) in the past few days. Yet commuters, who witnessed notable haze in the early hours of Wednesday, are sceptical about these readings. “I live on the 19th floor, and the air outside has been hazy for a few days. While I have an AQI app on my phone, air visibility is the first parameter I go by,” said a Bhandup resident. A digital signboard at a construction site in Kalanagar, Bandra East. Asked about the apparent discrepancy in readings of AQI monitors at such sites and visible phenomena, a senior BMC official said these kinds of AQI monitors only measure air quality within a radius of four to five metres. “Citizens can use the SAMEER app [operated by the Central Pollution Control Board] to check the ambient AQI in their vicinity. Its monitors measure air quality within an approximate radius of 2 km. We are also looking at installing 125 reference-grade monitors at construction projects of over 1000 crore around the city,” he said On Wednesday, however, the AQI readings for several locations — Worli (MPCB), Vile Parle (MPCB), Mazagaon (IITM), and Chembur (MPCB) experienced satisfactory AQI while Bandra Kurla Complex (MPCB), Deonar (IITM), and Chakala in Andheri East (IITM) — were within the moderate range. Observing this contrast, citizens are left wondering which parameter one should go by before deciding to take a morning walk or send their children downstairs to play. Expert Speak Sumaira Abdulali, founder, Awaaz Foundation‘The AQI readings remained moderate around the city, but we saw a notable dip in the visibility, which was possibly due to moisture. Such days make you think whether a sole AQI reading is a proper parameter to decide, especially when it depends on a mix of various factors, including PM10, PM2.5, and NO2. Citizens would like things to be simplified and be alerted to health risks on a given day, rather than plain AQI numbers’ Bikram Singh, regional head, RMC Mumbai‘Southeasterly winds in lower levels and anticyclonic circulation in middle tropospheric levels are responsible for the low visibility the city was experiencing in the past few days; however, it has already begun clearing up. The pollutants and moisture had stagnated and added haziness to the air, reducing visibility. With changing winds, the pollutants will lift, and the air is expected to clear up in the coming days. All in all, the AQI can help you assess the pollution, while the visibility can be controlled by meteorological factors’ Gufran Beig, chair professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies founder, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research‘Under warmer temperatures, dust originating from the Thar desert gets lifted and moves towards the western coastal belt. This activity is becoming more intense due to the transition from La Niña to El Niño, a climatic phenomenon. Also, the western disturbances inject a lot of moisture into the air below. So when pollution meets moisture under stagnation conditions, a haze-like situation appears. The lack of visibility can be attributed to stagnant pollutants and moisture’
13 March,2026 08:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarA strict enforcement drive by the Mumbai Traffic Police against transport vehicles parked outside shops in north Mumbai, especially Kandivali, has triggered anger among drivers, vehicle owners, and local traders. Transport operators allege officials from the Kandivali Traffic Division have been issuing online fines of Rs 500 and Rs 1500 for vehicles parked outside shops during the loading and unloading of goods multiple times a day. The repeated fines have now led to an unexpected ripple effect: transport drivers have increased their delivery charges, passing the burden on to shopkeepers and ultimately customers, according to Kandivli residents. Drivers who earlier charged around Rs 200 to Rs 300 for transporting goods locally are now reportedly demanding Rs 500 to Rs 800 per trip. Local traders fear the crackdown may have long-term economic consequences, even if the enforcement drive is temporary. Stricter action According to Kandivli traffic police sources, stricter action is being planned. This will include the removal of encroachment and filing FIRs. The traffic police have the authority to issue fines not just two or three times a day, but even every hour if violations continue. If people fail to follow the rules in time, the action will continue. ‘Fined twice in day’Shahbaz Khan,who runs a shop at Kandivli’s Hindustan Naka ‘My brother Sohail was fined twice on the same day. Within three days, we received three fines of Rs 1500 each. One was at the time when everyone was breaking their fast. The area was not officially declared a no-parking zone. If a person cannot park a vehicle in front of his own shop, then where should he park?’ ‘Our livelihood is at stake’Mufid Khan, Tempo driver ‘Earlier, we managed to save Rs 500 to Rs 1000 a day after expenses. But if we are fined Rs 3000 daily, how can we run our families and maintain our vehicles? If we don’t charge more, how will wepay the fines?’ Truck owner’s frustrationAshraf Abdul Hamid Khan, who holds an all-India truck permit ‘My brother was fined while goods were being loaded at his shop in our shop. If trucks cannot be stationed outside shops for this purpose, the authorities should tell us clearly where to park’ ‘How will we survive’Taslim Khan, Tempo owner-driver ‘I was fined '3000 in two days. An old penalty, for an auto-rickshaw, was mistakenly issued against my tempo. If fines keep coming like this, how will we survive?’
13 March,2026 08:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan“Darkness became our ally,” recalled Capt Jamshed Appoo, who worked in the Merchant Navy for two decades and has traversed the Strait of Hormuz — a passage between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman — numerous times. Today, this strait has become front and centre of the Iran-US-Israel war. “It was the 1980s, and the Iran-Iraq war had broken out. It was a very bloody war. I used to sail for a Norwegian company then, and our route was through the strait of Hormuz. The vessel was a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC). We used to sail from Rastan Nura [in Saudi Arabia], picking up the oil and offloading in Europe, most of the time in Amsterdam,” said Capt Appoo. Captain Jamshed Appoo in the engine room of the vessel. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Capt Appoo, who was chief officer on board at that time, said, “For safety, our radars and navigation lights used to be mostly ‘off’, and the windows and portholes on the vessel were covered with black paper.” “Iranian gunboats used to hit ships. I saw a vessel get hit and turn into a ball of fire just five miles ahead. So many years, and that inferno still blazes in my mind,” he recalled. How they survived >> Sailing in the dark>> Traversing, hugging the UAE coast>> Taking instructions from the shipping company Captain’s Vessel The VLCC was an Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS) which refers to a ship’s engine room or other machinery spaces that operate without continuous human supervision. All crew including officers would gather in the saloon/lounge space while traversing the Strait with nobody in the engine room. What’s the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz is a strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Today, this strait has become front and centre of the Iran-US-Israel war. Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first statement said that the Strait of Hormuz must remain closed as leverage against the US.
13 March,2026 08:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal AsharResidents of Abhinav Nagar in Borivali East recently alleged that Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) was encroaching on about 2250 sq ft of land near their locality bordering the park. A local public representative who visited the site claimed the work was being carried out on the instructions of SGNP Director and IFS officer Anita Patil. Matter escalates The allegations soon gained attention, and the matter was later raised in the Maharashtra State Assembly, where some public representatives demanded action against the park director. Notice issued Amid the controversy, SGNP Director Anita Patil issued a show-cause notice to SGNP deputy director (South) Kiran Patil. The notice states that the officer allegedly failed to provide timely clarification on the forest department’s stand to residents, public representatives, and the media. Department view Sources from the forest department said, “Had Deputy Director (South) Kiran Patil officer clearly communicated the forest department’s stance earlier, the misinformation about SGNP allegedly encroaching on land would not have spread. The delay in responding to the allegations ended up tarnishing the image of the park administration and the forest department.” The notice also refers to the deputy director’s alleged inefficient working method and seeks an explanation for the delay in clarifying the issue. Allegation >> SGNP encroaching on land>> Around 2250 sq ft area cited Did you know? >> The 2021 Government Resolution changed the SGNP structure>> Deputy Directors now have independent offices>> The director’s role is largely non-executive
13 March,2026 07:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavA Dahisar East resident, Captain Virendra Vishwakarma, has been stuck at Mina Saqr, a major deep-water seaport near the Strait of Hormuz in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, for over a week. A missile flies above Captain Vishwakarma’s oil tanker, which is anchored near the Strait of Hormuz The captain is commanding a tanker carrying enough liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to fill 36 lakh domestic cylinders. The vessel was loaded at Mina Al Ahmadi Port in Kuwait and was on its way to Deendayal Port, formerly known as Kandla Port in the Kutch district of Gujarat. An oil tanker close to Captain Vishwakarma’s vessel goes up in flames on March 11. Pics/By Special Arrangement Skipper speaksCaptain Virendra Vishwakarma, ‘We have enough food for about 60 days. Our company, GESCO, is supporting us and has assured us that it is in touch with the Navy and the relevant ministries are arranging for our rescue’ The predicament When the vessel began its journey on March 2, its movement was restricted due to hostilities between Iran and Israel and the United States, which escalated on February 28, following which several vital sea routes were restricted. More than 200 vessels became stranded around the Strait of Hormuz. Some of the 33 crew members aboard the vessel, which is carrying enough LPG to fill 36 lakh cylinders Captain Vishwakarma, who is waiting for a naval convoy to escort the vessel to Indian waters safely, told mid-day, “Missiles and drones are flying in front of our eyes and sirens are continuously ringing. We are worried that anything can happen at any time.” Wife’s worriesNilpa Vishwakarma, (From right) Captain Virendra Vishwakarma, his wife Nilpa and their children Nirvi and Vedansh in happier times. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT ‘I am praying that my husband and his crew reach home safely. I haven’t slept for days. My two children and I communicate over WhatsApp audio and video calls. Only an Internet connection is available on the vessel, and it sometimes does not work. I am keeping track of the news constantly’ Virendra Vishwakarma Position: Captain of LPG tankerCompany: GESCOCrew members on board: 33 Captain’s family Wife: Nilpa VishwakarmaSon: Vedansh (10)Daughter: Nirvi (12)
13 March,2026 07:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaHorsepower of a different kind A rider reins in his horse on the road at the Haji Ali traffic signal Heatwave, with humour Climate change has a darkly humorous side too. Today (March 13) marks another performance of the play, Fever Dreams, at the National Gallery of Modern Art, by city-based company, tafreehwale. It was also staged yesterday in Versova, and shows a trio of innovators pitching a creative climate invention. Actors Sahir Mehta (left) and Shivani Tanksale during a previous performance. Pic courtesy/tafreehwale Meghana AT, founder, tafreehwale, shared, “We wrote the play foreseeing the issue of heat, but now, we are no longer physically emoting the heat, but experiencing it. It feels surreal to be living something that we wrote about. Even as we speak, we hear about 45,000 trees under threat in Charkop, and mangroves being cut down. Sometimes, I feel sad that I will never again be able to write anything as absurd as the present-day world.” Mural makeover in Bandra Considering the outpouring of grief after veteran actor Dharmendra Deol’s passing on November 24 last year, fans will be disappointed to learn that a mural in Bandra dedicated to the superstar, has now vanished from view for good. A man walks by the mural of Dharmendra Deol. Pic courtesy/@bollywoodartproject; @dheerajpaul_india The larger-than-life mural, once occupying a wall on Chapel Road, had immortalised the actor’s rugged, masculine style in splashes of yellow, orange, and blue. Currently, it stands replaced by a fresh one of actor Kiara Advani posing for an international cosmetic brand, which was captured in an Instagram post yesterday by writer and archivist, Debasish Chakraverty. While we will certainly miss the old-school Bollywood charm it brought to the street, we were more curious to hear what the artist behind the work, Ranjiet Dahiya (below), had to say. The new mural of Kiara Advani on Chapel Road. Pic courtesy/@deb_on_insta “I painted that mural about six years ago. With time, when such murals are painted over, it creates a buzz of discontent on social media; sometimes, I even receive messages informing me about it, but of course, the owner of the property takes the call. I merely paint what I like with permission,” he told this diarist. But if a door closes, a window can open too. Dahiya revealed, “I plan to paint a new mural in Bandra dedicated to the film, Sholay (1975), which completes 51 years in 2026.” Kashmir frames come to Fort There is a generation that connects the imagery of Kashmir to green valleys, clear lakes, flowers, and peace. Think Shammi Kapoor carolling on Dal Lake. The upcoming exhibition, A botanist in the field: the Kashmir archives of PN Kohli, at Chatterjee & Lal might bring back some happy memories. A Kashmiri Pandit woman spinning pashmina yarn, 1940s, Photograph. Pic Courtesy/Heirs of PN Kohli; Chatterjee & Lal Opening on March 17, it showcases the work of Prem Nath Kohli, an Indian photographer, botanist, and forester, whose photographs document life in the region, its ecology, seasonal rituals, political ceremonies, and the rhythms of common life. “They highlight the fragility of time — moments and eras that are either passing or already lost — prompting viewers to consider whether a part of Kashmir should be, and might yet be, saved,” independent curator Qamoos Bukhari wrote. Wowed by the park Diana Fox Carney (right) during her visit to the park. Pic courtesy/@mmrda_official The Maharashtra Nature Park was host to a special guest recently. Canadian climate policy expert (and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s wife) Diana Fox Carney stopped by the park in Dharavi for a guided tour. For the uninitiated, the park opened in 1994 after a dumping ground was transformed by the MMRDA. It was this ecological restoration that drew Carney in, we learnt. She explored key sections including the Butterfly Garden, Astral Garden, and the Nature Trail, an MMRDA official told us. Carney left a note of gratitude that read: ‘Thank you so much for welcoming me and inspiring me. MNP is an amazing oasis of calm. I would never have guessed the origins. Wishing you the best for the future and the next phase of development.’
13 March,2026 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayADVERTISEMENT
