Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated India's first 'musical road' as part of the Mumbai Coastal Road on the northbound stretch from Marine Drive to Worli on Wednesday morning. Melody Road: India’s First ‘Singing Road’ Debuts in Mumbai! Inaugurated the ‘Melody Road’ stretch from Amarsons Garden to Breach Candy on the Dharmaveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South) today. As India's first-ever Melody Road, this… https://t.co/ugJd9MzYvH — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 11, 2026 As part of the project, motorists will be able to hear musical notes after exiting the northbound tunnel, as special rumble strips or grooves have been laid along the lane next to the median over a 500-metre stretch. #WATCH | Mumbai | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the ‘Melody Road’ stretch from Amarsons Garden to Breach Candy on the Dharmaveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South). https://t.co/4oCF4urV5j pic.twitter.com/2WpHqSlHvW — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2026 When vehicles pass over the grooves at a speed of around 70–80 kmph, ‘Jai Ho’ from the film Slumdog Millionaire can be heard inside the vehicle due to the friction between the tyres and the road. Fadnavis also took a drive on the coastal road as part of the inauguration. Speaking on the occasion, he said the concept was first implemented in Hungary. “This is the first time such a road has been built in India using Hungarian technology.” Signboards have been installed inside the tunnel at distances of 500 metres, 100 metres, and 60 metres to alert motorists approaching the grooves.
12 February,2026 11:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSAfter the first session of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) newly elected 227-member general body on Wednesday (February 11), to elect Ritu Tawde as Mumbai's Mayor and Sanjay Ghodi as the Deputy Mayor, the general body is likely to meet next on February 16, Monday. Members of BMC's statutory committees will be decided in this meeting of the General Body, including the Standing Committee, which approves all projects and other expenditure above Rs 1 crore; the Improvements Committee, in charge of approving infrastructure and land development projects; the Education Committee; and the BEST Committee. According to a tentative schedule, dates decided for the formation and special meetings of all committees are: February 20: Standing Committee and Education Committee are to meet and elect the respective chairpersons. February 23: Improvement and BEST committees to meet and elect their respective Chairpersons March 5, 6, 9: Ward committees to meet March 12, 13, 14: Special Committees to meet and elect their respective Chairpersons (Work Committee, Public Health, Markets and Gardens, Women and Child, Law) Budget: According to the tentative schedule, BMC is likely to present its budget at a meeting of the standing committee on February 25.
12 February,2026 11:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSA temporary mining licence issued for the extraction of soil, stone and murum in Manpada, Thane, has drawn objections from the Forest Department, which says the approval violates Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) norms around Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The Thane tehsildar granted the licence on December 20, 2025, permitting Siddharth Narayan Tangdi of Chitalsar Manpada to extract 500 brass of material across 7.38 hectares in Manpada village, Thane taluka. On December 23, 2025, SGNP the deputy director (North) wrote to the district collector objecting to the permission, stating that mining is a prohibited activity within the notified Eco Sensitive Zone. The letter warned that if excavation is carried out, the officer who granted the approval would be held personally responsible. In a February 6 letter, the deputy conservator of forests, Thane, sought immediate cancellation of the licence, stating it violates the 2016 Central Government Eco Sensitive Zone notification around SGNP. Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti said, "This permission is downright illegal and if not revoked immediately, we will initiate legal proceedings against the officer concerned. Mining inside ESZ is a strictly prohibited activity and the revenue department must be aware of this basic rule . This business of temporary permissions is also absurd If the damage to the environment is permanent how can the permissions be temporary. We will demand and enquiry into the entire issue." What the ESZ notification says >> The final Eco Sensitive Zone notification issued by the Central Government on December 5, 2016, classifies activities in the designated zone as prohibited, regulated or promoted. >> Mining is listed as a prohibited activity within the Eco Sensitive Area of Sanjay Gandhi National Park.>> The notification also identifies Survey No. 59/A/1/1 at Manpada, Thane, as forest land within the Eco Sensitive Zone. What is ESZ? Eco Sensitive Zones act as critical buffer areas, like a shock absorber for protected regions such as SGNP, which lies in the Western Ghats biogeographic zone and hosts endangered species. Mining and similar activities that cause pollution or habitat destruction are barred, with no exception for temporary permits. Monitoring committee structure As per the 2016 notification: >> The municipal commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is the ex officio chairperson.>> The deputy conservator of forests, Thane, is the member secretary.>> The panel comprises 11 members from various departments, including the Sub Divisional Officer from the Revenue Department, Thane. Key details at a glance Licence issued: December 20, 2025Location: Manpada, Thane talukaArea: 7.38 hectaresQuantity permitted: 500 brassObjection raised: December 23, 2025Cancellation sought: February 6, 2026 What is 500 brass? Five hundred brass roughly translates to 90 to 200 truckloads, depending on the size of the vehicles used. Expert Speaks Rohit Joshi, environmentalistThis temporary mining licence for soil, stone, and murum extraction is a clear violation of ESZ norms around SGNP. The forest department’s objection is justified. Commercial mining, including stone quarrying, is explicitly listed as a prohibited activity. Concerns over BMC’s draft zonal master plan for SGNP’s 60 sq km ESZ, which proposes regulated development, already raise fears of fragmentation of forests, lakes and tribal lands. Approving this licence sets a dangerous precedent, prioritising short-term gains over Mumbai’s last major green cover. The licence must be revoked immediately, with stricter enforcement and public consultation to protect the ESZ.
12 February,2026 11:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMumbai’s newly elected Mayor Ritu Tawde, a BJP corporator, said removing illegal Bangladeshi hawkers from footpaths will be among her priorities, stating that public spaces must be reclaimed for tax-paying citizens, senior citizens and women. She said the issue will be raised in her first meeting with the civic administration, and officials will be directed to act against those operating without valid documents. Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi (third from left in right frame) at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters “We will create hawking and non-hawking zones across the city. There will be signage indicating non-hawking zones. Places will be found for hawkers who have valid papers. My letters have gone to the departments concerned to pay attention to the issue. Regarding the illegal Bangladeshi hawkers, I am going to ensure we take strict action against them,” she added. “The state government has been doing this work. We are visiting areas. When we ask for an ID card or an Aadhaar card, we realise that the cards are fake.” Tawde said an enquiry has begun in the N ward. “Officials have been notified, as most cases has been found in the area. Everything will be checked,” she added. Teen sawaal with the mayor After her first address to the 227-member general body, the mayor outlined her priorities, including footpaths, health infrastructure, and active field presence. She described Mumbai as cosmopolitan and inclusive, while identifying herself as a Marathi mayor. “My electoral ward, 132, has a demographic dominated by Gujarati-speaking citizens. Yet they came out in large numbers and voted for me, a Marathi-speaking woman. This has always been the spirit of Mumbai.” Mayor Ritu Tawde of BJP with Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi of Shiv Sena at the BMC. PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI Do you have a 100-day plan like the chief minister?I will meet with all the officers concerned with the civic administration and take periodic reviews. Health and education are my top priorities. I want to ensure that the Rajawadi Hospital is upgraded to a state-of-the-art facility, and can be compared to AIIMS in Delhi. Safeguarding the issues of the Marathi manoos is also my priority. To restart Marathi schools that are closing down, we will rope in the CBSE Board as well. How will you work with a strong Opposition?The way they behaved in the House today [Wednesday] shows their sensitivity towards women. But instead of operating the House, they are more concerned about creating chaos. My topic was for Mumbai, and I expected them to listen calmly. But their focus was on how to stop the mayor from speaking. However, I completed my speech respectfully. Every ward is 40,000 to 60,000 people. Citizens have stood in line for four to five hours and elected them. Citizens have shown faith in elected representatives. The Opposition should consider how they want to be viewed by their electorate. As the mayor of Mumbai, I aim to ensure I preside over the house in a neutral way, without causing and tolerating commotion, respecting the Opposition and considering their views as well. What work will BMC undertake for monsoon preparedness?I have taken charge today; you will see that I am on the field tomorrow. Apart from my mayoral duties in the general body and in the BMC headquarters, I am committed to doing my duty as an elected representative of the people of my constituency. I want to focus on hospitals, conduct surprise visits and ensure all facilities are in place. Also, there are no footpaths in several parts of the suburbs, causing a lot of problems for senior citizens. This will remain another focus area. Focus areas >> N ward flagged for higher instances>> Document verification underway>> Signage for hawking and non-hawking zones planned
12 February,2026 10:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSMumbai woke up to a cold Thursday morning with the minimum temperature dropping to 20 degrees Celsius, 2.5 degrees Celsius below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) latest weather update. Mumbai is likely to witness "mainly clear skies in the city and suburbs," the weather bureau stated in its latest update, issued at 8 am. The temperatures are expected to range between 19 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, according to the Centre's SAMEER app, Mumbai's overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 115 on Thursday morning, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. Pollution levels varied significantly across locations, with Bandra Kurla Complex recording an AQI of 137, Borivali East 120, Andheri East 142, Chembur 117, Deonar 146, Kandivali East 117, and Kurla 118. All these areas reported AQI in the ‘moderate’ category, while Colaba (80), Bandra East (94), Mulund West (81), and Powai (77) were in the 'good' category. On Wednesday, Mumbai’s AQI was 121, continuing to remain in the ‘moderate’ category. However, on Monday, the air quality was 'good', as the AQI stood at 99. According to the Centre, Mumbai's current AQI can cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, or heart diseases. Delhi's air quality remains ‘poor’ with AQI at 209 The air quality in the national capital remained in the 'poor' category on Thursday morning, with the air quality index (AQI) recorded at 209 around 7 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), news agency ANI reported. A day earlier, the AQI was 294, classified as 'poor'. On Tuesday, it stood at 267 at 7 am, according to CPCB. Meanwhile, the national capital recorded a temperature of 13.6 degrees Celsius around 7 am, with humidity at 88 per cent, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Mundka recorded an AQI of 275, followed by Shadipur (236), Nehru Nagar (249), Rohini (238), Bawana (263), Jahangirpuri (246), Wazirpur (259), Ashok Vihar (229), Narela (240), Vivek Vihar (228), Pusa (257), Sirifort (277), and Chandani Chowk (167). Sri Aurobindo Marg recorded the AQI at 159, with other areas including Lodhi Road (164), Major Dhyan Chand Stadium (186), Mandir Marg (166), IIT Delhi (158), Aya Nagar (168), and IGI Airport (165) reporting comparatively better air quality. As per AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is 'good', 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'. A day earlier, several areas of the city experienced smog, raising concerns among residents. (With ANI inputs)
12 February,2026 10:31 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLeaders from the two NCP factions took indirect digs at each other on Tuesday, exposing growing internal tensions. NCP, Sharad Pawar faction, MLA Rohit Pawar claimed that Sunetra Pawar was made to take oath as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister against her wishes, in haste, just four days after the plane crash in which Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on January 28. Rohit’s remarks are being seen as a veiled attack on leaders close to the late Ajit Pawar, who are allegedly accused of opposing a merger of the two NCP factions. Stung by the comments, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP hit back with an indirect counter. State NCP president Sunil Tatkare questioned why some leaders began speaking about a merger between the two factions on the very day of the plane crash. Before Ajit Pawar’s demise, the two NCP factions had come together for the local body elections in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, fuelling speculation about a formal merger. However, before talks could progress, Ajit Pawar died in the Baramati crash. Following the incident, NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar had said that the two factions were set to reunite, with an official announcement expected today. Rohit Pawar has postponed a press conference, where he is expected to elaborate on the proposed merger. In a social media post, he said his priority was to focus on the plane crash investigation. Delhi visit Meanwhile, Sunetra was in Delhi on Wednesday, where she is said to have met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She was accompanied by her sons, Parth and Jay, and senior NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. Sunetra is expected to return to Pune to attend a district planning and development committee (DPDC) meeting, likely today. She is the guardian minister of Pune and Beed, districts previously overseen by the late Ajit Pawar.
12 February,2026 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to NCP MLA Rohit Pawar’s demand for an international agency probe into Ajit Pawar’s plane crash incident saying Indian investigating agencies are capable and should be trusted. On Wednesday, asserting that one should trust Indian agencies, Fadnavis said, “If anyone has evidence or information, they should share it with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or the investigating agency. It will help the investigation.” Fadnavis was responding to NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew Rohit, who on Tuesday said he cannot rule out the possibility of a conspiracy in the plane crash incident. The MLA even demanded that instead of a probe by the state CID, three agencies — one from the central government and two international expert agencies — should be involved in the investigation. “The truth will come out in the investigation,” he added. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Rohit addressed a press conference in Delhi, raising several questions that he felt pointed to a conspiracy in the plane crash incident and needed to be investigated. Rohit was in Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to press his demand for a detailed investigation into the plane crash episode. Besides, Rohit, the family of one of the victims, flight attendant Pinky Mali’s father, too, has called for a thorough investigation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
12 February,2026 09:04 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesPedestrians and school students at Kanjurmarg and Vikhroli have been suffering due to ongoing work at Gandhinagar junction, where four layers of transport infrastructure — Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Road, the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road flyover, and the Metro Lines 6 and 4 — converge. Metro projects at one site Footpaths around Gandhinagar junction, where Metro work is taking place, resemble obstacle courses. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar The junction is important as two key Metro lines integrate at the point. The 32.32-km Thane-Wadala Green Line 4 intersects the 15.31-km Lokhandwala-Vikhroli Pink Line 6 at this point at Gandhinagar junction, where a station is coming up. The massive scale of work has left the junction with uncontrolled barricades, metal railings, and uneven pedestrian stretches. Site visit When mid-day visited the site, we found that the junction had no space for pedestrians, with concrete blocks, iron rods and metal plates lying everywhere. The footpath had been ravaged by Metro workers, with railings falling over. When pedestrians walk from Kanjurmarg to Powai, many students, parents, and other pedestrians are forced to avoid hurdles. Also, the entire stretch is in complete darkness at night, raising safety issues for everyone. There are key schools like Kendriya Vidyalaya and St Xavier’s High School in the vicinity. A staffer from the Kendriya School said they had filed a complaint with the authorities, but there has been no response. ‘Think about people’ Rohit Saran, a parent of a Std VI student, said, “Every morning, I walk my daughter from Kanjurmarg towards Powai, and it feels like crossing a battlefield. There are iron rods and broken footpaths everywhere. One misstep and a child can get seriously hurt. Development is fine, but why should our children pay the price?” Shabana Khan, a resident of Surya Nagar, Vikhroli West, said, “After sunset, the entire stretch goes dark. There are no proper lights and no safe walking space. We are forced to walk on the edge of the road alongside speeding traffic. It’s frightening, especially for women and school students.” Aniket Patil, a college student, said, “Metro pillars are coming up fast, but basic pedestrian access has vanished. There’s no clear pathway, no barricade discipline. It feels like pedestrians are an afterthought in this city.” Meena Iyer, a senior citizen and Powai resident, said, “I support infrastructure projects, but not at the cost of public safety. The footpaths are broken, railings have fallen, and there is debris everywhere. At least provide a temporary, well-lit walking corridor until the work is complete.” Farhan Sheikh, an auto driver from Kanjurmarg, said there was zero coordination on the ground. “Traffic is chaotic, and pedestrians are squeezed out. Authorities need to think about people, not just concrete,” he said. Official Speak Local supervisors and engineers at the site acknowledged the problem and said that the footpath railings had been damaged due to heavy crane activity at night, and all of them would be fixed once the work is completed. “Two important lines converge here, and the work is being done with meticulous precision. All the available space at the site is required to manoeuvre heavy girders and cranes,” an official said.
12 February,2026 09:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarAfter years of being a traffic choke point, the stretch over Agripada Subway of the Western Express Highway (WEH) has been widened, with the BMC adding one lane each to the northbound and southbound stretch. The move aims to ease congestion that worsened after the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road extension opened to traffic. The 1.5-km stretch from the SCLR landing arm had routinely seen hour-long traffic snarls. mid-day spoke to locals and commuters to assess the impact of the widening. North and south The residing along the southbound service road said traffic flow has improved, particularly during non-peak hours. Prakash Rajwar, a mechanic working along the service road, said, “We have seen reduced traffic during the afternoon hours. Because there is an additional lane, more vehicles are passing through at the same time.” Another local, Santosh Shinde, said pedestrian movement has also become easier. “In the morning peak hours, many people travel towards BKC from here. Now we are able to walk more easily along the road instead of constantly checking for vehicles. The widening has really helped us,” he said. Residents, however, flagged that the newly widened portion is uneven compared to the existing road surface, raising concerns about rider discomfort over time. The northbound service road, which leads towards Milan Subway and connects the eastern and western sides of the railway tracks, continues to witness heavy congestion. Locals said the widening of the main highway has narrowed the service road, worsening movement and prompting some auto-rickshaw drivers to refuse passengers. An auto driver said, “I was stuck for 35 minutes. I couldn’t understand why the road felt so narrow until a traffic policeman explained that the highway widening had made the service road harder to pass.” Slow-moving traffic on the Western Express Highway in Santacruz East during evening peak hours on Tuesday A senior BMC official said, “The widening of the Agripada Subway stretch has helped ease traffic on the WEH by reducing criss-cross vehicular movement.” Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar said, “Because of the expansion traffic on the WEH has eased to some extent. Local residents are now happy as there are fewer vehicles on the service road. Lighter traffic on the congested southbound service road of the highway in Santacruz East during evening peak hours on Tuesday As per the original plan, it is proposed to construct a subway near Milan Subway on the WEH to facilitate traffic movement from the eastern side to the western side and vice versa,” he said, adding that this is aimed at reducing congestion on the service road.
12 February,2026 08:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturMore than 50 years after a decorated Indian Air Force officer fought for the nation in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war, his family still awaits land promised to them, with the hero’s 89-year-old widow’s long fight for justice finally reaching the Bombay High Court. On February 2, a division bench of the court comprising Justices MS Karnik and SM Modak issued notice to the state government regarding a petition filed by Minakshi Arun Kamat, widow of Squadron Leader Arun Vithal Kamat, who was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) by the President on January 25, 1974. The court directed the state to file its affidavit in reply within four weeks, with the matter returnable on March 4. According to Squadron Leader Kamat’s two daughters, their father endured nearly ten months as a prisoner of war. He returned home bearing deep scars, suffering from severe post-traumatic stress, and passed away on December 5, 1982, while still on duty, as wing commander at the Air Force headquarters in Delhi. In recognition of the sacrifices made by soldiers during the 1971 conflict, the state government, through a Government Resolution (GR) dated December 30, 1971, had announced the grant of 10 acres of agricultural land and a 300-sq-m residential plot, free of cost, to armed forces personnel from Maharashtra who were wounded, disabled, or decorated for gallantry. A subsequent GR dated July 8, 1998, extended these benefits to the legal heirs of such personnel as well. Despite her husband’s undisputed eligibility, Minakshi Kamat received only a residential plot measuring 337 sq m, allotted in July 1973. The more substantial benefit, agricultural land meant to secure the family’s future, never materialised, her petition states. Official records reveal that in May 1978, the state had even conducted a lottery draw for allotting agricultural land to defence gallantry awardees. Yet, inexplicably, Kamat’s name did not translate into an actual allotment. Daughters speak Squadron Leader Kamat’s daughters, Shailaja Desai and Anjali Shah, told mid-day, “Our father made the supreme sacrifice for the nation and was awarded the gallantry award for his exceptional bravery. He was entitled to 10 acres of agricultural land in Pune’s Haveli taluka. We have made several representations to the authorities over the years, but nothing has come of this. Our request is not merely an appeal for sympathy but a demand for what is legally ours.” Advocate’s Views Advocate Rajeshwar Panchal, who is representing the petitioner “This case is not merely about land allotment; it is about the state honouring a solemn promise made to the family of a decorated Air Force officer. While the residential plot was granted as per the 1971 policy, the agricultural land has been unjustly withheld for decades. The high court’s intervention underscores that welfare policies for war heroes cannot remain on paper; they must be implemented in letter and spirit. A nation’s gratitude towards its war heroes is measured not by announcements, but by action. In this case, the widow of a gallantry awardee has been waiting since the early 1980s for the benefits promised under a 1971 policy. The state cannot selectively implement welfare schemes meant for those who defended the country at the cost of their lives and careers. We are confident that judicial scrutiny will ensure justice for the petitioner.” A wife’s lament Minakshi Arun Kamat, wife of decorated Indian Air Force officer “They promised land as recognition for my husband’s gallantry award and his time as a POW in the 1971 war. Decades later, nothing has been given. He served the country with honour; his family is still waiting for what was assured” A tragic tale of justice denied The late Hundurao Ingale, a 1971 war veteran from Satara, returned home injured after fighting at the border, only to face yet another battle, for his rights at home. Despite a Bombay High Court order in February 2018, Ingale had still not been allotted the land he was entitled to under the 1971 government resolution. Frustrated with repeated delays, Ingale was set to move contempt of court proceedings in the court against the Satara collector and the state revenue secretary for failing to comply with the order. However, as reported by mid-day in 2019, the veteran passed away without receiving the full benefits he had been promised. Hundurao Ingale’s last battle February 2008: Ingale first appealed to the Bombay High Court February 2018: The court ruled in his favour July 2018: The court directed the state government to allot land free from litigation January 2019: Ingale filed a writ petition in the court due to continued inaction February 2019: The court directed Ingale to move contempt proceedings against the state, and a R50,000 fine was subsequently imposed on the state for non-compliance
12 February,2026 08:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonThane-based environmentalist Rohit Joshi has served a legal notice to the Thane police commissioner over alleged illegal dumping and land reclamation in a protected Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) near the Rabodi helipad, with fingers being pointed at the police department. mid-day had earlier reported the matter, following which a site inspection by the Thane tehsildar’s office confirmed that debris dumping had taken place at the location. The notice has also been served on the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, the Thane district collector and the divisional forest officer of the Mangrove Cell (North Konkan). It pertains to alleged illegal reclamation, dumping of debris and destruction of mangroves in a CRZ-I/CRZ-IB area. Citing violations of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the notice flags continued damage to inter-tidal wetlands and mangrove patches in the ecologically sensitive zone. Joshi, founder and president of the Yeoor Environmental Society, told mid-day, “The destruction of mangroves in a CRZ-I zone is a serious offence. The legal notice has been issued as repeated complaints did not translate into ground-level action.” He warned that continued degradation of wetlands increase flooding risks during the monsoon. Timeline Nov 17, 2025: Residents of Akashganga Complex report wetland reclamation to the tehsildar and Rabodi policeNov 20, 2025: Mangrove RFO inspects site; confirms mangrove destruction and debris dumpingNov 25, 2025: Joshi flags illegal dumping to authoritiesDec 18, 2025: ACP’s office seeks permission to “level” land for compensatory afforestationDec 22, 2025: Thane collector orders a probeJan 6, 2026: TMC inspection confirms reclamation by the police departmentJan 9, 2026: TMC writes to Rabodi police seeking action
12 February,2026 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavADVERTISEMENT
