The iconic 95-year-old Deccan Queen has taken a leaf out of the Pullman and Orient Express playbook with its revamped dining car. Speaking on the occasion, a Central Railway spokesperson said, "It is not just the dining car, but the entire train has been refurbished" Inspired by 19th-century luxury trains, the new dining coach features sofa-style seating, polished wood panelling and a classic dining saloon feel. Adorned with Warli paintings, sepia-toned frames and warm yellow lighting, it recreates the charm of Victorian-era rail travel. The Deccan Queen remains the only train in India with a dedicated dining car offering table service.The Pullman and Orient Express were known for redefining train travel with plush seating, rich wood interiors and understated luxury, an experience the new dining car aims to echo. “It is not just the dining car, but the entire train has been refurbished,” a Central Railway spokesperson said. Coach interiors have been redesigned with new panels and vibrant themes. Air fragrance dispensers have been installed to enhance the onboard ambience. Lavatories have been upgraded with modern fittings, and AC chair car seating now has new covers along with improved doorway areas.” “It is a brand new train now, with a mix of culture, heritage and technology,” he added. The makeover was launched as part of a ‘Train Mahotsav’, which saw enthusiastic participation from passengers, railway officials and rail enthusiasts celebrating the legacy of one of Indian Railways’ most iconic trains. Event highlights The celebrations began an hour before the train’s scheduled 5:10 pm departure. The Deccan Queen was decorated with flowers, reflecting its royal legacy. An audio-visual presentation traced its journey since 1930 and highlighted its contributions to Indian Railways. Journey so far Introduced in 1930 with two rakes of seven coaches each, one in silver with scarlet mouldings and the other in royal blue with gold lines. Underframes built in England, with coach bodies made at the Matunga workshop of the GIP Railway. Replaced with steel-bodied integral coaches in 1966, increasing capacity from 7 to 12 coaches. Air-brake rakes were introduced in 1995. Vistadome coach added in August 2021, offering scenic views of the Western Ghats Upgraded to LHB coaches in June 2022 under Project Utkrisht, with features like LED lights, bio-toilets and Braille signage. The train now runs with 16 coaches, including AC chair cars, second class seating, a vistadome coach, a dining car, a general second class cum guard’s brake van and a generator car. Train firsts The Deccan Queen has several milestones to its name: First to introduce coaches with roller bearings. First to introduce self-generating coaches with a 110-volt system. Among the first to introduce first and second class chair cars. Unique feature - dining car The Deccan Queen is the only train in India with a dedicated dining car offering table service. It is equipped with modern pantry facilities, including a microwave oven, deep freezer and toaster, and features cushioned seating and carpeted interiors for a premium experience. Advocate Vijay Sarwade “I have been travelling on this train for decades and have always been drawn to the dining car. The timings have been legendary. It is for this dining car that I take the train, and the new look is just out of the world.” Sandeep Ashok Chavan “I have been travelling on this train for ten years. It is one of the best connections between Mumbai and Pune and is known for its punctuality.” CR employee Anuradha Roy nostalgia about Deccan Queen Today’s Train Mahotsav, organised by Central Railway, celebrating the iconic Deccan Queen—one of its most prestigious trains—transported me back to the earliest days of my railway journey, memories that remain deeply etched in my heart. In 1989, as a 23-year-old newly inducted into the reservation cadre of the Commercial Department of Central Railway, I was entrusted with the challenging responsibility of reserving entire second-class coaches of the Deccan Queen at Pune. Given the extraordinary demand, In those days, reservations at Pune were entirely manual—long before the advent of computerisation. Each booking required meticulous effort: receiving passenger requisition forms, entering details in the designated Deccan Queen reservation register, and carefully recording every passenger’s name, age, gender, along with the corresponding ticket number. The allotted coach and seat numbers were then handwritten on the ticket, while the ticket number and fare value were duly noted on the requisition form. This was the painstaking process through which the entire train—comprising approximately eight second-class reserved coaches—was booked. From the moment the counter opened at 7:30 a.m., there would be a steady surge of passengers, and by around 11:30 a.m., the train for a given day would invariably be fully reserved. The few intense hours, meant manually recording the details of nearly 750 to 800 passengers— demanding concentration, speed, and accuracy. These recollections belong to an era when the Advance Reservation Period was just three days (excluding the date of journey) for Pune, and sixty days for longer-distance destinations—a time when dedication, precision, and a deep sense of duty formed the backbone of railway service. Looking back, it was not merely a task, but a profound learning experience combining discipline and resilience, and today a pride in being a part of the great the celebration of this iconic train of Central Railway,when I m just a month short for my super annulation.
29 March,2026 08:54 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA sessions court in Mumbai has directed a magistrate to issue summonses to former Maharashtra director general of police Satish Mathur and other senior officers for not registering an FIR against MHADA officials in a complaint of alleged fraud. As reported by the news agency PTI, after issuing a summons, the magistrate has been directed to proceed further against the officers by recording evidence of the complainant and witnesses. Earlier in March, Additional Sessions Judge Mujibodeen Shaikh had overturned a magistrate court order that dismissed a complaint against former top brass of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), including its then head Mathur. Judge Shaikh, while passing the order, also pulled up the officers for keeping the complaint pending for over two years under the "garb of inquiry" while waiting for opinions from the very government departments they were meant to investigate, as per PTI. The court found that the act of the officers came under "the omission to consider the prevailing laws and another facet of negligence or dereliction of duty". Court finds MHADA officials in collusion with developers caused wrongful loss to the government When there was ample evidence that MHADA officials, in collusion with the developers, caused wrongful loss to the government, then it was the duty of respondents to register the FIR immediately, the court said. The judge, while passing the order, said, "Now the time has also come to make it clear that no one is above the law, and the law does not protect the white-collar persons who are using their office/designation to protect the officers deeply involved in wrongful gain for them and wrongful loss for the state," as cited by PTI. Judge Shaikh further said that the order passed by the magistrate was "skin-saving and erroneous" and needs to be quashed and set aside, as per PTI. The matter pertains to a complaint filed by activist Kamlakar Shenoy in 2017 alleging a fraud involving the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and private developers. As per Shenoy's complaint, private developers had failed to surrender a surplus area measuring over 1,37,000 square metres to the state, causing wrongful gain of approximately Rs 14,000 crore to the developers and a corresponding loss to the public exchequer. Shenoy claimed MHADA and police officials "wilfully and deliberately" failed to register a First Information Report (FIR) despite evidence of a cognisable offence. Citing a Supreme Court order, the court ruled that if a complaint discloses a cognisable offence, police have no option but to register an FIR immediately. "In the case in hand, the respondents (officers) have shown disregard for the mandate of law laid down in the above case law," it held. The court underlined that anti-corruption laws have been enacted, but effective and efficient implementation is lacking on account of the fact that corrupt activities are widespread in public administration. The court then further directed the magistrate to restore the complaint and issue process against the officials under Sections 166A (public servant disobeying direction under law), 217 (shielding an accused), 218 (creating fake or incorrect report) and 34 (common intention). (With inputs from PTI)
29 March,2026 08:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSignifying a major milestone in Mumbai’s infrastructural development, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) revealed that India’s longest sea bridge, ‘Atal Setu', has recorded over 2 crore vehicular crossings since its inauguration in January 2024. While posting across various social media platforms, MMRDA said that the 20,000,316th vehicle crossed the bridge on March 27, 2026. This underscores the growing importance of Atal Setu as a critical connector in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Private vehicles account for 91 per cent of total crossings at Atal Setu View this post on Instagram A post shared by MMRDA (@mmrda_official) According to the social media post from MMRD, the data highlights that private cars dominate usage, accounting for 18,195,718 crossings, which is over 91 per cent of total traffic. The bridge also saw 5,98,525 crossings by light commercial vehicles, minibuses and buses, while medium, heavy and oversized vehicles contributed 12,06,073 crossings. Traffic composition on Atal Setu Private cars: 1,81,95,718 CV minibus, bus and truck: 5,98,525 crossings Medium, heavy and oversized vehicles: 12,06,073 Inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on January 13, 2024, the Atal Setu connects Sewri in South Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai. The sea link bridge has significantly reduced travel time between the two points from nearly an hour to under 20 minutes, providing faster and more efficient connectivity. MMRDA described the infrastructure as more than just a bridge, calling it a “lifeline” that has transformed commuting and logistics across the region. Officials noted that the project has not only improved daily travel but also boosted economic activity, reduced fuel consumption and enhanced regional connectivity across the city. They also added, “In just over two years, it hasn't just moved vehicles; it has moved economies. Boosting commerce, cutting fuel costs, easing commutes and raising the bar for what world-class infrastructure looks like.” The authority emphasised that the milestone reflects the collective impact of infrastructure development on citizens, businesses and the broader economy, positioning the Atal Setu as a symbol of Maharashtra’s forward-looking urban growth. Hailing the project, MMRDA also added, “And 20 million crossings later, it is proof that when Maharashtra builds, it builds for the future. This milestone belongs to every citizen.”
29 March,2026 07:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a temporary operational adjustment aimed at improving passenger convenience and managing traffic, Western Railway on Sunday announced changes to two key services operating between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. According to an official statement from the Western Railway, the terminal of the Karnavati Express will be shifted from Mumbai Central railway station to Bandra Terminus on a temporary basis. Karnavati Express (12933/12934) to originate and depart from Bandra Terminus from April 1 The official further asserted that train no. 12933/12934 Karnavati Express, which runs between Mumbai and Vatva/Ahmedabad, will now originate and terminate at Bandra Terminus for journeys commencing from April 1 to April 27, 2026. The statement also added that train no. 12933 will depart Bandra Terminus at 01:55 pm, while train no. 12934 will arrive at 12:30 pm. Authorities further clarified that there will be no changes in timings at intermediate stations, and all the other operations will remain as is. Vande Bharat Express to Run with 20-Coach Rake In a different scenario, Western Railway on Sunday has also announced a temporary augmentation of the Vande Bharat Express operating on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad route. As per the officials, train no. 22961/22962, which currently runs with a 16-coach configuration, will be upgraded to a 20-coach rake. The additional four coaches will be attached for journeys commencing between April 1 and April 27, 2026, to accommodate increased passenger demand on the busy corridor that connects Ahmedabad to Mumbai. The changes by the railway authorities are a part of ongoing operational planning and are expected to ease congestion while offering improved capacity during the specified period. Furthermore, passengers have been advised to check updated boarding points and plan their travel accordingly.
29 March,2026 06:25 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarFollowing the presentation of Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) Budget 2026, the corporators from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) have strongly criticised the civic administration, demanding transparency over the use of development funds, reported the PTI. During a heated debate on the civic budget, members questioned the utilisation of over Rs 2,560 crore out of Rs 4,953 crore received from the state government over the past four years. BJP corporator Mrunal Pendse alleged that a large portion of the funds had been spent on sewerage and footpath projects, but the work on the ground did not reflect such high expenditure, according to the PTI. She further called for a detailed white paper and a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged irregularities. Pendse also criticised the Thane civic administration’s budget as unrealistic, questioning the effectiveness of costly projects when residents still rely on water tankers for basic needs. Claims of Rs 2,000 crore property scam Pendse further alleged a separate scam involving around Rs 2,000 crore related to the allotment of municipal properties to “bogus beneficiaries”. She warned that strong protests would be launched if authorities failed to initiate a proper investigation, as per the PTI. She also raised concerns about rising housing costs, suggesting that original residents could be forced out due to unaffordable real estate prices. NCP (SP) criticises ‘elite-focused’ budget NCP (SP) corporator Sudhir Bhagat criticised the civic budget for prioritising amenities for the affluent over basic services for ordinary citizens. He highlighted poor infrastructure in areas such as Mumbra and Diva, stating that essential services had not improved significantly, the news agency reported. Suggestions to boost civic revenue Bhagat proposed measures to increase revenue, including taxing unauthorised buildings and implementing a structured parking policy. He claimed that proper taxation through ward committees could generate up to Rs 900 crore, while a parking framework could further boost income, according to the PTI. He also questioned the imposition of a one per cent cess for Metro projects in areas lacking connectivity and pointed out gaps in public transport infrastructure, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
29 March,2026 03:01 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentTributes poured in following the demise of Dr. Vijaypat Singhania with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde expressing grief. Vijaypat Singhania, the former chairman of the Raymond Group passed away in Mumbai. He was 87. Singhania, a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, was widely recognised for his contributions to the textile industry and his role in building Raymond into a globally known brand. Vijaypat Singhania led the Raymond Group for nearly two decades until 2000. He was also a passionate aviator and held a world record for achieving the highest altitude in a hot air balloon. In addition, the Indian Air Force appointed him as an Honorary Air Commodore in 1994, and he was named Sheriff of Mumbai in 2006. Fadnavis pays tribute Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over Singhania’s passing. In a post on X, he said Singhania’s contributions to industry, philanthropy and entrepreneurship would continue to inspire future generations. He also noted that the iconic Raymond tagline, “The Complete Man”, reflected values of quality, excellence and innovation. CM Fadnavis wrote on X, Deeply saddened to know about the demise of former Chairman of Raymond Group, Padma Bhushan Dr. Vijaypat Singhania ji. His contribution to the textile industry, his philanthropy and adventurous spirit will continue to inspire generations together. ‘Raymond - The Complete Man’ is not just a tagline we all grew up with, but has set many trends - right from quality and perfection in entrepreneurship to communication and brand. I offer my humble tributes to the man who set the legacy called ‘Raymond’ Group. And deepest condolences to his family, friends and admirers. Deeply saddened to know about the demise of former Chairman of Raymond Group, Padma Bhushan Dr. Vijaypat Singhania ji.His contribution to the textile industry, his philanthropy and adventurous spirit will continue to inspire generations together.‘Raymond - The Complete Man’ is… pic.twitter.com/le9Zfgi6wb — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 28, 2026 Eknath Shinde calls it ‘End of an Era’ Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described Singhania’s death as “the end of an era”. He said the industrialist not only built a globally recognised company but also left behind a legacy of style, dignity and excellence. Shinde praised Vijaypat Singhania’s adventurous spirit and his contributions as a compassionate social figure. रेमंड समुहाचे माजी अध्यक्ष तसेच प्रख्यात वैमानिक, पद्मभूषण पुरस्कार विजेते विजयपत सिंघानिया यांच्या निधनाची वार्ता अतिशय दुःखदायक आहे. विजयपत सिंघानिया हे केवळ रेमंडमधील त्यांच्या नेतृत्वासाठीच नव्हे, तर विमानचालनाविषयीच्या त्यांच्या उत्कटतेसाठी देखील ओळखले जात होते. त्यांनी… — Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) March 29, 2026 Legacy to inspire generations Leaders across the political spectrum highlighted Singhania’s lasting influence on Indian industry and society, noting that his life and achievements would continue to inspire generations to come.
29 March,2026 01:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOne person was injured after a massive fire broke out at a mattress foam manufacturing factory in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Sunday morning, police said, reported the PTI. The blaze started at around 5:30 am in the Wada area and quickly spread across the premises, where large quantities of foam were stored. Flames were visible from a considerable distance as thick smoke covered the surrounding locality, causing concern among residents. Worker suffers burn injuries The injured was identified as a worker at the factory who sustained burn injuries in the incident and was admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment, according to Wada police inspector Datta Kindre, according to the PTI. Two fire engines were rushed to the site that managed to bring the blaze under control within about two hours. Cooling operations are currently in progress. Officials said the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and further investigation is underway, the news agency reported. Fire breaks out at industrial estate in Andheri; no injuries Meanwhile, in an another incident, a fire broke out on Friday evening at an industrial building located on Mahakali Caves Road in Andheri East, prompting a swift response from multiple emergency agencies. According to officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), the incident was reported at approximately 4:41 pm at Nand Bhavan Industrial Estate. The Level-II fire was later upgraded to a Level-II emergency at 5:08 pm as thick smoke engulfed parts of the structure. Fire officials stated that the blaze was confined to the ground and first floors of the ground-plus-two (G+2) industrial building. Heavy smoke was observed billowing from the premises, raising concerns among nearby occupants and workers in the area. Massive firefighting operation deployed A significant firefighting operation was launched to contain the blaze. The deployment included eight fire engines, three aerial water tower tenders, four jumbo tankers, two water tankers, one breathing apparatus van, and three quick response vehicles. Senior fire officials, including a Divisional Fire Officer (DFO), two Assistant Divisional Fire Officers (ADFO), two Senior Station Officers, and four Station Officers, were present at the site to oversee operations. In addition to the fire brigade, personnel from the local police, the concerned electricity distribution company, emergency ambulance services, and BMC ward staff were mobilised to assist in firefighting and precautionary measures. Authorities confirmed that no injuries have been reported in the incident so far. (with PTI inputs)
29 March,2026 12:32 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentMumbai on Sunday morning woke up to clear skies with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting temperatures likely to touch 34 degrees Celsius on March 29. The weather is expected to remain largely pleasant across Mumbai. According to the weather department, the city is expected to experience mainly clear skies throughout the day, providing stable weather conditions for residents. Such conditions are typical during this time of the year when humidity remains moderate and skies stay largely cloud-free. The maximum temperature in Mumbai is expected to be around 34 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may settle at approximately 23 degrees Celsius, the IMD said in its morning weather bulletin. AQI in Mumbai Despite the rising heat, Mumbai’s air quality has improved over the week. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sameer app, Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was on Sunday recorded 'Satisfactory' at 10:05 pm and stood at 52. A health impact message stated, "Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people." AQI recorded in parts of the city Bandra Kurla Complex: 41 (Satisfactory) Borivali East: 56 (Satisfactory) Byculla: 53 (Satisfactory) Malad West: 66 (Satisfactory) Deonar: 69 (Satisfactory) Colaba: 51 (Satisfactory) Meanwhile, the air quality was recorded as 'Satisfactory' in Thane which reported an AQI at 68 on Sunday morning. In Kalyan AQI was recorded at 74 (Satisfactory), and in Navi Mumbai at 62 was also in 'Satisfactory' category. Thunderstorms and rains likely in parts of Maharashtra from March 30 Meanwhile, the IMD predicted a fresh spell of cloudy weather and thunderstorms is expected in parts of Maharashtra from March 30, with rain likely in several regions. According to the weather department, on March 30, areas including Khandesh, Marathwada, West Vidarbha and parts of central Maharashtra’s ghat regions may witness thunderstorms, gusty winds, rain and possible hail in some places. Other parts of Vidarbha may also see changes in weather conditions. The intensity of rainfall is likely to reduce slightly on March 31. However, unstable weather and scattered thunderstorms may continue in affected regions, the weather department stated. Rain activity to increase from April 1 It further said that between April 1 and 4, the rainfall activity is expected to increase again, with cloudy skies, afternoon thunderstorms and chances of hailstorms in parts of central Maharashtra, Khandesh, Marathwada and Vidarbha.
29 March,2026 10:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer Raymond Group chairman Vijaypat Singhania passed away in Mumbai on Saturday evening at the age of 87, his family confirmed, reported the PTI. His son, Gautam Singhania, who is the current chairman and managing director of the group, announced the news on social media. “With profound grief and deep sorrow, we inform the passing of Padma Bhushan Dr Vijaypat Kailashpat Singhania,” wrote Gautam Singhania. He described his father as a “visionary leader, philanthropist, and an inspiring personality, whose legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations”. A company spokesperson said Singhania passed away peacefully, and his last rites will be held on Sunday, as per the PTI. Vijaypat Singhania, a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, led the Raymond Group for nearly two decades until 2000. He was also a passionate aviator and held a world record for achieving the highest altitude in a hot air balloon. RIP. Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/nGtOGAEtHt — Gautam Singhania (@SinghaniaGautam) March 28, 2026 69,000 feet in a hot air balloon In November 2005, the then-67 year old Singhania created a world record by ascending to approximately 69,000 feet in a hot air balloon. Before that, in 1988, he had set a speed-over-time endurance record for microlight aircraft by flying solo from London to New Delhi over 23 days. In addition, the Indian Air Force appointed him as an Honorary Air Commodore in 1994, and he was named Sheriff of Mumbai in 2006. Funeral Vijaypat Singhania's funeral will be held at Chandanwadi cremation in Mumbai on Sunday. “Family and friends are requested to assemble at 1.30 pm at Haveli, L. D. Ruparel Marg on Sunday," the X post by Gautam stated. Succession After stepping down, he handed over leadership of the company to his son Gautam and transferred his entire 37 per cent stake in the firm, according to the PTI. His contribution to industry and the nation was recognised with an honorary PhD from the London Institute of Technology, Research, and the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2006, according to the PTI. Vijaypat and Gautam Singhania were embroiled in legal disputes some years back, but they were reported to have settled the issues, the news agency reported. (with PTI and IANS inputs)
29 March,2026 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTo address fire safety amid the spurt of highrises across Maharashtra, the Government of Maharashtra’s Urban Development Department on March 13, 2026, issued a Government Resolution directing all municipal corporations to upgrade their resources to fight highrise fires. As the first go-to solution, the state government has directed all municipal corporations to have at least one tall ladder in every fire station. But will procuring ladders be enough to put out fires in the city that has nowhere to go but up, resulting in buildings that climb up to 80 floors? The new ladders, too, can only go up to approximately 35 floors. Like the old adage goes, it takes money to stretch your arms in Mumbai. This is also the reason why Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had little to no choice in approving buildings as high as 250 meters in height. And this is also why the Mumbai Fire Brigade is considering procurement of a 104 m ladder for fire fighting. At present, the tallest ladder in Mumbai is 90 metres tall, which can scale up to 30 floors during fire rescue operations. Experts have noted that taller ladders are not the only solution to fighting highrise fires. With an annual budget exceeding Rs 150 crore over the past three years, leading to the Mumbai Fire Brigade has the resources and continues to upgrade them periodically to fight highrise fires. An official said, “Even a 104m ladder will be able to tackle fires up to only 35 floors. So we have to have other robust mechanisms to fight high rise fires on taller floors.” Moreover, the height of tall buildings is not the only challenging aspect of fire safety in highrise buildings in Mumbai. An official said, “Every fire starts out small but the response time is important to contain the fire. In such a case, the first responders are usually the occupants of the building themselves. They also serve as an operational internal fire fighting system.” Pro active residents: Need of the hour A senior official of the Mumbai Fire Brigade said, “We have mooted the proposal to procure a 104m turn table ladder to fight fires in Mumbai. A decision will be taken about its procurement and tenders will be floated after studying all aspects, such as availability of open spaces around buildings and feasibility of its use. There is no doubt that Mumbai needs a tall ladder. Their present tallest ladder in Mumbai is 90 metres.” Another official said, “Even a 104m ladder will be able to reach up to only 35 or 40 floors. So we depend on the highrise building’s fire fighting system for response. However, in several cases we have noticed the fire fighting system is not operational and maintained.” 2200Number of under construction buildings in Mumbai High rise Height: Between 60 and 80 floors*BMC official from Development Plan Department 104 MThe height of the new ladders Vilas Nagalkar Expertspeak Vilas Nagalkar, Mumbai-based architect, who is a member of Practising Engineers, Architects and Town Planners Association (PEATA) “There are two main challenges in fire response and rescue for highrises: . The fire escape area is often encroached by occupants. . Interior decorators tend to make structural changes to a flat’s internal fire-fighting system, making it ineffective in case of any emergency. Both these things should be avoided.” “Several changes in the way a building is now constructed from a fire safety point of view have helped. Provisions have now been made to change the elevation of the corridor and fire evacuation lift. The lift is now constructed at a higher elevation, after it was noted that water pumped by the fire brigade from windows seeps through the door of the flat into the common area, clogging the fire evacuation lift. There are up to four instructions to prevent spreading of a fire from a household into the common area, and subsequently, the evacuation area, which are all in the form of fire-retardant doors.” Challenges with response time: According to recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affair’s standing fire advisory council, the fire brigade’s response time should be five minutes in urban areas, and up to 20 minutes in rural areas. The fire brigade upgraded its infrastructure and constructed mini fire stations to bridge the gap between main fire stations. It also procured several mini fire tenders for quick response. Challenges with infrastructure: The 104m ladder has a width of 17 m and a turn radius of 24 to 28m, which can prove challenging to deploy in some cases because of road construction work, narrow roads, and parked cars taking up space. Case study: There was a fire in Beaumonde Towers in Worli in 2018. A former official of the Mumbai Fire Brigade pointed out that despite having the 90 m ladder handy, the fire brigade could not use it above 30 floors. The former official said, “There was no space for the vehicle to turn. We realised the podium was getting in the way, and the podium itself would not have the load-bearing capacity to support the vehicle.” Average response time of Mumbai Fire Brigade Anywhere above 2 to 7 minutes after emergency call, without traffic Mumbai Fire Brigade’s budget (over 3 years) 2026-27 Rs 230.9 crore (allocated)2025-26 Rs 111.68 crore (revised)2024-25 Rs 159.91 crore (revised) What does the internal fire fighting system consist of? 1) Turn table ladders of 64 metres, 40 metres, 32 metres, 30 metres 2) Mumbai’s tallest turn table ladder of 90 metres height (upto 30 floors of a building)3) Fire-fighting robots imported from France4) Mini water tenders with water mist technology to tackle fires in densely populated and slum areas with narrow roads5) Quick response vehicles Procurement plan(2026-27) 1) Five new high-rise fire-fighting vehicles 2) Four more first response vehicles, especially commissioned by the fire brigade which have a hydraulic platform of 24 metres tall 3) Eleven of first response fire engines with advance technology which can deliver water vertically upto 250 metres4) Four support vehicles with high pressure water pumps and lighting arrangement What does the GR say? “Maharashtra is undergoing rapid urbanisation. As per the national standards, due to the shortage of fire stations, fire and rescue vehicles and trained manpower required for fire fighting services, the response time for fire fighting and rescue work is maximum five minutes in urban areas and 20 minutes in rural areas.”
29 March,2026 08:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MS…The real work finally begins. After this paper reported on frequent accidents and crawling traffic near Bandra’s Lucky junction that was caused by metal sheets laid out on the road to cover water pipeline work underground, the BMC has finally removed the sheets. While this means traffic on the busy stretch now has to be diverted, causing yet more traffic, the good news is that work on the pipeline is on in full swing. With any luck, traffic movement should be back to normal in a few days.
29 March,2026 08:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Shadab KhanADVERTISEMENT
