Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the implementation of a ‘Cluster Model’ for the redevelopment of slums in the Malwani area in Mumbai, an official statement said on Saturday. He stated that surveys of slums in Ambujwadi, Dadasaheb Gaikwad Nagar, and Rajiv Gandhi Nagar should be completed as soon as possible, it said. State Housing Minister Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar and MLA Aslam Shaikh attended the meeting, along with senior officials from MHADA, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The meeting included a presentation by MHADA Vice President Sanjeev Jaiswal, the statement said. Complete surveys of slums under their respective jurisdictions: CM CM Fadnavis stated that MHADA and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority should complete surveys of slums under their respective jurisdictions and submit a consolidated report. Areas facing legal issues will be handled separately, while redevelopment-ready locations will be prioritised. He added that using the ‘Cluster Model’ will ensure faster completion of redevelopment projects across the Malwani region, it said. The Malwani redevelopment scheme includes -- total area of 641 acres (state, MHADA, municipal, and private land), slum area of 565.98 acres, open land area of 75.02 acres and estimated slum dwellings around 14,000. Post-redevelopment, Malwani will become slum-free, the officials said. Shiv Sena MLA terms CM Fadnavis 'Metro Man', Eknath Shinde 'Housing Man' Shiv Sena MLA Manisha Kayande praised Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the Legislative Council for his role in housing reforms. She said, "Just as Devendra Fadnavis is known as the 'Metro Man,' Eknath Shinde is the 'Housing Man' of Maharashtra for solving housing issues in the state." MLA Kayande highlighted Shinde’s initiatives, including the redevelopment of pagdi and cess buildings, solutions to the long-standing funnel zone issue, promotion of cluster development in Mumbai, and making CIDCO homes more affordable. She said that these measures have helped resolve housing problems for lakhs of people across the state. Eknath Shinde had also announced a separate set of rules for pagdi buildings, an integrated slum redevelopment scheme for 50-acre or larger land parcels, and steps to expedite stalled building projects due to funnel zones. These measures aim to provide long-awaited housing solutions for lakhs of residents across Mumbai.
13 December,2025 11:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway organised the Matheran Station Mahotsav on Saturday as part of the celebrations for completing 118 years of train services. "The event celebrated the 118-year legacy of the Matheran Light Railway," said an official statement. A grand exhibition was held at Matheran station, featuring both physical and digital displays, providing visitors with insights into the history and heritage of the line, it said. Heritage items in exhibition Original heritage and existing rolling stock, including Steam Loco 794B, 4-Wheeler Bogie Flat Rail (BFR) wagon, DHR bogie, and Matheran Light Railway bogie. Heritage items such as station staff badges, pointsmen belts, hand bells, wooden cash boxes, measuring scales, signalling lamps, oil cans, and water tumblers. Visitors experienced virtual tour of the Neral-Matheran line. Pic/Special Arrangement Virtual tour of the Neral-Matheran line using VR Oculus glasses offering 360-degree visuals. Memorabilia including diaries, coffee mugs, T-shirts, and key chains were available as souvenirs. The exhibition, open from 10:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs, drew over 200 visitors, including passengers, tourists, vacationers, and local residents. Neral-Matheran Light Railway's history and services Construction of the Neral-Matheran Narrow Gauge line began in 1904 and opened to traffic in 1907. Central Railway operates trains on the winding line from Neral to Matheran. The line is closed during monsoons for safety, but shuttle services between Aman Lodge and Matheran have been running since 29 September 2012. Currently, Central Railway runs -- 4 daily services between Neral-Matheran-Neral, 16 services between Aman Lodge-Matheran-Aman Lodge (12 daily and 4 special weekend services). In November 2025, a total of 38,164 passengers travelled on these routes, generating Rs. 29.18 lakhs in revenue. Central Railway has introduced refurbished coaches. Pic/Special Arrangement Upgraded coaches enhance passenger experience Central Railway has introduced refurbished coaches with improved interiors including vintage colour scheme on the exterior, wooden-finish false ceilings and interior panels, PVC flooring replaced with wooden finish, Rexine leather seats in brown and luggage rakes in first-class coaches. These upgrades aim to provide a comfortable and scenic ride, allowing passengers to enjoy the natural beauty of Matheran while riding the famous toy train. Promoting tourism By improving facilities and promoting the heritage railway, Central Railway is enhancing the tourist experience and contributing to the local economy, offering both tourism and employment opportunities.
13 December,2025 09:45 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis will lay the foundation stone for a new exotic bird park in Mumbai's Mulund area on Sunday at 5.30 pm, civic officials said. The chief minister will lay the foundation stone virtually, they said. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will develop a modern, international-standard Exotic Bird Park at Nahur in Mulund (West) to create a new tourist attraction for citizens and visitors. On the occasion, the new building of Shrimati Mansadevi Tulsiram Agarwal General Hospital in Mulund (West) will also be inaugurated, an official statement said. Plan for the exotic bird park project The bird park is being developed under the guidance of BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr Avinash Dhakane, the official statement said. The project will be built on a 17,139.64 sq metre plot owned by the BMC. Of this, around 10,859 sq metres will be used for specialised aviaries for exotic birds. The remaining area will include ticket counters, public toilets, a souvenir shop, a cafe and underground parking, it said. Officials said that the park will help raise awareness about birds, wildlife and environmental conservation, while also generating revenue for the civic body. Rare birds and natural habitats The BMC said that the bird park will feature 24 separate habitats, designed to recreate natural environments. Visitors will be able to see rare and colourful birds from across the world in spacious and secure aviaries. The park will be divided into themed zones representing Australia, Africa, the Americas and special pheasant zones. Species on display will include Galah cockatoos, Eclectus parrots, Sun conures, Golden conures, Senegal parrots, Jardine parrots, ostriches, toucans, scarlet macaws, and golden and silver pheasants. Each enclosure will be tailored to the birds’ natural behaviour, supporting animal welfare and conservation. Facilities such as a bird hospital, quarantine area, bird kitchen and internal service roads are also planned. The park is expected to function not only as a tourist destination but also as an environmental education and biodiversity awareness centre. Revenue and sustainability plans According to Zoo Director Dr Sanjay Tripathi, the BMC plans to make the project self-sustaining through film and photography shoots, advertising, corporate sponsorships, bird and garden adoption schemes, souvenir shops and food outlets. New Mulund hospital building to improve healthcare The Shrimati Mansadevi Tulsiram Agarwal General Hospital, established in 1958, has been rebuilt after its old structures were declared unsafe in 2017. Construction of the new building began in 2019 at Kadampada, Mulund (West). The facility has a ground floor plus ten floors, built on a 9,712 sq metre plot, with a total construction area of 59,045 sq metres. The hospital’s capacity has increased to 470 beds, including 310 general beds and 160 super-speciality beds, which will be commissioned in phases. Phased medical services to begin soon In the first phase, 110 beds will be operational with services such as medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, ENT, ophthalmology, paediatrics, dermatology, dentistry, diabetes and hypertension clinics, and laboratory services. Further phases will add DNB specialist services, gynaecology and maternity care. Within six months, facilities such as CT scan, MRI, blood bank, dialysis, ICU and NICU will be introduced. Super-speciality services including cardiology, cardiac surgery, plastic surgery, nephrology and urology will be added in later stages.
13 December,2025 09:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday conducted a computerised online lottery for 426 housing units under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034. The draw was held at the BMC headquarters, an official statement said. During the lottery process, 373 applicants were declared successful, while 362 applicants were placed on the waiting list, it said. Successful applicants will soon get homes The BMC said that successful applicants will be informed by email, and they will be contacted for the next stage of document verification. Official letters will also be sent. Details of both successful applicants and those on the waiting list will be published on the BMC website. The lists will also be displayed on the information board at the extended building of the BMC headquarters from Monday, December 15, 2025, the statement said. Lottery for 296 more homes to be held soon The Mumbai civic body also announced that a fresh lottery for another 296 housing units will be conducted shortly under DCPR 2034. These homes are located across various parts of Mumbai. Further details regarding these housing units will be announced soon by the BMC, officials said. Online lottery held for persons with disabilities The statement further said that in addition to the housing draw, the BMC’s Markets Department conducted an online lottery for persons with disabilities under the 5 per cent reservation quota at municipal markets. The lottery was held for the allotment of business licences, stalls, shops and spaces. During the draw, 43 applicants were declared successful, and 43 applicants were placed on the waiting list. The information will be made available on the BMC website and after verification of required documents, market-wise licences and stalls will be allotted to the selected beneficiaries as per the approved policy, officials said. New burn care centre at KEM Hospital inaugurated Meanwhile, a newly renovated Burn Care Centre at Raja Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in central Mumbai's Parel area was inaugurated on Saturday, officials said. The upgraded centre now provides advanced treatment facilities for burn patients, including men, women and children, they said, adding that the centre has the capacity to treat 150-170 patients annually and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to improve patient care, an official statement said. The inauguration was attended by Dr Sangita Rawat, Superintendent of KEM Hospital, Dr Vinita Puri, Head of the Plastic Surgery Department, and other senior officials of the hospital.
13 December,2025 09:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe newly renovated Burn Care Centre at Raja Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in central Mumbai's Parel area was inaugurated on Saturday, officials said. The upgraded centre now provides advanced treatment facilities for burn patients, including men, women and children, they said. The centre has the capacity to treat 150-170 patients annually and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to improve patient care, an official statement said. The inauguration was attended by Dr Sangita Rawat, Superintendent of KEM Hospital, Dr Vinita Puri, Head of the Plastic Surgery Department, and other senior officials of the hospital. Focus on immediate and safe treatment The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhushan Gagrani, had previously directed the hospital to ensure timely and advanced treatment for burn patients. Additional safety measures to prevent infection were advised by the Additional Municipal Commissioner (West Suburbs). The centre’s objective is to provide medical care to needy patients under various government schemes, said Deputy Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Ugade. ЁЯФ╣рд░рд╛рдЬреЗ рдПрдбрд╡рд░реНрдб рд╕реНрдорд╛рд░рдХ (рдХреЗрдИрдПрдо) рд░реБрдЧреНрдгрд╛рд▓рдпрд╛рддреАрд▓ рдиреВрддрдиреАрдХрд░рдг рдХрд░рдгреНрдпрд╛рдд рдЖрд▓реЗрд▓реНрдпрд╛ рдЬрд│реАрдд рд░реБрдЧреНрдг рдЙрдкрдЪрд╛рд░ рдХреЗрдВрджреНрд░рд╛рдЪреЗ рд▓реЛрдХрд╛рд░реНрдкрдг рд╢реНрд░реА. рд╢реИрд▓реЗрд╢ рд▓рд┐рдордбреА рдпрд╛рдВрдЪреНрдпрд╛ рд╣рд╕реНрддреЗ рдЖрдЬ рдХрд░рдгреНрдпрд╛рдд рдЖрд▓реЗ. ЁЯФ╣рдХреЗрдИрдПрдо рд░реБрдЧреНрдгрд╛рд▓рдпрд╛рдЪреНрдпрд╛ рдЕрдзрд┐рд╖реНрдард╛рддрд╛ рдбреЙ. (рд╢реНрд░реАрдорддреА) рд╕рдВрдЧреАрддрд╛ рд░рд╛рд╡рдд, рд╕реБрдШрдЯрди рд╢рд▓реНрдпрдЪрд┐рдХрд┐рддреНрд╕рд╛ (рдкреНрд▓рд╛рд╕реНрдЯрд┐рдХ рд╕рд░реНрдЬрд░реА) рд╡рд┐рднрд╛рдЧ рдкреНрд░рдореБрдЦ рдбреЙ. рд╡рд┐рдиреАрддрд╛ рдкреБрд░реА… pic.twitter.com/GD5pY5FYU3 — рдорд╛рдЭреА Mumbai, рдЖрдкрд▓реА BMC (@mybmc) December 13, 2025 Advanced equipment for critical care The renovated facility now has 12 fully equipped beds, including intensive care units (ICU) with modern equipment such as ventilators, multiparameter monitors, dialysis machines, and other advanced tools to manage complications effectively. The centre also features specialised furniture, proper lighting, and televisions to help distract patients during painful treatments. A dedicated treatment room ensures immediate care, while controlled access to the facility maintains infection safety. Patient-centred Dr Vinita Puri emphasised that the Burn Care Centre is committed to providing safe, efficient and compassionate care. She noted that burns cause physical, emotional and social trauma, and the centre plays a vital role in offering both treatment and emotional support. The initiative is part of KEM Hospital’s ongoing efforts to develop infrastructure for advanced burn care and provide relief and hope to patients and their families, the official statement said. Meanwhile, the BMC, in a post on X stated that the renovated Burn Care Centre was formally inaugurated on December 13. The upgraded centre is equipped with modern medical facilities and advanced technology to provide improved treatment for burn patients. The BMC also said that the new centre has state-of-the-art medical infrastructure and treatment facilities.
13 December,2025 08:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA labourer was killed and another seriously injured when an old staircase collapsed during demolition work at Atgaon railway station on the Central Railway line in Thane district of Maharashtra, officials said. The incident took place on Friday, they said. The staircase gave way suddenly while workers were dismantling it, leading to the tragic incident. Labourer pulled out of the debris According to sources, one labourer was pulled out of the debris, while the second remained trapped. The injured worker, who sustained serious leg injuries, was shifted to Shahpur Sub-District Hospital for treatment. The collapsed staircase was carefully cut using gas cutters, after which the body of the deceased labourer was recovered. Probe to be launched Railway authorities are likely to investigate the cause of the collapse to prevent similar accidents in the future, sources said.
13 December,2025 08:10 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarWeeks after a new air-conditioned train was introduced from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai for Central Railway, another AC train has now been dispatched for Western Railway. A Western Railway official said, "One new underslung Medha air-conditioned rake has been dispatched from the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai for Western Railway and is currently in Villivakkam yard, siding no. 2." Boost to Mumbai local train services The addition of this new train is expected to increase services by 10 to 12 runs. Currently, Western Railway operates 109 AC EMU locals, while Central Railway operates 90 services. Plans for customised AC locals in Mumbai In addition to regular AC locals, Indian Railways has begun procuring customised local trains for Mumbai. Mid-day had earlier reported that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in March 2025, had approved the procurement of 238 air-conditioned Mumbai local trains for the city.
13 December,2025 07:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarTwo nearly 11-foot-long Indian Rock Pythons were rescued from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay in Powai on Saturday morning. The snakes were spotted outside the H14 boys’ hostel, causing concern among students and staff, officials said. Soon after the sighting, the students and institute staff informed Plants & Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) Mumbai. The rescue team reached the location within seven to eight minutes and safely handled the reptiles, they said. Large reptiles rescued According to Abhijit Chavan, a member of PAWS, the two pythons were very large. One weighed around 19 kg and the other about 17 kg. Both snakes were nearly 11-foot-long, an official statement said. After being rescued, the pythons underwent a medical check-up. The examination confirmed that both reptiles were in good health. Safe release into natural habitat Following the medical examination, the pythons were released into Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivali later the same morning. Officials said the park provides a safe and natural environment for the snakes to live freely.
13 December,2025 06:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarMaharashtra government has announced a step towards making Mumbai slum-free, with plans to implement cluster redevelopment projects on land parcels measuring 50 acres or more. The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the Legislative Council on Friday. Under the new plan, 17 large slum redevelopment projects have been selected in the first phase across different parts of Mumbai. These projects will be implemented under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) through a cluster redevelopment model, an official statement, issued by Shinde's office, said on Saturday. 17 locations selected in first phase The selected areas include Antop Hill, Krishna Nagar, Ketkipada (Borivali), Gopikrishna Nagar (Dahisar), Oshiwara, Govandi, Cheeta Camp (Trombay), Chembur, Tagore Nagar (Vikhroli), Vikhroli Parksite and Bhandup, among others. The projects are expected to benefit lakhs of slum residents and bring large-scale planned development to these areas, the statement said. Shinde said that the new policy focuses on redeveloping entire neighbourhoods instead of small, scattered SRA projects, helping improve living conditions and urban planning. Joint venture model for faster completion To ensure timely completion, the projects will be developed on a joint venture basis with support from government agencies such as MMRDA, CIDCO, MIDC, MSRDC, MHADA and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The policy received cabinet approval on 7 October 2025, followed by a government resolution issued on November 13 2025, the statement said. Relief measures for slum residents The statement further said that the Shinde also announced an extension of the SRA Abhay Scheme till December 31, 2026, providing relief to slum dwellers facing technical issues related to the sale or transfer of huts. He also extended the MHADA Abhay Scheme for Occupation Certificates (OC) by one year. Faster grievance redressal To speed up complaint resolution, Shinde announced that the number of Apex Grievance Redressal Committees (AGRCs) will be increased. Currently, over 2,100 cases related to SRA projects are pending. He also directed the BMC to introduce a new housing scheme for homes built by municipal employees on civic lease plots.
13 December,2025 04:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday announced 'Swachhta Manthan', a large-scale, almost a year-long, cleanliness competition that will held from January to December 2026 across the city. The initiative aims to make Mumbai cleaner and more beautiful by encouraging active participation from citizens, housing societies, institutions and private establishments, an official statement said. The competition is being organised by the Solid Waste Management Department of the BMC and offers total prize money of Rs 4.20 crore. Winners in each category will receive cash prizes and certificates, the Mumbai civic body official statement said. Wide range of categories The competition will be conducted across several categories, including clean administrative wards, clean residential complexes, clean slum areas, clean commercial establishments, clean hospitals (government and private), clean schools (government and private), clean restaurants, clean community toilets, clean roads and streets, clean gardens and open spaces, and clean market areas, the statement said. Special category for adopting and maintaining surrounding areas Each category will have prizes for first, second and third positions. The top prize for the clean administrative ward category will be Rs 50 lakh, while most other categories will offer prizes of up to Rs 15 lakh, the official statement said. Encouraging citizen and celebrity participation The BMC plans to encourage citizens and well-known personalities from films, sports and other fields to adopt areas and help maintain cleanliness. Housing societies are also encouraged to take responsibility for nearby public spaces. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have appealed to citizens and private organisations to participate in large numbers and support the goal of a clean and beautiful Mumbai. Actor Akshay Kumar has also expressed his willingness to actively support the initiative, the civic body statement said. Independent Evaluation and Awards The performance of participants will be assessed by an independent third-party agency. A grand award ceremony will be held in December 2026 in the presence of senior leaders and dignitaries. BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani has directed officials to implement the competition effectively across the city. Further details regarding application procedures and participation guidelines will be announced soon.
13 December,2025 04:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA minor garbage fire broke out in an open plot belonging to Mafatlal Company at Atkoneshwar Nagar in Kalwa East, Thane, on Saturday morning. The incident was reported to the Thane Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Management Cell at around 11:38 am Fire brigade personnel and disaster management staff rushed to the spot with a rescue vehicle and brought the blaze under control. The fire was completely extinguished by around 12:15 pm. No injuries were reported in the incident, and the situation is currently stable. Mumbai Fire Brigade to conduct special safety drive from Dec 22–28 ahead of New Year celebrations With large gatherings expected across Mumbai for New Year 2026 celebrations, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a week-long special fire safety campaign to ensure compliance and prevent fire-related incidents. The drive will be carried out by the Mumbai Fire Brigade between December 22 and 28 in hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, banquet halls, malls, and establishments that are likely to see high footfall. The initiative comes in the wake of the recent tragic Goa nightclub fire incident which claimed 25 lives. BMC said enhanced vigilance and stricter enforcement are essential to safeguard citizens during festive gatherings. The campaign will be conducted under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani and Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi. Dr Joshi said the Goa incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and adherence to fire safety measures. She added that Mumbai’s Fire Brigade is equipped to handle emergencies with advanced systems, equipment and trained personnel, but public awareness and preventive measures remain crucial to avoiding disasters. Last year, a similar special drive was undertaken, during which the Fire Brigade inspected 731 establishments across the city. Action was taken against 12 properties for failing to comply with fire safety norms under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006. The BMC noted that the inspections proved effective in preventing fire incidents at those locations. This year too, teams will inspect a wide range of establishments, including starred hotels, gyms, party halls, lodging and boarding facilities, crowded malls and popular restaurants. Strict action will be taken against those found violating mandatory safety norms. Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar said non-compliant establishments will face action under the provisions of the 2006 Act. He reiterated that adherence to fire safety conditions is compulsory for the safety of both patrons and property.
13 December,2025 01:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
