The Gopal Krishna Gokhale bridge at Andheri, which collapsed in July 2018, resulting in two deaths and three injuries, will fully open for traffic today. The bridge has been shut since November 2022 and partially operational since February 26, 2024. From Sunday evening after the inauguration, traffic of light motor vehicles will only be allowed initially and the movement of heavy vehicles will start at a later date after removal of height barricades. Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar will inaugurate the second phase of the bridge on Sunday evening. Gokhale Bridge awaits its opening, as finishing touches are put by workers and by artists from the NGO Project Mumbai. Pics/Satej Shinde Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar confirmed the update with mid-day. “The bridge will open from Sunday. For heavy vehicles movement we need to discuss with the traffic police, as there is a need to remove height barriers,” Bangar said. Although the bridge will fully open on Sunday, the road along with the bridge which connects the station road on the East side is still under construction. An official said, “One side of the road toward the station will open this week, but other side of the road towards Telli Gully will take time to complete.” Artwork to create awareness The BMC gave permission to the NGO Project Mumbai to paint the walls of the bridge. The theme is Mumbai, as well as awareness about traffic regulation like using car seatbelts, wearing helmet while riding two-wheelers, and no drinking and driving. When mid-day went to the site we found that the wall painting was undergoing. The artists said that the work would be completed by inauguration. Slow construction and delays According to the plan, the work of the bridge was first supposed to be completed in 2023. But due to the change in design, strike in steel plant, heavy rain in Haryana where girder fabrication plant is located, the work was delayed. The first phase of the project opened in February 2024. The second phase was to open by April 2025. Mismatch in alignment Even after completing the first phase, the woes of the bridge did not end — there was a height difference of around 6ft between the old C D Barfiwala connector and new Gokhale bridge. In figures The cost of the project is around R 160 crore total. The length of the bridge is 510 metres. The length of the railway is 90 metres. The weight of the 90-metre girder is 1300 metric tonnes. Mahua Dutta, Parag Motani and Dhaval Shah New bottleneck The work on the JVPD flyover is beginning, and there are barricades at the start of the Barfiwala connector on Juhu Galli in Andheri West. This is creating a bottleneck. What they say Dhaval Shah, founder of Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizen forum, said, “Gokhale bridge is testament of public and BMC partnership with hundreds joining together to ensure the critical infrastructure gets completed in time and good quality which will last long, several recommendations like cat eyes, direction boards, reflective tapes accepted and numerous joint meetings which brought transparency and confidence amongst residents.” Shah added, “Although work was delayed due to the various reason, now motorists will get relief in the monsoon.” Another resident of Andheri East said, “As the part of the bridge opened we got relife, but during peak hours the bottleneck was created at the exit of the bridge. After the opening of the full bridge traffic congestion at the exit of the bridge at the West side will reduce.” Residents want BEST routes Four routes of BEST buses will be diverted in 2022 as the bridge shuts down for traffic. Even after the opening of the first phase of the bridge in 2024 the BEST route did not restored as the heavy vehicles from the bridge are restricted. As the full bridge is opening, residents of Andheri demanding BEST should immediately start bus service from the bridge. “Restarting the buses will help people save from their overstretched monthly budget and valuable time in daily commute to work”, said Parag Motani, resident of Versova. “Currently many had no option for travel due to absence of Public transport now it will help many like me to explore Best bus and save time and money, said Abhijeet Sonone, resident of Andheri. “Scores of students who study in west side colleges and school along with office goers will benefit from reopening of bus routes,” said Mahua Dutta, resident of Andheri West.
11 May,2025 11:51 PM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveThe newly built Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge in Mumbai's Andheri was officially inaugurated on Sunday, May 11, 2025 by Maharashtra’s IT and Cultural Affairs Minister and Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister, Ashish Shelar. At the inauguration ceremony, Shelar praised the engineers, workers, and experts from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), saying the bridge is an “exceptional example of engineering.” He added that the new bridge would significantly boost Mumbai’s development and ease traffic congestion between the eastern and western parts of the city. Gokhale Bridge was constructed using modern pre-fabricated technology, anti-corrosion steel, and special vibration-absorbing joints. Despite the scale of the project, railway traffic continued uninterrupted during construction. The new bridge is expected to provide a safer, quicker, and more comfortable commute for residents, a statement issued by the BMC said on Sunday. MP Ravindra Waikar, MLAs Amit Satam and Murji Patel, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, Deputy Commissioner (Infrastructure) Shashank Bhore, and Chief Engineer (Bridges) Uttam Shrote attended the inaugural event, it said. Bangar stated that the Gokhale Bridge is now fully operational and will help decongest traffic from Santacruz to Goregaon. MLA Amit Satam noted that the bridge was completed in just 28 months due to effective coordination between the BMC and Indian Railways. The BMC statement said that despite delays in installing the steel girders, the project was completed by April 30, 2025. It said that the BMC’s bridge department is working to open three flyovers before the monsoon: Gokhale (already opened), Vikhroli by May 31, and Carnac Bridge by June 10. The department is focusing on both speed and quality, with priority given to minimising public inconvenience during ongoing infrastructure work, Bangar said. Key details of the Gokhale Bridge: - The total length of the bridge is 511 metres, with a width of 27 metres. It includes three lanes on each side and footpaths on both ends - The portion of the bridge over the railway tracks is 90 metres long and supported by RCC piers. Two steel girders, each weighing 1,300 metric tonnes, have been installed, the BMC said - The approach roads within the BMC limits cover 421 metres--231 metres on the eastern side and the remaining on the western side. These roads include solid approaches and multiple spans, along with concrete deck slabs and asphalting "From Sunday evening, traffic of light motor vehicles will only be allowed initially and the movement of heavy vehicles will start at a later date after removal of height barricades," the officials said.
11 May,2025 11:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Reay Road bridge in Mumbai will be inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at an official ceremony on May 13 evening. From the site, another road overbridge above railway lines at Titwala will also be opened remotely. The event will take place at at 7 pm on Tuesday. Reay Road bridge is city’s first cable-stayed road overbridge and has been one of the fastest to be completed, as the older one was demolished in February 2022 and the new one completed in December 2024 within a period of two years. It had, however, to wait nearly six months for inauguration. The new bridge has six lanes and a footpath for pedestrians. “The construction work of this cable-stayed bridge was started on Valentine’s Day 2022 and has been completed within two years. The new bridge is part of a city-wide project to upgrade old bridges. Century-old British-era bridges have been taken up for reconstruction by the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC), or Maharail, under an agreement with the BMC and railways, as their life span has almost come to an end,” an official said. “The aim is to rebuild the old bridges into cable-stayed bridges without causing any hindrance to traffic, in such a way that a new bridge is constructed adjacent to the old one, which is then demolished for the construction of the new bridge. Once completed, the cable-stayed bridges shall be an iconic symbol of Mumbai,” he added. Accordingly, along with Reay Road, construction is in full swing at Byculla, Dadar, and Ghatkopar. The cable-stayed road overbridge at Reay Road is completed and ready for commissioning. “The bridge structures will allow traffic movement through the underpass of Barrister Nath Pai Road and will also maintain the required vertical clearance for the passage of vehicles under the Eastern Freeway as per Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards. The new cable-stayed road overbridge will also add aesthetic appeal to the world-class heritage structure. Additionally, MRIDC has designed architectural LED lighting for the proposed bridge, which will enhance the aesthetic appeal, and has also incorporated a bridge health monitoring system to improve safety parameters,” he added. Construction started on 14.02.2022 Estimated cost of the project: Rs 273 crore Length of road bridge: 385 m with two down ramps Number of lanes: 6 lanes Total project length: approximately 1.52 km
11 May,2025 11:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe newly inaugurated Mumbai Metro Aqua Line-3 (Aarey JVLR-Acharya Atre Chowk) on Day 2 recorded a ridership of 32,725 till 8 pm on Sunday. On Saturday, a total ridership of 32,791 was recorded on the day 1 after the new metro line's inauguration. Of this, 16,377 commuters travelled on the extended stretch from Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Acharya Atrey Chowk (Worli Naka). Previously, the Aqua Line, Mumbai Metro Line 3, operated only on the suburban stretch from JVLR Aarey to BKC, which was inaugurated last year. The Aqua Line-3, which is Mumbai's first underground metro rail, entered the Island city on Friday, negotiating the path deep under the Mithi River, and was extended from BKC to Worli. The underground corridor will provide metro connectivity to offices in the Worli, Lower Parel, and Prabhadevi areas from BKC, the biggest business hub in the city. It will also ease the commute to Siddhivinayak and Shitaladevi temples, Mahim Dargah, and recreational places such as Shivaji Park and Ravindra Natya Mandir. The trains on the Mumbai Metro-3 operate between 6.30 am and 10.30 pm at a headway of six minutes and 20 seconds. On Sundays, the trains will run from 8.30 am to 10.30 pm. The stations between Kotak BKC and Acharya Atre Chowk include Dharavi, Sitaladevi, Dadar, Siddhivinayak and Worli.
11 May,2025 10:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Maharashtra transport ministry on Sunday formally announced the permanent closure of border check posts and said they had sent a positive report to the government. Known for being hubs of corruption, transporters, who had pushed for their closure, welcomed the decision. "In line with the directives of the Central Government and in line with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, the Maharashtra Government has decided to permanently close all the Motor Transport Border Check Posts (RTO border check posts) in the state. The aim of this decision is to smoothen inter-state traffic and remove obstacles in the movement of commercial vehicles," Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. Sarnaik further said the original purpose of these border check posts, which were established in the year 1966, was to control the movement of vehicles, ensure compliance with transport rules and collect road tax. "After the implementation of GST and the progress made in digital implementation measures, the need for these border check posts, which were established for physical inspection, is no longer there. In this regard, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had directed the Transport Department of Maharashtra. Accordingly, a positive report has been sent to the Chief Minister after eliminating the administrative errors. After his approval, the check posts on the state border will be closed," he said. Transporters welcome decision “We welcome this long-awaited and much-needed decision by the Maharashtra Government. It is the result of our persistent follow-up, multiple representations, and continuous pursuit at every level and forum. The permanent closure of RTO border check posts will greatly benefit the road transport sector, reduce corruption and delays, and align Maharashtra with the progressive vision of digital and seamless transport operations. We sincerely appreciate the state government’s action and now look forward to the formal announcement by the Chief Minister at the earliest,” Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor & Former President, All India Motor Transport Congress told mid-day. "The landmark decision comes in response to repeated appeals and follow-ups by transport unions, stakeholders, and the central government. The move aims to eliminate bottlenecks in interstate transportation, enhance road safety, and implement a paperless, technology-driven monitoring system in line with the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ framework," he added.
11 May,2025 07:01 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Sunday said that it has drawn a traffic decongestion plan for Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and suggested wider roads, one-way traffic system, etc. The MMRDA suggested that some changes needs to be implemented to improve traffic flow in the BKC, one of Mumbai’s busiest commercial and financial hubs. Every day, nearly 2 lakh employees and 4 lakh visitors travel to BKC that spread across 370 hectares, traffic congestion—especially during peak hours—has emerged as a pressing challenge, it said. Due to the shutdown of the Sion bridge, most of the traffic has been diverted towards BKC, MMRDA said. While the BKC lanes are designed for smaller vehicles, heavy vehicles such as trucks and multi-capacity transporters are now being routed through this stretch, leading to increased congestion. To tackle this situation, both short-term and long-term measures are being implemented, it said, adding that to deal with this, MMRDA has developed a detailed traffic management plan based on current and future traffic growth, public feedback, and expert studies. The plan has been approved in a recent meeting led by the MMRDA Chairman and will be carried out in partnership with the Mumbai Traffic Police. Converting Cycle Tracks into Traffic Lanes Several underutilised cycle tracks across BKC will be repurposed into vehicular lanes to expand existing road widths. This conversion is projected to increase traffic capacity by 600–900 vehicles per lane. Supporting infrastructure such as streetlights, signboards, trees, bus stops, and landscaped elements will be relocated to the footpaths to facilitate the expansion. Benefits of Cycle Track Removal As part of this initiative, the existing carriageway will be widened by removing the cycle track, increasing lane capacity from 2+2 lanes to 3+3 lanes—an overall 50% increase. This enhancement is expected to reduce peak-hour travel time from 25 minutes to 15 minutes, saving 10 minutes, which represents a 40% reduction in travel time. As a result, the average waiting time at signals or bottlenecks will decrease from 10 minutes to 7 minutes, saving 3 minutes—a 30% reduction in waiting time. This reduction in idling time will also lower carbon emissions. Based on a petrol car emitting approximately 170 grams of CO₂ per kilometre, and considering a 2.3 km effective time-distance saving at an average speed of 40 km/h, CO₂ emissions during waiting time are expected to drop by 30%—from 1,133 grams to 793 grams per vehicle. The proposed transformations include: Existing 2+2 lane (7m + 7m) with 2.7m cycle track → Expanded to 3+3 lane (9.7m + 9.7m) Existing 2+2 lane (7m + 7m) with 1.5m cycle track → Expanded to 3+3 lane (8.5m + 8.5m) Existing 1+1 lane (3.5m + 3.5m) with 1.5m cycle track → Expanded to 2+2 lane (5.0m + 5.0m) Implementation of One-Way Traffic System in BKC To streamline internal vehicular movement and reduce congestion in the busiest sections of BKC, a one-way traffic system will be implemented in BKC. This solution, backed by expert recommendations and traffic studies, is expected to significantly enhance traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks. The MMRDA said, "Through the MMRDA's strategic plan, we are enhancing BKC's infrastructure by expanding roads and implementing a one-way traffic system. These measures will significantly reduce congestion, improve travel times, and make BKC more efficient and accessible for commuters. This decision is the result of careful consideration of BKC’s growing economic importance and increasing footfall."
11 May,2025 05:31 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentIn a bid to increase its revenue and passenger capacity on its buses, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will bring back the 3x2 seating arrangement after more than 15 years, officials said on Sunday, reported news agency PTI. Earlier this week, the transport body's board approved the purchase of 3,000 new buses with conventional 3x2 seating instead of the existing 2x2 arrangement in ordinary buses, they said, reported PTI. Talking to PTI, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the 3x2 seating will bring more revenue to the corporation and give the passengers a comfortable ride, especially in rural areas. "Earlier, there were 52-55 seats in a bus, but now that number has come down to 40. So automatically, the requirement for buses went up, but the income per trip dropped. Hence, we decided to reintroduce 3x2 buses in the fleet," Pratap Sarnaik told PTI. According to officials, this is a significant development, as it will help the loss-making corporation generate more revenue and enable it to carry more passengers per bus. With a fleet of around 15,000, including around 12,500 ordinary buses, the MSRTC is the largest state transport corporation in the country. Officials pointed out that the ordinary buses of state transport corporations in neighbouring states still follow the 3x2 seating arrangement, and even the semi-luxury buses of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have this layout, reported PTI. An MSRTC official said Minister Sarnaik visited the KSRTC and GSRTC with senior officials, learnt the economics of seating arrangements in ordinary buses and decided to reintroduce the 3x2 format. "Passengers were forced to travel standing in the gangway. At least they now will get a place to sit and travel comfortably," he said, reported PTI. He said the number of women and elderly passengers increased significantly since the state government made travel free for senior citizens and gave a 50 per cent concession to women, reported PTI. The official said around 2008, the corporation decided to change the seating format and the iconic yellow-red colour scheme and rebranded its ordinary buses as "Parivartan" (transformation) by introducing a 2x2 seating arrangement. As these buses were more spacious and comfortable, they became popular among passengers. Officials said while the 2x2 seating arrangement provided comfort, especially on urban routes, with features like hand rests, a wider gangway, etc., passengers on crowded rural or semi-urban routes were dissatisfied, reported PTI. With the 3x2 seating arrangement, the seats and gangway may feel a bit congested, but passengers are more likely to get a seat during their journey, as the number of seats in 11-metre-long ordinary buses will increase from 40 to 50, they said, reported PTI. A senior official said the corporation has already floated a tender for 3x2 seat ordinary buses, and a pre-bid meeting has happened. He said it would take a few months for these buses to hit the streets of Maharashtra. "These buses will be effective on short and medium short-distance routes," the official said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
11 May,2025 03:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court has emphasised that the principle of bail is the rule, and refusal is an exception, saying detaining a prisoner for a long period without trial amounts to "pre-trial punishment", reported news agency PTI. A bench of Justice Milind Jadhav on May 9 also took note of overcrowded jails in the state, and said the courts need to strike a balance. The bench made the observations while granting bail to one Vikas Patil, arrested for allegedly killing his brother in 2018. Justice Jadhav noted that trials are nowadays taking perpetuity to conclude, and prisons were simultaneously overcrowded in some segments. The bench said it regularly deals with cases where undertrial prisoners have been in custody for a long period and is equally aware of the conditions of the prisons. Justice Jadhav referred to a December 2024 report from the superintendent of the Arthur Road Jail, which stated that the facility was overcrowded beyond its sanctioned capacity by more than six times. It noted that every barrack sanctioned to house only 50 inmates, as of date, has anywhere between 220 to 250 inmates. "Such an incongruity leads us to answer the proposition: How can courts find a balance between the two polarities?" Justice Jadhav remarked, reported PTI. The court said these are cases concerning the liberty of undertrial prisoners who have been incarcerated for long periods, impacting their constitutional right to speedy justice and personal liberty. The principle rule is bail is the rule, and refusal is the exception, it said. Justice Jadhav referred to an article written by two undertrial prisoners, "Proof of Guilt", which raised the question of the long incarceration of persons awaiting trial. He said while mere long incarceration cannot be an absolute proposition for bail, it was an important issue that needed consideration along with the right to a speedy trial. The paradox in the question raised in the article as to how long is too long a period of incarceration until the right to a speedy trial is defeated is relevant prima facie, and there cannot be one definite answer, the court remarked. Detaining an undertrial prisoner for a long period only served to legitimise the award of "surrogate punishment" without trial, which amounts to pre-trial punishment, the court said, reported PTI. The bench also called for a change in the mindset and approach of the prosecution and referred to how prosecutors vehemently oppose bail pleas even in cases of long incarceration pending trial under the mistaken impression that the crime was serious, and hence, bail should not be granted. "The overarching postulate of criminal jurisprudence that an accused is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty cannot be brushed aside lightly, however stringent the law may be," Justice Jadhav said, reported PTI. The court noted that in the present case, the accused has been in jail for over six years, and there is no distinct possibility of the trial to start or conclude in the near foreseeable future. (With inputs from PTI)
11 May,2025 03:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra government has decided to permanently shut down all Motor Transport Border Check Posts across the state, aligning with the Centre’s directives and the nationwide implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The move is intended to streamline interstate commercial vehicle movement, reduce logistical delays, and transition to a paperless transport system. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik confirmed the development on Sunday, stating that the decision marks a significant shift in the state’s approach to road transport regulation. “Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier urged us to phase out the border check posts. Similarly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated the need for their closure during the foundation ceremony of the Chief Transport Commissioner’s office,” Sarnaik said. He also noted that the State Transport Union has long advocated for the removal of these posts. Check posts rendered obsolete Initially established in 1966, the check posts were designed to monitor vehicle movement, enforce transport laws, and collect road taxes. However, with GST replacing the need for many state-level levies and the advent of advanced digital tracking systems, these physical checkpoints have become redundant. Following the Centre’s guidance, the state’s Transport Department submitted a favorable report to the Chief Minister’s Office, clearing the last remaining administrative hurdles. Final approval from the CM is awaited, after which all check posts will officially cease operations. Rs 504 crore compensation to private partner As part of this transition, the government will compensate Main Adani Pvt. Ltd., the private firm contracted to develop and manage the state’s Integrated Check Post (ICP) project. The compensation package, amounting to Rs 504 crore, will cover the termination of the project, which had integrated transport and customs functions at the border posts. “A proposal for the compensation has been sent to the Chief Minister. Once approved, the infrastructure and technology assets of the ICP will be handed over to the Transport Department,” Sarnaik said. Digital oversight to replace manual checks A committee led by the Transport Commissioner evaluated the implications of removing physical checkpoints. The panel concluded that modern electronic surveillance systems are capable of monitoring compliance, improving efficiency, and minimizing corruption. With this move, Maharashtra will join 18 other states that have already transitioned to a digital, paperless transport governance model in line with the Union Government’s 'Ease of Doing Business' initiative. “This reform will not only simplify logistics for transporters but also improve road safety and bring greater transparency to our transport administration,” Sarnaik added.
11 May,2025 02:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCivil Defence of Maharashtra recently conducted mock drills as part of the nationwide exercise, even though the agency has been grappling with manpower crunch and inadequate training equipment, reported news agency PTI. Realising the key role of civil defence amid the military confrontation between India and Pakistan, the government is trying to strengthen the agency by resolving issues ranging from paltry daily allowance to inadequate sirens and ambulances. With the spotlight on civil defence, a course will be introduced in the engineering college syllabus from the upcoming academic year, a senior Maharashtra government official said. The Directorate of Civil Defence and the University of Mumbai recently signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU), finalising the inclusion of the Civil Defence course in the academic curriculum, Director of Civil Defence Prabhat Kumar told PTI. This course will be taught in all engineering colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai and will carry a weightage of 25 marks. "Students who wish to serve the nation while pursuing their education will get an opportunity through this course," Kumar told PTI, adding that students will be trained in rescue operations and saving lives during emergencies. They will also be prepared to work alongside government and civic agencies, such as disaster management cells, fire brigades, and hospitals, especially during emergency and war-like situations. The spotlight on civil defence has intensified following mock drills conducted across coastal districts and Pune, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. These drills aimed to raise awareness among volunteers and the general public. The mock drills involved around 10,000 volunteers from Civil Defence, Home Guard, NDRF, and other emergency response agencies. An official told PTI the government is taking appropriate steps to strengthen civil defence, and its revival is underway. The Directorate of Civil Defence has long struggled with shortages in manpower, vehicles (including rescue vans and ambulances), sirens, and training equipment. However, these requirements are likely to be fulfilled in the near future, he said. Although the sanctioned manpower for Civil Defence is 420 personnel, operations are being carried out with only 135 staff members across the state. He said some units, like those in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, have only one full-time government employee each. "In emergencies, Civil Defence needs its ambulances and vehicles. However, many of the existing vehicles are in poor condition, with some on the verge of being scrapped," the official told PTI. Volunteers currently receive a daily allowance of Rs 150 for their service. A proposal has been submitted to the government to increase this amount to Rs 500 per day. He added that in addition to the proposed allowance hike, proposals for increasing manpower, training equipment, and sirens have also been submitted. The government is positive about meeting these demands. (With inputs from PTI)
11 May,2025 02:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFollowing the Union Ministry of Home Affairs' directives, a mock drill named “Operation Abhyas” is being conducted to evaluate emergency preparedness. The drill is scheduled for May 11, 2025, at 4 PM at Lodha Amara, Kolshet Ground, Thane. This mock drill is being conducted under the guidance of District Collector and Civil Defence Controller Ashok Shingare, Additional District Collector Harishchandra Patil, Resident Deputy Collector Dr. Sandeep Mane, and Sub-Divisional Officer Urmila Patil, along with Civil Defence Deputy Controller Vijay Jadhav. The initiative is being taken by Tehsildar Umesh Patil. Sequence of events during the mock drill: - A siren will be sounded. - Information regarding an air strike/bomb attack will be announced. - Instructions will be given to citizens to reach safe locations. - Citizens will be escorted to safety without causing panic or confusion. A search and rescue operation will be conducted in the pertinent area to promptly assist injured or trapped individuals and provide them with essential first aid. All departments and agencies have been instructed to treat this mock drill with utmost seriousness. The drill must be executed successfully by adhering to all the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. A siren will be sounded at 4 PM to alert citizens during the drill. During this period, citizens are requested to remain calm, refrain from believing in rumours, avoid taking selfies, and strictly follow the instructions provided by the authorities. Officials have clarified that this is solely a preparedness exercise and no actual disaster has transpired. This appeal has been made jointly by Sub-Divisional Officer Urmila Patil and Tehsildar Umesh Patil.Civil defence officials said the drill provided an opportunity to simulate and understand the exact coordination required during such emergencies. Exercises like these are crucial, particularly in sensitive urban areas like Mumbai and Thane, as they not only help train defence and emergency personnel but also raise public awareness about the dos and don’ts during crises.Helplines:Maharashtra Disaster Management Control Room 1070 / 112 / 9321587143 BMC: 1916 For those at homeIf you hear sirens, stay inside your house and be calm. For those on the roadIf you are driving or in a vehicle, stay calm and continue to drive or advise the driver not to stop.
11 May,2025 02:08 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
