The Indian Navy has successfully completed a major milestone in its efforts to strengthen Indigenous defence capabilities with the latest guided missile destroyer, INS Surat. The warship carried out a precision cooperative engagement of a sea-skimming target, showcasing the Navy's advanced technological expertise and operational readiness. This achievement highlights India’s growing capabilities in the design, development, and deployment of Indigenous warships, underscoring the nation’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The success also marks a significant step toward enhancing the Navy’s ability to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests. The accomplishment aligns with India’s broader vision of achieving self-sufficiency in defence, as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
26 April,2025 10:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonHours after residents staged rasta rokos protesting the planned demolition of the Elphinstone Bridge without their rehabilitation demands being addressed, local MLA Kalidas Kolambakar assured them that he had spoken with the Chief Minister. He confirmed that the bridge would not be shut down until the authorities address their concerns on Monday. As a result, the bridge may remain open until then. High Tension at Elphinstone Bridge Emotions ran high on Friday evening at the Elphinstone Bridge—also known as Karol Bridge—as agitated locals blocked traffic by staging multiple rasta rokos. Authorities, who had initially planned to shut the bridge at 9 PM, were forced to delay the closure until midnight due to mounting pressure from the protestors. Traffic Chaos on Alternate Routes Alternate east-west routes like the Currey Road Bridge, Delisle Road Bridge in Lower Parel, and the Tilak Bridge in Dadar are witnessing increased congestion. Traffic authorities anticipate the situation will worsen on Monday, the first full working day following the closure. Phased Shutdown Begins The shutdown began in phases at 6 PM on Friday. Authorities first diverted private vehicles, followed by ambulances, and eventually public transport and two-wheelers. The closure is expected to significantly impact access to key hospitals in the area, including K.E.M., Wadia, and Tata Memorial. Demolition and Reconstruction Plans The bridge’s demolition will proceed in phases. The MMRDA is responsible for dismantling the non-railway section, while the railway portion will be handled by the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MahaRail or MRIDC). While MMRDA has already submitted its dismantling plan, MahaRail admitted that its demolition blueprint for the railway portion is still being finalised. Railways Yet to Finalise Demolition Plan In a surprising revelation, MahaRail acknowledged that it has not yet finalised a demolition strategy in consultation with the zonal railways, even though the bridge closure commenced on Friday night. Foot Overbridge Still Incomplete Despite traffic diversion plans being rolled out, a crucial pedestrian foot overbridge between Parel and Prabhadevi remains incomplete. As reported by mid-day earlier this month, the bridge ends abruptly mid-air, continuing to pose a major inconvenience for pedestrians.
26 April,2025 09:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarTo support the survivors and those injured in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the BMC has issued a circular announcing emergency mental health services at four major civic hospitals: Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Hospital, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and KEM Hospital, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital (Sion Hospital), and Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Medical College and R N Cooper Hospital. Psychiatrists and psychologists will be available daily from 9 am to 4 pm. However, in serious cases of extreme insomnia, flashbacks or restlessness, doctors will be available after 4 pm as well, stated the circular. “It is very important that the survivors get proper psychological and psychiatric treatment to come out of this trauma. And thus, as soon as over 500 surviving and injured tourists were brought back, the state government gave the directive to provide mental health to them and we accordingly informed all the major four civic hospitals to provide the much-needed help to them,” said Dr Neelam Andrade, director medical education and hospitals, BMC. She further mentioned that the services will include counselling, assessment of acute stress, screening for post-traumatic stress disorder and also provide medication depending on each case. Survivors welcome move Those who had a close shave welcomed the corporation’s effort. “Such services are now a must for those who saw things happening in front of their eyes, especially the children. Such treatments are usually quite expensive. But now the BMC hospitals will provide these treatments free of cost,” said Ronav Patil, a resident of Mulund who cut short his trip and returned on Thursday night by the special flight arranged by the state government. Dr Kirti Tandel, a psychiatrist formerly associated with Nair Hospital On the other hand, some opine that it would be better if these services were given at the traumatised persons’ homes. “This decision to extend mental health treatment is good. But the authorities should understand that the trauma that these women and children have faced by seeing their men, fathers, brothers being shot in front of them is of a very high level. At present, they are not at all in a situation to step out of their houses. It would be better if the doctors visit their residence and take note of their mental needs,” said 43-year-old Geeta Jagdade. But no response as of now “The doctors have been asked to prioritise any survivors of the attack over our regular cases. But we haven’t received any walk-ins or calls from such people on the first day. Mental health treatments are still seen as taboo, and we also understand that those suffering from this trauma won’t be in a situation to assess their mental state. Thus, we urge their relatives and family members to take initiative and take them to the nearest hospital,” said Dr Mohan Joshi, dean, Sion hospital. Echoing the same, Dr Sangeeta Rawat, dean, KEM Hospital, said, “I think as more people become aware of such services being offered, people will start coming after a few days. They definitely need time to first come to terms with their current situation. Only after that will they realise that they need help. I am sure our services will be of use and our doctors are well-trained to handle these cases,” she said. Handling such cases Dr Kirti Tandel, a psychiatrist formerly associated with Nair Hospital, “When there is any kind of disaster situation, we segregate the patients into emergency and regular patients, and into emergency OPD and regular OPD. Then, under emergency cases also, most preference is given to those who show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or have panic attacks. Immediate treatment is started for such patients. If the patient inflow is huge, depending on the severity of the situation, then we jot down a disaster management plan where a committee is formed that check the resource availability of each hospital and directs the medical force accordingly about which patient should be taken to which hospital so that one centre does not have to face all the load. Also, in extreme cases, additional staff are called for, and NGOs or private hospitals are asked to chip in.” Those in need can contact the following: Nair hospitalDr Henal Shah (in-charge): 9323193505Dr Janhavi Kedare (unit head): 9322239997Dr Alka Subramaniam: 9820143245 KEM hospitalDr Ajit Nayak (department head): 9870314844Dr Neena Sawant (unit head): 9930583713Dr Kranti Kadam: 9920969088Dr Shilpa Adarkar: 9820139158 Sion hospitalDr Nilesh Shah (department head): 8879564532Dr Heena Merchant: 9930395679 Cooper hospitalDr Deoraj Sinha (in-charge): 9869989894 9 am to 4 pmTime of the service daily
26 April,2025 08:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarThe Archdiocese of Bombay hosted an interfaith prayer service on Thursday to honour Pope Francis and his enduring message of compassion, dialogue, and fraternity. The prayer service, held at the Archbishop House Conference Hall in Colaba, was all about diversity as it brought together religious leaders from all communities, including Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, and Catholic. Diplomats, along with Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan, were also present at the prayer service. The meeting reflected the diversity and unity championed by the Holy Father (Pope Francis), said the archdiocese spokesperson. The service opened with a hymn—Make Me a Channel of Your Peace—a Pope Francis favourite. The hymn is a tribute to St. Francis of Assisi. Martin Maier, Consul General of Switzerland and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, praised the pope’s advocacy for peace, stating, “His Holiness reminds us that dialogue and solidarity are the cornerstones of a just world.” Archbishop of Bombay, John Rodrigues, shared his personal anecdotes of encounters with Pope Francis, highlighting the pontiff’s “radical love for the poor and his ability to bridge divides.” He urged attendees to embody this spirit, saying, “Let us become artisans of peace, mending the fractures in our world through small acts of mercy. In a world yearning for healing, we are called to be channels of God’s grace, just as Pope Francis urged.” Pope Francis’s last public appearance was at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Easter Sunday, April 20, where he gave his final Easter address. He died at 07.35 am local time on Monday, April 21, aged 88. The pope’s death began a papal interregnum and a nine-day period of mourning known as the novemdiales (Latin for 'nine days'). His funeral will take place today (April 26).
26 April,2025 08:31 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentGhodbunder Road in Thane will be closed to heavy vehicles from 100 hours, from Saturday to Wednesday, as the public works department is undertaking repairs of the road at Gaimukh ghat. An exception has been made for emergency heavy vehicles. The mega block is likely to create hurdles for light vehicles as diversions will result in congestion not only on Ghodbunder Road but also on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad road and Thane city in general. According to a notice by the Thane Traffic Division, at Gaimukh Ghat, during roadwork on the Ghodbunder-Thane carriageway, light vehicles going towards Thane from the Kajupada side will be diverted. Motorists should take the cut near the Indian petrol pump, drive on the wrong side of the Thane-Varasave carriageway and proceed via the cut in front of Nirantar Centre towards Gaimukh and onwards towards their destination. Alternative route Vehicles coming from the Palghar-Virar direction have been restricted from entering Varasave via Shirsat Phata. They must, instead, take the Shirsat Phata-Parol-Akoli (Ganeshpuri)-Ambadi route to reach their destination. Vehicular traffic on the Gaimukh ghat stretch of Ghodbunder Road in Thane on April 25. Pics/Satej Shinde Vehicles coming from the Palghar-Vasai direction on National Highway No. 48 have been restricted from entering Varasave via Chinchoti Naka. They must, instead, take the Chinchoti route via Kaman, Kharbao, Anjur Phata and Bhiwandi. Entry from Western Express Highway (from the Mumbai and Kashimira side) towards Ghodbunder Road has also been restricted, and motorists should continue straight via Versova bridge onto Gujarat National Highway and then proceed via either the Shirsat Phata-Parol-Akoli (Ganeshpuri)-Ambadi route or travel via Chinchoti, Kaman, Kharbao, Anjur Phata and Bhiwandi. Nashik Rd via Y junction According to the Thane Traffic Division notice, heavy vehicles from Mumbai and Thane heading towards Ghodbunder Road must proceed via Y Junction directly to Nashik Road, and then via the Kharegaon toll naka, Mankoli and Anjur Phata to their destination. “Heavy vehicles from Mumbai and Thane should take a right turn near Kapur Bawdi Junction and proceed via Kasheli-Anjur Phata to their destination. All heavy vehicles coming from Mumbra and Kalwa towards Ghodbunder Road are prohibited from entering at Kharegaon toll naka. They must, instead, travel under the Kharegaon Khadi bridge and then take the toll naka-Mankoli-Anjur Phata route to reach their destination,” the notice reads. Heavy vehicles coming from Nashik towards Ghodbunder Road are prohibited from entering at Mankoli Naka. They must proceed under Mankoli bridge, take a right turn, and travel via Anjur Phata. The notice states that heavy vehicles from Gujarat, Mumbai, Virar and Vasai heading towards Ghodbunder Road must proceed via Chinchoti Naka instead of venturing near the Fountain hotel.
26 April,2025 08:26 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe rebuilding of a Mulund east-west bridge, to which locals have been looking forward for more than a year, crossed a milestone early on Friday morning when girders were placed over two lines. The beams need to cross over four more lines for the work to be considered completed. Railway officials told mid-day that the new appoximately 100 metre bridge would now be completed by May 31. Mulund residents had requested the authorities to expedite the building of a foot over bridge (FOB) across the railway station, which has been closed for over a year now. The structure was the only one that pedestrians could use to cross from the east to the west without having to buy a ticket. mid-day reported on March 29 about how the east-west bridge had been delayed. Advocate Sagar Devre, a local activist who had first complained about the delay of the bridge completion, said the Railways should have done the work faster, given that the bridge was the sole east-west link for non-ticket holders. “It is good that the bridge work is finally moving ahead, but it should have been done and dusted long ago. It is a single, small foot overbridge after all,” he added. On Friday, Central Railway (CR) operated a power block from 1.05 am to 4.05 am on the slow line, which led to diversions and even partial cancellation of a few trains. mid-day had revealed how the FOB’s predecessor—a 50-year-old pedestrian bridge—had been damaged by rotting vegetables and fruits left behind by illegal hawkers and the illegal alterations of a public toilet contractor. The bridge was then repaired, upgraded and opened by the CR for about six months in 2023. Following the article, CR assured this newspaper that a new FOB would be constructed at seven metres away from the existing bridge in the direction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and only after the commissioning of the new FOB for the public, the old one would be dismantled. However, the old bridge was pulled down, despite this, leaving commuters without an alternative. CR officials said that the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation had now taken up the overall development of Mulund station and is adding an elevated deck and multiple new FOBs besides the one in question, which led to a change in plans. This project, part of the larger MUTP-3A initiative, includes an elevated deck connected to multiple FOBs that is 145 metres long and 9.25 metres wide.
26 April,2025 08:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe civil work on the Gopal Krishna Bridge in Andheri is now 100 per cent complete, and finishing touches are expected to be done by the end of the month. While the BMC had initially targeted a mid-May opening for the bridge, officials plan to open it in the first week of May. According to officials, the work related to the main structure, as well as approach roads and the connecting stretch to the CD Barfiwala bridge, has been finished. Concrete curing between the Teli Galli bridge and Gokhale bridge on Prof N C Phadke Road in Andheri East has also been completed. Final touches such as installing crash and noise barriers, railings, thermoplastic road markings, cat’s eyes, electric poles and signage and painting are in their last stage. Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar visited the Gokhale bridge site on Friday. Bangar stated the bridge would be opened after a green signal from the traffic police. Gokhale bridge, which was shut in 2022, is operational only for light vehicles. On the west side, a road at the landing point has become narrower due to ongoing JVPD bridge work. Bangar has instructed that traffic flow be streamlined from the new southern slope of the Barfiwala bridge, with the approach road currently being restored and reopened. Vikhroli connector Meanwhile, Bangar also visited the site of the Vikhroli East-West connector, where 95 per cent of the work is complete. The BMC aims to open this bridge before the monsoon. Officials said the remaining work includes three spans near St Joseph’s School on the western side, where the deck slab is yet to be laid. Owing to the proximity to a school and railway station, the work is being carried out cautiously. The remaining construction is expected to wrap up by May 31, 2025. Bangar has instructed that all finishing work—barriers, railings, markings, and signage—be completed simultaneously to enable a timely opening. Once operational, the flyover is expected to save motorists both time and fuel when commuting from the Eastern Express Highway toward Powai. It will also benefit residents within a 5 km radius of the Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, and Kanjurmarg railway stations.
26 April,2025 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe state government has proposed that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) allocate 3 per cent of its total budget every year to provide financial support to the cash-strapped Brihanmumbai Electric and Transport (BEST). In addition, the government is considering the creation of a new agency—the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA)—to streamline transport services and address related issues in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). On Friday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired the meeting to review transport-related issues. Fadnavis, describing the BEST as the lifeline of Mumbai, said, “Every year, the BMC gives financial assistance to the BEST. But, the civic administration should consider annually allocating three per cent of its total budget to the Brihanmumbai Electric and Transport (BEST), the CM mentioned. In its 2025-26 budget, the BMC allocated Rs 1000 crore for the BEST. For the last several years (nearly a decade), BMC has been pumping in money to support the second-largest public transport system in the metropolis after trains. A meeting to discuss the modernisation of BEST’s administration and services was held in Mumbai, attended by BJP leaders and state ministers Ashish Shelar and Mangalprabhat Lodha. Senior IAS officers, including BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, were also present. During the meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Financial support from the BMC would help BEST sustain its operations. The BEST administration should work towards improving its services and efficiency.” Meanwhile, in order to ensure that BEST creates its own revenue generation model, the state government has asked the administration to strategically monetise its depot by commercial redevelopment on the land. Participating in the discussion, Shelar suggested setting up Marathi cinema theatres at a few of the city depots. “This will serve a dual purpose–support regional movies and create an income source for the BEST too,” Fadnavis claimed. The depots that would likely witness a makeover are Bandra, Dindoshi and Deonar. In addition to efforts to revive BEST, the chief minister also reviewed various transport-related issues in Mumbai and the surrounding Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). CM Devendra Fadnavis emphasised the need to establish a dedicated authority to address public concerns related to transport, traffic congestion, and other related problems. “Suggestions and objections should be invited for the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA),” Fadnavis instructed during the meeting. He clarified that the introduction of UMTA would not affect the functioning of existing transport departments, as transport services would continue to remain under the jurisdiction of the respective municipal corporations in the MMR. “The aim of introducing UMTA is to bring ease of life to commuters. UMTA’s role will be limited to streamlining transport-related issues,” he added. BEST to partner with Google To have real-time tracking of the BEST buses through GPS, the BEST will partner with Google to provide the service. “The service will help commuters to plan their journey as they can know the exact location of the bus and its arrival time at their desired destination,” said the statement issued by the CM’s office. Currently, BEST operates a fleet of 2783 buses, out of which 875 are electric. However, the administration actually needs 7000 buses to ferry Mumbai’s commuters. Also, the BEST has set a target to transition its entire fleet to electric buses by the year 2027. At present the BEST is said to provide services to nearly 35 lakh commuters on a daily basis. Helipad at Shirdi airport In another meeting held to review airports in the interior regions of Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved the construction of two helipads and eight parking bays at Shirdi Airport. The decision was taken in view of the upcoming 2027 Kumbh Mela in Nashik. “Shirdi Airport is closer to Nashik. It will enable visitors to use air travel for their journey to the Kumbh,” Fadnavis said during the meeting. Apart from Shirdi, the Chief Minister also directed officials to explore the expansion of Amravati and Latur airports, citing rapid growth in various sectors in both cities. He also instructed authorities to speed up the work required to enable night landings at Karad Airport.
26 April,2025 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarTravelling on the Dahisar flyover has become life-threatening due to a hanging electric cable on the end of the bridge at Anand Nagar. Locals have demanded that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) take immediate action and remove the cable, as it could lead to serious accidents. Shiranj Parmar, a student and resident of Anand Nagar, said that the cable has been hanging for the past 3-4 months, and even after complaints, no action has been taken to remove it. “I stay next to the flyover. It creates a hurdle during the ride. This cable is life-threatening.” Varsha Shah, a senior citizen, said that mostly pedestrians cross the road from here. “And this cable is creating hurdles.” Arthur Menezes, a local who rides daily on this route, said that the hanging wire is a cause of concern and a threat to the motorists. “It could be deadly for the riders during the nighttime as vehicles pass through at speed and the wire is not visible.” “The possibility of accidents due to this cable during the rainy season cannot be ruled out,” said another motorist. The Anand Nagar flyover in Dahisar, which connects the east and west, was opened for traffic in 2011. The bridge was constructed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, but now it is under BMC’s possession. The cable hangs on the end of the bridge at Anand Nagar Rajesh Pandya, a local civic activist, said, “I will write to the BMC about this issue. I don't know how the authorities don't know about this. The cable comes out on the landing point; it is more dangerous as vehicles come to one side to take a turn. Riders get confused due to this cable. Are the authorities waiting for an accident to happen?” Nainish Vengurlekar, assistant municipal commissioner, R North ward, said, “I will immediately take action.”
26 April,2025 07:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveAs mid-day wraps up its special campaign ‘Roads to Nowhere’, we bring the spotlight onto voices that matter—those pushing for accountability, accessibility, and intelligent design amid Mumbai’s ongoing infrastructure overhaul and chaos. For the past several months, Mumbai has resembled a city in surgical repair—roads dug up across neighbourhoods, footpaths vanishing beneath heaps of debris, and traffic bottlenecks turning daily commutes into obstacle courses. With the BMC’s ambitious plan to concrete 413 km of roads across its 437.71 sq km jurisdiction, the financial capital has transformed into a massive, ongoing worksite. But beneath the cranes, drills, and broken tiles lies a deeper story of neglect, poor planning, and a growing demand for civic accountability. Hawkers and parked vehicles occupy Saibaba Mandir Road amid drainage work in Borivli West. Pic/Satej Shinde As part of mid-day’s campaign ‘Roads to Nowhere’, we spoke to experts, accessibility advocates and citizen activists who are raising red flags about how this ‘transformation’ is being executed—and why Mumbaikars must demand better. Milind Mhaske, CEO of Praja Foundation, emphasised that the BMC must approach Mumbai’s infrastructure overhaul with a comprehensive and people-centric vision. He highlighted the importance of adopting an urban design that prioritises non-motorised transport, walkability and inclusive access for children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Development an opportunity “Mumbaikars need to pick the right debate. Instead of simply criticising the BMC for the ongoing road concreting, we should ask: how is this work being done, and how can it be improved?” Mhaske said. “I don’t see this scale of development as a problem—I see it as an opportunity. Since we often lack comprehensive planning, this citywide effort gives us a rare chance to design systematically, with uniform aesthetics, accessible infrastructure, and improved connectivity. Let’s use this moment to push for urban design that is people-centric, not car-centric. Planning must include provisions for non-motorised transport, pedestrian pathways, and truly inclusive infrastructure,” he added. John Baptist Road, which has been dug up, at Bandra West on April 6. PIC/SHADAB KHAN Mhaske also stressed the need for sustainability. “Are we using materials that align with long-term climate goals and help mitigate the urban heat island effect? Are we integrating soak points, green patches, and plantations to support ecological balance and groundwater recharge? If we focus on quality, planning, and purpose, this transformation can redefine Mumbai—not just as a city of roads, but as one designed for its people,” he said. Accessible infrastructure Siddharth Mhatre, a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy and a resident of Dadar Parsi Colony, has been actively pushing to make his neighbourhood more accessible for those with mobility challenges. Whether it’s wheelchair users, people on crutches, or senior citizens with walking sticks, Mhatre has consistently advocated for inclusive, user-friendly infrastructure. “Accessibility isn’t a luxury—it’s a basic right,” Mhatre said. “In Dadar Parsi Colony, I’ve been pushing for practical changes. For instance, bollards should stop motorcycles from entering footpaths but still allow wheelchairs through. I’m not asking just for myself—this is for everyone facing barriers daily across Mumbai.” Highlighting key issues, he said, “Three groups are consistently affected—persons with disabilities using wheelchairs, those walking with crutches, and elderly citizens using sticks. Simply accessing the footpath is a challenge. Surfaces are uneven, tiles are broken or missing, and encroachments leave little usable space. The road-to-footpath transition is abrupt and dangerous.” Mhatre added that ramps must be part of the initial design—not afterthoughts. “They should be gentle, non-slip, and have sturdy railings. Tactile tiles should be installed across all city footpaths—not just token stretches—so visually impaired citizens can navigate safely.” Sheetal Mhatre has been auditing concreting in IC Colony, Eksar and Gorai. Pic/Dweep Bane As a Wheelchair Sports Facilitator, Mhatre has worked with people across the mobility spectrum. “The feedback is the same: we need dignity in movement. No one should feel unsafe or unwelcome on city streets. The BMC must embed accessibility from day one, not treat it as an optional extra,” he said. Gopal Jhaveri, Borivli resident and founder of Mumbai March and Road March—citizen-led campaigns for civic accountability—expressed concern about deteriorating standards in road infrastructure work. “There’s a complete lack of accountability and transparency. The process is marred by inefficiency, mismanagement and, often, corruption. There’s no uniformity in road or footpath design. Road levels often mismatch adjoining surfaces, creating dangerous slopes, posing risks to both pedestrians and motorists, and causing waterlogging,” he said. He added, “We’ve long demanded real-time, publicly accessible information on all road and footpath works. Every project—whether repairs, concretisation, duct laying, or drainage—should be geotagged and available on platforms like Google Maps. Citizens should be able to click any road and view its history: last repair, cost, contractor, warranty. Public access to this data will promote transparency and accountability.” Shopkeepers’ goods occupy the footpath of Saibaba Mandir Road in Borivli West a few months ago. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE Jhaveri cited the footpath and road along Kasturba Marg, next to the Borivli police station, which was dug up three times between 2021 and 2022. “We’ve repeatedly asked the BMC to map such repeated works and link them to digital road names. Even now, concrete is being poured during peak heat, without proper water sprinkling. This leads to cracks due to thermal stress. In their rush to finish before the monsoon, contractors are compromising quality.” Experts recommend concrete be poured during cooler evening hours for proper curing. “If the current approach continues, we’ll be re-digging these roads in months, wasting taxpayer money,” Jhaveri warned. Questions raised The Opposition has intensified criticism of the ruling party and the BMC over Mumbai’s dug-up roads. Responding to growing citizen frustration, the Mumbai Congress launched a social media campaign titled #NoCorruptionMeriGullyMein. Led by MP Varsha Gaikwad, the campaign calls on Mumbaikars to post photos and videos of damaged or incomplete roadwork in their areas. The campaign’s tagline—“Mumbai deserves better roads, not bigger scams”—aims to mobilise residents demanding accountability. It highlights roads dug up for no apparent reason, works abandoned midway, newly built roads re-destroyed, and streets where walking feels like an obstacle course. Sheetal Mhatre, former Congress corporator from Borivli, has been auditing ongoing concreting in IC Colony, Eksar and Gorai. Her inspections have revealed violations of engineering norms and basic logic. “This has gone on for years. They do substandard work, dig it up again, and repeat the cycle. It’s the same scam all over Mumbai,” she alleged. Mhatre added that BMC officials are often absent from sites, leaving contractors unsupervised. “There are no traffic wardens, and dust from construction goes unchecked. Isn’t that a scam?” she asked. In another campaign, disability rights activist Virali Modi, along with Jhatkaa.org, has launched a petition demanding Mumbai’s infrastructure be made accessible to all. The petition criticises the BMC for failing to implement its 2023 ‘Samavesh’ project to make the city inclusive. “Under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the BMC is legally required to ensure accessibility. Yet, streets, footpaths, and transit hubs remain out of reach. You can make gardens as accessible as you want—but if the roads and footpaths aren’t, what’s the point?” Modi asks in the petition.
26 April,2025 07:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghSentiments ran high at the site of the Elphinstone bridge (also known as Karol bridge) on Friday evening, as locals staged multiple rasta rokos to protest the planned demolition of the bridge without their rehabilitation demands being addressed. The authorities, originally planning to shut the bridge at 9 pm, were forced to delay the closure until midnight after agitated residents converged on the structure and blocked traffic. Locals protesting against the closure of the bridge We are protesting because once they shut the bridge, 19 buildings—including ours—will be at stake,” said local resident Sriram Pawar. “They plan to demolish these buildings for the double-decker bridge foundation, but we’re only being offered a few lakhs as compensation.” Residents continue protests at Elphinstone Bridge site, demanding written assurances from MMRDA. A sit-in protest has begun, with locals saying no demolition until demands are met. Credits: @iamATULKAMBLE @rajtoday #ElphinstoneBridge #MumbaiProtest #MMRDA pic.twitter.com/N4SpMHxZbi — Mid Day (@mid_day) April 25, 2025 “The pillars of the new bridge are going to pass through our buildings, and our houses are going to be demolished. This is absolutely unfair,” Pawar added. Another resident, Sonal Mayekar, added, “We want compensation at market rates, based on the ready reckoner. We’ve been duped by the government. We’re not against the project, just the way it's being forced on us.” Pallavi Padia, another local, claimed, “We’ve lived here for generations. Now, MHADA is suddenly sending us notices saying our buildings are dilapidated—just a trick to evict us. We’re not moving.” Authorities bring in the barricades for road closure “I use the bridge daily to commute to work. It takes just 10-15 minutes now. But, after the bridge shuts, and looking at the traffic, it will take at least 45-50 minutes to get home. From Monday, I will have to spare two hours a day instead of just 30 minutes,” Yash Thakur, 25, an Elphinstone resident who uses the bridge to reach his office in Lower Parel. Alternate routes With the bridge closed, alternate east-west routes such as the Currey Road Bridge, the Delisle Road Bridge at Lower Parel, and the Tilak Bridge at Dadar have started facing congestion. The situation is expected to worsen from Monday, the first working day post-closure. Progressive shutdown begins Barricading of the Elphinstone Bridge began at 6 pm in phases—first private vehicles were diverted, followed by ambulances, then public transport and two-wheelers. The closure will severely impact access to nearby hospitals, including K.E.M., Wadia, and Tata Memorial. Locals stop the JCB brought by the authorities for demolition. Pics/Atul Kamble Reconstruction The demolition will be phased. The MMRDA will dismantle the non-railway portion, while the Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (MahaRail or MRIDC) will handle the railway section. While MMRDA has shared its dismantling plan, MRIDC admitted they have not yet finalised the railway demolition blueprint. Calls for alternate road Residents have revived demands for an earlier-planned DP Road that would connect Hindmata in Dadar East to Pramod Mahajan Garden in Dadar West. “The 700–800m long road could decongest Hindmata Junction, Dadar TT, and Senapati Bapat Marg, offering a vital link for emergency services,” said Chetan Kamble of the ChakaChak Dadar group. Protesting residents pull down the bridge closure banner put up by the authorities. Pic/Atul Kamble Railways not ready In a surprising admission, MahaRail stated they are yet to finalise a demolition plan in consultation with zonal railways, despite the bridge closure beginning Friday night. Foot overbridge missing While traffic plans are in place, a key foot overbridge between Parel and Prabhadevi remains incomplete. As reported by mid-day earlier this month, the footbridge ends mid-air and hampers pedestrian movement. A site visit on Friday confirmed that work is still ongoing. Key demolition details >> The entire dismantling process is scheduled till July 10, 2025. >> Approaches (excluding the railway section) will be demolished by May 30, 2025. >> An 800-metric-tonne capacity crane (with a 500-tonne standby) will lift steel girders. >> Required: 2 Poclain-210 machines, 10 dumpers. Debris: >> 16,316 cubic metres (approach) >> 900-metric-tonnes (steel girders)The bridge will be replaced by a double-deck structure: the lower deck for east-west traffic and the upper deck connecting to the Atal Setu (Sewri-Nhava Sheva). A 4.5-km elevated road will link Atal Setu to Worli and further toward south Mumbai and Bandra.
26 April,2025 07:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar | Ritika GondhalekarADVERTISEMENT
