The Thane Municipal Corporation’s Garden Department and Tree Authority are set to organise ‘Vrikshavalli-2025,’ a grand exhibition showcasing trees, flowers, fruits, and saplings. The event will take place at Raymond Company’s Ground on Pokhran Road from Friday, 14th February to Sunday, 16th February. The exhibition will be inaugurated on Friday at 3:00 PM. The inaugration will be held by Hon. Deputy Chief Minister Shri. Eknath Shinde. Now in its 14th year, ‘Vrikshavalli’ attracts approximately 1.5 to 2 lakh visitors annually. The theme for this year’s exhibition is ‘The Seven Colours of Biodiversity,’ featuring around 200 species of flowering plants, fruit-bearing saplings, colourful foliage trees, medicinal plants, and a total of nearly 5,000 saplings. Several organisations, including Rotary Club, Inner Wheel Club, Paryavaran Dakshata Manch, Maharashtra Nature Park, and Mahim, along with private entities such as MCHI, Hiranandani Group, Adani Group, Lodha Group, and Raymond Group, have joined hands for the event. Additionally, 30 local schools have contributed art displays and nature-related exhibits. Thirty citizens have participated in cut-flower arrangements and floral art. Government institutions such as Central Railway and HPCL are also taking part in the exhibition. A total of 90 organisations have set up engaging and educational exhibits, including elaborate floral arrangements, nature-themed displays, and butterfly photography, providing both entertainment and knowledge to visitors, informed Deputy Commissioner (Gardens) Manohar Bodke. The exhibition features 30 main and sub-categories, including ornamental foliage plants, decorative flowering shrubs, bonsai trees, orchids, potted seasonal flowers, and cut-flower displays. This year’s special attractions include live nature painting, a demonstration of tree climbing using mechanical equipment, and a Heritage Tree Trail. Additionally, the exhibition will feature stalls selling gardening essentials, bamboo products, organically grown vegetables, and hydroponic farming technology, spread across 40 pavilions. The prize distribution ceremony for various competitions held during ‘Vrikshavalli-2025’ will take place on Sunday, 16th February, at 6:00 PM, according to Senior Garden Superintendent Kedar Patil. Visitors are requested to avoid bringing plastic bottles and bags to the exhibition. Instead, they are encouraged to carry steel or glass water bottles and use paper or cloth bags for purchases, as per the guidelines issued by the Thane Municipal Corporation.
14 February,2025 10:37 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai is set to experience cloudy skies throughout the day on Friday, February 14, 2025, as per the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The city saw the sunrise at 7:07 AM, and the sunset is expected at 6:38 PM. While the skies will remain overcast, no significant weather disturbances have been reported. According to IMD, Mumbai’s minimum temperature on Friday is predicted to be around 24°C, while the maximum temperature could reach 34°C. The humidity levels are expected to be around 31%, making the weather relatively dry. Winds are forecasted to blow from the Northwest at a speed of 18 km/h, providing some relief from the heat. Mumbai air quality index (AQI) today The Air Quality Index (AQI) for Mumbai stands at 153, which falls in the moderate category. This means that while the air quality is not hazardous, it may still cause discomfort for sensitive individuals, such as children, elderly people, and those with respiratory conditions. For reference, an AQI below 50 is considered good, whereas an AQI above 300 is classified as hazardous. Weather forecast for the coming days Saturday, February 15, 2025: Mumbai will witness sunrise at 7:07 AM and sunset at 6:39 PM. The temperature will range between 23°C (minimum) and 34°C (maximum). The wind is expected to blow steadily from the North at 18 km/h, and humidity levels will be around 34%. Sunday, February 16, 2025: Similar weather conditions are expected, with temperatures hovering between 23°C and 34°C. The skies are likely to remain partly cloudy, and humidity levels will stay moderate. People with respiratory conditions should avoid prolonged exposure to polluted air, as moderate AQI levels can cause breathing discomfort. Carry light cotton clothing to stay comfortable in warm temperatures. Stay hydrated as humidity levels fluctuate. Mumbai’s weather is expected to remain stable in the coming days, with no major fluctuations in temperature or air quality. However, residents should remain cautious of air pollution levels and take necessary precautions when stepping out.
14 February,2025 10:26 AM IST | MumbaiAccording to the Thane Municipal Corporation’s Information and Public Relations Department, the water supply in Diva City will be temporarily halted for eight hours on Friday, February 14, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The disruption is necessary to carry out essential repair work on a major water pipeline. The 500-mm diameter main water pipeline, supplying water from Nilje to Diva under Ward No. 27 and 28 of the Diva Ward Committee, has developed significant leakage at Usargar Railway Culvert near the Palava City compound. This leakage has been causing frequent low-pressure water supply in the surrounding areas. Consequently, urgent repairs are required to prevent further loss and ensure a steady water supply in the future. Once the repairs are completed, water-related complaints in several areas under the Diva Ward Committee—including Aagsan, Betewade, Ganesh Nagar, Bedekar Nagar, Mhasoba Nagar, Shanti Nagar, Mumbra Devi Colony, Sabe Gaon, and Diva West—are expected to reduce significantly. During the repair work, water supply to Ward No. 27 and 28 of Diva City will remain suspended for eight hours. Additionally, even after the restoration of supply, water pressure is likely to remain low for the next one to two days. Residents are advised to store adequate water in advance and cooperate with the Thane Municipal Corporation during this period. Thane Municipal Corporation seeks international funding for eco-friendly projects The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) is actively working towards securing financial assistance from the central government and international financial institutions for its various environmentally sustainable projects. As part of this effort, preliminary discussions have been held with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has agreed to support the corporation in exploring funding options, according to Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao. A formal agreement between the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Maharashtra state government, with the approval of the Central Government of India, has been established to facilitate financial aid for various developmental projects undertaken by local governing bodies. Under this framework, IFC is assisting select municipal corporations across the state in obtaining funding, with Thane being one of the beneficiaries. A preliminary meeting was held on Wednesday at the Thane Municipal Corporation's Urban Research Centre under the chairmanship of Commissioner Saurabh Rao. Representatives from IFC, City Engineer Prashant Sonagra, Chief Accounts and Finance Officer Dilip Suryavanshi, Deputy City Engineers Vikas Dhole, Vinod Pawar, and Gunwant Zambre, as well as Chief Environmental Officer Manisha Pradhan, were present. Additionally, representatives from the Maharashtra Government’s MITRA (Municipal Infrastructure and Technology for Resilient and Agile Cities) initiative participated in the meeting virtually. The TMC has committed itself to water recycling initiatives and has developed an action plan in collaboration with CEEW (Council on Energy, Environment and Water). In the first phase, the municipal body aims to establish a 100 MLD (million litres per day) advanced water purification plant to convert sewage water into high-purity reusable water. This pilot project is estimated to cost around ₹500 crore. Discussions are currently underway to determine funding sources, repayment mechanisms, potential buyers of the treated water, and pricing structures. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has agreed to conduct a detailed assessment of the proposal and suggest various funding alternatives, as confirmed by Commissioner Saurabh Rao. In addition to the water recycling project, Commissioner Rao has directed officials to assess possible financial support from the central government or international finance institutions for various other essential infrastructure projects, including: Water supply schemes Installation of new water pipelines Expansion of the sewage network Solid waste management facilities Conservation and rejuvenation of city lakes The city engineers have been instructed to compile detailed project reports for these initiatives and submit them for further evaluation. Under the Government of India’s various urban development schemes, financial aid is provided to local governing bodies for infrastructural and developmental projects. Additionally, the recently announced ‘Urban Challenge Fund’ in the Union Budget presents further funding opportunities for municipal projects. IFC will assess which of TMC’s proposed projects could qualify for financial support under this initiative, Commissioner Rao stated.
14 February,2025 10:18 AM IST | MumbaiThe tally of suspected and confirmed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases in Maharashtra has reached 205 with the detection of two more cases, as per a health official, PTI reported. The number of confirmed cases stands at 177, of which around 20 patients are on ventilator support, he said on Thursday. The death toll due to GBS remained unchanged at eight, the official added, PTI reported. Pune reports most of the cases in the state. Earlier, a 53-year-old man had also died due to GBS at a hospital in Maharashtra's Mumbai, the first fatality in the city due to the nerve disorder, officials said. According to PTI, GBS is a rare condition in which a person's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, resulting in muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the legs and/or arms, as well as problems swallowing or breathing. GBS outbreak: Wadala man dies of Guillain-Barré Syndrome; BMC says no need to panic The city witnessed the first death caused by Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) this year on Monday night, as a 53-year-old man died during treatment at civic-run B L Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central. Amid the GBS outbreak, civic health department officials, however, say this isn’t a reason to panic and that they see GBS cases every year. According to BMC’s health department, the man was admitted to Nair Hospital with weakness in the lower extremities on January 23, around 16 days after he visited Pune. Doctors said he also suffered from high blood pressure. This was the first GBS-related death in Mumbai this year. The deceased was a resident of F North ward which covers Wadala and Sion. While he had visited Pune 16 days before admission to the hospital, it cannot be confirmed if he contracted GBS there. “As the patient's condition was critical, he was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was put on a ventilator due to difficulty in breathing. He died at 11 pm on Monday,” said Dr Shailendra Mohite, dean of Nair Hospital. “If anyone feels weakness, they should contact civic medical facilities where we have expert doctors.” According to Dr Mohite, the situation is not like Pune. “We received GBS patients throughout the year and we treat them,” he said. Amid the GBS outbreak, another doctor told mid-day that the GBS test of the patient was done on the day of his admission and he tested positive. “We started treatment immediately and gave him plasmapheresis (procedure to remove and replace plasma from blood),” the senior doctor said, adding that a 16-year-old girl was admitted to Nair Hospital on February 3 and is currently undergoing treatment. Her condition is now stable. (With PTI inputs)
14 February,2025 09:49 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport in Mumbai successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle synthetic diamonds valued at approximately ₹4.93 crore, ANI reports. According to ANI, the incident took place in the early hours of 12 February 2025, when an Indian passenger, Bharatbhai Govindbhai Nathani, was scheduled to board NOK Airlines Flight No. DD 939 to Bangkok. His flight was set to depart from Terminal 2 of CSMI Airport at 2:50 AM. After completing his check-in formalities, Nathani proceeded to the security screening area with his hand baggage. As per ANI, during the routine screening process, CISF Screener CT/GD Subodh Kumar identified an unusual image on the X-ray Baggage Inspection System (X-BIS) machine. The scanner displayed an anomaly within the battery compartment of the passenger’s laptop, prompting closer scrutiny. Given the suspicious nature of the image and a thorough assessment of the passenger’s profile, the CISF personnel flagged the bag for a detailed physical examination. ANI reports that Sub Inspector Excise Meena Mukesh Kumar was assigned to carry out the physical inspection. Upon further investigation, officials discovered 26 small transparent packets concealed inside the laptop’s battery compartment. These packets contained synthetic diamonds, which were meticulously hidden to evade detection. Following the discovery, the CISF immediately alerted the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) and Customs officials stationed at Mumbai Airport. As per ANI, the confiscated synthetic diamonds weighed approximately 2,147.20 carats and were estimated to be worth ₹4.93 crore in the market. The detained passenger, along with the seized diamonds, was handed over to the AIU and Customs authorities for further inquiry. The swift action and vigilance demonstrated by the CISF personnel played a pivotal role in preventing what could have been a major smuggling operation. According to ANI, officials have emphasised that this incident underscores the CISF’s unwavering commitment to national security and its continuous efforts to curb illegal activities at India’s international airports. As per ANI, further investigation into the matter is currently underway, with authorities working to determine the source and intended destination of the smuggled synthetic diamonds. (With inputs from ANI)
14 February,2025 09:30 AM IST | MumbaiExtreme barricades set up for development work at Ghatkopar station are leading to crowding, which could have tragic consequences for commuters, on the narrow edge of platform one. The debris of the demolished stone ramp of the foot overbridge is also lying in heaps, occupying crucial space on the platform at the south end of the station. Railways has been upgrading the station following a series of mid-day reports highlighting how it had turned into a disaster zone, as it also serves commuters travelling on the Mumbai Metro Line 1. This newspaper had highlighted in a front-page report in its August 30, 2019, edition, ‘Next disaster arriving on platform no. 1’ on how Ghatkopar station had become a death trap. Manoj Kotak, then-MP of Mumbai North East, followed up on the issue with Piyush Goyal, the then-railway minister. Goyal at a public function on September 13, 2019, directed railway officials to come up with an elaborate plan and upgrade the station. The pile of debris on platform one of Ghatkopar station The Ghatkopar station upgrade by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is now at a crucial stage and once it is complete, the difference will be automatically felt as the project involves a seven-point plan of multiple bridges and interconnected elevated decks. While phase one of the project is already complete, the works closer to the Mumbai Metro station that fall under phase two of the project have now begun. The ongoing works and related barricades have, however, become a source of inconvenience and commuters have appealed to the Railways to remain alert and clear debris and remove barricades as soon as the work is over to avoid any untoward incident as the platform is heavily used. An aerial view of the narrowed-down platform As per a passenger survey and analysis conducted by the MRVC and Wilbur Smith Associates, a consulting firm specialising in transportation infrastructure, a few years ago, Ghatkopar has one of the highest density of passengers. This is because it caters to the Mumbai Metro Blue Line 1 crowds as well. “The crowds at Ghatkopar are increasing by the day. The number of passengers has doubled since the opening of Aqua Line 3 at Marol, Red Line 7 at Andheri station and Yellow Line 2A at DN Nagar,” another commuter, Sukesh Joshi, said. “Train services should start at Ghatkopar station, as is the case with Andheri station, to manage crowds on Central Railway,” Vidyasagar Jagadeeshan, an activist, said. Railway Speak The MRVC is in the process of expediting the work of building foundations and clearing the debris. “We sincerely acknowledge the inconvenience caused to passengers during these essential upgrades. Despite operational challenges, including limited working hours due to running train traffic, we remain committed to expediting and completing the station improvement works at the earliest while ensuring public safety and convenience,” MRVC Chief Public Relations Officer Sunil Udasi said. He added, “To provide better amenities and ensure passenger convenience, phase II station improvement work is actively underway at Ghatkopar station.” Key activities in progress Elevated deck foundation work at platform 1: The ongoing foundation work will be completed within the next two days, after which the barricading will be removed at the earliest possible. Subsequent pile foundation for the elevated deck: This work will commence tonight on platform 1. Pile foundation work for a 12m-wide south FOB: Later, the pile foundation for the 12-metre-wide south foot overbridge (FOB) on platform 1 will be undertaken. The work is expected to be completed within the next two months.
14 February,2025 09:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarGoogle India has renewed its lease agreement for nearly 1.11 lakh square feet office space in BKC, Mumbai at Rs 3.55 crore per month rent, according to Square Yards. Google Cloud India too has renewed the lease for office space at Rs 1.24 crore per month in Mumbai’s BKC, it added. Both of them leased space at a monthly rental of Rs 320 per square feet. As per Square Yards, both the lease renewal transactions were officially registered in February 2025. The leased office spaces are located in the First International Financial Center (FIFC), a commercial project spanning 1.99 acres in BKC. The rent per square feet is Rs 320 per month as per the agreement. It also features an escalation clause stipulating a 15 per cent rent increase after 36 months. The firm paid a security deposit of Rs 9.64 crore. Google Cloud India has also renewed its lease for an office space spanning a chargeable area of 38,678 sq ft across a single floor at FIFC. The lease agreement includes a monthly rent of Rs 1.24 crore. It has been renewed for the next five years, starting June 2025. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
14 February,2025 08:40 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesMaharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Jiya Khan has called for a comprehensive survey of all minority schools in the state. He has sought collaboration between the State Minority Commission and the State School Education Department to assess and enhance the quality of education at these institutions. Khan has expressed concern over the declining education standards in many Muslim minority schools, highlighting the adverse effects on students and a pervasive lack of accountability. His call to action follows a recent controversy at an Urdu school in Akola, where a teacher allegedly faced sexual harassment. Khan has also written to State School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, recommending the revocation of approval and minority status for the Muslim school in Akola and 21 other schools affiliated with the same trust. Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Jiya Khan Khan has further initiated a crackdown on Urdu schools following complaints of bribery in teacher appointments and cases of sexual harassment. Khan said that he received multiple complaints from teachers alleging that school management had demanded R40 lakh for appointments. In the Akola case, the management allegedly extorted 20 to 30 per cent of teachers’ salaries and harassed those who failed to comply. On Wednesday, Khan wrote to the state school education department recommending cancelling the recognition and stopping grants for at least 22 Urdu schools in the state that are managed by the trust that operated the Akola school. He stated, “I have requested School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse to cancel the recognition and grants of these schools.” “There is no accountability, and the careers of students are being jeopardised due to this. These schools use minority status to evade their obligatory duties like RTE and other rules; hence, their minority status should be cancelled,” Khan asserted. He also alleged that many school managements appoint relatives and acquaintances to teaching positions, neglecting qualified candidates. “This needs to be investigated by the school education department,” Khan said. Speaking to mid-day, Sajid Nisar Ahmed, Founder and General Secretary of the Akhil Bhartiya Urdu Shikshak Sangh, said, “We condemn the incidents that occurred in the Akola schools and are appreciative of Mr Khan’s support for the teachers involved. However, his suggestion to revoke the minority status of all schools is unfair.” A South Mumbai school principal said, “It is not so easy to just revoke the minority status of all schools indiscriminately. While action against institutions misusing their minority status is justified, advocating for the removal of this status across the board is both illogical and unjust.” Former Maharashtra State Minority Commission Chairman J M Abhyankar, currently representing the Mumbai teachers’ constituency as an MLC, noted that deteriorating educational quality is not exclusive to minority institutions but is also evident in many non-minority schools. “Khan focuses on schools with religious minorities. The state government is limited in its ability to intervene in the operations of these institutions,” he said. Urdu (minority) schools As per UDISE Plus report, there are a total 8719 schools in the state having a minority status. A total of 2,72,091 students from the respective minority groups and 7,95,516 students from non-minority are enrolled in these schools. As of the 2021-2022 academic year, there were 4900 Urdu-medium schools in Maharashtra, with the Mumbai suburban district hosting the second-highest number of such schools (303). In Mumbai city, there were 95 Urdu-medium schools. Total number of Urdu medium schools in the state has since increased to 5438 schools by the 2023-2024 academic year.
14 February,2025 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Dipti SinghThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has undertaken beautification of the median under the Qutb-e-Konkan Makhdoom Ali Mahimi Flyover, also known as the J J flyover, which will be completed within two months. Instead of planting regular bushes on the median, BMC has decided to plant trees that will double up as noise barriers. However, traffic expert Kamlakar Shenoy claimed this beautification, which began at the end of last year, is illegal. “We started beautification of the median that was made at the time of construction of the flyover. The plan also includes developing special facilities for Mumbaikars by converting three outdated BEST double-decker buses into art galleries, cafeterias, and libraries under the flyover,” said a civic official. Around Rs 12 crore has been allotted to the project. Civic Chief Bhushan Gagrani visited the site on Thursday and directed that the entire 2.1 km long road divider under the flyover be beautified with a concept-based design, planted with trees that help reduce noise pollution, and adorned with attractive landscaping. He also ordered the installation of sturdy, uniformly designed protective railings to prevent misuse of the dividers and avoid damage or vandalism. “Facilities such as art galleries, cafeterias, and libraries under the flyover should be developed as per the approved concept and operated by NGOs or women’s self-help groups,” Gagrani told BMC officials. According to a civic official, most of the beautification work has been completed. “We are giving final touches to the project. We have taken into account the fact that the space was used by anti-social elements during the night and also ensured that no one can use the place for sleeping. This median already existed and we are only beautifying it,” said the official. PIL in court Transport expert Kamlakar Shenoy has filed a public interest litigation against the beautification work. “This beautification is illegal. The BMC is using the road area by expanding the median. This is a congested road, and now BMC is encroaching on the road,” Shenoy said. “I have filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court. During the hearing, I will give all the proof regarding the beautification being illegal.”
14 February,2025 08:30 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentIn a move to curb ticket scalping, Maharashtra Cyber has directed major ticketing platforms BookMyShow and Zomato to print buyers’ names on tickets for large-scale events and concerts. The decision follows widespread ticket reselling at inflated prices during the recent Coldplay concert in Mumbai. Special IG of Maharashtra Cyber, Yashasvi Yadav, clarified that the rule will not be mandatory for all events but will apply to high-value events with exceptionally high demand to prevent large-scale resale. Mandatory name printing Maharashtra Cyber Chief Yashasvi Yadav stated that investigations revealed a pattern where individuals were purchasing tickets in bulk and reselling them on different platforms, including social media, at exorbitant rates. To prevent such malpractice, authorities have now made it mandatory for tickets to be issued in the name of the buyer for high-demand events where ticket demand far exceeds supply. Additionally, attendees will be required to carry a government-issued ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or driving licence) matching the name on the ticket to gain entry into the event venue. “This move will have a significant impact on the black marketing of tickets for major events and concerts. We held marathon meetings with the concerned stakeholders before making this decision,” Yadav said. “Reselling or transferring tickets will not be allowed. If a buyer wishes to cancel their ticket, they must do so through the platform, similar to airline bookings. Refunds will be processed as per the platform’s policy,” Yadav added. White Paper The Maharashtra Cyber is preparing a white paper on the issue, compiling inputs from various ticketing platforms. This document will outline the legal and technical reforms needed to regulate ticket sales and prevent exploitation in the secondary market. “With this move, Maharashtra Cyber aims to bring transparency in ticket sales and ensure that genuine buyers do not fall victim to black-market pricing,” Yadav said. The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which investigated the Coldplay ticket black marketing case, has closed the preliminary inquiry, finding no irregularities on the part of BookMyShow.
14 February,2025 08:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to wind up Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) hotlines and switch to satellite-based hotlines instead. This new system will be implemented before the monsoon. “We are using 63 MTNL hotlines, which are directly connected with all civic wards, fire bridges, police and other government authorities. These hotlines are mainly used during a disaster. But most of the time these hotlines are not working. Currently we use mobile or very high frequency wireless systems during emergency situations. But hotlines are the best option for communication during such times,” said an official from the civic disaster control department. According to the official, satellite-based hotline systems don’t face any network issues as both ends connect via satellite. “This system can also function during heavy rain. We are planning to implement it before the monsoon. The estimated cost of the project is R6 crore,” the official said. Currently, the civic disaster department has 63 hotlines, but after the upgrade, there will be 75-80 hotlines. “We have decided to set up disaster rooms in the 13 hospitals,” the official added. Citizens’ also ditch MTNL Dadar resident Sachin S said, “I was using an MTNL landline connection a decade ago. But there were many challenges. Many times the landline was dead, or I received higher bills. So we discontinued the service. We are using mobile phones as landlines even at home.” Rajesh Pandya, a resident of Dahisar, said he stopped using the MTNL mobile network service two years ago due to network and internet connectivity issues. “I ported my number to another service provider,” Pandya said, adding that he always faced connectivity issues while travelling from Dahisar towards the city, especially after crossing Andheri. Sunny Sawant, a resident of Naigaon, told mid-day that his family stopped using the MTNL landline service during the pandemic as they started receiving bills that were extremely high and the service was not working properly. Varsha Shah, another MTNL mobile service user, said, “I have been using the MTNL service but constantly face network connectivity issues and get low internet speed even on the road. At times, even urgent messages from banks are not received due to network issues. However, messages to recharge the plan come in regularly but better facilities are not provided. I have decided to port my number to another service provider.” Union Speak “When we raise questions about MTNL in the Parliament, we get information that the government launches satellites for better connectivity. But where is this connectivity? Do consumers get network? In 2015, MTNL started a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). At the time I asked for new staff to be hired. But no one listens. The operational area of the MTNL is spread in Mumbai, Thane, Mira Bhayandar, Navi Mumbai and Panvel civic corporation limits. But there are only 1200 people who work for maintenance. It’s not possible to maintain such a huge area with such a shortage of manpower. Government policies are killing MTNL, which has had better connectivity in the past,” said Arvind Sawant, Member of Parliament and president of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Kamgar Sangh. Voices Rajesh Pandya, Dahisar resident’I stopped using the MTNL mobile network service two years ago due to network and internet connectivity issues. I always faced connectivity issues while travelling from Dahisar towards the city, especially after crossing Andheri. So I ported my number’ Varsha Shah, MTNL mobile service user‘I have been using the MTNL service but constantly face network connectivity issues and get low internet speed even on the road. At times, even urgent messages from banks are not received. So I have decided to port my number to another service provider’ Arvind Sawant, MP and president of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Kamgar Sangh‘The operational area of the MTNL is spread in Mumbai, Thane, Mira Bhayandar, Navi Mumbai and Panvel civic corporation limits. But there are only 1200 people who work for maintenance. It’s not possible to maintain such a huge area with such a shortage of manpower’
14 February,2025 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveADVERTISEMENT
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