Mumbai on Wednesday reported as many as 19 cases of Covid-19, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), said in a health bulletin. No death was reported on December 27, the health bulletin said. The city now has an active caseload of 103 patients, it further said. No JN.1 variant was detected on Wednesday, the bulletin said. 51 per cent are asymptomatic cases, symptomatic cases have mild symptoms and recover within a few days, as per the bulletin. Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 87 Covid-19 cases and two deaths related to the virus, the state health department bulletin said. So far 10 patients in the state were found to be infected with the JN.1 variant of Covid, the bulletin said. Maharashtra now has a case fatality rate in the state at 1.81 per cent, the bulletin said. Maharashtra had on Monday reported 28 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the number of active cases in the state to 153, as per a state health department bulletin. The state currently has 265 active cases, the state health department said in the bulletin. As many as 14 patients were discharged on Wednesday after full recovery. The recovery rate in the state is 98.18 per cent, the bulletin said. India reported a single-day rise of 529 cases of Covid-19, while the number of active cases of the infection was recorded at 4,093, the health ministry said on Wednesday. Three new fatalities -- two from Karnataka and one from Gujarat were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am. The number of daily cases had dropped to double-digits till December 5, but infections have again gone up after emergence of a new Covid variant JN.1 and cold weather conditions. The daily numbers were in lakhs at the peak of the pandemic, which began in early 2020 and has seen more than 4.5 crore people getting infected and over 5.3 lakh deaths in about four years since then across the country. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease stands at more than 4.4 crore with a national recovery rate of 98.81 per cent, according to the ministry's website.
27 December,2023 07:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra on Wednesday reported 87 Covid-19 cases and two deaths related to the virus, the state health department bulletin said. So far 10 patients in the state were found to be infected with the JN.1 variant of Covid, the bulletin said. Maharashtra now has a case fatality rate in the state at 1.81 per cent, the bulletin said. The state currently has 265 active cases, the state health department said in the bulletin. As many as 14 patients were discharged on Wednesday after full recovery. The recovery rate in the state is 98.18 per cent, the bulletin said. Maharashtra had on Monday reported 28 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the number of active cases in the state to 153, as per a state health department bulletin. Meanwhile, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul had said last week that the new variant was being closely investigated but he stressed on the need for states to ramp up testing and strengthen their surveillance systems. Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant last week had written to states and Union territories calling for requisite public health measures to be put in place and underlined the critical Covid-19 control and management strategies considering the ongoing festive season. States have been urged to ensure effective compliance of operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy for Covid-19 shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. India reported a single-day rise of 529 cases of Covid-19, while the number of active cases of the infection was recorded at 4,093, the health ministry said on Wednesday. Three new fatalities -- two from Karnataka and one from Gujarat were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am. The number of daily cases had dropped to double-digits till December 5, but infections have again gone up after emergence of a new Covid variant JN.1 and cold weather conditions. The daily numbers were in lakhs at the peak of the pandemic, which began in early 2020 and has seen more than 4.5 crore people getting infected and over 5.3 lakh deaths in about four years since then across the country. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease stands at more than 4.4 crore with a national recovery rate of 98.81 per cent, according to the ministry's website. (with PTI inputs)
27 December,2023 06:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Western Railway's Mumbai division on Wednesday said that it will run special Mumbai local trains on New Year Eve. In an official statement, the Western Railway said that to clear extra rush of passengers on the occasion of new year, Western Railway will run eight special local trains during the intervening night of 31st December, 2023 and 1st January, 2024 including four from Churchgate to Virar and four from Virar to Churchgate. The Western Railway also shared the time table of special Mumbai local trains that will operate on the New Year Eve. It said that the down Mumbai local trains from Churchgate to Virar will begin at 1:15 am and up suburban services from Virar to Churchgate will start from 12:15 am. Meanwhile, the Central Railway's Mumbai division on Tuesday said that it will run special suburban services on New Year Eve on 31.12.2023 to 01.01.2024 midnight for the benefit of passengers. The Central Railway, in an official statement said that the following trains have been arranged for the passengers. Main Line Special train will depart Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 01.30 hrs and arrive Kalyan at 03.00 hrs. Special train will depart Kalyan at 01.30 hrs and arrive Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 03.00 hrs. Harbour Line Special train will depart Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 01.30 hrs and arrive Panvel at 02.50 hrs. Special train will depart Panvel at 01.30 hrs and arrive Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 02.50 hrs The Central Railway said that all these specials will halt at all stations. "The passengers are requested to follow Covid appropriate behaviour for their's and other's safety," the Central Railway said. Central Railway to install panic switches The Central Railway will be installing panic switches at 117 railway stations on its network, a top official said in Mumbai on Thursday, reported the PTI. Speaking at his first news conference after taking charge of the post, Central Railway general manager Ram Karan Yadav said two panic switches will be installed on each platform at 117 stations. In case of emergency, a passenger can press the button to seek help from the Railway Protection Force (RPF). A senior CR official said the Central Railway has signed an MoU with RailTel for the installation. "On pressing the panic button, the RPF control will get an alert and immediate help will be sent to the passengers by checking the CCTV," the official said. The work is expected to be complete within a year. Yadav further said that all ladies coaches in the CR's local trains in Mumbai will get emergency talkback system and CCTV cameras by March 2024. Of 771 ladies coaches, 512 coaches already have the emergency talkback system and 421 coaches have CCTV. Central Railway operates around 1850 suburban services in Mumbai, 145 DEMU-MEMU trains and 371 mail-express trains including five Vande Bharat Express trains, on its network.
27 December,2023 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Congress party is preparing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by kicking off its campaign with a major rally, 'Hain Tayyar Hum,' in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Thursday, which also happens to be the party's 138th founding anniversary, stated a report in PTI. According to the PTI, during a press conference at the rally site, Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole emphasised the historical significance of the event, calling it a watershed moment for the nation. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, as well as past leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, will speak at the big event. "Whenever the country faced trouble, the Congress pitched in and a big change took place in the country. After the Emergency, (the then prime minister) Indira Gandhi held a public meeting in Nagpur and the Congress then won all the seats from Vidarbha. History will repeat in Nagpur and a big 'parivartan' (change) will take place in the country," Nana Patole was quoted as saying to the PTI. Patole said during the press conference that Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Nyay Yatra' will begin on January 14 from Manipur to Mumbai. Nagpur was chosen for this protest for symbolic reasons, as it is the home of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and 'Deekshabhoomi,' the site where Dr B R Ambedkar accepted Buddhism, said Congress leader Raut, He said, "On one hand there is the RSS ideology, and the other hand is the ideology of Constitution's architect Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar which is aligned with the ideology of the Congress. The public will certainly go along with the slogan of the Congress and the rally will sound the bugle for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections." The event, with the rallying slogan 'Hain Tayyar Hum' (we are ready), intends to send a powerful message across the country, kicking off the Congress' campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Preparations are in full swing, with thousands of citizens and party workers expected to attend the Dighori location in Nagpur, said Maharashtra Congress working president and former cabinet minister Naseem Khan. Khan added, "The Congress led a fight before 1947 for the country's independence and the Congress is now going to sound the bugle for the next fight to save democracy." With PTI inputs
27 December,2023 02:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra has reported nine fresh cases of Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 while the countrywide tally of the new variant stands at 109, reports said on Wednesday. Forty more cases of the sub-variant JN.1 were recorded, with the tally of cases of the new variant across the country till December 26 rising to 109, newswire PTI reported quoting official sources. Thirty-six cases were detected from Gujarat, 34 from Karnataka, 14 from Goa, nine from Maharashtra, six from Kerala, four each from Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, and two from Telangana, they said. Most of the patients are currently in home isolation, they added. NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul had said last week that the new variant was being closely investigated but he stressed on the need for states to ramp up testing and strengthen their surveillance systems. Even though the number of cases is rising and the JN.1 sub-variant has been detected in the country, there is no cause of immediate concern as 92 per cent of those infected are opting for home-based treatment, indicating a mild illness, officials have said. There is also no increase in hospitalisation rates and Covid-19 is an incidental finding in those hospitalised due to other medical conditions, they said. Union Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant last week had written to states and Union territories calling for requisite public health measures to be put in place and underlined the critical Covid-19 control and management strategies considering the ongoing festive season. Also read: Mask-up, follow Covid appropriate behaviour States have been urged to ensure effective compliance of operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy for Covid-19 shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. They have asked to monitor and report district-wise cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) in all health facilities regularly for early detection of rising trend of cases. India saw a single-day rise of 529 cases of Covid-19, while the number of active cases of the infection was recorded at 4,093, the health ministry said on Wednesday. Three new fatalities -- two from Karnataka and one from Gujarat were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am. The JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1), emerged in August 2023 in Luxembourg and is descendant of the BA.2.86 lineage (Pirola) of SARS COV2. (With inputs from PTI)
27 December,2023 01:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn 2023, the political situation in Maharashtra was dominated by quota politics, spearheaded by activist Manoj Jarange, who fought for Maratha reservations. However, the situation generated difficulties among OBC leaders, who emphasised the importance of preserving existing OBC reservations while considering Maratha quotas, as stated in a report in PTI. According to the report, the quota agitation made it to the headlines after the cops lathi-charged the protesters at the venue of Manoj Jarange's hunger strike at his village in Maharashtra's Latur district in September. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has promised a parliamentary session to settle the Maratha quota issue. Ajit Pawar, like Eknath Shinde before him, sided with Shiv Sena-BJP, assuming the job of second deputy chief minister with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis. However, before coming out in public against his uncle Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar had given a letter to the Election Commission claiming he was the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party and not his uncle which triggered a dispute over the party like it did with Shiv Sena which was put to rest in February this year, the PTI report added. According to the report, this volatile dynamic sets the stage for Maharashtra's impending Lok Sabha and assembly elections, which are critical given the state's 48 Lok Sabha seats. As Ajit Pawar asserted the NCP presidency, a legal fight erupted, prompting an Election Commission debate on the true NCP faction. Previously, the EC gave Shinde's side the Shiv Sena name and symbol, while the Supreme Court's order on disqualification petitions against Sena MLAs was extended till January 10, 2024, the report added. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's anticipated reconsideration of the Maratha quota on January 24 coincides with Jarange's planned hunger strike in Mumbai beginning January 20 in support of Kunbi caste certificates for all Marathas. While political leaders prepare for elections in 2024, analysts such as Senior Congress politician Ratnakar Mahajan told PTI that he predicts increased division and disarray. Analysts believe that purposely inflamed caste divisions may affect the elections, but the BJP's Madhav Bhandari downplays their possible impact, the PTI report stated. Bhandari, reportedly cited the recent Gram Panchayat elections as evidence of the situation's superficial effect on the broader electoral environment since the ruling alliance claimed to have done well even though panchayat elections are not contested on party lines.
27 December,2023 12:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn adult golden jackal was found dead on the Eastern Express Highway in Mumbai early on Wednesday morning. A PTI report quoted a representative from a wildlife welfare group saying that it is suspected that the jackal was hit by a vehicle. Upon receiving information, a rescue squad was dispatched to the Kanjurmarg area, the PTI report added. Pawan Sharma, the founder of the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) and an honorary wildlife warden, investigated the case and concluded that the male jackal most likely died as a result of injuries incurred in a vehicle collision, the report stated. To understand any underlying issues, a detailed post-mortem examination (necropsy) will be carried out to determine the cause of death and ascertain if there were any pre-existing complications, Sharma explained. "A detailed necropsy (post-mortem) will be conducted to find out if the animal had any complications," he was quoted as saying. The Eastern Express Highway, an important road connecting Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane, is near the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary and mangrove forests, habitats commonly frequented by jackals, Sharma highlighted. Sharma plans to interact with relevant authorities to push for the erection of animal crossing signboards at critical spots along the roadway, expressing his concern. He also intends to offer other scientific solutions to safeguard the safety of animals traversing these locations, the report added. He was quoted in the PTI report as saying, "I will speak to the authorities concerned about installation of sign boards pertaining to wildlife crossing areas at strategic locations (on the highway) along with other scientific measures to save the animals." Man-animal conflict in Maharashtra The Human-Wildlife conflict (HWC) saw an alarming rise in the last one decade. According to the exclusive data accessed by mid-day, as many as 624 persons were killed and over 5,000 were injured in Maharashtra between January 2012 and January 2023 due to HWC. Reportedly, the Maharashtra Forest Department had paid over Rs 450 crore towards compensation due to HWC which included human deaths, injuries, cattle loss and crops damage in the 10-year-period. The data was received as a response to an RTI query filed with the Maharashtra Forest Department regarding the number of deaths in HWC (involving tiger/leopard/elephant/black bear/wild boar) from January 2012 to January 2023.
27 December,2023 12:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Police has initiated a campaign in the JJ flyover and Bhendi Bazaar area from December 21, involving school and madrasa students to propagate the 'No Honking' message, aiming to raise awareness about noise pollution, stated a report in ANI. According to the report, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone 1, Pravin Mundhe, said that the ongoing campaign, which includes putting up banners getting assistance from NGOs and collaborating with students from schools and madrasas, is to ensure that all rules and regulations are followed, the ANI report added, "From December 21st we started a major drive under the JJ flyover & Bhendi Bazaar area. We have put up banners, taken help from NGOs, school & madrasa students have also been engaged...We will ensure that the people follow rules and regulations in that area," Mundhe told ANI. Mundhe emphasised the goal of raising community awareness about traffic rules, particularly concerns such as helmet use, eliminating triple-seat riding, and reducing wrong-way driving. This programme, which is scheduled to run for 15 days, aims to police traffic restrictions. Children's participation in this undertaking is significant since their advocacy often has a significant impact. The programme has received widespread support, with plans to continue these activities for an extended period of time in order to have a greater impact. "Our aim is to raise awareness and enforcement on issues such as without helmet, triple seat and wrong side driving. In the first phase this mission will be carried out for 15 days We are going to ensure that people in that area follow traffic rules and those who will not follow the rules we will enforce rules on them," he further told ANI. The DCP said that the Mumbai Police roped children in this initiative since their appeal makes a bigger impact, the ANI report further stated. The DCP was quoted as saying in the ANI report, "Many people are joining us in this initiative and we are going to continue this activity for a prolonged period to make a better impact." On 'No Honking Day' in August, the cops had collected around Rs 20 lakh for honking from motorists and bikers, and Rs 1.5 lakh only from bikers for noisy silencers. Cops had said that most of the fines were collected from Chembur, Ghatkopar and Dadar.
27 December,2023 11:50 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThane police intercepted a tempo transporting banned tobacco products worth Rs 13.82 lakh, cops said on Wednesday. A report in the PTI stated that the cops were acting on a tip-off they received. The report added that based on the received information, the cops had set up a trap beneath Rajnoli Bridge in the Bhiwandi area on Monday. They identified the tempo and intercepted it, a Kongaon police station official told PTI. The 32-year-old tempo driver was arrested when the Rs 13,82,400 worth of seized items were discovered, and the car was subsequently seized. A complaint has been filed against the driver under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules, the PTI report added. Authorities are looking into the intended recipient and the unlawful materials' source. To stop further distribution and limit the unlawful trade of such commodities, efforts are being made to identify the origin of the forbidden items and their intended destination, it further stated. Meanwhile, in another incident, a scrap shop owner in Navi Mumbai was booked for allegedly abetting a woman's suicide. The woman used to sell him scrap items, stated the PTI report. According to the report, the woman, aged 38, ended her life in June last year; she used to collect scrap and sell it to the accused at his shop in Kharghar area of Navi Mumbai. Reportedly, the deceased woman once sold scrap to another dealer; when the accused got a whiff of it, he arrived at the woman's doorstep. The woman lived in Dahisar's Mori area. The incident happened on June 13 last year. Reportedly, the accused then allegedly beat her up and demanded money from her, personnel from Shil-Dhagar police station told PTI without divulging details of the amount sought by the accused. He called her two days later threatening to defame her and kidnap her daughter if she did not give him money. The woman ended her life the same evening by consuming poison at her home, the PTI report added. After conducting a probe and recording statements of the deceased's family and other witnesses, the cops filed a case against the accused under sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. With agency inputs
27 December,2023 11:19 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to conduct a structural audit of every flyover, culvert and foot overbridge (FOB) on both the Eastern and Western Express Highways. Last year, the Mumbai Metropolitan Development Authority (MMRDA) handed over both stretches to the civic body. An official from the roads department said, “We decided to conduct the audit as some flyovers are nearly two decades old.” “Also, we need to maintain records of flyovers and other structures on the highways as they have been handed over to us by the MMRDA,” the official said. According to civic officials, some flyovers are nearly two decades old. Representation Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi “The estimated cost of the audit is around Rs 90 lakh and we have decided to appoint a government institute to conduct it,” the official added. The BMC will come to know the nature of repairs required for each bridge. “On the basis of the audit report we can undertake repair work,” the official said. In total, there are about 60 flyovers, culverts and FOBs on the Western Express Highway, which links Bandra and Dahisar, while its eastern counterpart—which runs from Sion to Mulund—has 20 in all. Meanwhile, the BMC has decided to decongest nine major junctions on both expressways. The civic body has decided to construct underpasses, double-decker bridges and horizontal roads. Of the nine major junctions, the Hanuman Road, Sudhir Phadke flyover and Milan subway junctions in Vile Parle, Dahisar and Andheri respectively are on the Western Express Highway while the Airoli, JVLR at Powai, Ghatkopar, Chheda Nagar and U-turn junctions for solid waste vehicles at Kanjurmarg and the BKC connector extension are on the Eastern Express Highway. 60No of flyovers, culverts, FOBs on the WEH Rs 90 lakhEstimated cost of structural audit of bridges
27 December,2023 06:50 AM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) — the longest sea bridge in the country — has moved closer to becoming a reality with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) completing a load test on the bridge. Work on the bridge continues contrary to the Maharashtra BJP’s claims that it would be ready for public use by December 25. Amid this, former minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday questioned the state government for the delay. An official from the MMRDA said, “The MMRDA has carried out the load-carrying capacity test on the MTHL. Dumpers (heavy vehicles) were parked on the bridge for a certain amount of time.” With the conclusion of this test, the MMRDA’s engineering wing can clear the opening of the bridge. Earlier, the Maharashtra BJP had claimed that the MTHL would be thrown open on December 25. However, the MMRDA, which is implementing the project, had said last month that although it was 97 per cent complete, the remaining work would not be over by then. The MMRDA is the nodal agency for the MTHL. File pic It has also been reported that while the MMRDA recommended a one-way toll of Rs 500, the state government had proposed a one-way toll of Rs 350. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the urban development department and is the MMRDA chairman, is expected to make a final decision on this soon. The MTHL, also known as Sewri–Nhava Sheva Trans Harbour Link, (officially Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Trans Harbour Link), is expected to accommodate about 70,000 vehicles daily. ‘Why the delay?’ On December 26, Aaditya posted on X, formerly Twitter, “Why does our state face so much discrimination? Surat Diamond Bourse was shown to the world in a hurry, but in Maharashtra, MTHL awaits inauguration. Digha Railway Station awaits inauguration for more than eight months. Uran Line awaits inauguration. These are just a few of the infrastructural works that this regime has nothing to do with, apart from inaugurate, and yet are delaying it. The delay is either because they want to inaugurate closer to election dates, or the VIPs don’t have time for Maharashtra. Or maybe, push a few more crucial industries to their “favourite state” before Maharashtra can have its infrastructure used by its citizens. Whatever it is, the citizens suffer due to the absolute hatred the current regimes have for Maharashtra. 2024 is the year we decide through our elections, whether we want these anti-Maharashtra forces to decide the future of our state, or do we decide our future.” The MMRDA is the nodal agency for the MTHL project. The 21.8-kilometre six-lane access-controlled bridge from Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai has three interchanges. One interchange is at Sewri in south Mumbai, connecting the MTHL to Eastern Freeway (Mumbai side), the second is at Shivaji Nagar in Ulwe connecting MTHL to Navi Mumbai Coastal Road Project, and the third is the Chirle interchange — where one arm will connect to the State Highway-54 and the second arm will connect to NH4 Mumbai Pune Highway. 70kVehicles structure can accommodate on daily basis 21.8 kmLength of the sea bridge
27 December,2023 06:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavADVERTISEMENT
