Maharashtra
MHADA eyeing 3 projects in Kalachowki, Worli & Bandra Reclamation to rev up real estate business in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Housing & Area Development Authority (MHADA) has proposed to the state government three big ticket redevelopment projects in Mumbai, which will give a huge boost to the real estate industry in the metropolis. The housing body has suggested the cluster redevelopment of Abhyudaya Nagar at Kalachowkie, Adarsh Nagar in Worli and the Bandra Reclamation layout.
Sources in the MHADA told the FPJ on Thursday that a detailed note in this regard had been sent to the housing ministry in Mantralaya, which is under Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The MHADA has suggested that tenders be floated for the redevelopment of these areas, which are on its land. After the government’s decision on the redevelopment of Dharavi, these three mega projects also are likely to be pushed through.
Fadnavis wanted to implement the project soon
Sources in Mantralaya said Fadnavis was on a mission mode and wanted to cut red tape to ensure that long-delayed projects would be implemented soon.
Former Minister for Housing Jitendra Awhad told the FPJ that he had earlier objected to the individual development of these buildings, since it would be difficult to provide proper infrastructure facilities in terms of water supply, drainage, recreational facilities etc.
“I had proposed cluster development of these colonies so that infrastructure could be upgraded uniformly. However, there was no consensus in the government. In the case of Abhyudaya Nagar, the federation of housing societies of the lower-middle-class colony did float tenders and decided to award the contract to Keystone Reality of the Rustomjee Group.”
Project didn’t take off because of Rs 180 crore stamp duty
However, the proposal did not take off since the state government insisted on the payment of stamp duty of over Rs 180 crore. Awhad said, “I had proposed that the stamp duty be recovered in instalments till Keystone completed the project. However, my suggestion did not find favour with the then government.”
Since the project did not go beyond the drawing board stage, the MHADA has decided to undertake the redevelopment of the colony, which is spread over 30 acres. In the case of the six-acre Adarsh Nagar, a few buildings did start redevelopment, but the rest could not.
Raghavan Sarathy, an advocate and former resident of the colony said, “Building No. 17 has been redeveloped. Building No. 41 is under redevelopment. The rest of the buildings remain as they are. There is also objection from the Indian Coast Guard, which has its establishment nearby.”
Big players are eyeing Bandra Reclamation proposal development project
Big players in the real estate market who have already got wind of the MHADA’s proposal, are, however, eyeing the Bandra Reclamation proposal development project near Lilavati Hospital, where real estate prices are in the region of Rs 65,000 per sq ft to Rs 80,000 sq ft.
Two buildings in the area, Akshay and Safal, have already started redevelopment. Indications are that other buildings will not receive NOCs from the MHADA since the entire area will be redeveloped. A few local residents did initiate the process for redevelopment of buildings in Phases I and II. But now, their efforts will be in vain in the backdrop of the MHADA’s mega move.
An additional incentive may be given for the Bandra Reclamation project, since the MHADA is likely to get a higher premium. Meanwhile, the K Raheja group has bagged the tender for the redevelopment of Sea King apartments near Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow, Mannat, in Bandra west. Several top builders like Wadhwa, Dilip Thakkar, Supreme and the Lotus Group’s Anand Pandit had participated in the first bid for the redevelopment of this seafacing multi-storeyed building.
However, the proposal did not go through due to certain technical reasons. Later, the society, which houses celebrities like actor Zarina Wahab, floated a fresh tender and recently signed a redevelopment agreement with K Raheja. Each member of the society will receive 48 per cent of their present area free of cost, apart from a large corpus and state-of-the-art recreational facilities.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Rains: High Tides Hit Gateway Of India, Vakola Flooded, Andheri Subway Closed; Check IMD Forecast, Warning, Police Advisory

Mumbai: Mumbai experienced intense rainfall throughout Friday, majorly disrupting normal life across various parts of the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued an orange alert for Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane, anticipating heavy to very heavy rainfall as the monsoon system remains active over the Konkan coast. Palghar district was placed under a yellow alert.
Rain began lashing the city late Thursday night and continued into Friday morning, affecting both South Mumbai and the western suburbs. Localities such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Churchgate, Dadar, Dahisar, Borivali, Kandivali, Malad, Goregaon, Jogeshwari and Andheri were among the worst-hit, with widespread waterlogging reported. Commuters faced delays and difficult travel conditions as flooded streets slowed vehicular movement.
Visuals Show Flooding In Several Areas
Social media was flooded with visuals showing the impact of the downpour. High tides slammed against the walls at the Gateway of India and Marine Drive, while in areas like Vakola, people were seen wading through knee-deep water. Vehicles navigated waterlogged roads in Andheri and Borivali. Andheri Subway was closed for traffic this morning due to heavy rains.
Over 65mm Rainfall Recorded In 3 Hours
According to BMC rainfall data, the western suburbs witnessed particularly intense rainfall between 8 am and 11 am on Friday. The highest recorded was at the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Hospital in Jogeshwari, where 67.3 mm of rainfall was measured in just three hours.
Flight operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport saw minor delays due to poor visibility and heavy rains. IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory cautioning passengers about potential weather-related disruptions.
Mumbai Police Issues Advisory
In response to the worsening conditions, Mumbai Police issued a public advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel and stay away from coastal areas. “Due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai and nearby districts, citizens are advised to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, avoid coastal areas and drive cautiously. Our officials and staff are on high alert and ready to assist Mumbaikars. In case of any emergency, please dial 100 / 112 / 103,” read the police advisory on X.
As rainfall is expected to continue, authorities remain on alert to prevent any untoward incidents, with emergency services deployed across the city to respond swiftly to distress calls.
Crime
Mumbai: High-Profile Sex Racket Busted At Andheri Hotel; 3 Vietnamese Women Rescued

Mumbai: The MIDC Police busted a high-profile sex racket involving foreign nationals at a hotel in Andheri. The illegal operation was being run from the Empire Suite Hotel near Times Square on Andheri-Kurla Road. The raid, carried out recently following a tip-off, led to the rescue of three Vietnamese women who were allegedly forced into prostitution.
Acting on specific intelligence, senior police officials directed the MIDC Police to verify the information and take immediate action. a decoy customer was sent to the hotel to confirm the operation. Upon reaching the premises, the decoy was received by hotel manager Alam Khalil Chaudhary, who allegedly offered sex services for Rs 6,000 and led him to a room on the eighth floor. There, the decoy met a foreign woman, who later admitted to being involved in prostitution along with two other Vietnamese women staying in another room.
3 Women Rescued From Hotel
After receiving a pre-arranged signal from the decoy, the police team raided the 8th and 9th floors of the hotel, rescuing all three women. The women were taken in for questioning, during which they confirmed their involvement in sex work. They also revealed that their clients were coordinated through an agent who shared their photographs online and directed customers to the hotel.
Further investigation revealed that the sex racket was being run with the knowledge and alleged involvement of the hotel owner, Abdul Salam. According to the police, the manager facilitated all transactions and coordinated with the agent, while Salam oversaw the operation. Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Prevention of Immoral Traffic Act (PITA) against both Chaudhary and Salam.
Manhunt Launched For Hotel Owner
While Alam Chaudhary has been arrested, the hotel owner is currently absconding. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest him. The rescued women, all citizens of Vietnam, have had their passports seized and were sent to a shelter home after undergoing medical examinations. The Vietnamese Embassy in India has been informed of their rescue.
Police are now working to identify and track the agent involved in the online coordination of the racket and are investigating whether more people or locations are linked to the operation.
Crime
Mumbai Police Seize 926 Kg Of Narcotics Worth ₹174 Crore In 6 Months; 744 Arrested In Citywide Crackdown

Mumbai: The city police have seized over 926 kilograms of contraband in the first half of this year and have arrested 744 persons allegedly involved in 634 drugs related cases registered in the city. Total value of the seized contraband is a whopping Rs 174.19 crore. Statistics revealed that ganja and Mephedrone (MD) have been the most seized contraband in the city.
Ganja, MD Top List Of Most Seized Drugs In City
According to the statistics provided by the police, from January till June this year, the police have registered 28 cases related to seizure of heroin, arrested 35 persons in heroin related cases and had seized 0.85 kg of heroin valued at Rs 2.09 crore.
The police have registered 10 cases related to seizure of charas, arrested 16 persons in charas related cases and have seized 16.27 kg of charas valued at Rs 14.39 crore. The police have registered 402 cases related to seizure of ganja, arrested 416 persons in ganja related cases and seized 865 kg of ganja valued at Rs 31.59 crore.
Cocaine Seizure Small In Volume, High In Value
Stating about the seizures of high-end drugs in Mumbai, the statistics revealed that the police have registered 10 cases related to cocaine seizure, arrested 17 persons in cocaine related cases and seized 6.49 grams of cocaine valued at Rs 57.18 crore.
Thousands Booked For Drug Consumption Alone
The police have registered 136 cases related to seizure of MD, arrested 187 persons in MD related cases and had seized 37.23 kg of MD valued at Rs 68.55 crore. As far as consumption cases are concerned, this year the police have registered 3484 drug consumption cases and have arrested 2968 persons in these cases.
Police Monitoring Darknet, Strengthening Informant Network
“We not only rely on our informant network to get information about drug trafficking in the city, but also keep a close watch on the darknet where drug dealings take place clandestinely. Our efforts are directed towards breaking the chain and syndicates involved in drug peddling in the city. We also take awareness campaigns to make citizens, especially youngsters aware about the menace of drugs and its impact on health,” said a police source.
Statistics from January till June 2025
Heroin – Cases (28), Persons Arrested (35), Seized (0.85 kg)
Charas – Cases (10), Persons Arrested (16), Seized (16.27 kg)
Ganja – Cases (402), Persons Arrested (416), Seized (865 kg)
Cocaine – Cases (10), Persons Arrested (17), Seized (6.49 kg)
MD – Cases (136), Persons Arrested (187), Seized (37.23 kg)
-
Crime3 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra10 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra9 months ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra10 months ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
Crime9 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
National News10 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra8 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News10 months ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface