Connect with us
Thursday,17-April-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: Plea Seeks Fair Distribution Of Water For Nashik And Ahmednagar Residents

Published

on

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed seeking fair distribution of water for residents of Maharashtra’s Nashik and Ahmednagar districts, which rely on water from the upstream dam groups of Mula, Pravara, Gangapur, Godavari Darna, and Palkhed on the Godavari River.

The PIL filed by Late Rajabhau Tugar Sahakari Upsa Sinchan Sanstha Maryadit, a co-operative society which works in the field of promoting irrigation, has sought quashing of the order issued by the Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC) on October 30. The order mandates the release of 8.603 thousand million cubic feet of water from five upstream dam groups to the Jayakwadi dam. This dam provides water to areas around the drought-prone Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district in the Marathwada region.

The PIL contends: “If water is released as per the impugned order, then the districts of Nashik and Ahmednagar will certainly face grave water shortage even for drinking purposes.”

GMIDC issues water release order without committee’s report

On July 26 this year, a Government Resolution (GR) was issued by the state’s Water Resources Department forming a committee to reassess water distribution requirements and prepare appropriate directive principles. Without waiting for the committee report, the GMIDC issued its water release order in the meantime in October.

“In the absence of the report from such a committee, the recommendations by the impugned order dated 30 October 2023 have been made which are contrary to law,” the PIL states. 

Further, the upstream group of dams received only 52% of the average rainfall this year, leading to a considerable reduction in the water level in the region’s wells. This aspect, according to the petitioner, needed to be considered while deciding on the distribution of water to the Jayakwadi Dam, the plea highlights. 

On September 19, 2014, a committee was formed Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) pursuant to HC directive to formulate a scheme in respect of equitable distribution of water. It also specified that the said guiding principles be reviewed each year and a report thereon be made to MWRRA. The PIL contends that the same has not been done in the case at hand.

The State Government has failed to comply with the statutory requirement and also its statutory duty of calling for a Committee Report and acting only in accordance with the Committee Report, the plea alleges.  

Maharashtra

Mira Bhayander: Drugs worth Rs 32 crore seized Two Nigerians including an Indian woman arrested, used to sell drugs by creating groups on social media

Published

on

Mumbai: Mira Bhayander police have claimed to have arrested two foreign drug peddlers including an Indian woman. The Mira Bhayander Crime Branch had received information that Shabina Sheikh’s house in Kashi Mira had a stash of drugs and that she was also involved in drug trafficking. The police raided it and recovered 11 kg 830 grams of cocaine. A case has been registered against her in the Nowghar police under the NDPS. The arrested accused told the police during interrogation that she used to buy these drugs from a foreign national named Ende and lives in Inder Mira Road. She was also arrested and drugs were seized from her possession and a Nigerian note of 1000 was recovered and 14 notes of 100 US dollars were also found in this case.

After investigation, two Nigerians and an Indian woman were arrested. Drugs worth Rs 23 million have been seized from their possession, in addition to 14 US dollar notes, four mobile phones, and drugs worth Rs 223 million have also been claimed to have been seized. This operation was carried out by a team of the Crime Branch including Mira Bhayandar Police Commissioner Madhu Karpande, Additional Commissioner Dattatreya Shinde, Avinash Ambore. The Crime Branch said that this cocaine was brought here by Nigerians hiding it in their stomachs. This cocaine is manufactured in South America. This cocaine is brought by plane by hiding it in human bodies. First, it is delivered to the Mumbai airport and then sold in various areas through the roads in Mumbai. The accused sell drugs by creating several groups on social media.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Two arrested in Powai theft cases: Accused committed the crime a stolen motorcycle

Published

on

Mumbai: Mumbai Police has claimed to have arrested two accused in two theft cases within 48 hours. On the morning of April 5, two thieves snatched a gold chain from a woman in the limits of Powai police station in Mumbai. A 30-gram gold chain was also recovered from their possession. The second incident took place in front of II Marg Gate in Powai area, in which the accused had inquired where the medical was and then threw a dirty cloth on the complainant’s face and escaped with a 15-gram gold necklace.

The matter was seriously investigated. The next day, at 8:30 am, the accused snatched two gold necklaces weighing 20 grams from the neck of a 45-year-old woman near Hiranandani guard and fled on a motorcycle. To solve all these thefts, the police examined more than 100 CCTV footage during the investigation. It was found that The accused fled towards Bahram Bagh. Then both the accused were arrested and 30 grams of gold ornaments were recovered from their possession. The motorcycle used by the accused for the crime has also been seized. Pappu Gajendra Mishra, 20, and Sunil Ganga Mohte, 20, have been arrested from Andheri. A case of theft has also been registered against the accused Pappu Mishra at Rabori police station 6 months ago and he had stolen a motorcycle six months ago and it was used in this theft as well. This information was given here today by DCP of Mumbai Zone 10, Sachin Kanjal.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Strict action against contractor for negligent road concrete work; Ban on tendering for next 2 years, fine also imposed

Published

on

Mumbai: Construction of cement concrete roads is going on at a fast pace in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with the aim of making the roads free from potholes. The BMC administration is stressing on ensuring that the work is of the highest standard.
Strict action is being taken against those who are substandard or negligent.

In this regard, the contractor who caused unacceptable delay in the road concrete work in the Aarey Colony area has been debarred from participating in the tender process of all BMC departments for the next 2 years, and a fine of Rs. 5 lakh has also been imposed.
Similarly, the registration of 2 ready mix concrete (RMC) plants has been cancelled and they have been debarred from supplying concrete mix for any BMC project for 6 months.
In addition, a fine of Rs. 20 lakh each has also been imposed on 2 road contractors.
All these actions have been taken on the directions of BMC Commissioner Shri Bhushan Gagrani. He has made it clear that *no negligence or lapse in the road concrete work will be tolerated* and strict action will be taken against the guilty.

Specific Incidents:

  1. *Aarey Colony – Dinkar Rao Desai Road*:
  • The quality of work was found to be poor in the inspection by Additional Commissioner (Projects) Shri Abhijeet Bangar.
  • The contractor was issued a notice, fined Rs. 5 lakh and directed to rectify immediately.
  • Delay in repairs also resulted in a ban on participation in tenders for 2 years.
  1. *Dr. Neetu Mandke Road, M-East Ward – 20 March 2025*:
  • During a surprise inspection, a difference was found in the slump test (160mm at the plant, 170mm at the site).
  • The concrete load was rejected, the vehicle was sent back, the RMC plant was fined Rs. 20 lakh and banned for 6 months.
  1. *Karagroh Road, B Ward – 1 April 2025*:
  • Slump was found to be 65mm at the plant while 180mm at the site.
  • Notice was given to the contractor and RMC plant, despite admitting the mistake, a fine of Rs 20 lakh and a supply ban of 6 months were imposed.

Importance of Slump Test:

Slump test is done to check the “workability” of concrete. It shows the ratio of cement to water.
If the water is too much, it has a negative impact on the quality.
That is why BMC has made slump test mandatory at both ready mix plants and sites.

Additional Commissioner Mr. Abhijeet Bangar said that BMC officers are inspecting the work themselves, and if any flaw is found, strict action will be taken against the responsible individual or institution. All contractors have to be careful, because no compromise with quality will be accepted.

Continue Reading

Trending