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Maharashtra

Mumbai: BMC Successfully Slides 550-Ton Beam For Carnac Bridge Reconstruction; Second Beam Installation Scheduled For December 2024

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Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has successfully concluded the crucial task of sliding a 550-metric ton iron beam, spanning 70 meters, on the railway section as part of the reconstruction of the 154-year-old Carnac Bridge, located at Lokmanya Tilak Road. This ambitious project aims to improve connectivity and address safety concerns, with the installation of a second beam anticipated to be finalized by the end of December 2024.

The Carnac Bridge is undergoing significant renovations due to its deteriorating condition. The sliding operation of the southern girder was completed under the experienced supervision of various municipal officials and experts. The first part of the beam shift occurred between 12:25 AM and 5:45 AM on Sunday, 13th October, covering a distance of 58 meters. The remaining 12 meters were successfully completed between 12:30 AM and 3:30 AM on Monday, 14th October.

Following the successful relocation of the beam, further endeavors will focus on the southward installation and simultaneous construction of the bridge’s western access road, expected to commence shortly. BMC aims to finalize the second girder by the conclusion of December, attesting to its commitment to restoring this vital infrastructure.

The technical intricacies surrounding the beam sliding presented formidable challenges.

An official from BMC’s Bridges Department said, “To ensure precision and safety, we have enlisted specialized guidance, aligning closely with the Central Railway Administration. The cooperative efforts of the Municipal Commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), Abhijit Bangar, facilitated seamless coordination for this complex operation.”

Chief Engineer Uttam Shrote and Deputy Chief Engineer Rajesh Mulay played pivotal roles in executing the plan.

Ensuring railway safety was paramount throughout this operation. The procedures to install the beam will only proceed after obtaining the necessary approvals and railway block from the Central Railway Administration, showcasing the thorough risk analysis and strategic planning integrated into this project.

The Carnac Bridge served as a crucial artery in South Mumbai, linking the Masjid Bunder area to vital hubs, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Mohammad Ali Road.

Initially demolished in 2022, the bridge’s reconstruction project faced multiple delays. Encroachments along the roadway and setbacks in securing necessary railway blocks have hampered progress, necessitating a revised timeline that now anticipates completion by 2025. Earlier projections suggested that at least one lane would be operational by June 2024, following the arrival of essential girders in March.

The absence of the bridge has significantly disrupted traffic patterns across the city. Given the traffic challenges exacerbated by detours, the reopening of the Carnac Bridge is essential to normalizing movement, especially along P D’Mello Road, which facilitates connections between South Mumbai and the eastern suburbs through the Eastern Freeway and the recently inaugurated Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.

Additional routes impacted by this closure include Mohammad Ali Road, CSMT Junction Road, SVP Road, Wadi Bunder Junction, and Crawford Market Road, all of which are typically narrow and congested with encroachments, now grappling with traffic volumes far exceeding their designed capacities. Traffic officials emphasize the pressing need to maintain CSMT Junction Road as a free-flowing thoroughfare to prevent gridlock, particularly because of the high volume of pedestrians and motorists reliant on it.

Resident of Masjid Bunder, Anil Gotugade expressed the community’s reliance on the bridge for both emergency access and daily commuting needs, “The bridge is extremely vital. Its closure has been a hardship for us. It is the only bridge that connected us to the eastern freeway. We have been forced to take longer routes to reach Fort, Bombay Hospital, Girgaon, Churchgate, and Mantralaya. If one wishes to access Colaba now, it has become quite tiresome.”

He elaborated on the impact of the bridge’s absence on family life, noting the significant time required for his son to reach school in Churchgate. “Travelling by two-wheeler takes us an hour and a half via the detours, while using the bridge would have cut that down to just 15 minutes.” He also mentioned that the bridge’s reopening could positively influence local property values, which had stagnated due to the bridge’s inaccessibility, making real estate transactions challenging for residents.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Elections 2024: ‘Mahayuti Will Bring More Schemes On Lines Of Ladki Bahin Yojana’, Says CM Shinde; Releases 2-Year Report Card

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Maharashtra Elections 2024: 'Mahayuti Will Bring More Schemes On Lines Of Ladki Bahin Yojana', Says CM Shinde; Releases 2-Year Report Card

Mumbai: Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, Mahayuti leaders Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar released a ‘report card’ of the Mahayuti government’s performance in last 2 years. While, releasing the report, the CM and his deputies said that the Ladki Bahin Yojana was a successful scheme and more schemes on these lines will be introduced. Financial provision will be made to successfully implement the schemes, the leaders added.

The Mahayuti leaders highlighted that the toll tax exemption was in their election manifesto and they have kept their promise. CM Eknath Shinde said that the ruling Mahayuti alliance leaders are working as a team and launching schemes for the benefit of the common man. While, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar slammed the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi for spreading rumours and highlighted successful government initiatives like the Ladli Bahna Yojana, which have significantly benefited women.

The 2-year report card of the 2.5-year-old Mahayuti government was released on Wednesday in the press conference where Mahayuti alliance leaders including Ramdas Athavale, Praven Darekar, Sunil Tatkare had also joined.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis slammed the MVA for criticising the Ladki Bahin Yojana and said, “If the MVA says the government does not have funds to run the Ladki Bahin scheme, on what grounds do they promise to continue the scheme if they come to power.” The MVA will discontinue the scheme, Fadnavis said. Till now at least 4 to 5 instalments have been deposited in the accounts for Ladki Bahin scheme for more than 2.5 crore beneficiaries of our state,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar reiterated that Ladki Bahin scheme is not a temporary scheme, it is a permanent one, while the government will think on increasing the monthly installment.

The political atmosphere in the state is heated as the election dates for the assembly polls are announced. The election commission of India announced the voting schedule on Tuesday and the model code of conduct of conduct has began in Maharashtra.

The elections for 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra will be conducted in a single phase on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Fire In Andheri’s Lokhandwala Complex Claims 3 Lives, Including 2 Senior Citizens

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Mumbai: Fire In Andheri's Lokhandwala Complex Claims 3 Lives, Including 2 Senior Citizens

Mumbai: A residential highrise in Mumbai’s Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West caught fire on Wednesday morning in which three residents have lost their lives. As per information provided by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the blaze was not major, however, three residents, including two senior citizens who were injured in the mishap were taken to Cooper Hospital. The injured were declared dead on arrival by the hospital.

As per the statement issued by BMC, the fire broke in the ground plus 14 floored Riya Palace, Cross Road Number 4 in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West. The fire was confined to an apartment on 10th floor. The blaze erupted at 8.05 am and was extinguished within an hour of firefighting operations.

The blaze was confined to a residential apartment on 10th floor. The injured: Chandraprakash Soni (74), Kanta Soni (74) and Pelubeta (42) were taken to Cooper Hospital, however the Chief Medical Officer declared all three dead on arrival, the BMC informed.

The cause of the fire is still not known and further investigations are underway.

Second Fire In Lokhandwala Complex In A Month

This is the second fire in the post locality of Lokahndwala Complex in Mumbai’s Andheri within a month. On September 19, a blaze broke out in a ground-plus-one-floor bungalow in the complex. No injures were reported in the incident. However, the video of the fire in the bungalow had surfaced on the internet, showing thick smoke engulfing the area, resulting in a scare among residents of Lokhandwala Complex.

The incident has taken place in Bungalow No.11, Cross Road No 2, Steller Bungalows, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Weather Today: IMD Predicts Post Monsoon Showers; Air Quality Declines

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Mumbai: The humid conditions in the dream city are higher than observed in the past few weeks; currently the temperatures fall at 32°C, as of 9:00 AM. The temperature in Mumbai, on October 16, 2024, shows a low of 29.84 °C and a high of 35.99 °C. The humidity level is at 74% with a wind speed of 5.8 km/h. The sun will rise at 06:33 AM and is expected to set at 06:15 PM.

Will It Rain Today?

IMD has officially announced the full retreat of the southwest monsoon. IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai has forecasted rainfall after the monsoon season. IMD will keep a close eye on the situation and provide more updates as needed.

Monsoon In India

The official announcement from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) confirms the total withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from all parts of India. At the same time, the long-awaited northeast monsoon has started in southeast peninsular India, bringing a new round of rain to the southern states, especially Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka.

IMD Predicts Monsoon Withdrawal

IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre Mumbai has forecasted that Mumbai, along with Maharashtra, will experience post-monsoon showers or unexpected rain and thunderstorm activity for the entire week until October 19.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

Today in Mumbai, the Air Quality Index is 71, categorised as ‘Moderate’. Remember to put on your mask, use sunscreen, and bring an umbrella as you go about your day.

Tomorrow’s Weather Forecast

The weather forecast for Mumbai on Thursday, October 17, 2024, predicts that the city will see temperatures ranging from 26.77 °C to 28.92 °C. Tomorrow, the humidity is expected to reach 80%. The forecast for today predicts some light rain.

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