Mumbai: is on high alert today, October 2, as two rival factions of the Shiv Sena hold separate, high-stakes Dussehra rallies, promising massive crowds, heavy traffic disruptions, and a significant security deployment across the city.

The Eknath Shinde-led faction continues the Sena’s 1966 tradition with a rally at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon at 6:00 PM. Meanwhile, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) will hold its annual event at the traditional venue, Shivaji Park in Dadar West, starting at 5:00 PM. Both events will be key platforms ahead of the crucial local body elections, with leaders addressing issues from farmer support to inflation.

Commuters face severe traffic disruptions and are strongly advised to avoid routes leading to both NESCO and Shivaji Park. Temporary traffic restrictions will be in effect from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

In Goregaon, restrictions include the closure of the entry of vehicles from Lte Mrinaltai Gore Junction to NESCO Gap, and right turns from Ram Mandir via the flyover towards NESCO Gap will be prohibited. Vehicular movement on the NESCO Service Road from Hub Mall towards NESCO / Jaycoach Junction will also be restricted.

Diversions have been set up for vehicles from Ram Mandir, which must take the Mrinaltai Gore Flyover to the WEH South Bound Service Road towards Jaycoach Junction. From there, drivers can use JVLR Road for Powai or proceed on the WEH Service Road to rejoin the main Western Express Highway. Commuters heading towards Dadar should anticipate heavy congestion due to the massive gathering at Shivaji Park.

In anticipation of the political rallies and Durga idol immersion processions coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, Mumbai police have deployed a massive security contingent. Over 16,500 constables and 2,890 officers are on duty, supported by Combat and Riot Control units, Quick Response Teams (QRT), and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS).

Navi Mumbai: Five girls aged between 12 and 17 escaped from ‘Swapnalay’, a government-recognized children’s home in Panvel, early Sunday morning, police said. While four of them have been traced in different locations, the search is still on for the fifth girl.

Police said the girls broke open a window grill around dawn on September 28 and fled the home, which currently houses 39 minors rescued from various cases for rehabilitation. One of the escapees is a victim from Uran, while the others are from Taloja, Panvel, and Karjat areas.

After the escape came to light, caretaker Kavita Pandit informed the superintendent, Child Welfare Committee officials, and the District Child Protection Unit before lodging a complaint with Panvel City Police. A case of kidnapping was registered and a search operation was launched with help from railway police and relatives of the missing girls.

Following coordinated efforts, one girl was found at her grandmother’s house in Chirner, Uran, another was rescued by Bandra railway police and sent to the Dongri children’s home, the third was traced to her mother’s home in Satara district, and the fourth was located in Taloja.

A police official from Panvel City Police said, “Four girls have been safely recovered, and efforts are on to trace the fifth. The girls admitted they ran away as they were unhappy with the restrictions and wanted to live freely.”

Authorities said the investigation is continuing under the supervision of the Child Welfare Committee and Panvel City Police to trace the fifth girl.

Mumbai: The vigilance department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has pulled up A-Ward officials over alleged corruption in beautification and slum improvement projects worth Rs 103 crore, carried out between 2023 and 2025. A-Ward covers prominent areas including Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Marine Drive, P’DMello Road and parts of Ballard Estate.

According to officials, the vigilance department had first issued a notice on August 14, directing A-Ward to submit documents related to the projects. A second notice followed on September 22 after a preliminary site inspection raised red flags. The probe was initiated on the basis of a complaint filed by RTI activist Santosh Daundkar.

The site inspection reportedly revealed irregularities in project execution, discrepancies in record-keeping, and suspected financial mismanagement. Several key files were found missing, while some work orders appeared dubious. Investigators also pointed to unnecessary constructions carried out under the guise of improvement projects.

A letter from the vigilance department instructed A-Ward to provide a detailed year-wise summary of all development works undertaken during the period, along with original work orders and supporting documents. The reminder letter cited earlier directives issued by the additional commissioner on July 24 and the chief engineer on August 14.

The vigilance letter further noted, “Although the A-Ward had assured in a letter dated September 1, 2025, that the requested documents would be submitted after the Anant Chaturdashi festival, no such submission has been made to date.”

However, Jaydeep More, acting assistant commissioner of A-Ward, media on Wednesday that the required documents had already been handed over. “I have submitted the documents asked by the vigilance department on September 29,” he said.

The inspection found several instances of irregularities: fake repair orders at Colaba, incomplete beautification at Badhwar Park, and partial execution of a Shivaji memorial project. These discrepancies resulted in reported savings of Rs 76,594 and penalties worth Rs 45,000. A broader audit of 29 works flagged further anomalies, leading to recoveries amounting to Rs 28.32 lakh and penalties worth Rs 12.72 lakh.

The vigilance department is now expected to review the submitted documents and decide on further action. The findings have raised questions about transparency and accountability in the civic body’s handling of high-value public works in one of Mumbai’s most prominent wards.