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.

Mohammed Siraj continued his sensational red-ball form by delivering a fiery spell on Day 1 of the first Test against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium, and in the process, broke Mitchell Starc’s record for the most Test wickets in 2025 among World Test Championship (WTC) teams.Siraj’s four-wicket haul on Thursday took his tally to 31 Test wickets this calendar year, overtaking Starc’s 29.

The Hyderabad pacer struck early and hard, removing Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, and Brandon King before lunch. He returned later in the session to dismiss Roston Chase, leaving the West Indies struggling at 105/6. Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with a wicket each, adding to India’s dominance.

Siraj is also leading the way in the 2025–2027 WTC cycle, now with 27 wickets to his name more than any other bowler. Impressively, he’s the only bowler in this cycle to have taken two four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls, showcasing his consistency and impact.

This remarkable run comes after a successful tour of England earlier this year, where he topped the wicket charts with 23 wickets in the series. Despite being controversially dropped from India’s Asia Cup squad, Siraj has responded in the best way possible by letting the ball do the talking.

Mohammed Siraj emerged as the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah snared three as Team India bowled the West Indies out for 162 on Day 1 in Ahmedabad. West Indies’ innings lasted 44.1 overs as only six of their batters made it to double figures as Justin Greaves top-scored with 32.

Mumbai: Commuters on the Western Express Highway (WEH) faced heavy delays on Thursday morning after a cement mixer truck overturned near Poisar Metro Station, leading to traffic congestion in the northbound direction. The incident, which occurred at Samtanagar under the metro station flyover, initially brought vehicular movement to a crawl, forcing motorists to take longer detours avoiding the service lane.

Videos of the accident quickly went viral on social media. The clips showed the massive truck overturned on its side, occupying a stretch of the service road, while vehicles carefully manoeuvred past the obstruction. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the mishap.

Mumbai Traffic Police rushed to the spot soon after the accident to regulate the flow of vehicles and coordinated the clearance of the overturned truck. In an early morning update, officials posted on X, “Traffic Movement Is Slow At Poisar Metro Station Service Road (Samtanagar) North Bound Due To Mixer Overturned.” The update alerted commuters to expect delays while traveling on the stretch.

It took nearly two hours before the situation was normalised. In a follow-up statement, the traffic police confirmed, “Now Traffic Is Clear,” informing motorists that the road had been cleared of the vehicle and movement was restored on the service lane.

Meanwhile, commuters are also being cautioned about additional traffic restrictions expected later in the day in Goregaon, where the Eknath Shinde-led faction is scheduled to hold a rally at the NESCO Exhibition Centre at 6 pm. Temporary curbs will be imposed in the area from 5 pm to 10 pm, affecting routes leading to the venue.

Key restrictions include the closure of entry from Late Mrinaltai Gore Junction to NESCO Gap, prohibition of right turns from Ram Mandir via Mrinaltai Gore Flyover towards NESCO, and curtailed movement on NESCO Service Road from Hub Mall towards Jaycoach Junction.

Diversions have been arranged to ease congestion. Vehicles coming from Ram Mandir have been advised to take the Mrinaltai Gore Flyover onto the Mahananda Dairy WEH southbound service road, leading towards Jaycoach Junction and JVLR. From there, motorists may continue towards Powai or rejoin the Western Express Highway.