Chennai, Nov 1: In a major push to make the Tamil Nadu city flood-resilient, the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) has prepared a comprehensive Rs 2,200-crore project to revamp and expand the stormwater drainage network across all 100 wards.

The initiative aims to eliminate waterlogging and flooding during monsoons, a recurring problem that has plagued the city for years.

At present, while underground drainage works are underway in several neighbourhoods, many residential and commercial zones continue to experience severe water stagnation and traffic disruptions due to inadequate stormwater infrastructure.

In several parts of the city, rainwater continues to flow on roads instead of being channelled into proper drains, causing accidents and damage to roads.

In the newly added areas of the corporation, the situation is worse.

Absence of stormwater drains has turned earthen roads into muddy and slippery stretches during rain, making life difficult for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Clogged existing drains filled with silt and garbage have compounded the problem by blocking the free flow of rainwater and leading to overflow in low-lying areas.

To tackle these long-standing issues, the CCMC’s engineering wing carried out an extensive field survey across all wards to pinpoint areas requiring new drains and identify existing ones that need repair or desilting.

Based on this survey, a detailed project report has been prepared, with high-risk flood-prone zones prioritised for the first phase of implementation.

According to corporation officials, the first phase of the project will cover the construction of 49 new drains spanning a total length of 116.29 kilometres across various zones. For this phase, the civic body has sought Rs 274 crore from the Directorate of Municipal Administration.

A senior official of the corporation said: “In the first phase, we have identified 49 roads covering 116.29 km and sought Rs 274 crore from the state government. Once approved, it will mark a major step towards building a flood-resilient Coimbatore.”

The project, which forms part of the city’s long-term urban infrastructure modernisation plan, is expected to be implemented in multiple stages, ensuring that both old and newly merged areas benefit from a comprehensive stormwater management system designed to withstand future monsoons.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police have seized 1,342 kilograms of contraband and arrested 1,104 persons in connection with 906 drug-related cases registered across the city till September this year.

The total value of the seized drugs stands at a staggering ₹655.25 crore, marking a ₹170 crore increase compared to the same period last year.
Statistics revealed that ganja and mephedrone (MD) have been the most frequently seized narcotics in the city.

According to police data, from January to September 2025, authorities registered: 46 heroin cases, arrested 61 persons, and seized 2.01 kg valued at ₹5.98 crore, 19 charas cases, arrested 31 persons, and seized 23.25 kg worth ₹19.32 crore, 547 ganja cases, arrested 587 persons, and seized 1,049 kg worth ₹36.65 crore.

18 cocaine cases, arrested 30 persons, and seized 10.20 kg worth ₹76.90 crore, 211 mephedrone (MD) cases, arrested 290 persons, and seized 257.33 kg worth an enormous ₹513.23 crore.

Apart from trafficking, the police also registered 5,137 drug consumption cases, leading to the arrest of 4,284 individuals.

Officials said the department continues to strengthen its intelligence network and track illegal activity on the darknet, where drug deals often occur.

“We not only rely on our informant network to track drug trafficking in the city but also keep a close watch on the darknet, where deals take place clandestinely. Our efforts are focused on breaking the chain and dismantling syndicates involved in peddling,” said a police source.
He added that the department also conducts awareness campaigns to educate citizens, especially youth, about the health and social impact of drug abuse.

Heroin – Cases (46), Persons Arrested (61), Seized (2.01 kg)
Charas – Cases (19), Persons Arrested (31), Seized (23.25 kg)
Ganja – Cases (547), Persons Arrested (587), Seized (1049 kg)
Cocaine – Cases (18), Persons Arrested (30), Seized (10.20 kg)
MD – Cases (211), Persons Arrested (290), Seized (257.33 kg)

Mumbai: Mumbai witnessed high political drama and public excitement on Saturday as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray travelled by local train from Dadar to Churchgate to participate in the joint “Satyacha Morcha” (March for Truth) organised by the MNS and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) against alleged irregularities in the state’s voter lists.

The incident drew huge crowds of commuters and party supporters at multiple stations along the Western line. At Dadar, enthusiastic passengers thronged to meet Thackeray, some managing to get his autograph, one even on a railway ticket, which he said he plans to frame as a keepsake. Heavy police deployment was seen at Churchgate station ahead of Thackeray’s arrival to ensure crowd control and security.

The “Satyacha Morcha” is scheduled to begin at 1 pm from Fashion Street and proceed through Metro Cinema to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, where a stage has been set up for speeches by top opposition leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, Balasaheb Thorat, Jayant Patil and others.

The rally aims to protest what the organisers call massive discrepancies in the voter lists ahead of upcoming local body elections. The MNS and MVA leaders have accused the Commission of negligence and confusion in handling the electoral rolls. They warned that if the situation persists, they are prepared to pursue legal action.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police has denied permission for the mega rally scheduled to be held today. Officials cited security and traffic concerns for the decision and also warned that any unauthorised march would face legal action.