Mumbai, Oct 3: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday predicted major political developments at the Centre within the next three months, claiming the BJP-led government could be compelled to undertake a significant Cabinet reshuffle by January-February next year.

Demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Raut at a press conference here announced a massive joint protest march on October 4 led by Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

The high-stakes rally, backed by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and broader opposition factions, he said, signals a rare show of unity between the estranged Thackeray cousins against the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Claiming that the nation’s political tides have turned since mid-September, Raut asserted that internal friction within the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has severely weakened the government.

Warning the government against suppressing dissent, he stated that arbitrary police action or force would fail to stop public protests, declaring, “Whether it is batons or bullets, they cannot stop us.”

Pointing to alleged discrepancies in election administration and voter roll updates, Raut demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the ECI of bias.

Detailing logistics for the protest march, Raut announced that the route was adjusted due to technical bottlenecks along the original stretch. The morcha will start at 11 a.m. from Metro Cinema and conclude at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.

He said it will be followed by a public rally. Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT) & Raj Thackeray (MNS) will lead the march, which has been supported by Congress, NCP (SP), Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), & Left Front.

Raut confirmed that senior opposition figures, including Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, were consulted during coalition discussions. He urged all democratic forces and citizens to join the march, characterising it as a critical movement to safeguard democratic institutions from state overreach.

Mumbai, Oct 3: Bandra Police have arrested a fake policeman who intimidated people by falsely impersonating a police officer in Mumbai’s Bandra area. The accused, a car mechanic, was held and a car without a number plate, along with a blue police cap, were seized.

Police said Constables Nikhilesh Hanumant Sable and Sangve, posted at Bandra Police Station, were patrolling Dr. V. Raghunath Marg when they noticed a suspicious white car parked in front of the White House building.

The car had no number plate and all its windows were covered. On looking inside, the policemen noticed a blue police cap placed on the front dashboard.

As the car was locked from inside, Constable Sable informed the Bandra Traffic Department. Traffic Police Constable Anil Koli arrived at the spot with a towing van at around 7.40 p.m.

When the towing operation began, a man arrived at the spot and allegedly started misbehaving with the traffic police personnel and towing staff. During the argument, a woman also stepped out of the car.

Police questioned the man about the police cap and the vehicle without a number plate. However, he allegedly gave vague answers. During questioning, his identity was established and police found that he was not a police officer.

The accused has been identified as Fahad Farid Khan, 37, a car mechanic and resident of Bandra West. Police said he was unable to produce any documents related to the vehicle.

According to the investigation, Khan posed as a police officer by keeping a police cap on the dashboard of his car, apparently to intimidate members of the public and traffic police personnel.

Bandra Police have registered a case against the accused and arrested him. Further investigation is underway to determine where the accused obtained the seized vehicle from and establish other details related to the case.

Mumbai Police said the investigation is ongoing.

To curb air pollution in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has formulated the ‘Air Pollution Control and Implementation Action Plan-2026’. The objective of this plan is to implement effective measures against various sources of pollution and take strict action against violators.

Under the guidance of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Assistant Commissioners of all administrative wards have been directed to implement the ‘Air Pollution Control and Implementation Action Plan-2026’.

Under this action plan, at least 10 air pollution hotspots will be identified in each administrative ward, and an updated list accompanied by maps will be prepared. These hotspots will include major construction and redevelopment projects, infrastructure works, sites of open waste burning, debris dumping grounds, and traffic congestion zones. A designated officer will be appointed for each hotspot to ensure regular monitoring.

Controlling Pollution at Construction Sites
The existing 28-point guidelines for construction and demolition sites will be strictly enforced. Construction sites found violating these norms will be issued ‘show-cause’ and ‘stop-work’ notices; if necessary, action will also be taken to seal the premises. Each inspection team has been directed to inspect at least two construction sites daily. During demolition work, the installation of proper barricades, covering the site with tarpaulins or green netting, and continuous fine water spraying will be mandatory.

Special cleaning drive to reduce road dust:
A ‘Post-Monsoon Deep Cleaning Drive’ will be conducted during the first and second weeks of October to remove the soil, mud, and dust that accumulated on roads following the monsoon. Special cleaning operations will be carried out on major roads, medians, intersections, and road shoulders. Where necessary, roads will be washed with recycled water or treated with a fine water spray.

It is now mandatory for developers or contractors to keep adjacent roads clean in proportion to the size of the construction site. Roads must be kept clean for a distance of up to 100 meters for projects up to 4,000 square meters, up to 200 meters for projects between 4,000 and 10,000 square meters, and up to 500 meters on both sides for projects larger than 10,000 square meters. Regulations for Debris-Carrying Vehicles
Vehicles transporting debris from construction and demolition activities must be fully covered, and their wheels must be cleaned before entering public roads. The transportation and disposal of debris will be managed through the ‘Mumbai Debris Control and Tracking System’ (MDCTS). Instructions have also been issued to ensure that concrete or other materials do not spill onto roads from ‘Ready-Mix Concrete’ (RMC) vehicles.

Open Burning of Waste and Vehicular Pollution
Strict action will be taken against the open burning of waste across Mumbai. Such incidents will be monitored by ward-level marshals and CCTV surveillance systems. Furthermore, special ‘PUC’ (Pollution Under Control) inspection drives will be conducted on major traffic routes and high-congestion areas, and action will be taken against vehicles emitting visible smoke, in accordance with regulations.

Additional Measures in Case of Rising Air Quality Index (AQI)
The Air Quality Index will be continuously monitored, and measures under the ‘Graded Response Action Plan’ (GRAP) will be implemented based on the situation. If the AQI exceeds 200, measures such as deep cleaning, road washing (where necessary), water sprinkling, misting, and a strict ban on open waste burning will be enforced in the affected areas. Arrangements have also been made to halt polluting activities within a 2-kilometer radius of a monitoring station if the AQI remains above 300 for three consecutive days.

To ensure Mumbai’s air remains clean and eco-friendly, the implementation of this comprehensive action plan will be regularly reviewed at the ward level. Furthermore, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne has directed that necessary precautionary and enforcement measures be taken against major sources of air pollution.