Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has achieved the highest Super Swachh rating in the Swachh Survekshan, securing third place nationally and first in the state. Commissioner Dr. Kailash Shinde emphasised transforming the cleanliness campaign into a sustainable movement rather than mere competition, enabling maximum public participation. Diverse stakeholders, including students, NGOs, and marginalized groups, were actively involved to foster a clean city identity.

The city’s waste management strategy is notable, with the generation of 750 tons of waste daily, comprising 350 tons of wet and 400 tons of dry waste. The corporation employs a fleet of 206 vehicles for transportation, equipped with GPS trackers for real-time monitoring.

Waste processing projects at 38 sites convert wet waste into biogas and fertiliser while reusing construction waste for paver blocks. The old dumping ground has been transformed into a nature park, and innovative projects, like processing old clothes, have garnered national recognition.

In terms of sanitation facilities, Navi Mumbai boasts a nearly complete sewerage network (99.9%), processes all sewage, and repurposes the output for parks and industries. Public amenities include 465 toilets, and sanitation workers are honoured as Swachhatadut. The city achieved a seven-star rating for waste management and the highest Water Plus rating for its open defecation-free efforts. Future plans aim to enhance the Swachhata Abhiyan and develop projects for energy and biogas generation from waste.

In the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai emerged as the cleanest cities. The MoHUA ceremony recognized 78 cities and institutions for sanitation excellence, with Prayagraj awarded Best Ganga Town and Secunderabad Cantonment Board commended for sanitation efforts. Cities like Visakhapatnam were honoured for sanitation worker safety.

An assessment framework spotlighted 34 Promising Swachh Shehars, and President Murmu emphasised sustainable growth. The Swachh City Partnership links top performers with underperformers, while the Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation Programme addresses legacy waste. MoHUA officials stressed long-term strategies for Viksit Bharat 2047.

Bengaluru: In a joint operation, the Maharashtra police and Mysuru police have raided a narcotics manufacturing factory on the outer ring road of Mysuiru and seized 13 kg of MDMA and 37 kg of liquid being used to manufacture MDMA, all worth over Rs 100 crore in the international market.

Interestingly, the narcotics manufactured here were being supplied to Maharashtra and the raiding police squad have arrested four persons in this connection. The Mysuru city Commissioner has suspended the Narasimharaja police station inspector Lakshmikanth Talawar for dereliction of duty, under whose jurisdiction the factory comes.

Recently, a drug peddler who was arrested by the Maharashtra police had confessed that he was procuring drugs from Mysuru. He had told the police that a large quantity of the MDMA was stored in Mysuru either in the form of powder or pills and was being supplied to Maharashtra.

Based on the information, the Maharashtra police approached the Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, who organised the raid. In the early hours on Sunday, the police team raided an old garage near Belavattha in the outer ring road. Among the four arrested, two are from Mysuru and the other two are outsiders. The police have refused to divulge any details of the arrested, as it would hamper the future investigations.

Reacting to the drug factory in Mysuru, Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar said that it was a disturbing development, as Mysuru was a quiet place without much such activities.

“Now we have unearthed the factory, we are taking strict action against such activities. Even our police are investigating various angles of the incident,” he added.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged people not to interpret the recent meeting between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray through a political lens.

Speaking to the media, Fadnavis said, “Raj Thackeray went to wish Uddhav Thackeray on his birthday. It’s a matter of happiness. Why should we view it politically? We also extend our best wishes to Uddhav ji.”

The chief minister’s clarification came in response to the buzz surrounding Raj Thackeray’s visit to Matoshree, Uddhav Thackeray’s residence, which took place on the latter’s 65th birthday.

What’s in the Heart of Maharashtra Will Be Seen Again: Fadnavis

Commenting on the upcoming local body elections, Fadnavis added, “You saw what’s in the heart of Maharashtra during the Assembly elections. You will see it again in the upcoming local polls. Just because something is in the mind of a leader of a particular party doesn’t mean it reflects the sentiments of all of Maharashtra.”

His statement was seen as a subtle response to growing speculations around the potential political implications of the Thackeray brothers’ renewed rapport.

Birthday Bonding: Raj Thackeray Visits Matoshree

On Sunday, visuals of Raj Thackeray visiting Matoshree surfaced on social media, with Shiv Sena (UBT) sharing the moment on X. “Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Rajsaheb Thackeray extended birthday greetings to party chief Uddhavsaheb Thackeray,” the party posted.

This meeting came just weeks after the Thackeray brothers shared a stage at a joint rally on July 5, where they voiced strong opposition against the alleged Hindi imposition in Maharashtra.

INDIA Bloc Leaders Shower Birthday Wishes on Uddhav

Several leaders from the INDIA alliance also extended birthday greetings to Uddhav Thackeray. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, “Heartfelt birthday wishes and congratulations to Shiv Sena President and INDIA alliance partner Uddhav Thackeray ji. May you stay healthy, live long, and together we will fight for the interests and rights of the people of Maharashtra.”

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also praised Uddhav’s linguistic stance, saying, “Your bold resistance to #HindiImposition and your firm stand to uphold Maharashtra’s identity have united the Marathi people… Wishing you strength as you continue to defend federalism and linguistic dignity.”

‘Lighthouse in Every Storm’: Sanjay Raut’s Tribute

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut added a poetic touch to the occasion, posting, “Shiv Sena chief, my friend Uddhav Thackeray, who stands firm like a lighthouse in every storm, heartfelt birthday wishes to you! Jai Maharashtra!”