Mumbai: To address congestion during peak times on Mumbai’s local trains, Central Railway (CR) has contacted more than 800 workplaces, suggesting staggered working hours. At present, CR operates 1,810 local train services each day, catering to more than 3.5 million passengers, but there is an absence of alignment in working hours between government and private entities situated between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Thane.

This discrepancy results in significant overcrowding, heightening the chance of accidents, as illustrated by recent statistics showing that between January 1 and May 31, 2025, there were 922 accidental deaths associated with local train usage, including 210 fatalities from falls occurring on overcrowded trains.

The effort to stagger working hours is expected to alleviate pressure on rail services, particularly from 8-10 AM and 5-7 PM, during which they are most crowded. CR thinks this change would aid in spreading out commuter traffic over the day, improving safety and comfort for travellers.

Kalyan station reported the most deaths from these incidents, with Thane and Kurla stations following. Furthermore, CR has officially sought assistance from the Maharashtra State Government, anticipating it will aid in a synchronized implementation of the staggered schedules.

The CR recognizes an increasing need for additional rail lines; nonetheless, spatial limitations restrict prompt growth. Therefore, staggering office hours is viewed as an effective approach to alleviate the strain on the local train system. By partnering with multiple institutions and receiving government backing, CR seeks to change the commuting experience in Mumbai from chaos to a safer, more efficient process, guaranteeing a smoother travel routine for its residents.

Mumbai: A ray of hope has emerged for the teachers from aided and partially aided schools, who are protesting for a grant hike. They have been agitating for the past four days, coinciding with the monsoon session of the state legislature.

The teachers claimed that the government has not increased grants to their institutes despite announcements. Also, whatever grants they receive now are being released in installments, which hampers the management of their schools, they have said.

CM Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the government is positive about addressing the issue. Speaking in the legislative council, he also hit out at the opposition, accusing it of playing politics over the matter. It is not right if the teachers are indulging in politics, and it won’t be tolerated, he said. Fadnavis said BJP minister Girish Mahajan has been coordinating with the protesting teachers.

On Wednesday, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar met the protestors and demanded that the government must take immediate action to resolve the issue. He criticised the practice of releasing grants in batches. “Without real financial allocation, issuing orders means nothing. They should be thrown into the dustbin. The government cannot shy away from its responsibilities,” Pawar said.

“The opposition is raising a finger at us, but their four fingers are pointed towards them. You (the previous Congress government) gave approval to all these institutes that they would be permanently unaided. You removed the word ‘permanently’. Then you never gave them a single penny,” Fadnavis said.

Mumbai: Following consistent rainfall over the past few days, water levels in Mumbai’s key lakes have risen significantly, bringing relief to the city’s water supply prospects. As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 10, the combined water stock in the seven lakes supplying water to Mumbai has touched 10.63 lakh million litres, amounting to 73.50 per cent of total useful live storage capacity, according to data released by the BMC’s Hydraulic Engineer’s Department.

Modak Sagar Dam Overflows

Among the major contributors to this surge is the Modak Sagar Dam, which began overflowing on July 9 at 6:27 am. The lake recorded a water level of 163.17 metres, its full supply level (FSL) and holds 100 per cent useful content. Similarly, Upper Vaitarna recorded a level of 601.68 metres, with 74.02 per cent of its useful live storage filled.

Tansa Lake, another critical reservoir, stood at 126.99 metres, which translates to 78.76 per cent of its live storage, while Middle Vaitarna held 93.22 per cent of useful content at a level of 280.56 metres. These reservoirs have all received healthy rainfall over the monsoon period, with Middle Vaitarna recording 25 mm of rainfall today, and a total seasonal rainfall of 1586 mm.

Meanwhile, the lakes in the southern region, Bhatsa, Vihar and Tulsi, are also showing positive signs. Bhatsa, the largest contributor to the city’s water supply, currently holds 4.54 lakh million litres, with 19.75 per cent of its live storage utilised. Tulsi, one of the smaller lakes, is nearing full capacity with 99.43 per cent of its storage filled.

Massive Rise In Water Levels Compared To Previous Year Data

The total water stock in all lakes supplying Mumbai has reached 10.63 lakh million litres, compared to just 3.13 lakh million litres on the same date last year, a massive leap that reflects over four times the storage compared to 2024. Rainfall recorded at the Bhandup Complex, which manages water treatment and distribution, stood at 8 mm today, with a total cumulative rainfall of 694 mm for the season so far.

The encouraging rise in lake levels has reduced the immediate threat of water cuts in the city. Authorities remain cautious but optimistic, continuing close monitoring of lake levels as monsoon activity progresses steadily. With more rain forecast in the coming days, officials believe the city’s water needs for the year may soon be fully secured.