Mumbai: The BMC has issued show cause notices to 13 sub-engineers and fined road contractors Rs 50.53 lakh for failing to maintain roads adequately.

Heavy rains had hindered the sub-engineers’ efforts to repair potholes. Consequently, the civic authorities directed contractors to deploy additional manpower and work night shifts to address potholes promptly once the rain subsides.

Potholes Created Due To Heavy Rains

Recent heavy downpour have created potholes and disrupted traffic, causing inconvenience to commuters. To address this, the civic body appointed 227 engineers and 18 contractors, instructing them to fill potholes within 24 hours of detection. However, the contractors failed to meet this deadline.

The BMC imposed fines totaling Rs 28.30 lakh on pothole contractors, Rs 20.45 lakh on project contractors, and Rs 1.18 lakh on contractors under the defect liability period, covering the period between June 1 and July 25.

Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), noted that Mumbai recorded unusually heavy rainfall recently, with over 300 mm in a single day on July 8, and above-average rainfall throughout July. He said that accumulated water erodes asphalt roads, leading to potholes if not promptly addressed. The 227 subengineers have been instructed to conduct daily inspections, and contractors have been warned of stricter punitive measures if negligence continues.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Engineers Union (BMEU) objected to the notices sent to sub-engineers and urged civic commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to address the technical challenges faced on the ground.

Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who presided over the Rajya Sabha session on Thursday, has addressed allegations of attempting to “humiliate” Pune MP Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni for speaking in Marathi instead of English. The allegations were made by @MrSinha_, a ‘Hindu rights activist’ who criticised Chaturvedi for allegedly showing bias against Marathi speakers.

Chaturvedi took to X to refute these claims and said that Dr. Kulkarni spoke in Marathi without interruption. She claimed that Dr Kulkarni was repeatedly asked to sit down by her own ally, which she said was an attempt to show disrespect towards the chair. Chaturvedi also criticised @MrSinha_ for lacking an understanding of parliamentary procedures, advising him to review the rules of the Rajya Sabha.

In her post on X, Chaturvedi wrote, “This pawpaw champ bhakt is truly having a meltdown of the worst kind. Dr. Medha Kulkarni and Rajni Patil ji both spoke in Marathi and without interruption, barring when her own ally sitting in the front row had a hissy fit and asked her to sit down multiple times so that he could be disrespectful to the chair. Also paw paw champ, understand parliamentary proceedings in the RS and the rule book. Cry some more.”

@MrSinha_ had earlier criticised Chaturvedi, questioning her respect for Marathi as a language and accusing her of being disrespectful towards the Pune MP.

“Uddhav Thackeray’s RS MP Priyanka Chaturvedi tried to humiliate the MP from Pune, Maharashtra because she was speaking in Marathi but not her “posh” language English? She kept shouting at her…  What does she think of herself? And what happened to UT’s Marathi ashmita?” @MrSinha_ 

Meanwhile, many wondered how Chaturvedi was made to preside over the Rajya Sabha, a chair on which we usually see the Vice President of India. 

As per the rules of the Parliament, in the absence of the Vice President of India, who serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the responsibility of presiding over sessions falls to the Deputy Chairman or a panel of Voice Chairpersons.

Chaturvedi, a member of this panel, was tasked with the role during the session. Her varied approach to presiding, which included moments of stern reprimand and visible enthusiasm, has been noted by many on social media.

Mumbai: On Friday, General Manager of Central Railway, RK Yadav, conducted an inspection of the motorman and guard lobby at CSMT amid serious cleanliness concerns. This visit comes in response to allegations that approximately 150 dead rats had been discovered in the lobby, highlighting significant issues with hygiene and pest control.

Sources indicate that the foul smell from the dead rats had forced motormen and guards to work outside the lobby for several days. In response, Central Railway has commenced renovation work on the affected area, with completion anticipated by Monday.

During his visit, GM Yadav addressed the staff’s concerns and assured them that the renovation would be completed promptly. The GM’s inspection also included a review of the ongoing extension project for Platforms 13 and 14, which aims to enhance capacity and passenger experience. Additionally, he evaluated the newly inaugurated toilets in the suburban concourse, which were recently renovated with support from the Dmart Foundation.

“The visit underscores Central Railway’s commitment to improving infrastructure and facilities at CSMT, striving to ensure operational efficiency and a better environment for both staff and passengers” said an official of CR.