Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has written a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, and Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Mukrandji Jadhav, appealing for justice for the victims of the tragic and serious incident of collapse of the four-storey Kohinoor building in Balaji Nagar area of ​​Bhiwandi city. Through the letter, MLA Abu Asim Azmi has put forward important demands and issues, including raising questions about administrative negligence.

The Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation had earlier declared the building ‘extremely dangerous’ and issued a notice. Despite this, the administration failed to take timely and concrete steps to ensure the safe rehabilitation of the residents. Lives were lost due to administrative delay and negligence. Along with immediate assistance to the deceased and injured, he demanded that the government immediately provide financial assistance to the families of the citizens who lost their lives in the accident and ensure that all the injured are provided with the best medical treatment at government expense. Regarding the structural audit of the most dangerous buildings, Azmi said that a ‘structural audit’ of all the dilapidated and most dangerous buildings in Bhiwandi city should be conducted immediately, and arrangements for the temporary and permanent rehabilitation of their residents should be made without delay. Azmi has also demanded strict action against the guilty officials and has said that strict legal and administrative action should be taken against the officials responsible for this major accident and the negligence associated with it. Abu Asim Azmi has appealed to the government to take suo motu notice of the matter and ensure that justice and relief reach the affected families in Bhiwandi as soon as possible.

Mumbai: On the directions of the Bombay High Court, the Solid Waste Management Department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a more comprehensive and effective sanitation drive across the Mumbai region. Accordingly, extensive measures are being taken to enhance cleanliness, prevent open dumping and permanently eliminate Garbage Vulnerable Places (GVPs) in the city and its suburbs. Special attention is being paid to markets, major roads, footpaths, public places and plots, banks and areas around drains and other water bodies. All GVPs are being monitored by CCTV, and punitive action will be taken against those found littering. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed all Assistant Commissioners of administrative wards to conduct regular inspections in their respective jurisdictions regarding cleanliness and ensure effective, large-scale cleaning. Immediate action should be taken to remove all encroachments from footpaths in areas around schools, hospitals, railway and metro stations, bus depots and markets, thus ensuring that footpaths are unobstructed and accessible. Unauthorized constructions should be demolished and they should not be regularized under any circumstances. Steps should be taken to remove factors causing traffic congestion on important roads. Ashwini Bhide further directed that complaints regarding potholes received through the municipal corporation’s ‘Marg’ app be resolved on priority basis. Bhide was addressing a review meeting of various departments of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) held at the municipal headquarters today (August 1, 2026), which was held following the orders issued by the High Court. The High Court regarding solid waste management was attended by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Vermalawangire, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne, Joint Commissioner (Vigilance) Dr. M. Devendra Singh, and Deputy Commissioner (Municipal Commissioner’s Office) Shri Prashant Gaikwad. Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and heads of departments also attended the meeting. The High Court, noting the significant improvement in odour control at the Kanjarmarg Waste Processing Plant, has appreciated the steps taken by the BMC administration and the concerned contractor. In light of this, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed all Zonal Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and ward-level sanitation staff of the Solid Waste Management Department to focus on ensuring cleanliness across Mumbai and permanently removing garbage-affected areas.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that with a view to ensuring cleanliness in the Mumbai area, the BMC Solid Waste Management Department has identified places where garbage accumulates frequently (hotspots). A list of the places, categorized by ward and zone, has been prepared and marked on Google Maps. Each location will now undergo an assessment through a systematic process. Key aspects of the process include identifying the source and type of waste; assessing deficiencies in collection, transportation, manpower, and machinery; engaging with residents, markets, and commercial establishments; implementing public awareness and behavior change measures; conducting CCTV-based surveillance and enforcement; and taking disciplinary action against repeat violators. The campaign will be monitored through ward-wise records, photographic evidence, digital mapping, and regular reviews. Special cleaning and enforcement campaigns will be conducted in markets, major roads and footpaths, as well as in public places, open plots, coastal areas, and areas around drains and other water bodies. Furthermore, Ashwini Bhide said that containment and interception systems will be strengthened at key locations to prevent plastic and solid waste from entering drains, canals, and the sea. Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioners should ensure cleanliness by regularly visiting their respective areas. They should work effectively towards the cleanliness targets by taking local public representatives into confidence. Zonal Deputy Commissioners need to review the cleanliness works weekly and take steps to bring about positive improvements. Since waste accumulated on roadsides during monsoon is a serious threat to public health and safety, such places should be cleaned regularly. Waste should be cleared from these areas immediately, with special emphasis on maintaining constant vigilance. Furthermore, keep a watch on heritage sites, tourist attractions, major public places, and elevated places.

Mumbai: Cyber ​​Police has claimed to have arrested 7 people involved in cyber fraud while withdrawing Rs 10 lakh from a bank account. Cyber ​​Police received information that Salman Pathan from Overseas Bank Borivali branch in Mumbai was going to withdraw money from his Mewal Bank account. When his associates came to India Overseas Bank and tried to withdraw Rs 10 lakh, the police took two people into custody. They were interrogated. The two were trying to withdraw Rs 10 lakh from the bank through cheques. According to information, the police raided Salman Pathan’s KGN office and detained four people from here. When the seven accused were interrogated, it was revealed that fraud was being committed through fake accounts and money was being withdrawn from banks. A case was registered in this matter and seven accused Salman Habib Pathan (37), Sajid Naushad Kotwal (43), Chirag Ketan (31), Syed Wajahat (41), Rakesh Ramashankar Mishra (42), Rashtit Rajand (35) and Aryan Ritesh Thakkar (18) have been arrested. Cash of Rs 10 lakh, 16 mobile phones, 31 seals of various companies, 23 SIM cards of various companies, a total of 22 bank accounts, 7 Indian Overseas Bank accounts, a cash counting machine, documents for opening bank accounts, Aadhaar cards of 11 people, statement opening tabs of various bank accounts. During the interrogation of the accused, it was found that more than 84 cases were registered against them across the country. The Cyber ​​Cell has appealed not to fall into the trap of cyber fraudsters and not to disclose the details of their bank accounts. At the same time, while talking on social media, be careful not to disclose your personal details because they are exploited to cheat people. Cyber ​​DCP Bajrang Bansode said that the police received information about cyber fraud in this case and the police have arrested the accused wanted in cyber cases and their interrogation is ongoing. Cash worth Rs 10 lakh has also been seized from their possession. Along with this, the police have also seized other items including the documents of the accused.