Mumbai: BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay has strongly opposed the steep hike in fees for morning walkers at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali, after revised tariffs pushed the annual pass for ‘prabhat pheri’ users to Rs 10,000.

According to a tweet by him, Upadhyay termed the move “completely unjust,” stating that thousands of citizens visit the park daily to maintain their health. “We will not allow this fee increase,” he said in a public statement.

The revised tariff structure, set to come into effect from May 2026, has triggered widespread concern among regular walkers. The fee for morning access, earlier Rs 348 annually, has been sharply increased to Rs10,000 per year or Rs 1,000 per month. Senior citizens have been offered a concession, with passes priced at Rs 500 per month or Rs 5,000 annually.

The hike has drawn criticism from residents in Borivali, Kandivali, and Dahisar, many of whom rely on the park’s six-kilometre stretch for daily walks and fitness routines. Citizen groups estimate that between 3,000 and 5,000 people use the park during early morning hours.

Walkers questioned the justification for the increase, citing lack of basic amenities and safety infrastructure. “There are no adequate toilets or sufficient guards. What are these charges for?” said a regular visitor, expressing frustration over the sudden spike.

While park authorities have maintained that the revision is part of broader efforts to streamline visitor management and support conservation and maintenance, the sharp escalation in fees for walkers has become the central point of contention.

The development has now taken a political turn, with Upadhyay’s opposition amplifying public discontent and putting pressure on authorities to reconsider the revised pricing structure.

Mumbai, May 2: The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, in a scathing critique of the current political climate in Maharashtra, on Saturday, highlighted the “living samadhi” (ritual renunciation) of Bacchu Kadu, a long-time MLA and former minister from the Amravati division.

It characterised Kadu’s recent merger with the Eknath Shinde faction as a theatrical display of political opportunism disguised as social service.

The Thackeray camp in a hard-hitting editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana said that the “Samadhi ceremony” was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his followers of him and Kadu. Following this symbolic surrender, Kadu’s “new Guru,” Shinde, rewarded him with a nomination to the Legislative Council (MLC). Kadu, who had been gasping like a “fish out of water” since losing his Assembly seat, suddenly “saw God” once his political future was secured through this appointment.

The editorial traces Kadu’s journey from a social activist to a career politician. Originally a Shiv Sainik, he left the party and Hindutva when denied a candidacy, opting to run as an independent. He served as a minister in Uddhav Thackeray’s cabinet but switched sides during the rebellion, participating in the “pilgrimage” to Surat, Guwahati, and Goa. After failing to secure a ministerial berth in the new government, he resumed protesting against them, only to eventually join the Shinde faction once his legislative status was at stake.

The editorial highlights the irony in Kadu’s recent actions. Just days prior to joining, Kadu had publicly stated, “We are not so worthless as to go with Shinde just for an MLA post.” However, that promise was quickly forgotten.

The editorial says today, Kadu has become a “Shinde-dweller.” It further adds, “In Amravati, there is a conflict between ‘Bachchu Kadu vs Ravi Rana.’ This conflict between two “performers” is merely a business of fooling the public. When the BJP supported the nomination of Ravi Rana, an independent, in the state Assembly elections, Kadu criticised it as “helplessness.” So, at what level of helplessness should Kadu Maharaj’s Samadhi be measured?” it asks.

“Kadu’s samadhi is the hypocrisy of ‘Mambaji’—a vivid picture of the fallen state of our politics,” claims the editorial.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena argues that the BJP plans to contest future elections “on its own.” Their vehicle is full. They intend to move forward by discarding Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde’s parties. Preparations are ready to swallow Ajit Pawar’s party, and tomorrow, Shinde’s MLAs will also go to the BJP.

“When Shinde is empty, people like Kadu will leave his current Samadhi and join the BJP’s celebration. Kadu will try to hang onto the BJP’s vehicle for the justice of the disabled while praising CM Fadnavis and PM Modi. Kadu’s Samadhi is a sham; it represents the decline of political levels. While Kadu heads toward political salvation via the Legislative Council, the farmers, widows, and disabled citizens he claims to represent remain exactly where they were—neglected,” concludes the editorial.

Mumbai: Three sewer workers were seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident in Powai after a speeding tempo rammed into them and fled the spot, police confirmed on Saturday. The accident reportedly took place in Morarji Nagar, where a team of labourers had been deployed for sewer cleaning work by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

According to preliminary information, the workers were engaged in cleaning operations when the tempo, allegedly moving at high speed, crashed into them. The driver fled immediately without stopping to assist the injured, raising serious concerns over road safety and accountability.

The Powai Police have registered a case against an unidentified driver and launched a search operation to trace the accused. In connection with the incident, the contractor responsible for deploying the workers has been detained for questioning.

Police are also examining whether adequate safety measures were in place at the work site. All three injured workers were rushed to a nearby hospital and are reported to be in serious condition. Further investigation is underway.

In another hit-and-run case, a five-year-old girl was killed in Nashik after a reckless two-wheeler rider caused a crash at Pathardi Phata in the CIDCO area.

The victim, Khushi Ramesh Gavit, was travelling with her family when the accused rider allegedly made a sudden and dangerous cut, causing their vehicle to skid. The child sustained critical injuries and died before she could receive medical treatment.

Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt for the accused, with CCTV footage of the incident aiding the investigation.