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Enemy changing with time, Centre keeping close watch: Mandaviya on Covid situation

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Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said in the Lok Sabha the Centre was keeping an eye on the global Covid situation following the recent surge in cases in China and other countries, and since the enemy was changing with time there was a need to continue a collective fight.

The 2 per cent random sampling of all international passengers was being considered at all international airports to minimise the risk of ingress of any new variant into the country, health minister informed the House.

“In last few days, we have seen an increasing trajectory of Covid-19 cases across the world. India on the other hand has shown a continued decreasing trajectory of cases since last one year. Presently, 153 new cases on an average are being reported daily across the country, but globally approximately 5.87 lakh new cases are still being reported on an average on a daily basis. A large number of cases are being reported in countries, including Japan, the US, South Korea, France, Greece, Italy. There are also media reports of a high number of cases and deaths being reported from China since the last few days,” the health minister informed the House.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to monitor Covid-19 and in view of the reported surge in cases from across the world, the Union Ministry of Health has been monitoring the global situation, the challenge posed by multiple variants of Covid-19 and undertaking required public health measures,” he said.

Besides regular technical support, through the National Health Mission, State Disaster Response Fund, Emergency COVID Response packages, and Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, funding support has also been provided to support states in their efforts to manage Covid-19, Mandaviya added further.

On the vaccination campaign against the Covid pandemic, the health minister said that we have already administered a record number of 220.02 crore doses across the country. This has covered 90 per cent of the eligible population with two doses, including administration of 22.35 crore precaution doses.

On specific interventions to manage the ongoing challenge, he briefed the House that states have been advised to focus on heightened surveillance within the community and to undertake requisite control and containment measures. States have also been advised to increase the whole genome sequencing of all positive cases for timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country and facilitate undertaking required public health measures, he said.

“In view of upcoming festivals and New Year celebrations, states also need to focus on ensuring effective awareness within the community on adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour which includes use of masks, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene practices, besides following physical distancing. States should ensure that the coverage of precaution doses for Covid-19 vaccination should increase and required awareness for the same is undertaken within the community,” Mandaviya told the House.

“Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India would continue to focus on strategic principles of ‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour’ for management of Covid-19. The government is committed to undertake all required measures towards managing this ongoing pandemic,” said Mandaviya, requesting all MPs to help spread community awareness that the pandemic is still not over and need to remain alert and undertake required precautions besides vaccination.

Maharashtra

Two arrested along with adulterated milk in Mumbai Goregaon

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Mumbai: Crime Branch Unit 11 has claimed to have arrested two people for adulterating milk. They used to adulterate the milk of a renowned company by mixing dirty water in it and re-sealing the bag at Anchor Building Siddhi Vinayak Seva Mandal Prem Nagar on Goregaon Link Road. During the raid, the Crime Branch seized 224 bags of adulterated milk worth Rs 39,000. In this regard, the Crime Branch took the Municipal Officer along with the Health Department to the spot and raided, after which both of them were arrested and the adulterated milk was seized, which is harmful to human health. The Crime Branch is investigating the matter further. The case has been registered with the police. This information was given here today by DCP of Mumbai Crime Branch, Nonath Dhola.

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Maharashtra

Car catches fire inside Coastal Road Tunnel

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A moving car caught fire inside the Coastal Road Tunnel in Mumbai this afternoon. The incident took place in the Gali Tunnel leading from Haji Ali to Worli. Fire brigade, police and ambulance teams reached the spot on receiving information.

According to initial information, the Mumbai Fire Brigade Control Room received a report at around 12:25 pm that a car suddenly caught fire while passing through the Coastal Road Tunnel towards Worli.
On receiving the information, teams of Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police and 108 Ambulance Service immediately reached the spot and started relief and rescue work. Currently, there is no report of any injury due to the incident. The cause of the fire is not yet known and the concerned agencies are investigating the matter.

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Maharashtra

The Chief Minister today inaugurated the beautification and lighting project of Art Avenue in the historically and culturally rich Kala Ghora area of ​​South Mumbai.

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Mumbai: has gained a new artistic niche thanks to the beautification and lighting project of the Kala Ghoda Art Avenue. The BMC has further enhanced the beauty of the Kala Ghoda area by creating an artistic zone in harmony with the existing historical architecture, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis lauded the project. The beautification and lighting project of the Art Avenue in the historically and culturally rich Kala Ghoda area of ​​South Mumbai was inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today (July 14, 2026). The inauguration ceremony was held at Kala Ghoda Plaza, B Bharucha Marg, Mumbai.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunitra Pawar was also present on the occasion. Legislative Assembly Speaker and local MLA Advocate Rahul Narvekar, Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs and Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban District Advocate Ashish Shelar, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, Leader of the House Ganesh Khanna; Leader of Opposition Kishori Pednekar; Shiv Sena Group Leader Ramay Ghole; Standing Committee Chairman Shri Prabhakar Shinde, Committee Chairperson Scindia Doshi Sakre; BEST Committee Chairperson Triushna Vishwasrao and local corporator Advocate Makrand Narvekar, Corporator Harshita Narvekar, Corporator Dr. Gaurav Shivalkar Narvekar, Corporator Kamlakar Dalvi, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Vermalongare, Deputy Commissioner (Zone 1) Chanda Jadhav, and Assistant Commissioner (A-Ward) Gajanan Belle were present along with residents and business owners of Kala Ghoda area. Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the planning of Kala Ghoda area has included attractive pedestrian paths, public open spaces and designs in harmony with historical architecture. As a result, high quality and aesthetically pleasing public amenities are now available for the citizens. Local business owners have also contributed significantly to this initiative. He said that the area is set to become a major tourist attraction for Mumbai visitors. The Kala Ghoda area of ​​South Mumbai, which is rich in historical and cultural heritage, is considered to be a symbol of the city’s historical, cultural and artistic legacy. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken up the task of beautifying various roads in the area with a view to providing citizens and tourists, both domestic and international, with a safer, more enjoyable and world-class walking experience, and also adding a new dimension to the ‘Heritage Walk’. The historical heritage, ancient structures, art galleries, museums and cultural wealth of South Mumbai have given Kala Ghoda a unique identity. The annual ‘Kala Ghoda Arts Festival’ further enhances the global cultural stature of the area, making it a centre of attraction for tourists from the country and abroad.

Beauty of up to 500 metres
With an aim to provide Mumbaikars and tourists with a rich ‘Heritage Walk’ experience, five roads—Gandhi Marg (Forbes Street), Rutherford Street, and B. Bharucha Marg—have been developed. In the first phase, an area of ​​about 3,443 square metres has been transformed, measuring about 500 metres in length.

Attractive open-air seating with tables and chairs
Adorned with famous eateries, cafes, restaurants, jewellery galleries, stylish clothing showrooms, art galleries, and heritage sites, the area now offers an experience reminiscent of the open-air cultural streets of Europe. Like many European cities, attractive open-air seating arrangements including tables and chairs have been set up outside roadside cafes and eateries. This allows tourists to enjoy tea, coffee, snacks or various delicacies while soaking in the artistic atmosphere of the area. As a result, the Kala Ghoda area is poised to become a distinctive tourist destination not just for sightseeing, but for leisure and a truly immersive experience.

Pedestrian-friendly walkways
The project will see heavy vehicles barred from entering the area, and modern barricades will be installed on all sides. An attractive ‘Kala Ghoda Plaza’ has been developed at the junction of B Bharucha Marg. The plaza features a combination of grey and black granite with basalt paving. Aesthetically pleasing, winding and pedestrian-friendly pathways have been created throughout the area. This enables tourists to enjoy leisurely strolls, shopping, and culinary delights. The streets included in the Kala Ghoda area include Sai Baba Marg, Rope Walk Lane, Dr. V.B. Gandhi Marg (Forbes Street), Rutherford Street, and B. Five streets along Bharocha Marg will remain closed to vehicular traffic and will be open exclusively for pedestrians between midnight every Saturday and Sunday.

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