Mumbai: Mumbai motorists are set to experience a major change at fuel pumps as E20 petrol, a blend of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol, is now available across the city, well ahead of India’s original 2030 target. The move is part of the central government’s aggressive strategy to cut crude oil imports and curb carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from vehicles.

Benefits Of E20 Petrol

India, which had moved from E5 in 2003 to E10 by 2022, has now fast-tracked the E20 rollout by five years. Ethanol, typically made from sugarcane, corn or surplus grain, is considered a low-carbon fuel because the plants used in its production absorb the CO2 emitted when it is burned. This makes it cleaner than conventional petrol while reducing the country’s dependency on fossil fuels.

For Mumbai, a city where vehicular emissions contribute heavily to deteriorating air quality, the shift could help marginally improve pollution levels over time. The city has lakhs of registered vehicles, with traffic congestion ensuring that tailpipe emissions are a persistent environmental challenge. Cleaner-burning E20 could reduce this burden, though the impact will be gradual as older vehicles remain in circulation.

However, not all motorists will benefit equally. Owners of newer, E20-compatible vehicles may find the transition smooth, with some even experiencing marginal performance gains. But those driving older models could face reduced fuel efficiency, higher maintenance costs, and faster wear and tear on certain engine components. Mechanics in Mumbai have already reported queries from customers about potential retrofitting or adjustments needed to handle the new fuel.

Why Is India Pushing Towards E20?

Economically, the E20 push is aimed at cutting India’s massive oil import bill, which exceeds USD 130 billion (over Rs 1.1 lakh crore) annually, The move is aimed to boost the rural economy through increased ethanol demand. Maharashtra, with its extensive sugarcane belt, stands to gain from higher ethanol production, potentially benefiting farmers in western and central districts.

Fuel retailers in Mumbai, such as BPCL and IOCL, are reportedly ready for the shift, with most pumps already dispensing E20 alongside regular petrol. While prices are expected to remain close to current petrol rates, motorists could see varying mileage figures, especially during the early adaptation phase.

In the long run, policymakers hope that widespread adoption of E20 will make Mumbai’s roads greener and the nation’s energy security stronger, even if some drivers will have to adjust their budgets to accommodate the change.

Mumbai: As the city suffers from below-average rainfall this year, water levels are threatening the survival of even more thriving ‘maximum city’. Residents fear frequent water and electricity cuts along with expectation for further delay in the infrastructure development around the city. This year, the rainfall has been below the average levels seen in the August-June-July months, a trifecta known to have the highest amounts of rainfall in the city as well as the state of Maharashtra.

The data provided by the official handle of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), since late July, water stocks have been dangling around 89% recording 89.09% on August 3, then reaching 89.27% then dropping down to 89.02% on August 10, while the India Meteorological Department advised light-moderate rains in the city. The highest water level recorded this month is on August 14, summing up to 89.38%.

Mumbai has been facing heavy drop in rainwater levels compared to past. Mumbai’s water stock, as of August 14, 2025, reached 89.38%, showing improvement, but it is still below some previous years. Reservoir levels are mixed; Modak Sagar and Tansa are nearly full, while Bhatsa, a major contributor, is in the mid-80s. Compared to the last five years, 2025’s stock is better than 2021 and 2023 but lower than 2020 and significantly less than 2022’s peaks.

How 2025 stacks up to the past five yearsA mid-August look back shows 2025 is healthy but not exceptional for Mumbai’s reservoirs. In mid-August 2025, Mumbai’s reservoirs are at 89.38%, marking a healthy but not exceptional year compared to previous years, especially 2022’s peak at 96.91%.

Check Out Water Level Percentage Of Past 5 Years:

2020: 92.38%

2021: 86.86%

2022: 96.91%

2023: 83.01%

2024: 80.45% but in early August, rising to 94.87% by late August (Aug 27)

2025: 89.38%

In general, both Santacruz and Colaba show significant differences in rainfall, illustrating the influence of the monsoon on these areas. Nonetheless, the precise amounts of rainfall in Colaba are not provided, hindering thorough comparisons with typical rainfall norms.

Residents are anxious about potential water shut-offs and supply problems due to the low water levels in the city. While the water levels suffice for the city’s needs, worries cannot be ignored due to closeness, particularly in a rapidly expanding city like Mumbai where numerous mega projects and developments are occurring simultaneously.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday inaugurated the first phase of the Worli BDD Chawl Redevelopment Project, a landmark initiative touted as one of Asia’s largest urban renewal programme. The event, held at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha in Matunga (West), saw Fadnavis hand over keys to newly constructed flats to 556 eligible residents. Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with senior minister and officials, were present at the ceremony.

Details Of The Mega Project

The redevelopment, undertaken by MHADA’s Mumbai Housing and Area Development Board, marks a historic step in rehabilitating long-time chawl residents into modern homes. The first phase covers residents from D and E wings of Building No. 01. Currently, 9,689 residents from 121 old chawls in Worli are set to be rehabilitated, with 65 per cent of the total land earmarked for this purpose.

Eligible residents, who previously lived in 160 sq ft rooms, are being provided ownership of spacious 2BHK flats with a carpet area of 500 sq ft, completely free of cost. The redevelopment plan envisions 34 rehabilitation towers of 40 storeys each, each flat coming with a stilt-plus-six-level podium parking and landscaped gardens on the seventh floor.

A Self-Sufficient Modern Township

The ambitious project will create a self-contained township with facilities such as a commercial complex, schools, hospitals, gyms, hostels, and sustainable infrastructure including sewage treatment plants, solar energy systems and rainwater harvesting. MHADA will maintain the rehabilitated buildings for the next 12 years.

In a nod to the BDD’s century-old legacy, heritage spaces like Jamboree Maidan and Ambedkar Maidan will be preserved, and one old chawl building will be converted into a museum to showcase the history of BDD chawls.

Transit Support & Expansion Plans

Residents have been moved to temporary transit accommodations or have opted for a monthly rent allowance. Eligible occupants are receiving an advance rent of Rs 25,000 per month for 11 months.

By December this year, MHADA aims to complete an additional 3,989 flats across all three BDD redevelopment sites, Worli, N.M. Joshi Marg and Naigaon. Across the 86-acre project footprint, 207 chawls housing 15,593 residents are slated for redevelopment. The N.M. Joshi Marg site will include 14 rehabilitation buildings for 2,560 units, while Naigaon (Dadar) will feature 20 rehabilitation buildings for 3,344 units.