Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai residents will experience a 10-hour water supply disruption on Tuesday, as the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) undertakes urgent repairs on the Morbe main water pipeline near Belpada Metro Station.

‘Water supply will be suspended from 10 am to 8 pm, affecting several areas, including Belapur, Nerul, Vashi, Turbhe, Sanpada, Kopar Khairane, Ghansoli, and Airoli,’ the notification stated.

In addition to these areas, direct water connections from the main pipeline and water supply to Kamothe Node (CIDCO area) will also be unavailable. On Wednesday, February 5, residents may experience low water pressure and inadequate supply as the system stabilizes.

NMMC Urges Citizens To Use Water Judiciously

The NMMC has urged citizens to use water judiciously during this period and cooperate with the authorities.

This is the second water supply disruption happening in this month. On January 8 too NMMC undertaken an urgent repair work on the main water pipeline by releasing a notification a day before. “The frequent shutdowns cause a lot of inconvenience, especially to those who work outside the house as well. We then have to make separate arrangements in the morning before we leave for work,” said Reema Chavan, a Nerul resident.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to unveil its Budget Estimates for 2025-26 on Tuesday, February 4, at 11:00 am in the municipal headquarters’ assembly hall. The budget presentation will begin with the Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs), Dr Amit Saini, outlining the Education Department’s financial plan to Municipal Administrator Bhushan Gagrani. Following this, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), Abhijit Bangar, will present the overall budget estimates to Gagrani.

Key Infrastructure Projects To Likely Get Good Funds

This will be the third consecutive budget since BMC’s elected general body was dissolved in March 2022, with Gagrani continuing to oversee civic operations. The upcoming budget is expected to prioritise major infrastructure projects, particularly the Mumbai Coastal Road (Phase 2), connecting Versova to Dahisar and the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR), as they near completion. Civic officials anticipate substantial allocations to these projects, emphasizing their role in transforming the city’s connectivity.

A key focus of the budget will be the ongoing construction of seven Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Mumbai, a massive initiative costing Rs 30,000 crore. These STPs are critical to improving wastewater management and addressing environmental concerns in the city.

Key Takeaways From Budget 2024-25

Looking back at the 2024-25 budget, BMC refrained from introducing new taxes while presenting a record-high allocation of Rs 59,954.75 crore. It earmarked major funds for major projects, including a Rs 1,200 crore provision for free medicines in civic hospitals.

The health sector saw a notable budget increase, from Rs 6,309 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 7,191 crore in 2024-25, reflecting the corporation’s focus on public healthcare. Other allocations included Rs 340 crore for footpath, lane and bylane upgrades and Rs 100 crore towards enhancing women’s security in the city.

Hopes High From This Year’s Budget

For the 2025-26 budget, civic authorities sought public feedback, receiving around 2,700 responses. Many of these submissions highlighted concerns about the deteriorating quality of BEST bus services, indicating possible budgetary attention to public transport improvements.

With expectations high, the upcoming BMC budget will likely continue its emphasis on large-scale infrastructure projects, healthcare and citizen-focused initiatives, shaping Mumbai’s urban development in the coming year.

Mumbai: Former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray has criticised the Union Budget 2025, highlighting the absence of any specific allocations for Maharashtra despite it being the highest tax-contributing state.

Responding to the Union Budget in a social media post, Thackeray pointed out what he sees as a stark contrast between Bihar’s prominent mentions and Maharashtra’s complete omission. “Not a single mention of Maharashtra is an outright insult to the state that contributes the highest taxes, including one of the highest GST consistently,” he said.

The former minister questioned the budget’s approach to unemployment, noting that while the government speaks about income tax rebates, it fails to address how citizens can earn enough to qualify for these benefits. “When unemployment is at its highest, there’s no mention of a solution to it,” Thackeray remarked.

On infrastructure development, Thackeray criticised the government’s capital expenditure plans, alleging a “contractor-based economy” where “favourite contractors get contracts” resulting in “horrible roads” on major Maharashtra highways. He highlighted that while rupees 11.1 lakh crores was proposed last year, only rupees 10.1 lakh crores were actually spent.

Regarding aviation infrastructure, Thackeray questioned the government’s UDAAN scheme announcement for 120 new airports, specifically noting the omission of Pune’s new airport despite local demand and representation. He also raised concerns about previously launched airports that have since ceased operations.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also addressed everyday challenges facing citizens, including increased transport fares and food inflation. “The common person still grapples with a hike in State Transport Buses and auto rickshaw fare hike in Maharashtra. The people still face inflation in daily market buys like onion, tomato, potato,” he stated, questioning the government’s strategy to make essential items affordable without reducing farmers’ income.

In a pointed reference to BJP’s past promises, Thackeray sarcastically remarked on Bihar’s budget allocations, wondering if the state had received the rupees 1.25 lakh crores package promised by BJP in 2015 and subsequent promises made in 2024.