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‘Hindutva Is About Saving Lives, Not Opening Temples’: Uddhav Thackeray Attacks Centre During Dussehra Melawa In Mumbai

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Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched a diatribe against the ruling NDA government in the state, as well as at the Centre, on several issues including the quota demands, Marathi pride, corruption and Hindutva, as he addressed his party’s traditional Dussehra rally at the iconic Shivaji Park in Dadar on Tuesday.

“They wanted us to open temples while we were busy saving lives in the Covid pandemic,” Thackeray said and added that apart from being proudly Hindu, the Shiv Sena (UBT) stands for Marathi pride as well.

Thackeray Speaks On Dharavi Redevelopment Project

Thackeray also lashed out at the appointment of ‘a real-estate developer’ as the guardian minister of Mumbai and for awarding Dharavi’s redevelopment to a friend of those in power.”

“We stand for saving Mumbai from those who are trying to loot it,” Thackeray said, referring to infrastructure projects like the high-speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

He also challenged the government to go to the polls over all these issues, adding, “They are afraid and hence, are even delaying the University senate elections.”

Touching on the issue of quota demands being raised by the Marathas, Dhangars and OBCs, Thackeray voiced support to activist Manoj Jarange-Patil. “I thank him for taking the right stand. He carried out the Maratha agitation very well and has also brought the Dhangar community together. I visited his village to meet activists who were lathi-charged. It was a horrible experience,” Thackeray said, recounting his interactions with the victims.

He emphasized that a resolution of the Maratha reservation issue could only be achieved in the Lok Sabha. “We were hoping for a crucial decision during the special session of Parliament on the first day of Ganeshotsav. They could have overturned the Supreme Court decision, as was done on the basis of massive strength in the case of Delhi. But they did not do so,” Thackeray said.

Let’s Burn Down The Khokasur: Uddhav Thackeray

This year’s Dussehra rally assumed significance in light of the fact that it was being held for the first time after the Shiv Sena (UBT) lost both the name ‘Shiv Sena’ and the bow-and-arrow election symbol. “Ravan also was a devotee of Shiva. But he went mad with the pride of his power. Hence, he had to be destroyed. He abducted Seeta, just as the Shiv Sena was taken away from us. But in our case, they also snatched our bow and arrow,” Thackeray said.

“But now, we have the ‘mashaal’. So, just as Hanuman, who burnt down Lanka, let us burn down the ‘Khokasur’,” Thackeray declared, making an oblique reference to the breakaway Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Thackeray did not mince words when it came to the BJP, accusing them of sowing division among the people to divert public attention from pressing issues such as inflation and unemployment. He concluded with a pointed remark, “Those who don’t believe in the family system should refrain from commenting on dynasties,” taking a clear swipe at Prime Minister Modi.

“I repeatedly emphasise that the BJP never had any connection with the struggle for Independence, nor with the Marathwada Mukti Sangram. They weren’t involved in the United Maharashtra Movement; instead, they arrived with the United Maharashtra Committee and were the first to desert us,” Thackeray said.

He pointed out how the Jan Sangh had entered the Janata Party, then later, aligned with the Shiv Sena, the Akali Dal, and on occasion, even with Nitish Kumar. “Wherever they go, they cause destruction. Therefore, Manoj Jarange-Patil must be cautious,” Uddhav Thackeray warned.

Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut Attacks Centre On Corruption

Shiv Sena (UBT) member of Parliament and party spokesperson Sanjay Raut, whose speech preceded Thackeray’s, lambasted the government in the state as well as the Centre, for rampant corruption. “Eknath Shinde is a scam in himself,” Raut said, adding, “After going with the BJP, it has turned into a mega scam.”

He asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah when he was going to hang all the corrupt politicians in Maharashtra, referring to a recent speech by the latter in Chhattisgarh. “They are anti-corruption only in opposition states,” he said.

Maharashtra

BMC on alert following a rise in tree-fall incidents due to rain in Mumbai, special arrangements being made to ensure tree safety: Municipal Commissioner

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Better arrangements during rains in Mumbai BMC has been very successful in pumping and drainage on roads and other works and BMC officers and officials were on the road even during the rains. This has been claimed by Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. Rain in Mumbai From July 1, 2026 to July 7, 2026, Mumbai received more than 300 mm of rain. Mumbai received more rain than the cities of Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru. Rapid drainage of accumulated water with the help of six pumping stations, nine mini pumping stations and 540 submersible pumps. Road and rail traffic continued smoothly in Mumbai even during heavy rains. Water Supply.

Water storage in 7 reservoirs supplying water to Mumbai as on 07 July 2026 = 28.92%Water storage increased by 12% in 24 hours from 6 am on 6 July 2026 to 6 am on 7 July 2026.

Water storage was available at 67.88% as on 07 July 2025. There has been no expected rainfall in the area of ​​7 reservoirs supplying water to Mumbai so far. The available water storage is being reviewed regularly and appropriate decisions will be taken regarding water shortage as per the situation.

Roads and Transport
2,118 km. The road network in Mumbai is maintained by the Municipal Corporation. Cement concreting of 700 km of roads has been started in two phases. Out of which, concreting of 577.46 km of roads has been completed. Work is underway on the remaining roads. 89.81% of the concreting phase-1 and 73.72% of the phase-2 work has been completed. The problem of potholes has been reduced and the cost of filling potholes has been saved by 35%. Eastern Expressway and Western Expressway are not concrete but bituminous roads. Work has already been done on the potholed areas on these highways.
A contractor has been appointed to fill the potholes. The ‘resurfacing’ of these two roads will be done as soon as the monsoon season ends.

7) A separate app is available for redressal of pothole complaints. A complaint registration system like ‘Marg’. Information is also available through newspapers and media. Due to which the speed of attention and response to potholes has increased compared to before.

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Cleaning of drains
Rivers/drains are cleaned regularly. Silt is removed.
When 300 mm of rain falls in a short period and at the same time the sea level rises by four and a half metres, it is natural for water to accumulate in a city like Mumbai, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides and has undergone ‘reclamation’.

3) The Municipal Corporation is trying to get funds from the National Disaster Relief Fund to permanently address these issues. For this, it is preparing a detailed project with the help of IIT Bombay. A major project is being taken up to reduce 300 to 350 ‘flood points’. This includes construction of new pumping stations, increasing the capacity of pumping stations, installation of automatic flood control gates and strengthening the network of sewerage channels.

4) Citizens are requested not to throw solid waste and floating garbage into rivers and drains.
Increase in the number of trees falling due to strong winds in the last two days.

Winds blow every year during the monsoon However, this year, winds have been blowing at a speed of 50 to 70 kmph for the last four to five days. Due to which trees suffered a lot of damage in this monsoon. Every year, trees fall during the monsoon or due to various reasons. This year, 50% of the trees that fell in a year fell in just one day. In 2022, 655 trees fell. In 2023, 687, in 2024, 653 and in 2025, 855 trees fell. While in 2026, 830 trees fell. Out of 830, 480 trees were in the private sector. As many branches as there are, trees fall. This year, 1,238 branches fell. Out of these, 709 were in the private sector.

Steps will be taken to deliver water to the roots of trees on both sides of the road in Mumbai

According to the 2018 tree census, there are 29 lakh 75 thousand trees in Mumbai. Of these, 2 lakh trees are on both sides of the road. Trees along the road are very dangerous. Many trees are on the footpaths along the road. Apart from this, there may be gutters or other channels that carry water under the road. The roads have been concreted, in some places paver blocks have been laid. Therefore, it is necessary to provide water to the roots of such trees. The roots spread far. Therefore, the municipal corporation is also considering whether it is possible to estimate how far the roots of the concerned trees have spread and to that extent, to make holes and put nets over them and pour water. Such an experiment has been done earlier in the Malabar Hill area.

Experts will be sought for tree care

We will learn about this by taking information from some experts from Mumbai University, like Dr. Sanjay Deshmukh and IIT. Efforts are being made to provide water to the roots of trees that go deep into the ground. We will also emphasize on scientific pruning of trees. Out of the 2 lakh trees along the roads, the Municipal Corporation has cut down 1 lakh trees this year. Along with this, a survey of these trees will be done and where necessary, they will be cut down. A sure method will be used for this. Expert opinion will also be taken for this.

Caution will be taken while working on various underground channels
Many trees are 50 to 60 years old. Their roots have gone very deep. Roads were built for this.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Water levels in lakes have risen due to six days of torrential rain; over a thousand trees have been uprooted by strong winds.

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Mumbai: Due to the heavy rains that have been continuing in Mumbai for the past 6 days, the water level of lakes has increased and the water level has increased in 29% of the lakes. This year, better rainfall has been recorded in the month of July compared to last year. After better rainfall, 100% of the lakes are expected to be filled by September, while 300 mm of rainfall has been recorded for 6 days from July 1, due to which Vihar Lake has been filled, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide claimed today. He said that during the rains, BMC officials and officers were deployed to low-lying areas, including places where complaints of water accumulation were received. Along with this, BMC staff is on alert. There has been a huge increase in the number of tree fall incidents during the rains in Mumbai city, northern suburbs and western suburbs and other places. More than 1,000 tree fall incidents have been reported in the month of July. On June 30, a wall collapsed in Walkeshwar, in which one person was injured. More than 100 complaints of wall collapse and house collapse during rains have been received in 5 to 6 days.
After the collapse of a three-storey building in Mankhurd, Bhide claimed that the building was illegal while more than 5 million people live in slums. Along with this, these slums are also provided with protection till 2011. In such cases, schemes have also been implemented for them and the government also pays attention to it. Along with this, instructions have also been issued to take action against the officers who provide protection to illegal construction works and along with this, special surveillance will also be maintained in such areas. He said that during emergency situations, families trapped in floods were shifted to BMC schools and assistance was provided to them. Two deaths have been registered due to falling trees.

Bhide said that many roads were affected due to the filling of drains, but after heavy rains, many roads were shifted and many were repaired. He said that separate guidelines have been issued for construction companies during the rains, which are mandatory for them to adhere to. If anyone violates them, action will be taken against them. Concrete roads have been made public to make Mumbai free of potholes and the BMC is also active in filling potholes. Along with this, necessary instructions have been issued to BMC officials after the Main Hall tragedy. Mumbai has suffered the most damage due to winds blowing at a speed of 70 to 80 km/h. In such a situation, the BMC is also focusing on the establishment of trees. Most of the trees are on the side of the footpaths and on the roads. In such a situation, along with the cutting of trees, emphasis has also been placed on their stability. Such dangerous trees are also cut down. They are in a dangerous condition. The public is also complaining to the BMC after accidents and the BMC is also on alert mode. Many trees have also been cut down. In this, most of the complaints are found to be valid and most are not.

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Maharashtra

Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar tragedy, Strict action must be taken against the guilty; suspend the responsible ward officers: Abu Asim.

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Mumbai: The tragic incident of building collapse in Mumbai’s Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency led to a heated debate in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today during the monsoon session. Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi aggressively raised the issue of the loss of innocent lives in the tragedy and corruption within the local administration. Presenting the government’s stand, Minister Ashish Shelar assured the House that a thorough investigation would be conducted and strict action would be taken against all those involved, including the guilty municipal officials. Government corruption leads to the loss of lives of the poor: MLA Abu Asim Azmi

Mumbai; Highlighting the dire situation in his constituency, MLA Abu Asim Azmi said that last night, at 8:30, a three-storey building collapsed, resulting in the death of six innocent people living in two poor families with tin sheet roofs. The police have detained Ghulam Raza, the owner of a poor house, who rented his room for Rs. 1,000. What was his fault in this, who support unauthorized construction, if not even an inch of construction can be done without bribing the municipality officers? Expressing his anger, Azmi further said, “After 1995, during the Manohar Joshi era, it was decided to stop unauthorized constructions and if anything happens, to collect demolition costs from the concerned persons and register an FIR. Yet, even after 36 years, not a single ward officer has been suspended, as the development of Govindi is only on papers. Rainwater is filling people’s houses. Moreover, the vacated transit camp sites are being sold illegally through stamp paper agreements, despite this, the municipality is not taking any action.” He demanded an immediate meeting with the ward officer and the DMC to resolve these issues and stop such illegal activities.

The guilty will not be spared: Minister Ashish Shelar
Responding to questions from MLA Abu Asim Azmi, Minister Ashish Shelar expressed deep grief over the death of six people. He said, “This is really It is a sad incident. The government is taking positive steps regarding the two issues raised by the esteemed MLA. Regarding the first point, orders will be issued regarding the landlord who was detained by the police for simply renting a house, that no action will be taken against him, if he is not guilty in this incident. Otherwise, if he is involved in it, then action will also be taken against him. Clarifying the government’s stand on unauthorized constructions, Minister Shelar assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted against all those responsible or involved in the collapse of this three-storey building and the unauthorized constructions there. Even if the officials who saved these actions belong to the Municipal Corporation, they will not be spared. If anyone is found responsible, strict legal action will be taken against them. After this discussion, Tambhai’s eyes have focused on what steps the government takes regarding unauthorized constructions and corrupt officials in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar.

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