Mumbai: Facing sharp criticism from the civic standing committee over an 11% cost escalation above the BMC’s estimate, authorities have been forced into fresh negotiations with the lowest bidder, M/s Soma Enterprises Limited, on Friday for the Gargai Dam project.

The committee has taken a firm stand, demanding that the Rs 3,276 crore (after including taxes Rs 5,396 crore) project be awarded strictly at par with the original estimate, putting renewed pressure on the civic administration to rein in costs.

The Gargai Dam Project was initially estimated at Rs 3,105 crore. After tenders were floated in December last year, the lowest bidder, Soma Enterprises Limited, quoted Rs 3,334 crore. Following negotiations, the company agreed to execute the work for Rs 3,276 crore.

However, the Standing Committee raised concerns over a 2% incentive on the total contract value granted to the contractor after negotiations, terming it unnecessary.

In a subsequent meeting on Wednesday, the committee again questioned the administration and directed it to hold fresh negotiations with the company to further reduce and align the contract cost.

A senior civic official said, “A meeting has been called with Soma Enterprises Limited, and the administration will seek its best possible revised price in line with the Standing Committee’s directions. A fresh proposal will then be placed before the next meeting of the Standing Committee.”

According to sources, the company had earlier justified its higher bid during negotiations by citing cost escalation over the past two years since the project proposal was prepared in 2023, as well as the challenging and inaccessible terrain at Wada and Mokhada, where the dam is proposed to be constructed.

The Gargai Dam Project in Palghar’s Wada taluka is expected to augment Mumbai’s water supply by 440 million litres per day (MLD). The project proposes construction of a 69-metre-high dam near Ogada village, along with a 2.2 km tunnel to divert water to the Modak Sagar Reservoir.

Its implementation would require the felling of approximately 3.1 lakh trees, including areas within the Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. As a result, the civic body will need to undertake compensatory afforestation on identified non-forest land.

The BMC supplies 4,000 MLD of water to Mumbai from seven lakes—Tansa, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tulsi, Vihar, Upper Vaitarna, and Middle Vaitarna—with 34% lost to theft and leakages. Rising pollution and urbanisation have pushed demand to 4,463 MLD, expected to reach 6,900 MLD by 2041.

The last major dam, Middle Vaitarna, was completed in 2014, highlighting the need for new projects like the Gargai Dam. The project is expected to be completed by 2029.

Mumbai: In a major crackdown on the sale of counterfeit branded goods, Mumbai Police have dismantled an organised racket dealing in fake Apple accessories in Ghatkopar East, seizing products worth Rs. 16.33 lakh and booking six shopkeepers in the case.

The action was carried out by a team from Pant Nagar police station following a specific tip-off about the sale of duplicate mobile accessories in the Patel Chowk and Nilyog Mall areas. Acting swiftly, police officials devised a coordinated plan and split into six teams to conduct simultaneous raids at multiple locations.

During the operation, authorities raided six shops where a large quantity of counterfeit products was recovered. The seized items included mobile chargers, adapters, USB cables, phone covers, back panels, earphones, AirPods and batteries, all falsely branded as products of Apple Inc. Officials said the items were near-identical replicas designed to mislead customers into believing they were purchasing genuine goods.

To verify the authenticity of the products, representatives from Apple Inc. were present during the raids. Using technical expertise and specialised identification techniques, they confirmed on the spot that all the seized items were counterfeit.

The report also said that the accused had been sourcing these fake products at significantly lower prices and selling them at inflated rates under the Apple brand name. Police said the shopkeepers were illegally using Apple’s logo and product designs without authorisation, thereby deceiving customers and violating intellectual property rights.

Based on the findings, cases have been registered against all six accused under Sections 51 and 63 of the Copyright Act, The seized goods have been confiscated and sent for further forensic examination as part of the ongoing probe.

Police officials stated that this operation is part of a broader drive to curb the circulation of counterfeit branded goods in Mumbai. They added that further investigations are underway to trace the supply chain and identify other individuals linked to the racket.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to taking strict action against such illegal activities and warned traders against dealing in counterfeit products.

Mumbai, March 20: An eight-year-old boy died after falling into a water filled construction pit in Malad East on Thursday, March 19 while attempting to retrieve a ball, officials said.

The incident occurred at around 8:00 pm at Chagan Patel Chawl, Ambewadi, in Kurar Village. The boy, identified as Divyansh Rajesh Mourya (8), had reportedly gone to retrieve a ball when he accidentally fell into a pit excavated by Mauli Construction.

According to police officials from Kurar Village Police Station, the pit was filled with water, which made the situation critical. Upon receiving information, police personnel rushed to the spot and carried out a rescue operation. The child was pulled out of the pit and immediately shifted to Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital in Kandivali for treatment.

However, despite efforts to save him, the attending Assistant Medical Officer (AMO) declared the boy dead at the hospital.

The case was later confirmed by the concerned Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) from Kurar Village Police Station.

Further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be ascertained.

This news comes in a month after a tragic accident occurred in Subhash Nagar, Chembur, when six workers fell from the sixth floor of an under-construction building, leaving one dead and five seriously injured.

The incident took place at the “Adityaraj Springs” project, a G+16-storey tower being constructed as part of the redevelopment of Building No. 36 in the area. Construction work has been completed up to the eighth floor.

According to civic officials, 55-year-old Ramallu lost his life in the accident. The injured have been identified as Gunadhar Rai (22) whose condition is critical, Usrai (30), Ramesh Rai (25), Vijay (35), and Sandeep (27).

Residents alleged that the workers were not provided with essential safety gear such as helmets and safety belts. The incident has once again raised serious concerns over adherence to safety norms at construction sites in the city.