Connect with us
Friday,14-August-2026
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Maha: 2 men test ‘Positive’ and ‘Negative’ in 24 hrs, Aarogya Setu unmoved

Published

on

 In these panicky times of the pandemic, two persons from Mumbai and Thane this week got bizarre shockers on their Covid-19 infection status from a government lab, two private labs of a single company, and their status on the Centre’s Aarogya Setu portal.

Within hours after they underwent RTPCR tests, the two men were declared as both Covid-19 “Negative” and “Positive”, playing havoc with their lives, families, neighbourhood, offices and travel plans.

In a strange further development, for one of the two persons who tested negative, the Aarogya Setu team threw up its hands and said that his positive status on the app will change only after he tests negative!

On Monday, a realtor named Vijay P. Agarwal (58) from Malad, who had to step out for some meetings, routinely checked his status on the Aarogya Setu portal and was aghast to find himself mentioned as Covid positive.

“I immediately went into self-isolation, and underwent an RTPCR test from a BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) centre nearby to confirm my infection status. Yesterday (January 11), the BMC test returned negative, creating further confusion,” Agarwal said.

After facing flak for the mega-scare on all fronts, a peeved Agarwal shot off an email to Aarogya Setu authorities seeking an explanation for the misleading status against his name.

In its reply on Wednesday, the Aarogya Setu team said: “COVID-19 positive status will change automatically in the application within 14 days, from the date the user is declared Covid negative.”

“This is even more ridiculous. They are forcing me to remain positive. How can I get a negative report on an existing negative report? They should honour the BMC RTPCR test report and immediately change my status on Aarogya Setu so that I don’t face any hassles,” Agarwal said.

A Thane resident, K.G. (40), who was due to fly to the Gulf last week, had a similar harrowing experience.

He underwent the pre-flight mandatory RTPCR test at a reputed private lab and was relieved to find him as negative. Accordingly, he made preparations for his flight the next day (January 3).

“When I went to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), I was asked to do another RTPCR test. Shockingly, that report came positive and I could not board the flight,” rued K.G., declining to reveal his full identity, apprehending reprisals.

Ironically, both his tests, received within a gap of barely 24 hours, were conducted by the same lab at its Thane branch and at the CSMIA.

While Agarwal – who has several heart-related comorbidities – recently took the first jab of Covid-19 vaccine and is awaiting the second dose after around 45 days, K.G. was fully vaccinated a few months ago on account of his frequent foreign travels.

As far as K.G. is concerned, he cooled his heels under home isolation for a week, underwent another RT-PCR test, which again came positive on Tuesday, nixing his foreign travel plans further.

Demanding action, the duo slammed the lab authorities for the “sheer negligence” leading to such contradictory RT-PCR reports, which caused turmoil for the unsuspecting victims, with their scared families, neighbours and others shunning or boycotting them completely.

Maharashtra

Admissions sought for Junior KG to Grade 4 in Govind BMC ‘Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar English School No. 01’

Published

on

Mumbai: The Education Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started an English medium school named ‘Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar English School No. 01’ in a newly constructed building at Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar School Complex No. 4, Baji Prabhu Deshpande Marg, Near Shivaji Nagar Market, Mumbai (04W), Govind 04, Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar School Complex No. 4, Mumbai (04W).

The school follows the Maharashtra State Board curriculum and will conduct classes from Junior KG to Grade 4. It is worth noting that priority admission will be given to students currently studying in unauthorized schools in Govind and surrounding areas. Due to the limited number of seats, the BMC Education Department appeals to as many parents as possible to avail this facility.

Interested parents should contact the following address for admission: Address: 1st Floor, Mumbai Public School, Shivaji Nagar School Complex No. 4, Baji Prabhu Deshpande Marg, Near Shivaji Nagar Market, Govind (West), Mumbai – 400 043.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Action taken by Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘F-South’ and ‘H-East’ wards, 15 shops removed in Dadar and Santa Cruz areas

Published

on

Mumbai: Municipal Corporation is taking strict action as part of its ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, which aims to remove obstructions from footpaths and make them walkable for pedestrians. Under this initiative, 15 unauthorised shops and 15 unauthorised hawkers obstructing footpaths in Dadar area (from ‘F-South’ ward) and Santacruz area (from ‘H-East’ ward) were removed today (August 13, 2026).

As per the directions of the High Court, under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. Led by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Vermalawangire, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation is implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign to immediately remove unauthorised hawkers and encroachments, thus ensuring obstacle-free footpaths.

Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-2) Prashant Sapkale and led by Assistant Commissioner (F-South Ward), the drive was carried out in Dadar (East) area by the ‘F-South’ ward. During this drive, 04 unauthorized shops, 12 temporary tarpaulin sheds, 06 unauthorized platforms (cut*) and 15 hawkers obstructing the footpath along Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road in Dadar (East) were removed.
Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-3) Vishwas Mote and led by Assistant Commissioner (H-East), Mrudula Ende, ‘H-East’ ward today conducted an encroachment removal drive in Santa Cruz (East) area. The drive included demolition of six unauthorized shops located along roads 6, 7 and 11 in TPS-3 area as well as five unauthorized shops located on the footpath along Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Marg. The operation also included a food van. The drive has cleared about 500 meters of sidewalk space, making it easier for pedestrians to walk. Meanwhile, the municipal corporation is taking various steps to ensure clean and accessible sidewalks for pedestrians. As a result, the administration has warned against unauthorized construction or placing any material on the sidewalks that obstruct them. Strict action will be taken if such violations are observed.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Murder sparks sensation after dispute over hotel bill payment, police launch major operation, solves murder mystery within 24 hours, two arrested accused confess

Published

on

A sensational incident of murder of a youth took place in a hotel in Mumbai after a dispute over payment of the bill, after which tension spread here, while the police have succeeded in arresting the accused within 24 hours. On the night of August 11, a man was severely beaten near the Salman Hotel in the limits of Goregaon police station. Aziz Muhammad Atiq Khan, 30, was admitted to the hospital where the doctors declared him dead. The police have started an inquiry into the murder. The victim’s brother told the police that Aziz Khan asked the owner of Salman Hotel, Danish Khan, to pay the hotel bill to two people. During this, both of them argued with the victim and said that we don’t know what you have to do with this. We will see about you … Then they both attacked the victim and hit Aziz Khan on the head with a wooden box, due to which he was seriously injured and the doctors declared him dead during treatment. The police have registered a case of murder and started searching for the accused. Six teams were formed to arrest the accused. After receiving a tip-off, the police arrested the accused and they have confessed to the crime. The accused have been identified as Ajay Mani Upadhyay, 39, and Vikas Devaraj Paswan, 32, an office boy. Within 24 hours, the police have solved the mystery of the murder and succeeded in arresting the accused. This operation was carried out by DCP Parshottam Karad on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.

Continue Reading

Trending