Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed two PILs challenging the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation’s (MSRDC) plan to allow private development on reclaimed land. 

A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne dismissed the PIL saying: “Both the PILs are dismissed.” A reasoned order will be made available later. 

About The PIL

PILs were filed by activist Zoru Bhathena and the Bandra Reclamation Area Volunteers Organisation (BRAVO), challenging the MSRDC’s plan to allow development by Adani. 

The BMC, MSRDC, MOEFCC and other authorities have opposed the plea contending that the plans were sanctioned after following due process of law. 

The BMC had filed an affidavit stating it granted sanction to Adani for the construction of a residential building on a 28-acre plot at the Bandra Reclamation as the site falls outside the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). The petition sought a stay on the project and restoration of the land as a green space, citing violations of CRZ norms.

BMC and MOEFCC contended that a report was prepared by the Institute of Remote Sensing, Anna University, Chennai which concluded that the site is “fully outside CRZ as per approved Coastal Zone Management Plan.” The project site, namely sub-plot A and sub-plot B, whereupon residential development is proposed, falls outside the CRZ line, the BMC said while justifying sanctioning the construction plans.

Mumbai: Former MNS and NCP (Sharad Pawar) Corporators Join Shiv Sena. In a significant political development, former corporators from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, Rajan Marathe and Jyoti Marathe, along with former corporator from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) in Thane Municipal Corporation, Babaji Patil, officially joined the Shiv Sena on Monday. 

About The Event

The event took place in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, with the defectors expressing confidence in the leadership of Kalyan Lok Sabha MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde.

The joining ceremony, held in Thane, saw hundreds of office-bearers, including Kalyan-Dombivli’s MNS deputy city president Kishor Koshimbkar, Suresh Marathe, Ravindra Bobde, Sanjay Tavde, Ketan Khanvilkar, Sudhir Thorat, and Thane’s Akash Patil, also taking up the Shiv Sena’s bow-and-arrow symbol. The event was attended by MLA Rajesh More and Shiv Sena secretary Ram Repale.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde highlighted the developmental works undertaken by MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde in the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, stating that significant progress has been made in both Kalyan-Dombivli and Thane Municipal Corporations over the years.

He credited the developmental push in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) during his tenure as Chief Minister over the past two and a half years, noting that these achievements have inspired public representatives to join the Shiv Sena.

Shinde expressed confidence that the Mahayuti alliance’s development agenda would lead to victory in the upcoming local body elections.

Mumbai: Mumbai woke up to cloudy skies and scattered showers on Tuesday, continuing a wet spell that has gripped the city since the weekend. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for today, warning of heavy rainfall at isolated locations. The monsoon, which has been relentless this year, continues to disrupt daily life for Mumbaikars.

The downpour that began on August 25 brought the city to a standstill in many areas. Overflowing drains, waterlogged streets and long traffic snarls were a familiar sight. Several low-lying localities bore the brunt, while busy commercial stretches also struggled under the weight of continuous rainfall. Local train services, the city’s lifeline, faced minor delays. By Tuesday morning, scattered showers and overcast skies signalled that the situation was unlikely to ease quickly.

More Rain Expected In Upcoming Days

According to the IMD, heavy rainfall is expected in parts of Mumbai on August 27 as well. Moderate showers may follow on August 28, while isolated areas could again witness heavy downpours on August 29. Officials have urged residents to stay cautious, particularly in flood-prone areas. With the monsoon showing no signs of retreat, citizens have been advised to plan their travel with care.

Neighbouring Region Under Yellow Alert As Well

The impact is not limited to Mumbai alone. Thane and Navi Mumbai, too, have been placed under a yellow alert. In Thane, the IMD has warned of heavy showers in the hilly and ghat regions, raising concerns over possible landslides and waterlogging. Navi Mumbai, on the other hand, may face drainage problems, especially in areas close to creeks.

The extended forecast also places Palghar, Raigad and Ratnagiri under yellow alert along with Mumbai and Thane. The IMD has warned that the entire Konkan belt will likely experience wet conditions for at least the next five days. Officials are monitoring the situation closely to manage flooding and traffic movement across the metropolitan region.