Politics
Maharashtra: Toll-Tax Reforms To Roll Out Soon, PWD Minister Dada Bhuse Confirms In Joint Presser With Raj Thackeray
Mumbai: The government is committed to transparency and reforms in toll collection, which would be rolled out shortly, affirmed by PWD Minister Dadaji D. Bhuse, along with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray during a joint press conference held on Friday morning.
A delegation of MNS leaders, led by Thackeray, had previously met with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday. In continuation of the discussions from that meeting, PWD Minister Bhuse paid a visit to the residence of the MNS Chief. Following an extensive dialogue, both leaders convened a joint press conference.
Thackeray announced, “Within the next two weeks, closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) will be installed at all toll booths at the five Mumbai Entry Points (MEPs), and a control room will be established at Mantralaya to monitor them. Digital displays will indicate the toll amounts collected by the contractor as per the tender and the remaining balance, ensuring transparency for the public regarding the financials of the respective toll booths.”
Furthermore, the government will guarantee that no vehicle is required to stop for more than four minutes at toll booths, and vehicles located beyond the ‘yellow line’ (indicating traffic congestion) will be permitted to pass without paying the road toll tax. MNS will also construct public facilities near certain toll booths and oversee their operations.
Bhuse clarified a video clip featuring DCM Devendra Fadnavis regarding toll exemptions, stating that four-wheeled vehicles have been exempted at 53 toll booths in the state, with the state government having already compensated the relevant companies.
The MNS had called for the closure of 29 old toll booths under the PWD Department and 15 under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), to which Bhuse indicated that the government will evaluate and make a decision on this matter soon.
In response to Thackeray’s warning of ‘burning the toll booths’ if small/light vehicles were compelled to pay road toll tax, the MNS had organized significant protests at various toll booths in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Nashik, and other locations, causing concern within the government.
The assurances provided by the government include:
Installation of cameras at toll plazas to count the number of vehicles passing through the toll gates for the next 15 days. The MNS will also set up similar cameras.
Ensuring that all contract-specified amenities, such as restrooms, first aid services, ambulances, and emergency lights, are available at all toll plazas.
Establishment of a system at Mantralaya for receiving complaints, with a dedicated mobile number for registering toll plaza grievances.
Conducting structural audits by IIT for all bridges and underpasses mentioned in the contracts.
Decision on reversing toll fee hikes in Thane within a month.
Restoration of the yellow line at all toll gates, allowing vehicles outside the yellow line to pass without toll charges.
No double charging in the case of an inoperative Fastag, with the option to file a complaint in case of a double charge notification on mobile.
Implementation of the rule to cease toll collection on defaced roads under the central government within 15 days, following consultations with central authorities.
Conducting a CAG audit for toll collection at Mumbai Entry Points (MEP), Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link.
Enforcing discipline among heavy vehicles within the next 15 days.
Maharashtra
Azmi’s unique protest… Wearing a mask, he reached Nagpur Assembly with a banner demanding effective action to end toxic air pollution in Mumbai, SMS company

Mumbai: Air pollution and toxic atmosphere are common in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar. The people of Shivaji Nagar and Govindi are facing toxic fumes every day. Successive governments have neglected this area because it is a poor neighbourhood.
On the second day of the winter session of the Assembly today, the Samajwadi Party (SP) made a clear demand.
It has demanded the immediate closure of the SMS company, RMC plant, and dumping ground and made it clear to the government that it should stop playing with the lives of the common man.
The government should take effective steps to eliminate this toxic air pollution. Abu Asim Azmi said that due to the SMS company in Govandi, the average age of people has increased to 39 years and diseases are spreading due to burning waste and chemical materials in it, so it should be banned immediately. He further said that clean sanitation and other facilities should be available in Govandi and such a factory should be closed so that the people can live a healthy life. Abu Asim Azmi protested against the toxic air outside the Nagpur Assembly in a very unique way by holding a banner and wearing a mask.
Maharashtra
Increase in crime incidents in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, demand for action against drug dealers and drug users, Abu Asim demands in Nagpur Assembly

Mumbai: Due to the increase in crime incidents in Mumbai’s Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, the law and order situation is dire. Due to the shortage of police manpower, it is difficult to control crimes. Three murders have been committed here in three months. The increasing incidents of crime. Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi, while addressing the Nagpur winter session, expressed concern and said that he demanded an increase in the police manpower and the establishment of a new police station in Shivaji Nagar so that criminal elements can be curbed. Along with this, he has also demanded action against drug and drug addicts here. Abu Asim Azmi told the House on a notice seeking attention that there has been an increase in murders, attempted murders and robberies last month. A 24-year-old coconut vendor was murdered over a money transaction. The second murder was committed due to personal enmity and the third murder was committed due to drug dealing. The police are investigating this case in connection with drugs. Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar is a poor area. The law and order situation here is bad due to drug addicts and drug dealers. The population here has also increased immensely. Whenever a road expansion or other project is started somewhere, people are rehabilitated here. That is why there is a shortage of police here. Even after setting up a bat post, there is no police in it because there is a shortage of police manpower. In such a situation, Azmi has demanded that police be deployed here.
National News
Vashi’s Raheja Residency Fire Tragedy: Case Registered Against Building Manager & Fire Service Contractor After 4 Deaths, Including 6-Year-Old Girl

Navi Mumbai: A case has been registered against two people in connection with the fire that broke out in Vashi’s Raheja Residency, which killed four residents, including a 6-year-old girl. The incident occurred on October 21 when the blaze, which started around 12.40 a.m. on the 10th floor, quickly spread to the 11th and 12th floors.
a case has been registered at Vashi Police station against Sanjay Ubale, Raheja Residency manager and Pradeep Patil of Life Save Fire Service. The report stated that the building had appointed Life Save Fire Service to carry out fire prevention measures, while Ubale, as the manager, failed to ensure that the work was being completed, leading to the tragic fire that claimed the lives of innocent residents.
The four deceased were identified as Vedika Sundar Balakrishnan (6), Kamla Hiralal Jain (84), Sundar Balakrishnan (44), and Pooja Rajan (39) — all residents of Raheja Residency. While several other residents were injured due to the fire.
Among the injured members were Manabendra (69), Malika (58), and Ritika Ghosh (39) from Room 1106; Bhavna (49), Mahavir (51), and Krish Jain (21) from Room 1005; Nirmal (53) and Mehul Jain (32) from Govind Complex; and Damayanti Agrawal (80) and Sumanti John Topno (18) from Room 1105.
The fire brigade official said the situation was brought under control after several hours of firefighting, followed by extensive cooling operations. According to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Fire Department, several fire engines from Vashi, Nerul, Airoli, and Koparkhairane stations were rushed to the spot.
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