Maharashtra
Mira-Bhayandar: MBMC Issues Show Cause Notice To Contractor In Rs 2.4 Crore Covid-19 Ambulance ‘Scam’
Mira-Bhayandar: The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has finally issued a show cause notice to the private contractual agency which was hired to provide ambulance services during the Covid-19 pandemic. The notice has asked as to why excessive payments should not be recovered from the agency.
The notice which was issued on June, 21, 2024 stipulated a time frame of three days for the agency to give an explanation. However, when asked about the excessive amount and if the agency had responded, deputy municipal commissioner- Sachin Bangar who himself had issued the notice remained tight lipped, while requesting to seek an answer on the issue from the additional municipal commissioner.
Social activist- Krishna Gupta has alleged massive anomalies and corruption in the ambulance hiring tender aimed at doling out undue monetary benefits amounting more than Rs.2.42 crore to a Vasai-based contractual agency. On the virtue of data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Gupta stated that the MBMC had roped in the agency to hire 12 ambulances to ferry Covid-19 patients from one hospital to another, or from their homes to the Covid care centres for four months between 3, July, 2020 to 30, November, 2020.
Apart from discrepancy in fares as compared to authorized pricing structure fixed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA), the contractor has also inflated bills under the garb of waiting charges and small split trips/kms.
Moreover, tender conditions envisaging 24-hour services, integration of SPERO App with the toll free 108 ambulance service system, smartphones in each ambulance with adequate internet connectivity were brazenly blown to the wind.
Notably, Gupta had also registered a complaint with the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) which sought a nod from the state government’s urban development department (UDD) nod for conducting investigations into the complaint. In response the UDD in its letter dated April, 29, 2024 directed the MBMC to submit a detailed report in context to the contract given to a private agency for providing ambulance services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Officials Under Scanner.
It has been alleged that a bunch of civic officials including the erstwhile civic chief, gave a free hand to the contractor for violating the mandated guidelines while manipulating the pricing structure and fabricating data of the distance travelled by the ambulances leading to a jump in bills from the legitimate Rs.48,90,746 to Rs.2,91,05,850 thus causing a loss of more than Rs.2.42 crore to the civic exchequer.
Crime
Baba Siddique Murder Case: Mumbai Police Cite 3 Motives Behind Former NCP Leader’s Killing, Reveal Lawrence Bishnoi Gang’s Plot
Mumbai: Mumbai Police have cited three key motives behind the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique: Anger against actor Salman Khan, Siddique’s proximity with Khan, and a desire on the part of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to establish terror and supremacy in the city.
About The Case
Siddique, 66, was killed on October 12 near his son Zeeshan’s office in Bandra (East). So far, the police have arrested 26 suspects in connection with the murder. Last month the police submitted a charge sheet against the 26 accused. Two motorcycle-borne men fired five rounds outside Khan’s Galaxy Apartments in the early hours of April 14, 2024. As per the charge sheet, Anmol Bishnoi, brother of Lawrence, was the key conspirator, who was in constant touch with the shooters.
Soon after the attack on Khan, the gang began to look for its second target. Sujit Singh alias Babbu, in his confession statement, has claimed that wanted accused Shubham Lonkar and Anmol Bishnoi contacted him in June 2024, asking him to arrange men who could recce the home of Siddique. Babbu claimed that he initially ignored their demands but later took them seriously. Babbu introduced Anmol Bishnoi to Dombivali resident Nitin Sapre, who was entrusted with the task of doing recce and making further arrangements.
Claim Made By Nitin Sapre In His Confession Statement
Sapre, in his confession statement, claimed that he was looking for work, and that Babbu introduced him to Anmol Bishnoi. Sapre claimed that when he contacted Anmol Bishnoi, the latter asked him if he had any police cases. Sapre replied that he was in prison for murder. After hearing this, Anmol Bishnoi said: “Prepare a team of boys as we have lot of work in Mumbai.”
The police has said that Anmol Bishnoi recruited several young people with whom he kept in regular touch through various social media accounts. The gang was trying to gain supremacy in the city, the police has claimed, even during the investigation into the firing outside Khan’s residence.
Maharashtra
Maha: Terminal 1 modernisation at CSMIA to help serve additional 20 mn passengers per annum
Mumbai, Jan 28: Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), operator of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), is set to embark on a landmark transformation with the redevelopment of Terminal 1 (T1) which will have the capability to serve 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA), up 42 per cent from its current capacity, it was announced on Tuesday.
Scheduled to be completed in 2028-29, the new terminal, with a built-up area of over two million square feet, is poised to become a hallmark of digitisation and consumer convenience.
Phase 1 of T1’s modernisation will begin in November this year, according to a statement by CSMIA, which is managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL).
The redevelopment of Terminal 1 will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to airport operations. The initial phase involves the demolition of the existing structure, starting in November 2025, followed by the construction of the new terminal.
CSMIA T2, along with Navi Mumbai International Airport, scheduled to be operational in 2025, will manage the capacity gap created by the demolition of T1.
Together, the airports will accommodate passengers and flight schedules to meet the growing demands of both Mumbai City and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
“The team at CSMIA is working tirelessly with our stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition, with minimum disruption to daily operations or passenger experience,” said Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL).
“This redevelopment is not only about expanding capacity — it is about future-proofing our city’s place on the global stage. Our priority remains to deliver the exceptional service that our passengers have come to expect,” he added.
Together, the airports will accommodate passengers and flight schedules to meet the growing demands of both Mumbai City and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Upon completion in 2028-29, the new Terminal 1 at CSMIA will stand as a beacon of sustainable innovation, setting a global benchmark for eco-conscious airport design. T1 at CSMIA aspires to be India’s first brownfield, biophilic, sustainable airport.
A complete overhaul of the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) will cater to domestic operations while allowing future integration of international services. With a capacity of 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA), this terminal will meet the growing demands of India’s burgeoning aviation market.
The redevelopment promises state-of-the-art infrastructure upgrades, including district cooling, cutting-edge electrical substations, and a revolutionised baggage handling system. These enhancements will elevate every facet of airport operations, both airside and landside.
The Multi-Modal Transit Hub (MMTH) will be the nexus of Mumbai’s air, rail and road networks. Passengers will be able to experience seamless connectivity – from direct metro access to underground bus stations – creating a future-proof gateway that will redefine travel in India.
The recent Level 5 accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI) for CSMIA further reinforces the airport’s role as a global leader in airport operations and passenger service.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Central Railway Local Train Services Disrupted Due To Rail Fracture Near Matunga
Mumbai: The city’s busy morning commute was disrupted on Tuesday due to a rail fracture on the Central Railway line, leading to delays in suburban and long-distance train services.
The rail fracture was reported between Matunga and Dadar stations on the Central Railway, causing widespread disruptions during peak hours. “The track was declared safe by 9:25 am with trains running at a restricted speed of 30 kmph. This led to delays of 10-15 minutes across services,” a Central Railway spokesperson stated.
Addressing commuter frustrations, DRM Mumbai-CR posted on X: “Due to technical issues on the UP local line between Matunga – Dadar, suburban services are currently running behind schedule. We regret the inconvenience caused.” Officials assured that normal operations would resume by late afternoon.
Crack Found On Railway Track Near Vaitarna Recently
Meanwhile, recently long-distance train services entering Mumbai from the Western Railway line faced delays of up to 30 minutes due to a crack in the track near Vaitarna station in the Mumbai division. The issue was detected on January 21 at 7:30 am on the up-line, and temporary repairs were completed by 8:00 am, enabling trains to resume operations at reduced speeds.
To ensure safety, railway personnel clamped the affected portion of the track, with permanent repairs scheduled during a maintenance block later in the day. Western Railway updated commuters via its X handle, stating, “WR’s Mumbai suburban local trains and long-distance trains entering Mumbai are running late by 15-20 minutes due to a technical failure at Vaitarna Station.”
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