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Tuesday,03-February-2026
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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Applications start flowing in for MHADA’s housing lottery; over 1700 appeals received

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority’s (MHADA) latest affordable housing lottery draw via the Konkan Board has garnered 1,776 applications in the first two days of starting it.

As per the statistics sourced from the officials associated with the housing lottery process, until 6 pm on Thursday of the 1,776 applications made, 739 applicants had already paid the earnest money deposit.

A total of 4,654 tenements and land parcels are up for sale. The lottery draw will be held on May 10.

MHADA lottery popular due to lower prices of residential projects

MHADA’s housing lottery draw is popular and sought after among homebuyers due to the prices being lower than the residential projects marketed by private developers.

Units in Virar, Vasai, Thane, Navi Mumbai up in lottery

Of the total 4,654 Konkan Board units, 984 houses are part of the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY). Under this scheme, the homes up for sale have already been subsidised prior to calling for applications. Located in Kalyan, Virar and Thane and meant for economically weaker sections, the units cost between Rs 14.96 lakh and Rs 21.15 lakh.

Another set of 20% homes totalling to 1,456 units have come to the Board and are now being sold from the redevelopment projects. These homes are spread out in different localities such as Virar, Vasai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, etc.

Then there are 166 homes across the income categories, which are located in Ambernath, Badlapur, Roha, Vengurla, Virar, Thane, etc. A majority of 2,048 homes in Virar are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. These homes fall under the low and middle-income groups. The price ranges from Rs23.28 lakh to Rs41.81 lakh.

Applicants can participate until April 10

According to officials, applicants can participate in the lottery draw process until April 10. The earnest money deposit payment can be done till April 12. Thereafter, the authorities will publish a final list of valid applications on May 5 and conduct the lottery draw on May 10 at Kashinath Ghanekar Hall in Thane.

Maharashtra

‘Not What Indians Expected’: Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi Raises Concerns Over India-US Trade Deal

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Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday, February 3, raised concerns over the trade deal signed between India and the United States, calling it significant but expressed disappointment over its terms. She said the manner in which tariffs and trade barriers were reduced was not what Indians expected. Her statements came as India and the United States agreed on a $500 billion-dollar trade deal under which Washington will bring down the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the current 25 per cent.

While speaking to news agency media, she raised questions on the way tariffs were brought down, “The way we have brought tariffs and trade barriers down to zero… we agree to buy Venezuelan oil, stop buying Iranian oil, stop buying Russian oil, the trade barriers on agricultural goods have been removed from our markets.”

While the Sena UBT MP reiterated that the India-US trade agreement is important, she added that “what has come from Trump’s side doesn’t seem like a win-win situation at all.” Meanwhile, the announcement of the trade deal was made by US President Trump on Monday after a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A late night tweet also came from PM Modi thanking Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for the announcement. Taking to X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%. When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is likely to make a statement in Parliament on Tuesday on the India-US trade agreement, sources as reported by media. The sources added the minister is returning to Delhi from Mumbai to make the statement.

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Maharashtra

Over 1,250 Kg Of Waste Cleared From Nerul Mangroves On World Wetlands Day 2026 Drive

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Navi Mumbai: In a major boost to coastal conservation efforts, over 1,250 kg of waste was removed from the mangrove ecosystem at Sarsole Jetty, Nerul, during a large-scale clean-up drive organised on World Wetlands Day 2026 as part of CSR Project HARMONY – Henkel and Rotary for Mother Nature and You, in collaboration with Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai Joy of Giving (RCNM JOG) and Navi Mumbai Shapers.

The mangrove clean-up drive, held between 8 am and 10.30 am on Monday, witnessed the participation of over 120 volunteers, including 80 students from Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil (KBP) College, Vashi, along with representatives from NMMC, the Forest Department, Henkel employees, Beach Please India, Rotarians, and local environmental volunteers. The collected waste was systematically handled with the support of the NMMC Solid Waste Management Team.

The initiative highlighted the growing concern over waste accumulation in mangrove belts, which play a crucial role in protecting coastlines, supporting biodiversity, and mitigating climate impacts in urban regions like Navi Mumbai.

Alongside the clean-up, an awareness programme on wetlands and ecosystems was conducted at Jewels of Navi Mumbai, Nerul, engaging over 320 students and teachers from various schools. The session featured talks by noted environmentalist Stalin D and marine biologist Kshitija from the Mangrove Foundation, emphasising the importance of wetlands in climate resilience and sustainable urban development.

Adding a powerful cultural dimension to the programme, 20 children from the tribal belt of Tansa performed a street play titled “Saviours of Life”, presented by the Vanashakti Living Theatrical Group, drawing attention to environmental degradation and the urgent need for conservation.

The event was supported by key knowledge and on-ground partners including Vanashakti Foundation, Mangrove Foundation, and NMMC, and was graced by senior officials such as Dr Ajay Jaishree Siddheswar Gadade, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Dnyaneshwar Rakshe, ACF Mangrove Division, and Sanjay Sandanshiv, Scientist Grade II-cum-Under Secretary, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Maharashtra.

Speaking on the occasion, Rtn Rekha Sankhala, President, Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai Joy of Giving, said wetlands are among the most vulnerable ecosystems despite their immense ecological value. “Through this Rotary–Henkel CSR initiative, we aim to create awareness and inspire collective action to protect wetlands that are vital for our cities and future generations,” she said.

The World Wetlands Day programme reaffirmed the role of citizen participation, youth engagement, and corporate–NGO collaboration in safeguarding Navi Mumbai’s fragile mangrove and wetland ecosystems.

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Crime

Mumbai Accident: 3 Injured As Speeding Mercedes Driven By 17-Year-Old Boy Crashes Inside Coastal Road Tunnel

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Mumbai: Three members of a family were injured after a speeding Mercedes, allegedly being driven by a 17-year-old boy, rammed into a car inside the Coastal Road tunnel in South Mumbai, police said.

The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

The D B Marg police have registered a case against a businessman from the Agripada area, the Mercedes owner, his 18-year-old granddaughter and the latter’s 17-year-old male friend, who was driving the luxury car, an official said on Monday.

The accident took place inside the tunnel on the road when the speeding Mercedes, going towards South Mumbai, rammed into another vehicle from behind. The high-end four-wheeler then hit another car going ahead, he said.

Three members of a family, including a senior citizen woman, suffered injuries when the Mercedes hit the second car, the official said.

During the probe, it came to light that the Mercedes was being driven by a 17-year-old boy. He lost control of the vehicle inside the tunnel, leading to the accident, the official stated.

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