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Mumbai: BMC Keeps Aside Gargai Dam Project, Prefers Seawater Desalination

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To address the annual water shortages and eliminate water cuts, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been exploring options for augmenting water resources. Two potential solutions emerged: desalination of seawater and the development of the Gargai water resources into a dam, supplying water to the Modak Sagar Lake.

Preventing Tree Cutting for Gargai Dam

The BMC’s study indicated that the construction of the Gargai dam would require the felling of approximately 2.5 lakh trees. With a focus on preserving the environment, the BMC has decided to prioritise the establishment of seawater desalination plants instead. The tendering process for the desalination project is expected to commence within the next two to three months.

“The study of BMC shows that around 2.5 lakh trees need to be cut to construct Gargai dam and we want to save those trees. Therefore, We have given first preference to the desalination of seawater plants. Tenders for the desalination project will be floated in the next two to three months

“On the other hand, a company has been selected for the construction of Gargai dam and a tender document is also being prepared. Thereafter, the permission of the state government will be taken and then work will begin. The estimated time of construction of Gargai dam is three years,” Additional Municipal Commissioner, (Project) P Velrasu said.

Progress on Gargai Dam Construction

Concurrently, the BMC has selected a company for the construction of the Gargai dam, and preparations for the tender document are underway. Once the state government grants permission, construction work on the Gargai dam is scheduled to begin. The estimated timeframe for completing the dam is three years.

Current Water Resources and Supply

To cater to the water needs of Mumbai, the city relies on seven dams: Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Madhya Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vihar, and Tulsi. These lakes collectively hold 14 lakh 47 million litres of water. The BMC supplies 3850 million litres of potable water daily, while the actual demand stands at 4200 million litres per day. The Hydraulic department of the BMC regularly assesses water stocks and formulates water management plans for the year.

Annual Water Cuts and Reserve Water Usage

During May and June, the BMC traditionally seeks permission from the state government to utilize reserve water stock from the Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna lakes. Last year, all lake levels dipped by 11%, prompting the BMC to implement a 10% water cut in Mumbai. However, heavy rainfall in July led to the withdrawal of water cuts after 12 days. This year, the city is once again at risk of facing water cuts.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Shivaji Nagar: Land should be allocated for funeral rites, MLA Abu Asim Azmi demands allotment of land before Muharram in Mumbai Assembly

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has demanded in the Assembly that the Shia community be given one acre of land near the bus depot for the funeral of the deceased during Muharram. The Sunni community has been given land but the Shia community is deprived of it till now, so they should be given one acre of land before Muharram. He said that a large number of Shia community lives in Mumbai’s Mankhod Shivaji Nagar. There is no land available for this community to bury their dead during Muharram. There is 7 acres of vacant land near the Shivaji Nagar bus depot. Two meetings have been held with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner regarding this issue. Azmi said that the government has been requested to allocate one acre of this land for the funeral of the deceased and has demanded immediate action.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Incidents of violence against Muslims due to hate crimes in Maharashtra are worrying, Abu Asim makes serious allegations in the Assembly

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Mumbai: The law and order situation in Maharashtra is very bad, even the passage of Muslims has become difficult here. Muslims are being targeted on the streets and in public places because of their turbans. The identity of Muslims is being attacked. There has been an increase in hate crimes in Maharashtra. This is worrying. Therefore, action is necessary against such elements and anti-social elements who target Muslims. This demand has been made by MLA Abu Asim Azmi in the Assembly. He said that it has become difficult for Muslims to walk on the streets. No one can tell when someone will attack a Muslim dressed in a beard, kurta and turban. Muslims and common people are now having to bear the brunt of the hatred for power in Maharashtra. It is the result of this hate agenda that incidents of violence against Muslims have increased. Muslim youths were attacked with sharp weapons during Iftar in Pune. A 17-year-old Mehwish was killed in Akola simply because her gaze was focused on a youth from the opposite direction. She killed the youth. These are crimes that are born out of hatred. And in Nanded on the occasion of Eid, a bomb blast has taken place in a suspected motorcycle. This is extremely worrying. This motorcycle exploded when Muslims were offering prayers at the Nanded Eidgah. This was not a conspiracy. The motorcycle rider was also killed in the explosion. All these incidents show the growing hatred that is tearing our society and country apart. Tolerance is eroding, and law and order has deteriorated significantly. I appeal to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take strict action against hate crimes as soon as possible.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Anti-Narcotics Cell takes strict action against drug peddlers, action taken against 6 smugglers so far, several cases registered

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Mumbai: The Anti-Narcotics Cell has ordered the deportation of three people involved in drug trafficking. Ahmed Mohammad Shafi Sheikh alias Akbar Khao, 42, of Kurla, Mohammad Farid Rehmatullah Sheikh alias Choha, 31, of Kurla, and Sarfaraz Sabir Ali alias Bhoora, 40, of Vikhroli, arrested in a drug case in Mumbai, have been deported. A case under the NDPS is pending against them and a charge sheet has also been filed against the accused. The accused have committed the crime again after being released on bail in the drug case. The NDPS unit Ghatkopar had recommended deportation to the Home Department, which has been sealed. On this basis, Mohammad Shafi Sheikh alias Akbar Khao, 42, was sent to Nagpur Jail on March 6, Mohammad Farid Rehmatullah Sheikh alias Choha, 31, of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Jail and Sarfaraz Sabir Ali Khan alias Bhoora, 40, have been sent to Amrauti Jail. Ahmed Mohammad Shafi Sheikh A total of 7 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act against Akbar Ghau, 42, Worli, Kurla, VB Nagar, police station. A total of 6 cases have been registered against Muhammad Farid Rehmatullah, alias Choha, VB Nagar, Kurla. A total of 7 cases of NDPS have been registered against Sarfaraz Sabih Ali Khan, 40, Bandra Unit, Worli, Kurla, Kurla, Azad Maidan Unit. Since 2006, 6 accused involved in drug trafficking have been deported from the city. They have been taken into custody under the PIT NDPS Act. This action has been taken by DGP Nunath Dhole, head of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.

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