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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

Bangur Nagar: Drugs worth ₹21 crore seized, two accused arrested.

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On November 2, at 20:00 hours, officers and personnel from the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) team of the Bangur Nagar Police Station were patrolling Link Road in Goregaon West, Mumbai. Near Shivam Society on the southbound side of Link Road, they stopped an individual—Phul Chandra Ishwar Dayal Kashyap, aged 38, a resident of Madh Village, Malad West, Mumbai (originally from Uttar Pradesh)—on the basis of suspicion and conducted a search. During the search, 5.97 grams of cocaine, with an estimated value of ₹2,98,500, was recovered from his possession and seized in the presence of witnesses (as documented in a panchnama).

Suspecting that the accused might be in possession of a larger quantity of narcotics, a search of his residence was conducted. In the early hours of November 3, at 03:02 AM, a total of 4,221 grams of cocaine—with an estimated value of ₹21,10,50,000 (twenty-one crore, ten lakh, fifty thousand rupees)—was discovered at his home in Madh Village, Malad West. This was seized, and a detailed panchnama of the house search was prepared. Consequently, a case (Crime No. 1039/2026) was registered against the individual at the Bangur Nagar Police Station under Sections 8(c) and 21(c) of the NDPS Act, 1985. During the interrogation regarding the seized narcotics, the suspect identified an accomplice—Mujahid Ali, a resident of Madhya Pradesh—as having been involved in the commission of the crime. Consequently, the police team has arrested Mujahid Ali as part of the ongoing investigation. To date, a total of 4,226.97 grams of cocaine, valued at Rs 21,13,48,500 (twenty-one crore, thirteen lakh, forty-eight thousand, five hundred rupees), has been seized in connection with this case.

Further investigation is underway to determine the source of the seized cocaine, the intended recipients, and the identities of any other individuals who may have assisted the two suspects in this illicit activity.
This operation was carried out by DCP Purushottam Karad, under the directives of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Kurla Hallow Bridge Firing: Two Accused Arrested, Tension Continues.

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In connection with a shooting and murder case at the McDonald Compound near Halav Bridge in Kurla, Mumbai, the police have claimed the arrest of two assailants, one of whom is a minor. The accused, Nepal Pawar, carried out the crime alongside a minor associate. Both were taken into custody in the Powai area and subsequently placed under formal arrest. Investigating Officer Dipali Kulkarni led her team, utilizing technical investigative methods, which ultimately resulted in the apprehension of the suspects. Furthermore, the weapon used in the crime—a locally-made firearm—was recovered; the accused had dismantled it after the shooting and discarded the various parts in different locations. The police have stated that the murder stemmed from a personal vendetta, and the investigation is currently focused on this motive. While two individuals have been arrested, the police are continuing to investigate who else may have assisted in the execution of the shooting and the source from which the weapon was obtained. Following the arrests, the police have claimed to have solved the case. It is worth noting that, in the aftermath of the shooting, a protest took place outside the local police station, where demonstrators expressed their outrage and demanded the immediate arrest of the perpetrators. The police had formed several teams to resolve the case, which eventually led to this breakthrough. Following the daylight shooting, Additional Commissioner (East Region) Dhananjay Kulkarni and DCP Ganesh Shinde inspected the crime scene, while a forensic team collected evidence. The team was active on the ground, which led to the swift arrest of the suspects. This was the second shooting incident within six months; maintaining law and order posed a significant challenge for the police, yet they proved that no task is impossible once a firm resolve is made. A member of this same family had been targeted in a previous shooting as well. Following the murders of two individuals from the same family within a six-month span, the situation had become tense.

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Maharashtra

Two men arrested for forcibly pulling a woman’s gold chain and fleeing in Kandivali, a case of theft registered against both

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On October 6, in the jurisdiction of the Kandivali Police Station, an elderly woman was walking home from the market. Under the pretext of helping her cross the road, unidentified thieves followed her close to her home; while she was seated, they forcibly snatched the gold chain from her neck and fled. Based on the complainant’s statement, the Kandivali Police registered a case (Case No. 1450/2026) under Section 309(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The stolen item was an antique gold chain, weighing approximately 17 grams and valued at Rs. 2,00,000.

Under the guidance of the DCP (Zone 2), the Kandivali Police formed three teams to track down the suspects. The officers and personnel conducted a technical investigation at the crime scene and the surrounding area. During this process, the Kandivali Police team learned that a case of motorcycle theft had been registered at the Kasturba Marg Police Station (Case No. 760/2026, under Section 303(2) of the BNS). A police team was subsequently formed at the Kasturba Marg Police Station to investigate that case as well.

Following this, four separate teams from the Kandivali and Kasturba Marg Police Stations—utilizing technical investigation methods and information from informants—identified the suspects wanted in connection with these crimes. On November 9, information was received that the wanted suspects were expected to arrive in the vicinity of Dadar Railway Station that night. Acting on the aforementioned information, police set a trap at Dadar Railway Station and, following a skillful investigation, took both suspects into custody. The suspects are Pramod Prabhakar Jatar (43, unemployed, residing at Room No. 07, 4th Floor, Sunshine Garden, Nalasopara East, Palghar District) and Mohammad Shahid Alauddin Khan (47, a tempo driver, residing at Azad Nagar, Gate No. 08, Ambojwadi, Malwani, Malad, Mumbai). Further interrogation regarding the crime revealed their involvement, leading to their formal arrest. During the investigation, police recovered a gold chain (weighing approximately 17 grams, valued at Rs. 2,00,000) that had been forcibly stolen, as well as the motorcycle used to commit the crime—a vehicle that had previously been reported stolen from the jurisdiction of the Kasturba Marg Police Station.
The investigation teams from the Kandivali and Kasturba Marg Police Stations demonstrated commendable performance; through tireless effort and professional skill—from the initial registration of the case to its resolution—they have fostered a sense of security among the public and enhanced the image of the Mumbai Police.

This operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner Shashi Kumar Meena, and DCP Sandeep Ghuge.

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