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Maharashtra

Mumbai: BMC Successfully Slides 550-Ton Beam For Carnac Bridge Reconstruction; Second Beam Installation Scheduled For December 2024

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Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has successfully concluded the crucial task of sliding a 550-metric ton iron beam, spanning 70 meters, on the railway section as part of the reconstruction of the 154-year-old Carnac Bridge, located at Lokmanya Tilak Road. This ambitious project aims to improve connectivity and address safety concerns, with the installation of a second beam anticipated to be finalized by the end of December 2024.

The Carnac Bridge is undergoing significant renovations due to its deteriorating condition. The sliding operation of the southern girder was completed under the experienced supervision of various municipal officials and experts. The first part of the beam shift occurred between 12:25 AM and 5:45 AM on Sunday, 13th October, covering a distance of 58 meters. The remaining 12 meters were successfully completed between 12:30 AM and 3:30 AM on Monday, 14th October.

Following the successful relocation of the beam, further endeavors will focus on the southward installation and simultaneous construction of the bridge’s western access road, expected to commence shortly. BMC aims to finalize the second girder by the conclusion of December, attesting to its commitment to restoring this vital infrastructure.

The technical intricacies surrounding the beam sliding presented formidable challenges.

An official from BMC’s Bridges Department said, “To ensure precision and safety, we have enlisted specialized guidance, aligning closely with the Central Railway Administration. The cooperative efforts of the Municipal Commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), Abhijit Bangar, facilitated seamless coordination for this complex operation.”

Chief Engineer Uttam Shrote and Deputy Chief Engineer Rajesh Mulay played pivotal roles in executing the plan.

Ensuring railway safety was paramount throughout this operation. The procedures to install the beam will only proceed after obtaining the necessary approvals and railway block from the Central Railway Administration, showcasing the thorough risk analysis and strategic planning integrated into this project.

The Carnac Bridge served as a crucial artery in South Mumbai, linking the Masjid Bunder area to vital hubs, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Mohammad Ali Road.

Initially demolished in 2022, the bridge’s reconstruction project faced multiple delays. Encroachments along the roadway and setbacks in securing necessary railway blocks have hampered progress, necessitating a revised timeline that now anticipates completion by 2025. Earlier projections suggested that at least one lane would be operational by June 2024, following the arrival of essential girders in March.

The absence of the bridge has significantly disrupted traffic patterns across the city. Given the traffic challenges exacerbated by detours, the reopening of the Carnac Bridge is essential to normalizing movement, especially along P D’Mello Road, which facilitates connections between South Mumbai and the eastern suburbs through the Eastern Freeway and the recently inaugurated Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.

Additional routes impacted by this closure include Mohammad Ali Road, CSMT Junction Road, SVP Road, Wadi Bunder Junction, and Crawford Market Road, all of which are typically narrow and congested with encroachments, now grappling with traffic volumes far exceeding their designed capacities. Traffic officials emphasize the pressing need to maintain CSMT Junction Road as a free-flowing thoroughfare to prevent gridlock, particularly because of the high volume of pedestrians and motorists reliant on it.

Resident of Masjid Bunder, Anil Gotugade expressed the community’s reliance on the bridge for both emergency access and daily commuting needs, “The bridge is extremely vital. Its closure has been a hardship for us. It is the only bridge that connected us to the eastern freeway. We have been forced to take longer routes to reach Fort, Bombay Hospital, Girgaon, Churchgate, and Mantralaya. If one wishes to access Colaba now, it has become quite tiresome.”

He elaborated on the impact of the bridge’s absence on family life, noting the significant time required for his son to reach school in Churchgate. “Travelling by two-wheeler takes us an hour and a half via the detours, while using the bridge would have cut that down to just 15 minutes.” He also mentioned that the bridge’s reopening could positively influence local property values, which had stagnated due to the bridge’s inaccessibility, making real estate transactions challenging for residents.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Fire incidents increase in summer, citizens urged not to burn garbage and other waste in public places during summer

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Mumbai: The rising temperatures in the summer months are likely to lead to an increase in fire incidents due to short circuits, overloading and other reasons like stress on the electrical system in homes, offices and commercial establishments. Therefore, the Mumbai Fire Department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation has appealed to the people of Mumbai to follow the rules and take precautionary measures. Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Additional Municipal Corporation Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi have directed the Mumbai Fire Department to be alert and equipped for fire prevention measures.

The temperature is rising in Mumbai city. The heat is being felt intensely. Fans, air coolers, air conditioners, refrigerators and other electrical appliances are being used in large quantities in homes, offices and commercial complexes. Due to which there is a possibility of an increase in fire incidents. Apart from this, factors like hot and dry environment, improper storage of flammable materials, burning of garbage and gas emission can also increase the risk of fire. Keeping this in mind, the Mumbai Fire Department has appealed to the citizens to be vigilant and take necessary precautions. Citizens should regularly check the electrical wires, switchboards and plug points in the house and building and ensure their connections. It is also important to avoid overloading by connecting multiple appliances to a single plug point. Safe and standard electrical connections should be used while using appliances like air conditioners, coolers, etc. Do not burn garbage, dry leaves of trees, vines or other flammable objects in the house or surroundings. LPG gas cylinders and gas pipes should be inspected regularly by the concerned experts. The Mumbai Fire Department has appealed to ensure that the fire extinguishing systems in every building, house and residential/non-residential premises are in good condition. Stairs and emergency exits of buildings and commercial complexes should be kept clean. So that citizens can safely exit in case of any incident. Along with this, their vehicles should be parked in the designated places. In case of an unfortunate incident of fire, sufficient space should be kept free for the free and smooth movement of fire brigade vehicles. In case of any fire, do not panic and immediately contact the Mumbai Fire Department on 101 or 022-23001390, 022-23001393, Chief Fire Officer Shri. Ravindra Ambolgekar has appealed.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Four members of the same family died due to delayed treatment after eating watermelon, FDA report on watermelon poisoning

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Mumbai: A sensational conclusion has been reached after the mysterious death of a couple and their two daughters due to eating watermelon in Mumbai’s Dhoni. After their health deteriorated, there was a delay and hesitation in their treatment at JJ Hospital, due to which their condition worsened further. Due to lack of timely treatment, four members of the same family died. After the deaths due to eating watermelon, now the sale of watermelon in Mumbai has decreased, along with this, watermelon has completely disappeared from many feasts. JJ Hospital had also started a data entry in this case. All four were admitted to the hospital after complaining of stomach pain. All four were complaining of vomiting and diarrhea. It is said that they were admitted to the hospital late after their condition deteriorated. The forensic investigation also suspects poisoning. The police have formally registered a case of accidental death in this case. On April 25, the family ate biryani and then died due to eating watermelon, but the initial investigation did not clarify this. The FDA’s investigation has made it clear that the watermelon was not contaminated with any toxic substance. Apart from this, the FDA and other agencies are now investigating from the angle of food safety.

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Crime

BMC Employee Booked For 1997 Job Fraud Using Forged Documents; 29-Year Service Under Scanner, FIR Filed

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Mumbai: The Azad Maidan police have booked Vinay Jadhav for allegedly submitting forged documents to obtain a job in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) under the compassionate policy (preferential treatment) in 1997. He worked with the BMC for 29 years, and his employment came under scrutiny in January 2026.

As per the FIR, Jadhav’s father, Madhukar Jadhav, died in June 1986; Jadhav’s elder brother, Harshraj Jadhav, had already secured a clerk’s job in the BMC under the compassionate policy in December 1986. As per the rules, only one eligible family member can be appointed on compassionate grounds after the death of a parent.

However, in August 1995, Vinay Jadhav allegedly submitted an application to the BMC under the same policy. Police said he submitted forged documents and, in October 1997, fraudulently obtained a job in the civic body.

According to the FIR, Jadhav worked in the BMC’s Licence Department (C Division) as a licence inspector and allegedly cheated the civic body for 29 years.

The matter came to light when Rajeshree Patil, 57, an administrative officer in the BMC’s Licensing Department, initiated an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the hiring, promotion and transfer of employees. The inquiry revealed that officials at the time had failed to properly scrutinise the documents, allowing Jadhav to take undue advantage.

The BMC administration stated in the FIR that Jadhav drew a salary and other benefits over the years, causing financial losses amounting to lakhs of rupees to the civic body. Following the complaint filed by Patil, the Azad Maidan police registered an FIR against Jadhav on April 28 under Sections 318(4) (cheating) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

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