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Mumbai coastal road project to be ready by end-2023

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 The first phase of the upcoming Mumbai coastal road – a showpiece project of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) – is 40 per cent complete and is expected to be operational by November 2023, a top official said here on Thursday.

BMC Commissioner I.S. Chahal said that more than one-third of the physical work on the 8-lane coastal road hugging the Arabian Sea from Marine Drive to Worli, around 10 km, which includes the 1 km long tunnel.

“The Rs 12,700 crore project, being executed by the BMC from its own funds, comprises the 27 km total length including 16 km of interchanges, and the 40-feet diameter tunnel running under the Malabar Hill,” said Chahal.

Now, the work of remaining 900 metres of the tunnel – the first of its kind undersea tunnel of 40 feet diameter being executed in the country – remains to be completed, he added.

The coastal road would also include a 125-acre garden on reclaimed land abutting the freeway besides arrangements for underground parking for 1,852 cars.

The two-phased work, which was launched in around the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in early 2020, is proceeding round-the-clock in three shifts to catch the November 2023 deadline.

The project execution was scheduled to start in October 2018 with a completion date of end-2022, but got bogged down in litigations, a stop work by the court in July 2019 as the CRZ clearances were quashed.

The work resumed only after the Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court orders in December 2020 and is now proceeding at a quick pace in the first phase.

Running from Marine Drive in south Mumbai to Kandivali suburb in north-west along the Arabian Sea shores, the coastal road would be used by an estimated 125,000 vehicles daily cutting the travel time from the present 125 minutes to barely 40 minutes.

It will provide convenient interchanges at major locations including the airport, the sealinks, major railway stations, Haji Ali, Breach Candy, Worli, Bandra, etc, and will reduce the traffic burden on the two highways and the arterial roads criss-crossing the city.

Maharashtra

Insulting and objectionable comments on farmers, commotion in the Assembly, Congress leader Nana Patole suspended for a day, determined to continue the fight.

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Mumbai: Senior Congress leader and MLA Nana Patole has been suspended from the assembly proceedings for a day for protesting in front of the speaker’s podium in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly against the ruling party’s derogatory and objectionable remarks on the farmers’ issue. Nana Patole had protested in the house against the derogatory remarks against farmers, after which this action has been taken. The derogatory remarks against farmers had led to a ruckus in the house.

The House was rocked by a ruckus after Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate and BJP MLA Babunrao Lonekar made derogatory remarks against farmers, alleged Nana Patole. After which Nana Patole and opposition leaders reached the Speaker’s chair in protest, a ruckus broke out and demanded an apology for the remark. Speaker Rahul Narvekar asked the members to maintain order and sit in their seats, but the ruckus continued and Nana Patole was suspended from the Assembly for a day.

Addressing reporters on the ridicule of farmers, Congress leader Nana Patole said that those who insult farmers are given respect and those who fight for the rights of farmers are thrown out of the assembly. Nana Patole criticized the ministers of the state government and the central government and said that today farmers are being treated like beggars. He said that due to unseasonal rains, the crops of farmers have been destroyed and the government has not taken any effective steps to help the farmers and their insurance has also expired. The Congress leader, calling the government anti-farmers, vowed to continue fighting for their rights even after disciplinary action. He said that we will continue to fight against this corrupt and incompetent government even if we have to face suspension every day.

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Maharashtra

Demand for action against Mankhurd, Shivaji Nagar, Kurla Scrap and SMS Company. Assurance of action by the Environment Minister in the House on the demand of Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Abu Asim Azmi demanded strict action against environmental pollution and illegal soap making in Kurla scrap factory in Mumbai Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Due to air pollution, public life has become unbearable. He told the House that due to pollution from legal Kurla scrap factories and SMS company in Mankhurd Shivani Nagar, the average life expectancy of the residents here has come down to just 39 years. Residents are forced to live amidst dirty, smelly water, air pollution and diseases. Despite this issue being raised in every meeting, the government has not taken any meaningful steps to resolve this issue and no action has been taken. Azmi drew the attention of the minister to this and demanded action as soon as possible, on which during the meeting, Environment Minister Pankaja Munde assured positive action on this serious issue and announced to call a meeting in this regard on Friday. She said that if any illegal activity or factory is going on, action will be taken against it. The local assembly member has also been invited to this meeting.

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Maharashtra

SP MLA Abu Azmi Moves Bombay High Court to Quash FIRs Over Controversial Remarks Labeling India as ‘A Golden Sparrow’ Due to Aurangzeb

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Mumbai, June 30, 2025 — The controversy surrounding remarks made by Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi continues to unfold as he has approached the Bombay High Court seeking to quash multiple FIRs registered against him. The filings stem from comments in which Azmi referred to India as ‘a golden sparrow’—a phrase he linked to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb—drawing widespread attention and sparking debates over the nature of these remarks.

Azmi’s petition argues that his statements have been misinterpreted and taken out of context, claiming they are part of a historical narrative rather than a political statement. He contends that criminal proceedings against him are unjustified and that his freedom of speech should be protected under constitutional rights.

The FIRs, registered across various districts, allege that Azmi’s comments could incite communal tensions and offend sentiments linked to national identity. Critics have accused Azmi of making divisive remarks, while supporters argue that his statements are historical references meant to shed light on past rulers and avoid misrepresentations.

Legal experts suggest that the case revolves around balancing free speech against the potential to incite discord. The court’s decision on whether to dismiss the FIRs could have broader implications for political discourse and expression of historical perspectives in India.

As the matter remains under judicial review, it continues to fuel discussions across political circles and social media, highlighting the sensitive nature of historical narratives and freedom of expression in contemporary India.

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