Mumbai: Heavy rains that have lashed the city over the past two days triggered a minor landslip-like incident in Chembur on Sunday evening, when a retaining wall built on a hill suddenly collapsed onto a cluster of hutments in Ashok Nagar near Vashi Naka.

The incident occurred around 7 pm, damaging at least seven houses, though no injuries were reported. A video of the incident has gone viral on the internet showing exact moments of the wall collapse.

According to officials, the wall, constructed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), gave way under pressure from continuous showers. Residents in the area noticed cracks and falling debris and rushed out of their homes in time, averting what could have been a major tragedy. Fortunately, people managed to get out quickly, otherwise the collapse could have caused casualties, an official confirmed.

Teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reached the site shortly after being alerted. The debris was cleared and rescue operations were carried out to ensure no one was trapped under the rubble. The BMC then arranged temporary shelter for the affected families at Marvali Church in Chembur, where basic facilities have been provided.

Local MLA Sana Malik Visits Site

Anushakti Nagar MLA Sana Malik Shaikh visited the site with her team to oversee relief measures. She instructed immediate arrangements for temporary rehabilitation and assured the affected residents that assistance would continue until they could safely return to their homes.

“In New Ashok Nagar, a retaining wall collapsed, leading to damage to unoccupied homes and minor impact on others below. Thankfully, there was no loss of life. Instructions have been given to urgently provide shelter and basic facilities for the affected families,” Shaikh posted on X, sharing images from the site.

The MLA also confirmed that the Disaster Management Department coordinated with the M/East Ward Maintenance Department, Fire Brigade, and RCF Police Station to respond swiftly to the situation. RCF Police officials conducted a preliminary panchnama on Sunday, while a detailed survey is scheduled to be carried out by the District Collector’s office.

Mumbai: A fresh political storm has erupted in Maharashtra after NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar accused Minister Sanjay Shirsath of handing over prime 15-acre CIDCO land in Navi Mumbai, valued at nearly Rs 5,000 crore, to the heirs of the Bivalkar family, allegedly bypassing rules.

Pawar claimed that the land, reserved for housing projects for the poor and the agrarian community, was given away during Shirsath’s first meeting as CIDCO chairman in 2024. He alleged that the move amounted to “betrayal of local sons of the soil,” who have been struggling for years to obtain land rights.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pawar further alleged that the Bivalkar family was originally rewarded by the British with over 4,000 acres in Navi Mumbai for their role in siding against the Maratha Empire. Following independence, and under various laws and government decisions, the land was vested with the state. “Despite repeated attempts, the family’s claims were rejected. Yet, Shirsath Saheb, ignoring all norms, handed over 15 acres back to them,” Pawar alleged.

Pawar said the land could have been used to construct 10,000 affordable houses, benefiting thousands of needy families. Instead, he alleged, “the rightful share of the poor has been gifted to the heirs of those who once sided with colonial powers.”

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has announced a protest march at the CIDCO office in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday, August 20, at 11 am, demanding that the land allocation be scrapped and that Minister Shirsath resign immediately. Pawar has also urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take cognizance of the matter and act.

Mumbai: In a shocking incident, a 27-year-old Ola driver, Sahil Gujjar, was brutally stabbed to death late Saturday night after an altercation with members of the illegal parking mafia in Malad.

The incident took place on Lagoon Road near Plot No. 50 in Malwani, where Gujjar had gone to return his rented car. According to police sources, a heated dispute erupted between the car owner and a man who was running an unauthorized parking operation in the area. When Gujjar tried to intervene, the situation escalated.

The accused reportedly called in reinforcements, and within minutes, nearly 10 to 15 men surrounded and attacked Gujjar. Amid the violent scuffle, he was stabbed in the stomach. Passersby rushed him to Shatabdi Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday.

The Malwani Police have registered a case of murder and are identifying those involved in the attack. Police teams are scanning CCTV footage and conducting raids to track down the accused.

Similar Incident

In another incident, a 32-year-old man was killed in Sakinaka after a quarrel over parking escalated into a brutal assault. The incident had raised concerns about the unchecked operations of parking mafias across the city, often operating under the radar in busy residential and commercial zones.

The Malad case has once again highlighted the growing menace of such mafias and the urgent need for stricter policing. Residents have demanded that authorities crack down on unauthorized parking operators, warning that unchecked turf wars are putting ordinary citizens at risk.

Police said investigations are ongoing, and multiple teams have been deployed to arrest the accused at the earliest.