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Maharashtra

Mumbai Local Trains To Have Hawkers Inside Soon? Central Railway Approves 100 Vendors Amid Safety, Overcrowding Concerns: Report

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Mumbai: A controversial decision by Central Railway to reintroduce hawkers inside Mumbai’s suburban local trains has triggered fresh concerns among daily commuters, particularly over safety and overcrowding. According to reports, authorities have approved around 100 licensed vendors to operate across the Main and Harbour lines, despite strong opposition to a similar proposal in 2023.

Official documents accessed by media outlets indicate that a private agency has been awarded a three-year contract to run vending services on trains operating between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kalyan, as well as on the Harbour line. The plan includes deploying 50 vendors on each corridor, who will be permitted to sell both consumable and non-consumable goods inside train compartments.

The documentation outlines a structured selection process, including Aadhaar verification, police clearance, medical certification and issuance of official identity cards. The detailed framework suggests that the scheme is already in an advanced stage of implementation.

The move has reignited debate as a similar initiative proposed in 2023 had faced intense backlash from commuter groups and activists. At the time, concerns over overcrowding and passenger safety forced railway authorities to withdraw the plan. Critics now allege that the latest rollout has been carried out quietly, without adequate consultation with passenger associations.

Mumbai’s suburban rail network, often referred to as the city’s lifeline, is already grappling with extreme congestion. During peak hours, trains operate far beyond capacity, with passengers frequently seen hanging from doors due to a lack of space. Meanwhile, the introduction of hawkers inside coaches is being viewed as a potential safety hazard that could worsen an already critical situation.

Data from railway records highlights the risks associated with overcrowding. More than 2,000 people reportedly lose their lives annually in railway-related incidents, while nearly 2,500 others sustain injuries.

Defending the initiative, Central Railway officials reportedly stated that the move aims to curb illegal hawking and introduce a regulated system that ensures better services for passengers. Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Swapnil Nila said the scheme is designed to provide convenience while maintaining order within train compartments. As the plan moves forward, it is likely to remain a contentious issue, with commuter safety at the centre of the debate.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Water pipeline tunnel work from Amar Mahal to Wadala, Parel along with Trombay and Tarbhai high level reservoirs, water supply stopped

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The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has started the work of connecting the water tunnel from Amar Mahal to Wadala, Parel as well as Trombay and Tarbhe high level reservoirs. Under this, connection of 1800 mm diameter water pipelines and other ancillary works will be carried out. For these works, the 1800 mm water pipe of Tarbhe high level reservoir and 1200 mm water pipe of Tarbhe low level reservoir will be temporarily closed. All the works related to water supply will be carried out from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 10 am to Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 4 pm (total 30 hours). During this work, water supply will remain closed at some places in F North, F South and L, M East, M West and N sections of the city division and eastern suburbs. Water will be supplied at low pressure at some places. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration is appealing to the citizens of the concerned division to store the necessary water during the said period. They are requested to cooperate by using water sparingly.

The work of implementing the water tunnel from Amar Mahal (Hedgewar Udyan) to Wadala (Prateeksha Nagar) and thereafter to Parel (AMT-1) will be carried out by the Municipal Corporation, similarly from Amar Mahal to Trombay Reservoir (AMT-2) and thereafter to Turbhe High Level Reservoir will be carried out by the Municipal Corporation. Under this, the 1800 mm diameter water pipeline supplying water to Turbhe High Level Reservoir will be connected to another 1800 mm diameter water pipeline through the Water Supply Project Department. Other water works will also be carried out in this regard. In order to carry out water supply related works, the 1800 mm diameter water pipeline supplying water to the Tarbhe High Level Reservoir and the 1200 mm diameter water pipeline of the Tarbhe Low Level Reservoir will be closed. This operation will continue from 10 am on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 to 4 pm on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, i.e. for a total of 30 hours. Due to which water supply to F North, F South, L, M East, M West and N divisions will be affected.

Detailed details of affected areas
F North Division Pratiksha Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Sanjay Gandhi Nagar, Shanti Nagar, HM Marg, KD Gaikwad Nagar, Wadala Truck Terminus, New Cuffe Parade, Alameda Complex (Water supply will remain closed on Wednesday, May 6, 2026).

Chef (East) and Chef (West) (Water supply will be at low pressure on Wednesday, May 6, 2026)
F South Zone Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marg, Dinshaw Pat Marg, SS Rao Marg, Dr. Ernest Borges Marg, Parmar Guruji Marg, Gokhale Marg, N.M.G.S. Marg, Dadasaheb Phalke Marg, Govindji Kenny Marg, Jarbai Marg, St. Bowker, Dev Marg. Marg, St. Xavier Marg, Khashaba Marg, Mahadev Palu Marg, Jiji Bhoy Lane, Acharya Donde Marg, Vitthal Chavan Marg, Jagannath Bhatinkar Marg, Batliwala Gali, Chamar Bagh Marg, I Mai Muranji Marg, Shrodkar Marg, Chioda Gali, Marg, Marg, Sang Company (Water supply will be closed on Wednesday, May 6, 2026) L-Section Sibal Nagar, Santoshi Mata Nagar, Kranti Nagar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Naveen Tilak Nagar (Water supply will be closed on Wednesday, May 6, 2026). Qureshi Nagar (Butchery) (Water supply will be closed on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 and Wednesday, May 6, 2026). Hill Marg, Tadi Peeth, Mukta Devi Marg, Gawadevi Mandal, Dongar Paris, Patil Gali, Gulmohar Gali, Panchsheel Nagar (Water supply will remain closed on Tuesday, May 5, 2026). Nehru Nagar, Shivsruthi Marg, Nayak Nagar, Mother Dairy Marg, SG Barve Marg Kurla (East), Kedarnath Mandir Marg, Noor Bagh, Kamgar Nagar, Hanuman Nagar, Police Colony, Kurla Car Shed, Railway Colony, Taxila Nagar, Chafe Gali, Marupur Nagar, Rahul Nagar, Tri Nagar. N. Purav Marg, Umarwadi Marg, Ali Dada Street, Swadeshi Mill Rice, Chonbhati Phatak, MHADA Colony, Samarth Nagar (Water supply will remain closed on Tuesday, May 5, 2026). M. East Division Lallubhai Complex, Kamla Raman Nagar, Raman Mama Nagar, Shivaji Nagar, Lotus Colony, Gautam Nagar, Gaikwad Nagar, Ayodhya Nagar, Vashi Naka, Mankhord (Water supply will remain closed on Wednesday, May 6, 2026).

Beganwadi, Mankhord Bharat Nagar, MHADA Buildings, Chitta Camp, Sathe Nagar, Zakir Hussain Nagar, Deonar Village, Deonar Colony, New Bharat Nagar, Hashu Advani Nagar, Nattur Parekh Complex (Water supply will remain closed on Tuesday, May 5, 2026).

Sahyadri Nagar, Vidhali Village, BARC Colony, Kamala Raman Nagar, Raman Mama Nagar, Dumping Supply (water supply will be closed on Tuesday, May 5, 2026).

Rafiq Nagar, Mandla Village, New Mandla, Padma Nagar, Vishnu Nagar, LU Gadkari Marg, RNA Park, Kokreja Buildings, Vashi Naka, Chitta Camp, Maharashtra Nagar, MHADA Buildings, Indian Oil Nagar (water supply will be off on Tuesday May 2026).

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Crime

Thane Woman, 61, Duped Of ₹15.76 Lakh By Fraudsters Posing As Officials; Police Register Case, Launch Probe To Trace Accused

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Thane: A 61-year-old woman from Thane, who had worked as a baby caretaker in Dubai, has allegedly been cheated of Rs 15.76 lakh under the pretext of receiving a parcel containing valuables from abroad, police said on Thursday.

The woman, who lives near Thane railway station in Maharashtra, alleged that two persons contacted her on her Dubai mobile number on April 14 and informed her that her gold ornaments and a high-end phone had arrived at the Mumbai airport from Italy, an official from Naupada police station said.

“They told her that the consignment needed to be cleared before April 22 and threatened that if she failed to do so, she would face legal action and would not be allowed to go back to Dubai,” the official said.

The fraudsters allegedly made multiple calls to the woman from different numbers and shared bank account details via WhatsApp, coercing her into transferring money on several occasions, he said.

“Under pressure and fear of arrest, the woman transferred Rs 15,76,000 into various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters,” the official said.

The woman approached the police on Tuesday, following which a case was registered against two unidentified persons under sections 318(4) (cheating) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Efforts were underway to trace the culprits, the police added.

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Crime

‘No Fear, I Am Not Scared’: Dawood Ibrahim’s Aide Salim Dola’s 1st Reaction After Being Brought To Mumbai Following Istanbul Arrest

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Mumbai: Salim Dola, a close aide of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, displayed defiance upon his arrival in Mumbai following his arrest in Turkey, declaring, “No fear. I am not scared,” as he was escorted by officials. His statement came while he was being taken for a medical examination before being produced in court on Thursday.

Dola, considered a key figure in the operations of the infamous D-Company, was brought to the city yesterday by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) after being granted a two-day transit remand by a Delhi court.

The arrest marks a major breakthrough for Indian agencies, as Dola had been on the run for several years and was allegedly managing international drug trafficking operations from Turkey. He was held on April 25 in Istanbul’s Beylikduzu district during a coordinated operation involving Indian intelligence and Turkish law enforcement authorities.

Following his arrest, Dola was deported to India and first produced before the Patiala House Court, which approved his transfer to Mumbai for further investigation. Special Public Prosecutor Manish Gupta appeared for the NCB and sought his custody in connection with a 2023 narcotics case registered in Mumbai.

Upon reaching Mumbai yesterday, Dola was taken to the NCB’s zonal office, where he is currently being interrogated. Officials believe he holds critical information about the functioning of D-Company’s global drug network, including smuggling routes across West Asia and Europe and the use of hawala channels to move illicit funds. Investigators are also looking to uncover details about sleeper cells and local distributors linked to the syndicate in Mumbai and surrounding regions.

Dola will be produced before a Mumbai court following initial procedures. His arrest and the later transfer to Delhi and now Mumbai are being seen as a major step in efforts to dismantle transnational organised crime networks with links to India.

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