Maharashtra
Mumbai Local Trains To Have Hawkers Inside Soon? Central Railway Approves 100 Vendors Amid Safety, Overcrowding Concerns: Report
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
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya Flags Alleged Massive Birth Certificate Scam In Maharashtra, Demands Probe In Vasai-Virar

Vasai: BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has leveled serious allegations that a massive birth certificate scam has come to light in Maharashtra, where thousands of fake birth certificates have been issued under the names of non-existent individuals.
Following this revelation, the possibility of these fraudulent certificates being distributed within the jurisdiction of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation cannot be ruled out.
Consequently, Somaiya has demanded a thorough investigation into all birth certificates issued in the region.Against the backdrop of this fake birth certificate racket, the BJP leader has personally initiated visits to various municipal corporations across the state to review the situation.
As part of this initiative, he met with the Municipal Commissioner of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, Prithviraj B.P., on Wednesday. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding suspicious registrations within the municipal limits to find a proper solution and implement strict preventive measures.
Somaiya also informed that a special meeting will be held soon with the State Government’s Health Department regarding this issue.”Bangladeshi citizens are obtaining these birth certificates online by using forged documents.” — BJP Leader Kirit Somaiya
Speaking to the media, Somaiya alleged that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are exploiting the system to acquire these fraudulent birth certificates online.
He expressed strong concerns that there is a high probability these fake certificates will be used to illegally enroll illegal immigrants into the voter list during the upcoming Special Summary Revision (SIR) process in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Stone-pelting case registered against police during Bandra mosque demolition, situation peaceful but tension remains, demolition process underway

Mumbai: The situation became tense after the demolition of a mosque in Mumbai’s Bandra Garib Nagar. After a clash between the police and protesters during the protest against the demolition of the mosque, the police resorted to light lathicharge here, after which the situation came under control, but the tension still persists. The police have detained about 7 to 10 protesters for stone-pelting, while now the situation here is certainly peaceful, but the tension persists. Demolition operations are underway in Bandra under heavy police arrangements. So far, more than 500 huts have been demolished and the settlement has been razed to the ground. The public protested against the BMC bulldozer and the road was blocked. The police closed the road in this area. The situation is now under control. The police said that a case has been registered after the incident of stone-pelting on the police. The police have now also started investigating the matter of stone-pelting and disturbing the situation in public places. The BMC’s action is ongoing. The situation had deteriorated after the demolition of the mosque, but the police have controlled it, which is also causing tension. Liaquat, a worshipper of the mosque, says that the police and BMC have suddenly carried out a demolition operation, while the mosque was not part of the demolition operation, yet it was targeted. Muslims are bound to be angry because the mosque was targeted, but the police started lathicharge on them, while the mosque is old and we used to offer prayers here, so this has deeply shocked us.
Maharashtra
BMC Conducts Anti-Encroachment Drive At Mumbai’s Iconic Mohammad Ali Road; Disrupts Traffic

Mumbai: A video has surfaced from Mohammad Ali Road showing the demolition of an allegedly illegal structure alongside one of Mumbai’s well-known localities, with civic authorities carrying out action as part of an anti-encroachment drive in the area.
According to a post shared by dahisarkar, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) undertook an anti-encroachment operation in the Mohammad Ali Road locality on Wednesday. Visuals circulating online show a JCB machine being used during the demolition process as civic teams carried out the action on the ground.
The post also mentions that a heavy police deployment was also seen in the area to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents during the drive. Traffic movement in parts of the locality was reportedly affected as authorities conducted the operation.
As per local administration sources, the action was undertaken to remove encroachments from public spaces and ensure smoother movement on roads for citizens. The drives are aimed at keeping roads clear and reducing inconvenience caused due to illegal structures or obstructions occupying public areas.
Mohammad Ali Road, one of Mumbai’s prominent and densely populated areas, often witnesses heavy vehicular movement and pedestrian traffic, making road accessibility and public space management a key civic concern.
The civic body has been carrying out anti-encroachment and clearance drives across multiple parts of Mumbai as part of efforts to improve public infrastructure access and maintain civic order. However, authorities have not yet issued any detailed official statement regarding the specific structure demolished during the latest operation near Mohammad Ali Road.
Tension gripped Bandra’s Garib Nagar area on the second day of the ongoing demolition drive after a mosque structure was razed during Western Railway’s anti-encroachment operation. Residents expressed strong outrage and emotional reactions during the demolition of the mosque structure. As the drive was underway in Garib Nagar, angry residents staged protests at the site.
Locals allegedly also threw water and buckets at Mumbai Police personnel during the agitation. Following the chaos, Mumbai Police resorted to a lathi charge to control the situation. Another visual showed the situation escalating as a major scuffle was seen between the police and locals. Visuals from the site also showed some women personnel dragging someone.
Furthermore, some anti-social elements tried to obstruct the work by throwing stones on the the demolition squad. Mumbai Police used appropriate force to disperse them off and FIRs are being lodged against the vandals.
The drive came after the Bombay HC, in its May 5 order, permitted WR to continue the demolition drive. However, it also said that the rights of slum dwellers who were found eligible in the 2021 surveys must be protected.
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