Mumbai: Ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections all political parties are gearing up. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has hinted that elections will likely be held in the second week of November while ruling party leaders have been stating that the model code of conduct will be implemented in the next 10-15 days. Consequently, both the Maha Yuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have begun a series of meetings regarding seat sharing.

MVA held a meeting on Wednesday at Bandra’s Sofitel Hotel. Congress state president Nana patole, NCP (SP) state president Jayant patil, Shivsena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut and MP Anil Desai were present for the meeting.

The leaders from all three parties presented lists indicating the strength of candidates in various constituencies. Based on these lists, discussions on seat sharing will take place. Currently, all discussions are at a preliminary level and it has been stated that clarity will emerge in the upcoming meetings.

The MVA will hold a series of meetings for two more days to discuss seat sharing. Shiv Sena (UBT) is likely to contest 17 seats, Congress 14 seats, and NCP (SP) 5 seats in Mumbai. The parties will determine seat sharing across Maharashtra in next 15 days. 

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Calls Meeting 

In preparation for the assembly elections, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had called a meeting of all NCP legislators and leaders at Devgiri bungalow on Wednesday. Ajit Pawar provided inputs on issues related to disputes with allies in the Maha Yuti, election strategies, and the distribution of posts in various boards and corporations.

As per sources, following Amit Shah’s instructions for BJP leaders to align with the NCP, Ajit Pawar has advised NCP legislators to coordinate with alliance partners.

There is dissatisfaction within the NCP regarding the appointments in various boards and corporations, and Pawar guided on it. There were requests for lists of pending work through the planning department, but funds have not been provided to legislators since July.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reportedly placed a hold on these funds and MLA’s raised their dissatisfaction on this matter sources said. 

Mumbai: As per the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announcment, there will be no water supply in parts of K East and K West wards due to scheduled maintenance work. The supply will be suspended from Thursday, September 19, at 8:00 PM until Friday, September 20, at 2:00 PM.

The BMC has provided a list of specific areas within K East and K West where the water supply will be suspended during this period. The daily water supply timings will be disrupted, and residents are urged to prepare accordingly.

K East Ward Areas:

– Mahakali Marg, Poonam Nagar, Goni Nagar, Taxila Marg, MMRDA Colony, Durga Nagar, Paper Box, Malpa Dongri No. 3, Sher A Punjab, Bindra Sankul, Hanjar Nagar, Ganesh Nagar, Shobhana Area: Water will be cut off during their regular supply window of 4:30 AM to 7:50 AM.

– Sundar Nagar, Gautam Nagar, Modern Bakery, Prajapurpada: Water supply will be suspended between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM.

– Tripathi Nagar, Munshi Colony, Bastiwala Compound, Sudden Colony, Collector Compound, Sariput Nagar: These areas will experience disruption from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

– Durganagar, Matoshree Club: No water supply will be available from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

K West Ward Areas:

– C.D. Barfiwala Marg, Upashray Galli, Swami Vivekananda Marg, Dawood Bagh, Kevani Pada, Dhakusheth Pada, Malkam Bagh, Andheri Market, Bhardawadi, Behind Navrang Cinema, Andheri Gavthan, Ambre Garden Pump and Gazdar Pump, Part of Gilbert Hill, Three Taps, Gawdevi Dongri Marg, and Part of Osmania Dairy: Water supply will be cut off from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Advisory Issued

The BMC has issued a public advisory asking residents of the affected areas to store sufficient water before the scheduled disruption. Once the maintenance work is completed, the water supply will be restored as per the regular schedule.

However, the BMC has also advised residents to take health precautions and urged to filter and boil the water for drinking for at least 4 to 5 days after the water supply returns. The replacement of the valves on the water distribution network may temporarily affect the quality of water, it said.

Mumbai: The BMC has set an ambitious goal of achieving zero waste by 2030, but numerous pilot projects aimed at promoting waste segregation have struggled to deliver. The dry and wet waste segregated by residents often gets mixed in the compactor, raising serious concerns about the city’s waste management strategy, claimed former corporators and activists.

About The Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2000 Rule

The Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2000, mandate all local bodies to scientifically treat waste and provide infrastructure for segregation, collection and transportation. However, the BMC’s efforts to make all the housing societies and commercial establishments larger than 20,000 sq m or those producing more than 100 kg to start segregating and composting waste in their premises failed badly post Covid.

Civic sources indicate that currently, less than 50% of these bulk generators comply with the regulations. Despite several cleanliness drives, the city’s ranking in the national ‘Swachh Survekshan’ declined last year, with the BMC scoring only 65% in source segregation. Activists and ex-corporators attribute this dismal performance to the apathy of civic officials and a lack of strategic planning.

Key changes are necessary, including amending the 2016 Solid Waste Management bylaws to empower the civic body to impose fines on violators.

Statement Of Ravi Raja, Former Opposition Leader In The BMC

Former opposition leader in the BMC, Ravi Raja said, “What’s the use of residents segregating waste if it gets mixed in the compactor? Some compactors have separate chambers, but are hardly used.”

Even if kept apart, their ultimate destination is the landfill. The BMC’s plan to make the city garbage-free has failed miserably as large piles of waste can be seen on the streets, he added.

Statement Of EX-BJP Corporator Vinod Mishra

Ex-BJP corporator Vinod Mishra added, “The capacity of vehicles for dry waste is nowhere near their wet waste counterparts. How can the BMC achieve its zero garbage target if the necessary equipment isn’t provided? People aren’t used to storing their waste, so dry waste ends up being picked up by the wet waste compactor.”

Vinod Gholap from the Fight for Right Foundation slammed the BMC for not providing any guidance or support to the citizens on waste segregation.

“Instead of addressing its own failures, the civic body now seeks to penalise citizens,” said Gholap. A senior civic official said, “While it’s true that segregated garbage sometimes gets mixed in the compactors, we now have four-five dedicated vehicles in each ward for collecting dry waste. We are also raising awareness among housing societies.”