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Maharashtra

Mumbai News: Footpaths For All! BMC Vows To Maintain 1M-Gap Between 2 Bollards

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Even as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) assured the Bombay High Court that it would maintain a gap of one metre between two bollards, which are set up at footpath entries and exits, the court questioned the unmindfulness of its officials who were overseeing the process.

Less Space poses difficulty for differently abled

The fact that less space between the bollards makes footpaths inaccessible for the differently abled and elderly, was brought to the notice of the Bombay High Court through an email by Karan Shah, a man who has been wheelchair bound since birth due to spinal muscular atrophy. In October, a bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor took suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the issue.

During the hearing on Wednesday, the BMC informed the bench that it had formulated a new policy on May 26 this year, to make footpaths more accessible to differently abled persons and elderly persons.

Senior advocate Anil Singh, appearing for the BMC, said that the new policy would permit selective entry to motorbikes and cycles and hence, a distance of one metre (39.37 inches) would be maintained between two bollards. This would allow easy access to wheelchairs too, since a wheelchair span is just over 22 inches, Singh said.

Corporation to conduct survey

The corporation is in the process of conducting surveys in all 24 wards of the city to track down discrepancies and fix them. So far, the survey has been completed in 12 wards, Singh added. Singh said that the process would take some time since a contractor/ s would have to be appointed after the survey, to fix the discrepancies.

Bench questions BMC Officials’ strategty

At this, the bench questioned how the BMC officials who had supervised the work at the time of setting up such bollards, could have been so unmindful. “Not that the corporation has not spent money. But how can your (BMC) officers be so unmindful? Contractors, as well as the officers, should be taken to task,” the CJ said.

Asking the civic body to stick to the policy meticulously, the court noted in its order: “He (Singh) submits that in all the wards of BMC, a survey is underway and reports are being prepared that if any lacunae are found in the design or state furniture, especially used by differently abled, appropriate steps will be taken.” “See to it that if such things are found, then the officer who is supervising should act,” added CJ.

The court has also asked the BMC to file an affidavit, stating the manner in which the footpath policy is being implemented and will hear the matter on February 7.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Airport Makes It To The Top 10 Airports In The World: Report

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Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has once again made India proud by securing a spot among the world’s top 10 international airports, as ranked by New York-based Travel + Leisure magazine in its World’s Best Awards 2025.

Recognised under the category of Readers’ 10 Favourite International Airports of 2025, CSMIA is the only Indian airport to feature on this prestigious list for the third consecutive year, earning an impressive reader score of 84.23.

The recognition highlights CSMIA’s dedication to creating a tech-enabled, future-ready and passenger-first airport ecosystem. Passengers lauded the airport for its world-class hospitality, efficient services, vibrant retail and F&B offerings, and overall seamless travel experience.

Spread across 1,900 acres, CSMIA is currently the world’s busiest single-runway airport and India’s second busiest by passenger traffic. The airport handles nearly 1,000 flights daily, offering connectivity to 54 international and 67 domestic destinations, operated by over 50 international and 7 domestic airlines. In FY 2024-25, the airport saw a footfall of over 55 million travellers.

Over the past year, CSMIA has introduced several passenger-focused innovations, such as:

DigiYatra and FTI-TTP integration for paperless, biometric-based boarding

A new Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) for real-time operational efficiency

68 e-gates, self-check-in kiosks, and a digital parking payment system

In line with its Digital First vision, these upgrades aim to reduce wait times, enhance security checks, and simplify overall passenger movement. Meanwhile, the airport has also expanded its culinary and shopping offerings, blending local and global flavours to cater to diverse traveller preferences.

Notably, CSMIA is the first airport in India and the third globally to receive Level 5 ACI Accreditation – the highest global standard for airport service quality and customer experience.

With a sharp focus on sustainability, digitisation, and customer satisfaction, CSMIA continues to set benchmarks for airport excellence, solidifying Mumbai’s place on the global aviation map.

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Crime

Maharashtra: 31-Year-Old Govt Officer Accuses Husband Of Installing Spy Cameras In Bedroom, Dowry Harassment; Case Filed

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Pune: A Maharashtra government officer has alleged her husband secretly installed spy cameras in their bedroom to record her private moments, and subjected her to mental and physical harassment by demanding Rs 1.5 lakh dowry, police said.

About The Case

The 31-year-old woman alleged her husband, also a government employee, had installed cameras in the bathroom, too, the police said on Tuesday.

Based on the woman’s complaint, the police have registered a case against her husband, mother-in-law, three sisters-in-law and husbands of two sisters-in-law under sections 85 (cruelty by a husband or his relatives towards a woman), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, they said.

The woman, a Class-2 officer in a state government department, was harassed physically and mentally by her husband and his family members, the police said, citing the complaint.

“The woman has alleged she was subjected to mental and physical harassment by her husband and his relatives, who pressured her to get Rs 1.5 lakh from her parental home to pay installments of car. When she refused to bring the money, she was beaten up,” an official from Ambegaon police station said.

The woman also alleged her husband installed spy cameras in their bedroom to record her private moments and threatened to make them viral if she did not fulfil his demand, the official said.

A probe was on into the complaint, the police added.

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Crime

Thane: Man Who Brutally Attacked Kicked, Punched Receptionist In Kalyan Clinic Arrested; Girl Suffers Severe Injuries

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Thane: A horrifying incident took place at a clinic in Kalyan where a drunk man, identified as Gopal Jha, has brutally assaulted a young receptionist simply because she refused him entry to visit the doctor as the doctor was attending another patient.

The confrontation led to Gopal Jha punching, dragging her by hair, and repeatedly punching her. The whole incident was captured on the clinic’s CCTV Camera. The incident took place on the evening hours of July 21.

Act Caught On Camera:

Kalyan’s reception faced a brutal attack from Gokul Jha, a criminal with a prior record, in a private hospital located in the Nandivali area. The receptionist is currently receiving treatment at Janaki Hospital, where Dr. Moin Sheikh reported significant injuries, including marks on her neck, legs, and chest.

There are concerns that she may face paralysis due to the violent attack, and she is under observation for her injuries. MNS Deputy Mayor Yogesh Gavanhe and Deepak Karande played a crucial role in apprehending Gokul Jha from the Newali area in Ambernath and transporting him to the Manpada police station in Dombivli.

Ranjit Jha, Gokul’s brother, was also arrested. Gokul has a history of robbery and assault cases in Kalyan’s Kolshewadi Ulhasnagar area. Allegations have surfaced that he was involved in collecting payments from local hawkers. Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende indicated that further interrogation will be conducted to ensure appropriate punishment for the accused following their court appearance in Kalyan.

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