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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: ‘All New Local Trains To Feature Automatic Door Closers,’ Says Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

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Mumbai: All newly manufactured local trains will be equipped with automatic door closing systems to enhance passenger safety, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday in Mumbai.

The Minister was speaking to the media on the occasion of a breakthrough in a 4.8 km tunnel for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project.

Highlighting the importance of Mumbai’s suburban rail network, which is often referred to as the city’s lifeline, Vaishnaw said, “In view of passenger safety, we are working to install automatic door closers on all local trains.” He added that efforts are underway to retrofit existing local trains with the automatic door closing system.

“In the future, all newly built non-AC local trains will come with provisions for automatic door closers,” he confirmed. He also noted that all AC local trains already feature this system.

The Minister further stated that the tendering process to procure 238 new AC local trains for Mumbai has already been initiated. “Soon, the face of Mumbai’s suburban rail network will be completely transformed,” he said.

“The move is expected to significantly improve passenger safety and convenience, particularly during peak hours when overcrowding can lead to accidents related to open train doors” said an official.

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Maharashtra

Government money is not anyone’s father’s, Abu Asim Azmi is angry at Muslims being told that salt is forbidden, BJP leaders’ hatred, Bihar and the secular public need to consider

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has strongly condemned BJP leader and MP and Union Minister Giriraj Singh for calling Muslims as salt haram and traitors and has appealed to the secular people and Muslims to teach the BJP a lesson in the Bihar elections. He said that the way hatred against Muslims has become common in the BJP government, communalism is on the rise and the situation is so bad that BJP leaders are sowing the seeds of hatred against Muslims and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent on it and does not even open his lips.
Giriraj Singh, who called Muslims traitors, should understand that government money does not belong to anyone’s father. I want to tell the Muslims of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh that Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu are supporting a government whose ministers have such hateful views about Muslims. Azmi said that the BJP government looks for an opportunity to humiliate Muslims and its hateful leaders constantly spread venom against Muslims. Nitish Rane in Maharashtra and Mumbai also spreads venom against Muslims. In such a situation, it is necessary to restrain the language of these ministers. It is because of such ministers and leaders that communalism is on the rise. Along with calling Muslims as forbidden salt, Giriraj Singh said that Muslims take advantage of government schemes and do not even vote. They are forbidden salt and traitors. On this, Azmi said that the government collects money by collecting taxes on everything, therefore government money does not belong to anyone’s father. The minister should keep this in mind.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Indian Coast Guard Conducts Beach Cleanship Drive At Girgaon Chowpatty And Juhu On International Coastal Cleanup Day 2025

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Mumbai, 20 Sep 25: On the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day, observed worldwide on the third Saturday of September, the Indian Coast Guard, Regional Headquarters (West) spearheaded a Beach cleanship Drive at Girgaon Chowpatty and Juhu beach, Mumbai.

Being a central coordinator for the marine pollution response, the Indian Coast Guard with a motto We Protect, has been coordinating the Coastal clean-up activity since 2006 wherein approx. 75,000 kgs of waste is cleared from the Indian shores annually.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from numerous organisations including NCC, NSS, NGOs, Schools, Colleges, other government agencies alongside media personnel and people from various walks of the life, who voluntarily contributed to the noble cause of cleaner seas.

During the four hour drive, approximately 3000 Kgs garbage/litter was collected and subsequently disposed off with the assistance of the BMC.As part of the awareness campaign, a painting competition was also organized by the Indian Coast Guard for children in the age group of 6 to 8 years, with over 50 students showcasing their creativity on the theme of environmental conservation.

The outstanding paintings were appreciated and felicitated in the presence of Dr Bhushan Gagrani, IAS, Municipal Commissioner BMC, who graced the noble cause as a special guest of the Indian Coast Guard and Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, PTM, TM, Commander, Coast Guard Region (West).

In total, around 1000 participants actively took part in the Beach cleanship, reiterating the collective commitment towards Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar.

The annual activity of the Indian Coast Guard taking along the civil populace has once again reaffirmed the resolve to safeguard the oceans, protect marine life and bequeath a cleaner, healthier environment to the generations yet to come.

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