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Maharashtra

Mumbai Water Supply Boost: BMC Pushes Fresh Talks With Contractor Amid ₹3,276 Crore Gargai Dam Cost Dispute

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Mumbai: Facing sharp criticism from the civic standing committee over an 11% cost escalation above the BMC’s estimate, authorities have been forced into fresh negotiations with the lowest bidder, M/s Soma Enterprises Limited, on Friday for the Gargai Dam project.

The committee has taken a firm stand, demanding that the Rs 3,276 crore (after including taxes Rs 5,396 crore) project be awarded strictly at par with the original estimate, putting renewed pressure on the civic administration to rein in costs.

The Gargai Dam Project was initially estimated at Rs 3,105 crore. After tenders were floated in December last year, the lowest bidder, Soma Enterprises Limited, quoted Rs 3,334 crore. Following negotiations, the company agreed to execute the work for Rs 3,276 crore.

However, the Standing Committee raised concerns over a 2% incentive on the total contract value granted to the contractor after negotiations, terming it unnecessary.

In a subsequent meeting on Wednesday, the committee again questioned the administration and directed it to hold fresh negotiations with the company to further reduce and align the contract cost.

A senior civic official said, “A meeting has been called with Soma Enterprises Limited, and the administration will seek its best possible revised price in line with the Standing Committee’s directions. A fresh proposal will then be placed before the next meeting of the Standing Committee.”

According to sources, the company had earlier justified its higher bid during negotiations by citing cost escalation over the past two years since the project proposal was prepared in 2023, as well as the challenging and inaccessible terrain at Wada and Mokhada, where the dam is proposed to be constructed.

The Gargai Dam Project in Palghar’s Wada taluka is expected to augment Mumbai’s water supply by 440 million litres per day (MLD). The project proposes construction of a 69-metre-high dam near Ogada village, along with a 2.2 km tunnel to divert water to the Modak Sagar Reservoir.

Its implementation would require the felling of approximately 3.1 lakh trees, including areas within the Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. As a result, the civic body will need to undertake compensatory afforestation on identified non-forest land.

The BMC supplies 4,000 MLD of water to Mumbai from seven lakes—Tansa, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tulsi, Vihar, Upper Vaitarna, and Middle Vaitarna—with 34% lost to theft and leakages. Rising pollution and urbanisation have pushed demand to 4,463 MLD, expected to reach 6,900 MLD by 2041.

The last major dam, Middle Vaitarna, was completed in 2014, highlighting the need for new projects like the Gargai Dam. The project is expected to be completed by 2029.

Maharashtra

UP gangster wanted under Gangster Act arrested from Mumbai, major police operation UP police sent accused to UP

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Mumbai: Police has succeeded in arresting a gangster and gang leader from Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. He is residing here hiding his identity. Mumbai Police received information that he is hiding in Bay Hotel. After which Yellow Gate Police arrested gangster and gang leader Nishant Rajesh Singh (23), wanted in three cases in Sitapur. In the initial investigation, he tried to mislead the police, but later he told that he belongs to UP and later Mumbai Police contacted Uttar Pradesh Police and it came to know that he is wanted in three cases in Sitapur including theft, illegal weapons, Gangster Act, after which UP Police came to Mumbai today and took the accused into custody and took him to Uttar Pradesh. This operation was carried out by DCP Vijay Kant Sagar on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.

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Maharashtra

A very rare surgery: Rajawadi Hospital team successfully removes a 5.5 kg, 30 cm tumor from the uterus of a 46-year-old woman

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A 46-year-old woman from Mankhurd, Mumbai, had been suffering from health problems like persistent abdominal swelling, abdominal pain and difficulty in breathing for the past two years. In view of these symptoms, she sought treatment at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the Gynaecology Department at BMC-run Seth Vadelal Chhatrapati Gandhi and Monji Amidas Vora Municipal General Hospital (Rajawadi Hospital) in Ghatkopar. The hospital team successfully removed a tumour weighing around 5.5 kg and measuring 30 cm from the patient’s uterus. As her symptoms worsened significantly, a comprehensive review of her medical history, physical examination and necessary diagnostic tests were conducted. These tests revealed a uterine tumour measuring around 30 cm. Initial diagnosis suggested that the mass was a ‘giant leiomyoma’ (fibroid). All necessary precautions and planning were taken to deal with possible complications during and after the surgery, and the procedure was performed later. Dr. Swadina B. Mohanty, Dr. Shalini Bagaria, Dr. Arva Kamble, and Dr. Kajal Salvi played a key role in the surgery performed by the Gynecology Department. Dr. Shreyash and Dr. Netra, under the guidance of anesthesiologist Dr. Chhavi, managed the anesthesia team. Additionally, surgical staff nurse Neelakshi Guru and her team provided vital support during the surgery. Due to the large size of the tumor and the extensive network of blood vessels, the surgery was performed with utmost care. The 5.5 kg tumor removed during the procedure has been sent for histopathological examination, and the final report is awaited. Post-surgery, the patient received specialized care and was discharged from the hospital on the fifth day in excellent health. Cases of such large uterine tumors are extremely rare.

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Maharashtra

Immediate financial assistance and rehabilitation for the victims of the Bhiwandi Kohinoor building tragedy and strict action against the culprits. Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has written a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, and Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Mukrandji Jadhav, appealing for justice for the victims of the tragic and serious incident of collapse of the four-storey Kohinoor building in Balaji Nagar area of ​​Bhiwandi city. Through the letter, MLA Abu Asim Azmi has put forward important demands and issues, including raising questions about administrative negligence.

The Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation had earlier declared the building ‘extremely dangerous’ and issued a notice. Despite this, the administration failed to take timely and concrete steps to ensure the safe rehabilitation of the residents. Lives were lost due to administrative delay and negligence. Along with immediate assistance to the deceased and injured, he demanded that the government immediately provide financial assistance to the families of the citizens who lost their lives in the accident and ensure that all the injured are provided with the best medical treatment at government expense. Regarding the structural audit of the most dangerous buildings, Azmi said that a ‘structural audit’ of all the dilapidated and most dangerous buildings in Bhiwandi city should be conducted immediately, and arrangements for the temporary and permanent rehabilitation of their residents should be made without delay. Azmi has also demanded strict action against the guilty officials and has said that strict legal and administrative action should be taken against the officials responsible for this major accident and the negligence associated with it. Abu Asim Azmi has appealed to the government to take suo motu notice of the matter and ensure that justice and relief reach the affected families in Bhiwandi as soon as possible.

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