Mumbai: In view of the importance of the holy days of Muharram, the time of public religious speeches, sermons and gatherings held during this period should be extended from 10 am to 12 pm, MLA Abu Asim Azmi has sent a memorandum to the state Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, making this strong demand.

MLA Azmi has said in his letter that public speeches, sermons and gatherings are organized in different areas at night during Muharram, in which a large number of devotees participate. Currently, Maghrib prayers are offered at around 7 pm, after which a lot of time is spent until the Isha prayers are completed. The police administration is currently allowing only up to 10 pm, due to which very little time is required for the actual program after the prayers. Due to this shortage of time, there is anxiety among Muslims and they are not able to fully benefit from these religious speeches.

In view of this situation, with full respect for law and order, this time should be extended till 12 midnight for the scheduled dates of Muharram. MLA Abu Asim Azmi has demanded that the Home Minister himself intervene in the matter and immediately issue positive orders to the police administration. Copies of this memorandum have also been sent to the Chief Minister and Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) Devin Bharti for necessary action.

A team led by DCP Rahul Chavan of Mira Road Police Commissionerate, Circle 1, raided the Sea Queen Palace Orchestra Bar in front of Daraz Dhaba on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway under the limits of Kashigaon Police Station on Mira Road. During the raid, the police rescued 12 women. A cashier and 8 waiters were arrested, including the driver, owner and manager of the bar who are absconding. During the raid, Rs 50,000 in cash was seized. Along with this, illegal stocks of whiskey and beer were seized. Further investigation is underway in the case. It is said that an illegal dance and entertainment party was going on in the bar. During this, the police raided and arrested the accused and also released 12 dancers.

The water level in the dams supplying water to Mumbai has reduced. The Meteorological Department has also predicted a delayed arrival of rains. In this context, all the wells in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region should be inspected immediately and their current condition should be assessed. The silt and garbage present in the wells should be removed and cleaned. A system for recharging rainwater should be established. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide directed that in collaboration with local corporators, coordination should be established with housing societies in the area of ​​the wells and they should be encouraged to use water from these wells. The process of cleaning drains should continue even during the monsoon. Complaints regarding potholes should be remedied within 24 hours of receipt. Bhede also directed that radars, other materials and road blocks should be removed immediately after the completion of cement concreting of roads. The monthly review meeting of various departments of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation was held today (June 11, 2026) at the Municipal Corporation Headquarters. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakane, Joint Commissioner (Vigilance) Dr. M. Devendra Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police (Transport) Mr. Satyanarayan Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioner (Municipal Commissioner Office) Mr. Prashant Gaikwad were present on the occasion. Apart from this, all the Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Heads of Departments were also present in this meeting.

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that for proper management of water resources in Mumbai, it is necessary to restore traditional sources of water and use alternative sources. Due to increasing population and climate change, water management has become difficult. Latest information about all government, public and private wells and boreholes in Mumbai should be collected by the Assistant Commissioners of all administrative departments (wards). Their use should be ensured during the repair of wells. Private housing societies should take the initiative and use this water. Mrs. Bhide also said that the local corporator, administration and housing society should coordinate for this.

Necessary improvements should be made in engineering at accident-prone (black spot) places

All the concerned agencies should take special care that the traffic flow remains smooth and uninterrupted during the rainy season. Necessary planning and measures to avoid traffic congestion should be implemented in constant coordination with the traffic police. Accident prone (black spots) places should be identified and necessary engineering improvements should be made there immediately. Also, an effective action plan should be prepared to reduce the number and severity of accidents by determining priorities. It should be strictly implemented. Strict measures should be taken to prevent unauthorized parking on both sides of the roads. Public awareness and incentive activities should be implemented so that the public parking lots of the civic and residential municipal corporations are used to the maximum. A special campaign should be launched in collaboration with the traffic police and the transport department to remove abandoned and long-standing vehicles from the roads. Planned measures should be implemented according to the local situation to avoid traffic congestion around schools, hospitals and other important government institutions. Mrs. Ashwini Bhide directed that all the concerned departments should work in coordination to provide a safe, convenient and fast transport system to the citizens.

Planned and effective measures should be implemented to reduce flood points

Reviewing the river and drain cleaning works, Mrs. Ashwini Bhide said that 112 percent of the silt has been removed from major drains, 115 percent from small drains and about 84 percent from Mithi River as compared to the set targets. However, drain cleaning works are in progress at some places in Zone 5 and should be completed immediately. Assistant Commissioners of all administrative divisions should visit drains, storm water channels and flood-affected areas in their divisions and review the work regularly. The campaign to remove floating waste from drains should be continued without interruption and it should be ensured that the drain cleaning work continues continuously even during the rainy season. Planned and effective measures should be implemented in their respective departments to reduce ‘flood points’ (water accumulation areas). Effective coordination should be made with Metro, Railways and other concerned agencies to ensure that pre-monsoon preparations are completed in their areas of responsibility. Also, if new or artificial water storage areas have been created due to development works or other reasons, they should be removed immediately. Manhole covers on underground sewers and storm water channels should be thoroughly inspected and covers that are broken, loose or pose a threat to the safety of citizens should be replaced.