Mumbai: Pre-monsoon works are in full swing in Mumbai (Mumbai city and suburbs). However, until these works are completed properly and on time, we will continue to inspect concreting of roads, removal of silt from drains and other works, said Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde. At the same time, Mayor Tawde has directed the administration to work very diligently in relation to roads, drains and water. Along with the roads of Chembur, Mayor Ritu Tawde inspected the silt removal works in the drain and Mithi river this morning (May 2, 2026). M-West Ward Committee President Asha Marathe, L-Ward Committee President Vijayendra Shinde, F-South and F-North Ward Committee President Mansi Satmkar, Corporator Mrs.

Sakshi Kanojia, Corporator Kshish Phulwaria, Deputy Commissioner (Zone 5) Mrs. Scindia Nanded, Assistant Commissioner West, B-West Commissioner Scindia Shankar, Sakshi Kanojia. (L Division) Dhanji Harlekar, Chief Engineer (Roads) Mantaya Swamy, Deputy Chief Engineer (Storm Water Channels) Sunil Russell, Sunil Karjatkar and concerned officers were present.

Mayor Ritu Tawde initially inspected the works. The Mayor inspected Road No. 21 and 11 in Babasaheb Ambedkar Udyan area. The quality of road work, condition of various utility channels, trees along the road and water drainage system were inspected very closely. Besides, to check the quality of footpath construction, he has arranged a basic test to check the cement, concreting, iron used in it, nets etc.

Talking to the media during the visit, Mayor Tawde said that the Municipal Corporation has implemented the cement concreting project of roads in Mumbai as a long-term initiative. The road work is going on at a fast pace. The administration has been instructed to complete these works before the monsoon.

However, there should be no delay in the construction and maintenance of the quality of roads while increasing the pace of work. The completed roads and their water drainage pipes should be cleaned thoroughly. So that water does not get mixed in the cement and the pipes do not get blocked. Water should not be allowed to accumulate on the roadside. Along with this, Tawde directed that care should be taken that no tree is affected by cement concrete.

Meanwhile, while inspecting the roads in Chembur, the Mayor also interacted with the local citizens. The citizens expressed satisfaction with the road work and thanked the Mayor, public representatives and the administration.

After inspecting the roads, Mayor Tawde inspected the sludge removal works at three places – Mahol Nallah in ‘L’ section, JK Chemical Nallah in ‘F North’ section and Methi Nadi. Regarding the cleaning of drains, Mayor Tawde said that the target is to remove 8.28 lakh metric tonnes of sludge from drains before the monsoon this year. Out of this, about 45% or 3.76 lakh metric tonnes of sludge has been removed by May 1, 2026. The garbage removal work should be expedited and it should be ensured that all drains are free from sludge before the monsoon. Where necessary, protective walls should be constructed along the drains. CCTV monitoring facilities should be provided so that the administration and local public representatives can also see the actual status of the drain cleaning work. It should be ensured that the wheels of vehicles carrying silt are washed before plying on the roads. Tawde also gave instructions so that the roads do not become unsafe due to mud.

Mumbai: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis praised the nationwide mobile emergency test alert message sent to citizens as part of disaster preparedness and dissemination systems, calling it a ‘major technological leap.’ A nationwide mobile emergency test alert system message that beeped on citizens’ mobile phones across the country today.

While speaking to reporters, the CM added that the alert system was developed indigenously in India, calling it a ‘commendable ‘ system.’ He added, “I believe this marks yet another technological leap forward for the nation.”

The ‘Extremely Severe Alerts’ message read: “India launches Cell Broadcast using indigenous technology, for instant disaster alerting service for its citizens. Alert citizens, safe nation. No action is required by the public upon receipt of this message. This is a test message. Government of India.”

When the emergency alert message was received, it made the phone ring rather loudly with a sharp alarm tone and a flashing message. The alerts were delivered by the indigenous Integrated Alert System (SACHET), which was developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).

The system aims to deliver disaster and emergency-related alerts in situations such as tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning strikes, and man-made emergencies like gas leaks or chemical hazards via SMS to mobile users within the targeted areas. The test message was sent to check speed and reach of alerts, performance, compatibility, and delivery in English and regional languages.

Meanwhile, this initiative brings India closer to global standards followed in countries like the US, Japan, and across Europe, where such alert systems play a crucial role in saving lives.

Mumbai: The Central Railway has cancelled the daytime Mega Block on Sunday, May 3, to ease travel for NEET UG 2026 students. The announcement comes as the Central Railway usually undertakes a mega block during morning hours, when several trains run late or are cancelled.

Hence, to make sure there is no inconvenience for students, the morning block has been cancelled. This comes as the National Testing Agency is scheduled to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) 2026 at various locations across India and abroad on May 3, from 2 pm to 5 pm, in pen-and-paper mode.

Coming back to the statement by the Central Railway, it informed that a midnight block will be carried out on the Main Line and the Harbour Line. between CSMT and Vidyavihar on the Main Line and Thane to Vashi/Nerul on the Trans Harbour route.

According to the Central Railway, the affected trains will be the Up and down slow train between CSMT and Vidyavihar from 00:05 to 05:05 on May 3.

It added that services departing from CSMT on the Down Slow route from 23:30 on May 2 to 04:47 on May 3 will be diverted to the Down Fast route up to Vidyavihar and will halt at Byculla, Parel, Dadar, Matunga, Siva and Kurla stations and then be diverted back to the Down Slow route at Vidyavihar.

In addition to this, the services departing from Ghatkopar on the UP slow route from 23:29 on May 2 to 05:04 on May 3 will be diverted to the UP fast route between Vidyavihar and CSMT. The trains will halt at Kurla, Sion, Matunga, Dadat, Parel and Byculla stations.

The last suburban train on the down route before the block will be CSMT-Titwala departing at 23:16 on May 2, while on the UP route, the last train will depart from Kalyan at 22:22.

The first train on the down route after the block will CSMT-Kasara which will depart at 05:07 am on May 3, while on the UP route, train will depart from Kalyan at 04:12 am on May 3.

The affected trains for the midnight block will be between Thane and Vashi/Nerul from 23:45 on May 2 to 04:45 on May 3.

The Raiwlays added that the services on the up and down Trans Harbour route between Thane and Vashi/Neul will remain closed during the block period.

Down services departing from Thane between 23:32 on May 2 and 00:05 on May 3 towards Vashi/Nerul/Panvel will remain cancelled. Moreover, trains departing from Panvel/Nerul/Vashi to Thane between 23:09 and 23:15 on May 2 will remain cancelled.

The last sub-train on the down route before the block will be Thane-Panvel, which will depart at 23:14 on May 2, while on the UP route, Vashi-Thane will depart at 22:45.

After the block, the first train on the down route will be the Thane–Panvel service, departing at 05:12 on May 3. On the up route, the first Panvel–Thane train will depart at 04:33.