Mumbai: The Mumbai Police have detained around 450 Bangladeshi nationals since January 1 as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration and related activities across the city. Of these, approximately 224 individuals have already been deported, while several others remain in custody or detention centres pending legal clearance.

Among the recent cases, the Versova Police detained 23 individuals allegedly involved in begging at traffic signals and religious sites. Police sources said these individuals were residing in rented accommodations in Malwani, Malad.

The action began on February 5, when an Anti-Trafficking Cell (ATC) team led by Senior Inspector Deepshikha Ware and PSI Sachin Ugle conducted a crackdown near Versova Dargah, detaining 18 individuals. Based on further interrogation, five more were picked up on February 18. In total, Versova police have detained 27 Bangladeshi nationals this year, of whom 26 have been deported.

The drive follows similar action last year, when 1,061 Bangladeshi nationals were detained for residing illegally in Mumbai.

Police station-wise data till March 27 shows that detainees awaiting deportation are spread across multiple jurisdictions. The highest numbers were reported in Kurla (11), Bandra (10), Deonar (7), and Powai (6). Several other police stations, including Amboli, Nagpada, Oshiwara, and Park Site, reported five detainees each, while areas such as Santacruz, Byculla, Trombay and Shivaji Park recorded four each.

Additional cases were reported across localities including Dadar, Wadala, Sakinaka, Colaba, Chembur, Ghatkopar, Govandi, Malwani and Malabar Hill, among others, indicating the widespread nature of the crackdown.

The deportation process has been carried out in phases. On March 27, a total of 51 individuals were deported, including 20 from Mumbai. On March 29, 44 deportations from Mumbai were scheduled, but six were stayed by the Bombay High Court. On April 5, another batch of 50 individuals from Mumbai and five from Navi Mumbai were deported.

However, several deportations have been delayed due to judicial intervention. In one case registered at Amboli police station, three detainees filed a writ petition, leading the High Court to stay their deportation until further hearings. Similarly, the deportation of a woman in the Antop Hill case has been deferred for a month.

In another instance linked to Chunabhatti, deportation has been stayed until the next hearing date. In the Versova case, a sessions court has stayed the sentence, with the next hearing scheduled for May 21, 2026.

Authorities said the drive will continue, with a focus on identifying illegal residents and ensuring due legal process in each case.

Mumbai: In a move aimed at bringing greater transparency and regulation to street vending, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will issue QR codes to 10,500 licensed hawkers across the city by the end of April 2026. The initiative is expected to help citizens easily differentiate between authorised and unauthorised vendors.

Each licensed hawker will be provided with a unique QR code containing details of their licence and other relevant documents issued by the civic body. Hawkers will be required to display these codes prominently at their stalls, enabling Mumbaikars to scan and verify their authenticity in real time.

This news comes in after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced the issuance of QR code-based certificates to authorised hawkers as part of its 2026 Budget. The civic body mentioned that the initiative is expected to bring greater transparency and accountability to Mumbai’s street vending ecosystem.

The QR-coded certificates will help distinguish licensed hawkers from unauthorised ones, thereby curbing illegal encroachments. The civic body has been undertaking demolition drives across key areas to keep major roads, narrow footpaths, spaces beneath flyovers, and areas surrounding hospitals, schools and railway stations free from obstructions. Several stretches have also been designated as “vendor-free zones” due to recurring traffic congestion, pedestrian safety concerns and accident risks caused by unauthorised stalls.

The move is not only aimed at enforcement but also at creating safer and more accessible public spaces for citizens. By digitally verifying licences, the administration hopes to streamline regulation while protecting the rights of legitimate hawkers.

The BMC is also set to evaluate around 22,000 unlicensed hawkers who had registered with the civic body in 2014 during the formation of the Town Vending Committee (TVC). Based on this assessment, eligible vendors will be allotted designated pitches for street vending across the city.

The pitches will be finalised by the 13-member TVC, which plays a key role in regulating street vending in Mumbai. Notably, eight members of the committee were elected on March 28, 2026, following elections conducted in 2024.

Mumbai: In view of a traffic block undertaken for pre-cast portal beam launching work as part of the bullet train project, Western Railway has announced temporary changes in the originating and terminating stations of select trains on April 13, 2026.

According to information shared by Western Railway via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, three prominent services, Train No. 12009 Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express, Train No. 20901 Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express, and Train No. 20902 Gandhinagar–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express, will be impacted due to the operational block.

According to the update, Train No. 12009 Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express will depart from Mumbai Central with a 1 hour and 15 minutes delay on the affected day.

Meanwhile, Train No. 20901 Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express will be short-terminated at Vatva station instead of its scheduled destination at Gandhinagar Capital. In a corresponding change, Train No. 20902 Gandhinagar–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express will originate from Vatva station instead of Gandhinagar Capital on April 13.

The railway authorities have clarified that these operational changes are applicable only for the specified date in connection with infrastructure work under the bullet train corridor project.

Passengers are advised to verify train schedules and updates through the official Indian Railways website or relevant railway inquiry platforms before commencing their journey.

According to a press release issued by the Public Relations Department of Western Railway, a five-hour jumbo block will be carried out on the UP and Down fast lines between Santacruz and Goregaon stations from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The block has been scheduled to facilitate maintenance of tracks, signalling systems and overhead equipment.

During this period, all fast line trains will be diverted to operate on the slow lines between Santacruz and Goregaon. As a result, several suburban services will remain cancelled. Additionally, some Borivali and Andheri-bound services will operate only up to Goregaon on the Harbour Line.