Mumbai: A major fire broke out in the early hours of Monday, engulfing 15 to 20 galas in Kapadia Nagar near the Gurudwara in Kurla West. The blaze, which erupted at approximately 2:42 a.m. The fire was brought under control after a five-hour-long firefighting operation. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported.

According to fire officials, the fire originated in partly ground and partly ground-plus-one structures and quickly spread across an area of around 3,000 square feet. The galas reportedly housed stockpiles of automobile spare parts, tyres, electric wiring, installations, scrap materials, and other combustible goods, which fueled the intensity of the blaze. The fire was escalated to a Level 2 major fire at 2:57 a.m., prompting a massive response from Mumbai Fire Brigade. 

Water tenders, 10 jumbo tankers, 3 additional water tankers, 2 quick response vehicles, and a 108 emergency ambulance were rushed to the site. Senior officials, including 1 Divisional Fire Officer, 2 Additional Divisional Fire Officers, 3 Senior Station Officers and 3 Station Officers were present on-site to oversee operations.

The fire was extinguished by 7:24 a.m., no injuries were reported, according to fire officials. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined and will be established following a detailed investigation, said an official. 

Mumbai: The DB Marg Police have arrested Channa Begum Shaikh alias Roja (38), a woman accused in a 2013 case registered under Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA). Roja had been absconding for the past 12 years.

The Sessions Court had recently issued a standing non-bailable warrant against Roja, directing the DB Marg Police to trace and arrest her. Acting on confidential information, the police learned she was working at a cosmetic shop in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh.

A team led by PSI Azeem Shaikh conducted technical surveillance, traced her mobile number, analyzed CDR records, and identified her frequent contacts. Based on the findings, the DB Marg Police, with local police assistance, tracked and apprehended Roja from her workplace.

During questioning, Roja admitted to evading court appearances since 2013. Following Supreme Court guidelines, she was formally arrested and produced before the Kadapa court, which granted a five-day transit remand. She will be presented before the Sessions Court in Mumbai on October 11 for further remand proceedings.

The operation was carried out by the Wanted Fugitive Tracking Unit under the Girgum Division of Zone 2, Mumbai Police. Authorities commended the team’s persistence in capturing a fugitive who evaded law for over a decade.

In anticipation of the upcoming festive rush and the expected surge in passenger movement, Western Railway’s Mumbai Central Division has introduced extensive crowd management and passenger facilitation measures to ensure safe, smooth, and efficient train operations. These arrangements have been deployed across key stations, including Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Borivali, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna, and Surat.

According to Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway (WR), all designated passenger holding areas have been equipped with essential amenities such as seating arrangements, drinking water, toilets, adequate lighting, fans, and public announcement systems. To further streamline operations, additional ticket counters have been commissioned at each location.

To ensure smooth passenger flow, around 20 extra Ticket Checking staff and RPF personnel have been deployed per station for queue management, assistance, and security.

Substantial covered holding capacities have been created at major stations to accommodate passengers ahead of train departures.

Bandra Terminus: Over 210 sq. metres of sheltered space near the east entry of Platform No. 1.

Vapi: Covered area of 110 sq. metres near the FOB landing.

Udhna: Three earmarked covered spaces exceeding 3,200 sq. metres on both sides of the station, with ongoing expansion work.

Surat: Two holding areas of over 1,200 sq. metres, one near the west entrance adjoining the PRS office and another near the east booking office.

Western Railway has urged passengers to use designated waiting areas instead of crowding near platforms or entry gates.

“Passengers are advised to follow the instructions of on-duty staff and security personnel. With thousands expected to board trains within short time windows, cooperation will ensure orderly movement and timely departures,” a WR official stated.