Mumbai: Opposition leaders staged a dramatic protest on the steps of the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday, condemning the recent assault by Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad on a canteen manager. The protestors, dressed in red lungis and vests, mimicked Gaikwad’s attire in the viral video where he was seen physically attacking the manager over stale dal served at the Akashwani MLA hostel canteen.

Opposition leaders including Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jitendra Awhad, led the protest. Chanting slogans like “We Condemn the Chaddi Baniyan Gang,” the leaders called out Gaikwad’s behaviour as unbecoming of a public representative and demanded strict action.

What Is The Controversy?

The controversy erupted last Tuesday when Gaikwad allegedly assaulted the canteen manager with punches and kicks, enraged over what he claimed was stale and substandard food. Though a non-cognisable offence was registered by the Marine Drive police, neither the assaulted manager nor the catering contractor filed an official complaint.

Gaikwad later defended his actions, claiming that the poor food quality was a long-standing issue, despite multiple complaints over the years. “I’ve been eating there for 30 years, and nothing has improved,” he asserted, warning he would react the same way again if faced with similar circumstances.

Sena UBT Demanded Sanjay Gaikwad’s Suspension

The incident triggered widespread backlash after the assault video circulated on social media, drawing criticism from across party lines. In the state assembly, Shiv Sena UBT leader Anil Parab demanded Gaikwad’s immediate suspension, stating that such violence sets a dangerous precedent. “This is not just about food; it’s about accountability and public trust in elected representatives,” Parab said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the gravity of the situation and said that Gaikwad’s conduct was unacceptable. “It tarnishes the image of the legislature and affects public confidence,” he said during the assembly proceedings.

Mumbai: In a major enforcement move, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that shops and establishments across the city failing to display name boards in Marathi will now face double the property tax starting May 1, 2025. Additionally, illuminated signboards not in Marathi will result in immediate licence cancellations, the civic body stated in a press release.

The crackdown comes in the wake of continued non-compliance with a rule mandating that all commercial establishments must display signboards in Marathi, using Devanagari script in bold. BMC has so far fined 343 shops a cumulative ₹32 lakh after holding hearings for violations. In 177 other cases, court proceedings led to fines totalling nearly ₹14 lakh.

Further intensifying the drive, the civic body has sent out legal notices to 3,040 establishments that are yet to update their signage.

According to Rule 35 and Section 36C of the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Rules, 2018, and the 2022 amendment to the Act, Marathi signage is legally mandatory. The Supreme Court had given all shops a two-month deadline ending November 25, 2024, to comply.

Apart from licence suspension for illuminated non-Marathi boards, new licence renewal charges have also been revised upwards — ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per shop or establishment.

The BMC maintains that this is not only a compliance issue but a step toward preserving and promoting the Marathi language and identity in Mumbai’s commercial landscape.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invited tenders for the operation, maintenance, and management of the underground parking facility at Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk, developed as part of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project. Out of the four proposed facilities, two located in Worli have been completed and are expected to become operational by the end of July. Each of these Worli facilities has a capacity of approximately 200 vehicles.

The four underground parking facilities being constructed are located at: Bhulabhai Desai Marg (south side of Tata Garden) with a capacity of 250 vehicles; Haji Ali (near Lotus Jetty), which is the largest with a capacity of 1,200 vehicles; Worli Dairy with a capacity of 200 vehicles; and Worli Seaface (opposite Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk), also with a capacity of 200 vehicles. According to an official from the Coastal Road Department, mechanical and electrical works are currently underway at the facilities. These facilities will be handed over to the G South Ward office after completion. 

“The parking facility in Worli will ease congestion for those who currently park along Worli Sea Face, as well as for visitors to the coastal promenade that will soon be open to the public,” the official added.

BMC Revises Plans For Underground Parking Facility At Haji Ali

The BMC has also revised the plans for the proposed underground parking facility at Haji Ali, increasing its structure from two storeys to four. Under the original plan, the Haji Ali facility was designed to accommodate 1,200 cars. The revised design now includes space for 1,069 cars and 70 buses, offering a more versatile and high-capacity solution for the area. A tender for this project will be floated soon. Once awarded, the construction is expected to take approximately two years to complete. 

Meanwhile, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has been tasked with developing 53 hectares of reclaimed open space under a Rs. 400-crore Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funded project. Landscape designs will be submitted for approval as per Coastal Regulation Zone norms and Supreme Court directives.