Police have claimed to have arrested a fanatic youth who threw eggs during a Ganpati procession in Mazgaon, Mumbai. On the night of August 23, a procession of the Raja of Mazgaon was taken out in Mumbai. During this time, a youth who was going to the same building for egg delivery was disturbed by the dust and smoke of crackers during the procession and in anger he threw an egg at the Ganpati idol, after which the situation became tense. However, the police identified the accused with the help of CCTV and he was arrested today. He has been identified as Danish Sher Khan, 22. The police traced the accused within 36 hours. Now the situation is tense, but peace has been restored. Just before Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the police arrested the anti-social Danish and started the investigation. In the initial investigation, the police have found that the accused had committed this act in anger. The accused was carrying an online order. Meanwhile, due to the crowd in the procession with him, his eyes were hurt by the smoke and dust of the crackers, which caused him to lose his temper. The egg I had brought for delivery was thrown at the Ganpati procession, after which the situation became tense and the police resolved the matter. This action was taken by DCP Jayant Meena on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.

Mumbai: Information provided by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed significant delays in Mumbai’s ambitious Versova Samudra Bandra Sea Link (VBSLP) project. The project’s start date was June 24, 2019, and under the original contract, it was scheduled to be completed by June 21, 2024. However, due to various reasons, the project has been extended by a total of 1,421 days in four phases, despite which the final revised completion date was pushed forward, not to May 2, 2024, but to May 17. No penalty has been imposed on the contractor, Webuild-Apco JV.

According to information provided by MSRDC in response to an RTI application filed by Anil Gilgli, the first extension of 250 days was granted on June 23, 2020. The main reason was non-availability of land required for the casting yard. Subsequently, on September 14, 2020, an additional extension of 180 days was granted due to restrictions and work disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, on February 10, 2022, an extension of 483 days was granted due to restructuring or changes within the EPC contractors’ joint venture (JV). Finally, on January 19, 2024, a further extension of 508 days was granted due to changes in the scope of work and additional works. The total duration of these four extensions is 1,421 days, with the final date of completion of the project set at May 17, 2028. According to the MSRDC letter dated June 23, 2020, the contractor had sought an extension of about 311 days for the period from April 2020 to April 2020. The reasons for the delay during this period include various incidents as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, revised work phases and timelines were established for the project. Meanwhile, the MSRDC letter dated January 19, 2024 mentions further extension based on changes in the scope of work and revision of work phases.

A serious question arises as to why no punitive action has been taken against the contractor Webuild-Apco JV for the delay despite repeated extensions to the project. RTI activist and senior journalist Anil Gilgali said that the financial burden of delay in this important project, which was run with public money, may ultimately fall on the government exchequer and the common people. Therefore, instead of simply giving relief to Webuild-Apco JV by way of extension of time, the penalty provisions stipulated in the contract should be strictly enforced.

“The Versova-Bandra Sea Link project has been given an extension of a total of 1,421 days. The original completion date was June 21, 2024, while the last date has now been extended to May 17, 2028. The delay in the project is resulting in wastage of both public funds and time. Therefore, by simply stating the reason, the reason is given. Anil Galgali demanded that damages (LD)—penalties for compensation for losses—should be immediately imposed on the contractor, Webuild-Apco JV and recovered as per the provisions of the contract. Galgali added, “An extension does not mean allowing the Webuild-Apco JV contractor to delay the work. While some reasons for the delay may be acceptable, the responsibilities and penalty clauses stipulated in the contract must be implemented. It is a matter of serious concern that the final deadline for this project, which was set on June 2, 2019—has now been extended to May 17, 2028. Therefore, MSRDC should publicly disclose clear details about the reasons for each extension, the party responsible for the delay, the additional financial burden resulting from it, and whether the damages have been averted.

The Versova-Bandra Sea Link is a key project for Mumbai’s traffic infrastructure. However, the project timeline continues to be extended due to continuous delays in the work. Consequently, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) should clearly identify the reasons and accountability for these delays and recover penalty from the Webuild-Apco JV contractor for any delays attributable to them, as per the contract. Additionally, RTI activist Anil Gilgali has demanded steps to ensure that the extended project period does not impose additional financial burden on the government exchequer.

Mumbai: A high alert has been issued in Mumbai city after the incident of throwing eggs on the Ganpati idol in Mazgaon, Mumbai before Eid Milad-un-Nabi. Mumbai Police has claimed to have deployed additional forces in sensitive areas along with special security arrangements on the procession routes. Preparations for the historic procession in Mumbai city have also been completed. The procession of Muhammad (peace be upon him) will be led by Mufti Hazrat Allama Syed Khaliq Ashraf Mohtamam and Ustad Ashrafia Mazharul Uloom Gonda from Khilafat House in Mumbai, while poet and Congress leader Rajya Sabha Imran Pratap Garhi is also expected to participate in the procession as a special guest. This was informed by Khilafat Committee Chairman Sarfaraz Arzoo here. He said that the lovers of the Prophet should take special care of the order and discipline in the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession and also avoid heart-wrenching slogans, superstitions and un-Islamic matters. The Mumbai Police has also reviewed and inspected the route of the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession so that no untoward incident occurs during the procession. After the incident of throwing eggs at the Ganpati procession in Mazgaon, the situation is tense here, but peace is maintained. Meanwhile, the police are also paying attention to ensure that no trouble occurs in the procession. In view of the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) procession in Mumbai, the city of Mumbai has been decorated with electric lights like a bride. The area has been decorated with green dome flags and green flags everywhere. Electric lights and reception gates have also been prepared. The Mumbai Police will also keep an eye on the distribution of Niyaz and Langar during the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession. Along with this, the registration of organizations and registration of stages are also being done in police stations. In view of Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the areas in Mumbai are decorated like a bride. The lovers of the Prophet have illuminated their neighborhoods, streets and areas for the celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi. A large-scale Muhammadi procession is organized in the city and suburban areas on Eid Milad-un-Nabi (peace be upon him). In such a situation, the police has also claimed that special arrangements have been made within the limits of all police stations. On the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti, senior police officers have made special arrangements for Eid Milad-un-Nabi. Eid Milad-un-Nabi committees also prepare attractive and spiritual tableaux of the holy places of Medina and Mecca in the backdrop of the Muhammadi procession. These tableaux are the specialty of the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession. Mumbai Police has made it clear that a complete ban has been imposed on DJs in the Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession and action will be taken against anyone who violates this. Muslim-majority areas are decorated for the arrival of the government and preparations have also been completed to welcome the procession in these areas.