Mumbai: Prolonged delays in land acquisition for the Mahul pumping station have resulted in a cost escalation of Rs 202 crores. Initially estimated at Rs 403 crores, the project’s revised cost has now soared to Rs 605.28 crores.

The Mahul pumping station is one of the eight pumping stations recommended as part of the flood-mitigation measures proposed by the Chitale Committee following the devastating 2005 Mumbai floods.

As per the Chitale Committee’s recommendations, the Irla pumping station in Juhu was the first to be commissioned in 2010, followed by the Haji Ali, Cleveland, Lovegrove (Worli), Reay Road–Britannia, and Gajdharbandh (Khar Danda) pumping stations.

However, the BMC has continued to face persistent challenges in acquiring land for two critical projects — the Mahul and Mogra pumping stations. Despite repeated efforts, the BMC faced setbacks in acquiring 6.17 acres of land at Wadala for the pumping station, due to delayed coordination with the Salt Commissioner, who controls much of the required land, civic sources said.

“At present, the land is being used for salt production by M/s Hormuz Salt Works, and therefore remains under their possession. To acquire this land, the BMC has initiated negotiations with them. The process of providing compensation to both the land occupants and the Salt Commissioner has already begun, and we expect to take possession of the land shortly,” said a senior civic official. The contract for the project has been awarded to M/s Laxmi-Avighna-Villo (JV).

The firm had initially quoted Rs 462 crore, which was 10.93% higher than the BMC’s estimated cost. Since the quote was first submitted in 2018, it has been revised to reflect current rates and taxes. The updated cost of the pumping station now stands at Rs 605 crore.

“The revised estimate also includes seven years of maintenance, higher fuel costs, and additional pumps,” said a senior civic official.

The Mahul pumping station is expected to reduce waterlogging in low-lying areas such as Kurla, Sion, Matunga, and Chembur. During high tide, floodgates are closed to prevent seawater from entering the city. Pumping stations like Mahul play a crucial role by pumping stormwater from the drains and discharging it into the sea.

New Delhi, Oct 17: As India gears up for the high-voltage ODI series against Australia, the spotlight inevitably falls on two modern greats — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

The duo, who have defined an era of Indian cricket, were seen training intensely in Perth, looking as sharp and motivated as ever. But amid the excitement, a cloud of uncertainty looms large – is this the last dance for India’s iconic pair?

Both Rohit and Virat have served Indian cricket with unmatched consistency and leadership. Yet, with a generational shift underway and the rise of new stars under young skipper Shubman Gill, speculation about the veterans’ future refuses to die down.

Some believe the management might be using this series as a litmus test – giving them one last shot before gradually transitioning to younger legs. Others argue that form and fitness should be the only yardsticks, and if the two perform in Australia, they deserve to stay in contention till the 2027 ODI World Cup.

What’s certain is that the series means more than just runs and wickets. For fans, it’s a chance to relive the magic of Rohit’s effortless stroke play and Kohli’s fierce determination – traits that have brought India countless memorable victories.

For the team, it’s about striking the perfect balance between experience and youth as Gill begins his journey as India’s new leader Down Under.

Whether this tour marks a new beginning or the closing chapter of a golden era, one thing is undeniable – the cricketing world will be glued to Rohit and Virat once again, hoping their bats do the talking, just as they have for over a decade.

The opening clash between India and Australia will take place at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, October 19.

India’s ODI squad for the Australia tour includes Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has once again clarified that serving herbal or tobacco-free hookahs is permissible, provided there is no violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA). The court reiterated its 2019 order allowing herbal hookahs and directed the state to act strictly in accordance with the law.

A bench of Justices Riyaz Chagla and Farhan Dubash, on Wednesday, said the authorities can conduct searches if any complaint is received. “If any tobacco substance is found in the hookah parlour, then they can take action against those persons,” the bench observed.

The court disposed of a batch of petitions filed by restaurant owners that sought directions to the police to stop raids and threats against restaurants serving herbal hookahs.

The petitioners contended that despite the High Court’s 2019 ruling, police officials have been carrying out coercive actions, causing financial losses and disruption to their businesses.

“The petitioners are not prohibited from running a restaurant or serving hookah which, according to them, does not contain tobacco or nicotine,” the bench said, adding that the authorities “shall strictly act under the provisions of COTPA”.

The court took on record affidavits filed by the state government and clarified that only police officers of the rank of Assistant Police Inspector or above are empowered to take legal action under COTPA.

It further noted that if hookah parlours are found serving any drug or narcotic substance, appropriate action may be taken under relevant laws.

The petitioners had approached the court in August thorough advocates Rajendra Rathod and Dhruv B Jain after the state home department issued a circular on June 6, 2025, directing stringent action against illegal hookah parlours and warning that erring officers would be held accountable. They argued that the circular should not apply to establishments serving only herbal hookahs.

“As long as the petitioners comply with the provisions of COTPA and do not serve any prohibited substance, no action can be taken against them,” the bench concluded, disposing of the petitions and directing the state to communicate the order to all concerned authorities.