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Maharashtra

Shinde-Fadnavis combine loses no time to dismantle MVA legacy

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 Barely hours after they were sworn-in on June 30 evening, the new Chief Minister Eknath S. Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis indicated that they meant business.

One of the first major decisions was to strike down the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) proposal to construct the Mumbai Metro 3 car-shed in Kanjurmarg, instead of the lush green Aarey Colony — where it was originally planned by Fadnavis during his tenure as the CM (2014-2019).

The Shinde-Fadnavis’ move, though anticipated, attracted howls of protest from greens, activists and even former CM Uddhav Thackeray — who was like a �godfather’ to Aarey Colony — and his son ex-Minister Aditya Thackeray.

A sad Thackeray publicly appealed, with �folded hands’ to Shinde-Fadnavis, not to bring back the Metro car-shed to Aarey Colony forests in the interests of Mumbai and the city’s environment, while Aditya urged the new regime not to vent their angst against the Thackerays on Mumbaikars.

Fadnavis responded with the right noises that he would �respect’ Thackeray’s sentiments before taking any final decision and days later, uprooted the Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide to reinstate her as the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL) Managing Director.

In October 2019, as the then MMRCL MD, Bhide — often regarded as the �mother-in-law’ of Mother Nature, had shocked the nation when Aarey Colony overnight got a massive haircut — 2,141 trees were chopped off in barely 40 hours, or @1 tree/minute�!

Thackeray Jr., Congress workers, green groups and activists have been fuming and protesting at the new regime’s latest reversal, but Bhide is entrusted with the task of pushing through the contentious proposal.

After the MVA allies, Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party, had scuttled the Centre’s plans to construct the terminus for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project in the Bandra Kurla Complex, the Shinde-Fadnavis ministry took a relook at the much delayed mega-project.

They have resolved to build the Bullet Train terminus at the original intended BKC site and ordered the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to shut down and pack up its 2-year-old Covid Jumbo Field Hospital there within 2 months, by September.

In another jolt, the government has scrapped over 4,000 big and small water conservation projects in the state worth more than Rs 5,000 crore, designed to make the state �drought-free’ by 2025.

However, in contrast, the government has decided to �revive’ the “Jalyukt Shivar Project”, the pet scheme of Fadnavis when he was the CM, but which was struck down by the MVA.

The Thackeray regime had based its decision on an open enquiry into the project after the CAG expressed doubts about the JST’s effectiveness, and later a probe panel had submitted a report highlighting various irregularities in that scheme.

The government has also opted to bring back the Emergency Pension Scheme, introduced by Fadnavis in 2018, rewarding those who had undergone jail terms during the Emergency (1975-1977), considered a dark chapter in Indian history.

The MVA government had yanked off the EPS — Fadnavis suspects it was done under pressure from the Congress — which entitled a pension of between Rs 5000-Rs 10,000 depending on the period of imprisonment the beneficiary had undergone.

Shinde also struck down the decision cancelling direct election of village Sarpanches and Municipal Council Presidents – introduced in 2017 by Fadnavis, and which was removed by the Thackeray government in 2020.

These reversals or cancellations have taken place despite an assurance by the Shinde-Fadnavis government that they would refrain from dumping any policies, projects or schemes of the MVA, unless they are found to be absolutely inessential.

However, giving a minor concession, the three-week old government assured that it would �review’ the MVA’s proposal to rename Aurangabad as �Sambhajinagar’ and Osmanabad as �Dharashiv’. The AIMIM has cried foul and the Nationalist Congress Party had dissociated itself from the original move.

Now, the Sena-NCP-Congress combine is worried that the axe could fall on several other mega projects it had launched during the 31-month-long MVA rule.

Of particular concern are the Rs 1,600-crore water desalination plant to make Mumbai self-sufficient in drinking water, and the ongoing Mumbai Coastal Road Project — both intended to be �show-pieces’ of the Shiv Sena ahead of the BMC elections.

Maharashtra

BMC claims to have removed lights from cars after Mayor Ritu Tavre and VIP’s car had lights on, administration clarifies

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Mumbai: After the video of flashing lights on the car of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and VIP cultural of BMC officials went viral, the BMC has claimed to remove flashing lights and flashing lights from the cars of all government officials. According to the BMC, there were reports in the media about flashing lights being installed on the vehicles of municipal corporation officials. In this regard, the administration has clarified that the vehicles are provided to the officials after assuming office. As soon as the issue of flashing lights on these vehicles came to light, the flashing lights (flasher lights) installed on the vehicles of the officials were removed. It should be noted that the BMC took action when a debate broke out on social media regarding the VVIP cultural installed on Mayor Ritu Tawade’s car and now the BMC administration has clarified the issue and removed the lights from the cars. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had ordered the removal of red lights from the cars of ministers and others against the VVIP cultural. After that, criticism started over the installation of the light on the BMC Mayor’s car. Now the BMC has claimed to have removed the lights from all the cars.

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Maharashtra

Thane Police Announce Traffic Diversions In Dombivli For Gudi Padwa Procession On March 19

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Mumbai: The Thane Traffic Police have issued a traffic control notification for the Dombivli area ahead of the Gudi Padwa celebrations scheduled on March 19. Authorities expect large crowds to gather for a traditional welcome procession, prompting several traffic restrictions and diversions to ensure smooth vehicular movement and public safety.

According to the notification issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat of Thane City, the procession will begin at 6:30 am from Bhagshala Maidan in Dombivli West. The rally will proceed towards Shiv Mandir Road–Char Rasta via Kopar Bridge, eventually passing through Bajiprabhu Chowk and Phadke Road in Dombivli East.

The event is being organised by Shri Ganesh Mandir Sansthan, Dombivli East, as part of the Gudi Padwa New Year celebrations. Officials said the procession will include traditional cultural performances such as Lezim Pathak, Sanai Choughada, bhajans, and Dindi groups, along with participation from various social organisations and community groups. A large number of residents, including youth, women and families, are expected to take part in the celebrations.

Police have warned that heavy congestion is likely in areas including Tilak Road, Ganapati Mandir Road, Chheda Road, Phadke Road, Madan Thackeray Chowk, Bajiprabhu Chowk, Modern Café junction, Chintamani Jewellers Road, Agarkar Road and the IDBI Bank stretch. To manage the situation, entry restrictions and diversions have been imposed at multiple points.

Vehicular movement on Phadke Road between Bajiprabhu Chowk and Apadatar Chowk will remain closed. Vehicles approaching the stretch will be diverted via Nehru Road towards Dombivli Station and Lokmanya Tilak Road through Savarkar Road and Indira Chowk.

Entry for private buses and heavy vehicles heading towards Tilak Chowk from Kalyan Road via Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circle in Dombivli East will also be restricted. Such vehicles will be required to take a U-turn at Gharada Circle and proceed towards their destination.

Additionally, vehicles moving from Nehru Road towards Ganesh Mandir Road will not be permitted beyond the Ganesh Mandir Gate on Nehru Cause Road. Motorists travelling via Chheda Road towards the Ganesh Temple will be stopped near Tulsi Sweet Corner and diverted through Ganesh Mandir Road, Apte Road, Shivaji Path and Dr Mukherjee Road.

Further closures will be enforced at Samrat Chowk, Nana Shankar Sheth Road and Samrat Ashok Chowk when the procession passes through these stretches. Vehicles will be diverted via Ghanshyam Gupte Road, MG Road and Retibandar Road depending on the location.

Traffic officials have urged motorists to avoid the affected routes during the procession hours and follow the designated diversions to prevent congestion. Commuters have also been advised to plan their travel accordingly as the procession is expected to attract large crowds across several key roads in Dombivli.

Authorities said the traffic arrangements have been made to ensure smooth movement of vehicles and public safety during the festive celebrations.

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Crime

Mumbai: FIR Filed Against 3 Hawkers After Video Of Namaz At Malad Railway Station Goes Viral

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Mumbai: An FIR was filed against three hawkers after a video of them offering namaz at Malad railway station went viral online, the railway police said.

The RPF registered a case under Section 147 of the Railway Act for trespass, while the GRP filed another under BNS Section 168 following the station master’s complaint. After the video went viral, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had also demanded action.

Slamming the viral video, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had said that an FIR will be filed regarding all this. While speaking to news agency Media, “Openly, at Malad railway station in Mumbai, on top of the station platform, a small mandap-like structure has been made and namaz has started being offered there… An FIR will be filed regarding all this.”

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