To curb air pollution in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has formulated the ‘Air Pollution Control and Implementation Action Plan-2026’. The objective of this plan is to implement effective measures against various sources of pollution and take strict action against violators.

Under the guidance of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, Assistant Commissioners of all administrative wards have been directed to implement the ‘Air Pollution Control and Implementation Action Plan-2026’.

Under this action plan, at least 10 air pollution hotspots will be identified in each administrative ward, and an updated list accompanied by maps will be prepared. These hotspots will include major construction and redevelopment projects, infrastructure works, sites of open waste burning, debris dumping grounds, and traffic congestion zones. A designated officer will be appointed for each hotspot to ensure regular monitoring.

Controlling Pollution at Construction Sites
The existing 28-point guidelines for construction and demolition sites will be strictly enforced. Construction sites found violating these norms will be issued ‘show-cause’ and ‘stop-work’ notices; if necessary, action will also be taken to seal the premises. Each inspection team has been directed to inspect at least two construction sites daily. During demolition work, the installation of proper barricades, covering the site with tarpaulins or green netting, and continuous fine water spraying will be mandatory.

Special cleaning drive to reduce road dust:
A ‘Post-Monsoon Deep Cleaning Drive’ will be conducted during the first and second weeks of October to remove the soil, mud, and dust that accumulated on roads following the monsoon. Special cleaning operations will be carried out on major roads, medians, intersections, and road shoulders. Where necessary, roads will be washed with recycled water or treated with a fine water spray.

It is now mandatory for developers or contractors to keep adjacent roads clean in proportion to the size of the construction site. Roads must be kept clean for a distance of up to 100 meters for projects up to 4,000 square meters, up to 200 meters for projects between 4,000 and 10,000 square meters, and up to 500 meters on both sides for projects larger than 10,000 square meters. Regulations for Debris-Carrying Vehicles
Vehicles transporting debris from construction and demolition activities must be fully covered, and their wheels must be cleaned before entering public roads. The transportation and disposal of debris will be managed through the ‘Mumbai Debris Control and Tracking System’ (MDCTS). Instructions have also been issued to ensure that concrete or other materials do not spill onto roads from ‘Ready-Mix Concrete’ (RMC) vehicles.

Open Burning of Waste and Vehicular Pollution
Strict action will be taken against the open burning of waste across Mumbai. Such incidents will be monitored by ward-level marshals and CCTV surveillance systems. Furthermore, special ‘PUC’ (Pollution Under Control) inspection drives will be conducted on major traffic routes and high-congestion areas, and action will be taken against vehicles emitting visible smoke, in accordance with regulations.

Additional Measures in Case of Rising Air Quality Index (AQI)
The Air Quality Index will be continuously monitored, and measures under the ‘Graded Response Action Plan’ (GRAP) will be implemented based on the situation. If the AQI exceeds 200, measures such as deep cleaning, road washing (where necessary), water sprinkling, misting, and a strict ban on open waste burning will be enforced in the affected areas. Arrangements have also been made to halt polluting activities within a 2-kilometer radius of a monitoring station if the AQI remains above 300 for three consecutive days.

To ensure Mumbai’s air remains clean and eco-friendly, the implementation of this comprehensive action plan will be regularly reviewed at the ward level. Furthermore, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne has directed that necessary precautionary and enforcement measures be taken against major sources of air pollution.

Mumbai: Voters in Bhiwandi launched a signature campaign on Friday demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The campaign is being led by Rais Shaikh, the Samajwadi Party MLA from Bhiwandi East. MLA Rais Shaikh stated that a memorandum bearing the signatures of hundreds of thousands of citizens would be submitted to the Governor.

Providing details, MLA Rais Shaikh said the signature campaign began today after Friday prayers at 56 locations across Bhiwandi East. Separate arrangements have been made for male and female voters to sign. The campaign, conducted by Samajwadi Party workers, received an overwhelming response on its very first day. This signature campaign against Gyanesh Kumar will continue for the next eight days.

A Samajwadi Party delegation will meet Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan and submit a memorandum containing the signatures of hundreds of thousands of Bhiwandi voters, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. MLA Rais Shaikh reported that approximately 30,000 voters signed the petition across the 56 centers on the first day alone.

The irregularities discovered during the ‘Special and Intensive Revision’ (SIR) of voter lists are a serious matter; during this process, the names of 120 million (12 crore) voters across the country were deleted. Major irregularities have been found in the ‘ERO-Net’ system regarding the process of name modification and deletion. Over the past ten months, two Election Commissioners have raised objections to Gyanesh Kumar’s working methods on 14 separate occasions. MLA Rais Shaikh stated that Gyanesh Kumar has acted to benefit the ruling BJP and has no right to remain in his position.

Bollywood actor Dino Morea arrived at the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office in connection with the Mithi River scandal, where he is being questioned regarding alleged corruption.

Dino Morea had been in the headlines recently due to the Mithi River scandal. The actor arrived at the Commissioner’s office on Friday to record his statement regarding the case. Although media personnel attempted to speak with him, he entered the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office without saying a word.
It is worth noting that Dino Morea has previously been questioned regarding the Mithi River scandal. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is recording the Bollywood actor’s statement; the EOW had already questioned him about this matter in the past.

What is the entire matter?
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is implicated in the Mithi River scandal. The BMC discovered a financial loss of ₹65.54 crore related to the river’s maintenance and cleaning operations. Following revelations of fraudulent tendering, an individual named Ketan Kadam was arrested. Kadam had been in contact with Dino’s brother, Santino Rocco Morea, and it is reported that a financial exchange took place between them.

It is alleged that financial transactions also occurred involving Dino Morea’s accounts. Consequently, the EOW questioned the actor on May 26, 2025, and again on May 28, 2025. On June 12, 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) interrogated Dino Morea for several hours. Furthermore, the ED conducted raids at multiple locations, including the actor’s residence. The actor’s brother was also questioned.

Dino Morea’s Career
The 50-year-old Dino Morea made his Bollywood debut in 1999 with the film Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi. However, he gained significant recognition with the 2002 film Raaz. The actor has worked in films such as Housefull 5, Happy New Year, Baaz, Aksar, Plan, and Gunaah. He also appeared in the popular web series Tandav.