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Maharashtra

Swachh Survekshan 2025–26: BMC Calls For Public Participation To Improve Mumbai’s Cleanliness Score

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Mumbai: In a bid to improve Mumbai’s performance in the Central government’s Swachh Survekshan 2025–26, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appealed to citizens to actively cooperate in maintaining cleanliness across the city.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi urged Mumbaikars to support the civic body by keeping their surroundings clean.

Speaking on behalf of the municipal administration, Dr Joshi also directed various BMC departments—including Solid Waste Management, Storm Water Drains, Sewerage Operations, the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project, and the Education Department—to work in close coordination and implement effective measures for the survey. She instructed officials to collect comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date data required for assessment and reporting.

Dr Joshi was speaking at a review meeting held at the BMC headquarters on February 2 in connection with Swachh Survekshan. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Kiran Dighavkar and senior officials from multiple departments were present at the meeting.

Swachh Survekshan is conducted annually by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to rank cities based on cleanliness, waste management and citizen participation. This year marks the 10th edition of the survey, which evaluates parameters such as sanitation, waste segregation, collection, transportation and processing.

For Swachh Survekshan 2025–26, the Centre has introduced the central theme “Swachhata ki Nayi Pahal – Badhaye Haath, Kare Safai Saath”. Under this framework, greater importance has been given to citizen feedback and verification related to cleanliness initiatives.

Digital feedback will be collected throughout the year via websites and mobile applications. New standards have been set to curb open defecation and urination, while increased emphasis has been placed on Behaviour Change Programmes in schools. Separate evaluation criteria have also been introduced for coastal cities. In addition, special focus will be given to cleanliness standards at tourist, heritage and religious sites, as well as high-footfall public spaces.

The Solid Waste Management Department has been making continuous efforts to ensure scientific and efficient waste management in Mumbai city and suburbs. To ensure these efforts are properly reflected in the survey, coordinated and result-oriented measures are required, Dr Joshi said.

She stressed the need for coordination among departments such as solid waste management, sewerage operations and projects, the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project, storm water drainage and education. Special emphasis will be placed this year on citizen participation and school-based initiatives to ensure active involvement of residents and students.

Dr Joshi noted that instilling cleanliness habits at a young age leads to long-term and sustainable behavioural change at the societal level, thereby strengthening urban sanitation. She appealed to citizens to prioritise cleanliness and extend full cooperation to the municipal corporation.

Highlighting the importance of public support, Dr Joshi said citizen cooperation and participation in cleanliness drives are crucial. She urged residents to keep their homes, neighbourhoods and public places clean, process waste within housing societies wherever possible, and ensure scientific disposal. Citizens were also encouraged to participate in cleanliness initiatives undertaken by the administration and discourage littering, she added.

Maharashtra

FIR registered in Ganpati idol desecration case, situation under control in Mazgaon; DCP Jayant Meena targeted by Hindu organizations

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Tension prevailed in the Mazgaon area of ​​Mumbai when an incident of eggs being thrown at the Ganpati procession from a high-rise tower took place, after which the situation became tense and the police brought the situation under control and restarted the Ganpati procession. According to the details, the Ganpati procession was passing through the Mazgaon area when some unknown mischievous anti-social elements tried to desecrate the Ganpati idol by throwing eggs, after which Hindu organizations blocked the road and started a full-scale protest. DCP Jayant Meena reached the spot and tried to control the situation, but at the same time he was also surrounded by the crowd, but despite this, the DCP acted courageously and controlled the situation and established peace. But now the same DCP Jayant Meena has come on the hit list of Hindu organizations. He is being targeted on the social media accounts of Hindu organizations. This makes it clear that this raises the question that Hindu organizations do not have faith in the administration and the police. In the case of desecration of the idol of Ganpati, the police have registered a case under sections 299, 196 of the Bharatiya Naya Sanhita BNS. The accused has been identified. The police have identified him from the CCTV footage. At present, tension persists but peace is prevailing. The police have made strict security arrangements at the places. After this incident, a conspiracy to incite communal violence has also started in Mumbai city by the sectarians and after throwing eggs at the procession, Hindu extremist organizations are also criticizing the role of the DCP. DCP Jayant Meena has come under the target of Hindu extremist organizations, right wing. At present, the DCP said that the situation is peaceful and the police is taking necessary action in this matter. The police are also investigating whether more people are involved in this matter and what is the conspiracy behind it. This is the second incident of throwing eggs at Ganpati. Earlier, an egg was thrown at the idol of Ganpati in Kamatipura. Such an incident The police are also investigating why this is happening, but after this incident, it has become clear once again that Hindu extremist organizations do not trust the police action, which is why they are confronting the DCP. The police have not made any arrests in this matter so far, while the search for the accused is ongoing.

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Maharashtra

Ganesh procession clash triggers tension in Mumbai Mazgaon; NDA leaders demand strict action

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Mumbai, Aug 24: Heavy police security was deployed in Mumbai Mazgaon area after a clash broke out between two groups during a procession organised for bringing a Ganesh idol on Sunday night.

The situation became tense after Ganesh festival organisers alleged that eggs were hurled at their procession while the idol was being brought into the area, triggering an escalation between the groups.

Following the incident, police personnel were deployed in large numbers across Mazgaon to prevent any further escalation and ensure that the situation remained under control. Security was strengthened in the area as authorities worked to maintain law and order and prevent the clash from leading to further tension.

The incident occurred during a procession held in connection with Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The allegations of eggs being thrown at the procession led to anger among those participating in the event, following which the situation reportedly turned tense.

Reacting to the incident, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane launched a sharp attack on those allegedly involved and questioned claims of communal harmony.

“In Mazgaon, during the rally that was being held on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, they have shown their true colours. This is why we call them ‘green snakes’; it was proved once again yesterday. Those who talk about Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, brotherhood and communal harmony — where have they disappeared now? Where are they hiding? They should explain,” Rane said.

He further questioned whether Hindus should be able to celebrate their religious festivals without disruption, comparing the situation with celebrations during Eid.

“The same rules that are imposed during Eid, when all Eid celebrations are conducted peacefully — do Hindus in this Hindu nation not have the right to celebrate their festivals? Can anyone point to a single incident where Hindus caused any trouble during an Eid celebration?” he added.

BJP MLA Ram Kadam also condemned the alleged incident and said that throwing eggs at a religious procession would amount to an act by anti-social elements.

Speaking to media, Kadam said, “If someone is throwing eggs at a procession welcoming Lord Ganesha, it is naturally the act of anti-social elements. The police are investigating the building and its towers. Whoever is found responsible will not be spared.”

He also appealed to people to respect the religious beliefs and sentiments of others, adding, “We also want to warn that no individual has the right to hurt the faith and religious sentiments of any community.”

Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC termed the incident unfortunate and said that the government would take the matter seriously.

Speaking to media, Shaina NC said, “It is very, very unfortunate… The government is going to take this very sternly, and any miscreants, irrespective of who they are or who they are propagated by, must be brought to task.”

She also reiterated the importance of maintaining communal harmony and peaceful coexistence, saying, “Having said that, we have always believed in unity and diversity.”

BJP national spokesperson R.P. Singh also expressed hope that the authorities would take stringent action against those responsible for the alleged disruption during the Ganesh procession.

Speaking to media, Singh said, “We are hopeful that the government will take strict action against the miscreants who did this.”

Police have increased their presence in the Mazgaon area following the clash and are taking steps to prevent any further disturbance.

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Crime

As Amaravati blaze kills 3 infants, NCP(SP) demands fire audit of all govt hospitals

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Nagpur, Aug 24: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, reacting to the Amravati hospital fire, called it “very unfortunate” and demanded that the administration conducts fire audit of all government hospitals and also prepare a six-month action plan.

Rohit Pawar, speaking to media, said, “This is a very unfortunate incident. Three children, all from poor families, lost their lives. A similar incident had occurred in 2021, after which a special committee was formed and tasked with auditing hospitals across Maharashtra and recommending measures that needed to be taken.”

He demanded that the government prepares a six-month action plan.

“The committee submitted its report to the government, but unfortunately, we understand that no action was taken on it. Therefore, the government should prepare a six-month action plan based on that report and inform people about the measures that will be implemented in every government hospital in every taluka of Maharashtra,” he said.

The NCP (SP) MLA further alleged that the government does not value the lives of the poor.

“Whenever such incidents occur, it is the poor who lose their lives. We feel that this government does not value the lives of the poor. If you look at the figures, around 44,000 children have died in the last three years due to various reasons, including malnutrition, serious illnesses, accidents, and snakebites, in schools and hostels for tribal children. This issue also needs to be addressed,” he said.

BJP leader Navneet Rana raised questions over the fire audit at the hospital and demanded strict action.

“How many times has the fire audit been conducted? Many poor children come to the government hospital, and we have lost three children today. I think strict action will be taken in this matter. I have just spoken to the minister and requested that an immediate letter be issued. If the fire audit was not conducted, then who is responsible for this?” she said.

According to preliminary reports, an explosion in a ventilator sparked the blaze, which quickly engulfed the unit. The ventilator explosion led to the rapid spread of fire and smoke inside the ward. The exact cause of the blaze remains unknown, and authorities are investigating the site to determine what triggered the fire.

Duty doctors, nurses, and hospital staff managed to rescue several infants from the unit as soon as the fire was detected. The third floor houses three NICU wards with a combined capacity of 39 beds (13 in each). The unit where the fire broke out reportedly had 9 to 12 high-risk, premature infants under critical care at the time.

The tragic event has sparked intense outrage and raised severe questions regarding the emergency preparedness of the medical facility. Despite the building being newly constructed — inaugurated just a year ago by the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar — the automated fire suppression system reportedly failed to activate. Authorities are investigating whether the ventilator that exploded was outdated, poorly maintained, or suffered from a critical technical failure.

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