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Maharashtra

Toxic pollution in Bhiwandi and immediate closure of ‘SMS’ company in Mankhurd; MLA Abu Asim Azmi makes aggressive demand in the Assembly

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Mumbai: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi today took a strong stand in the Assembly on the recession of the powerloom industry in Bhiwandi and the increasing dangerous toxic pollution, as well as the major threat to the health of the local people due to the ‘SMS’ waste processing project and cement plant in Mankhurd Shivaji. He took the government to task, pointing out the collusion between the Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the concerned authorities in both the areas. Speaking in the Assembly, MLA Azmi raised the following important issues and demands. The textile industry in Bhiwandi is in crisis. Paperwork is being taken against companies burning plastic and toxic waste instead of coal. Bhiwandi is a major hub of the textile business in the country, but at present this business is very slow. The pollution level in Bhiwandi is getting dangerous day by day. Due to the increase in coal prices, some sizing and dyeing companies here are burning plastic pieces, wires and biochemical waste in the open instead of coal. This is spreading highly toxic smoke in the area and has created a serious health problem for the citizens. With the connivance of the Pollution Control Board officers, no real action is being taken against these companies. It has been reported that action has been taken against 430 companies, closure orders and show cause notices have been issued to 107 companies. But in reality, these companies are still running in a chaotic state. Demand for government subsidy for green fuel (PNG/CNG/LPG) for small industries.

The minister has directed the companies to use expensive fuels like PNG, CNG or LPG to curb pollution. However, power loom industries in Bhiwandi are small and medium sized and cannot afford this expensive fuel. Therefore, Azmi directly asked the government whether the government will provide any special subsidy or financial assistance to these small industries so that these industries can survive and pollution can be stopped. He also demanded strict action against the officers who mislead by giving wrong information. When will the ‘SMS’ company and cement plant in Mankhod Shivaji Nagar be closed? The government should clarify. MLA Azmi drew the attention of the House to the extremely bad situation in Mankhod Shivaji Nagar constituency. All the garbage of Mumbai is dumped in this area due to which insects are reaching the houses of people and even the kitchens. There are 4 cement (RMC) plants and marriage halls in the constituency close to each other. Thousands of people come there and the dust from this cement has made it impossible for people to live. Earlier, the then minister had promised to completely shut down this ‘SMS’ company (biomedical waste plant) by December 2022 and a board was also installed there. However, despite the change of governments, this company has not been closed yet. MLA Azmi, while presenting live pictures of this pollution in the House, asked the government, “When will this SMS company actually close and when will the local people get relief from this problem? The government should give a clear and concrete answer to this.” MLA Abu Asim Azmi has strongly demanded that the health of the people of both the areas has become a matter of life and death and the government should not just make paper promises on this but should take strict action on the ground and immediately impose a ban on the polluting elements.

Maharashtra

Mumbai cyber fraud case: A gang from Goa Vela involved in a fraud worth crores, more than 50 crore rupees deposited in the bank frozen, 12 accused arrested

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Mumbai: In a Mumbai cyber fraud case, the police have claimed to have exposed a gang that committed cyber fraud by activating multiple bank accounts and SIM cards. According to the details, the accused were arrested in the Siren Fraud case in the 2023 fraud case at the Pydhoni Police Station. In the progress of the same case, the Mumbai Crime Branch Unit 2 conducted an operation within the limits of the Goa Kolingot Police Station and took 12 accused into custody in the state of Goa. 15 laptops, 128 ATMs, 85 mobiles, 76 SIM cards, 22 checkbooks, 77 passbooks, 6 routers, 3 keyboards, 2 mice were seized from their possession. The accused used 100 panels called Rudra and used the gaming app to commit cyber fraud. The cyber fraud money was deposited and withdrawn in bank accounts in the name of cash and deposits and this gang operated from Dubai at a three percent commission. When the bank account details of the accused were found, 83 complaints have been registered in this matter on the cyber website 1930 across the country. The accused were produced in the court where the court ordered them to be kept on police remand till August 11. This action was taken on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti. Joint Commissioner of Police Crime Anil Kanbhare, DCP Raj Tilak Roshan have conducted the investigation. The accused used to defraud people by depositing money in several bank accounts. This information was given here today by DCP of Mumbai Crime Raj Tilak Roshan. He said that in the last 5 to 6 months, this gang has transferred 500 crores through cyber fraud to several bank accounts, while more than 50 crores have been found in their accounts, which have been frozen. He said that the investigation in Mumbai regarding the accused revealed that their accounts are also in Goa and the gang operates from Goa itself. This gang used to operate from a villa near Bij in Goa. From here, 12 accused have been arrested.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai housing societies ordered to immediately remove ramps and encroachments from footpaths, otherwise strict action will be taken: Ashwini Bhide

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Footpaths in Mumbai are meant to allow citizens to walk safely and easily. Therefore, unauthorized ramps, encroachments, commercial structures or any other form of obstruction by housing societies or business owners on footpaths will not be tolerated. Housing societies and unit owners who have built ramps or other encroachments on footpaths will have to remove them at their own expense within a month. BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has issued a clear warning that the municipal corporation will take strict action against the parties concerned if they fail to do so. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation is effectively implementing the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign across the city to clear footpaths of unauthorized hawkers and encroachments, ensuring that they remain free from obstructions. As part of this campaign, BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide today (August 6, 2026) conducted an on-site inspection of several areas in the ‘K-West’ and ‘P-South’ wards of the Western Suburbs. These include Swami Vivekananda Marg, Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg, Bando Gaur Marg, the road leading to Goregaon Railway Station, Sheth Shri Devaraj Ji Gundicha Chowk, Tomato Street near Goregaon Station, and Dudhsagar Marg. During this inspection visit, Commissioner Ashwini Bhide issued instructions to completely remove encroachments from the footpaths and make them easy for citizens to walk. Commissioner Bhide inspected the encroachments, ramps, commercial structures and other obstacles obstructing the path of pedestrians. He directed the officials concerned to take immediate action to ensure that the available footpath space is completely opened for public use. In the ‘K-West’ ward, under the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, the first phase aims to remove encroachments from 320 km of footpaths, so as to make them accessible to the citizens. Moreover, 27 out of a total of 355 roads in the K-West ward have been selected for this initiative. Footpaths stretching for 37.7 km on these roads are being cleared of encroachments.
Municipal Corporation’s appeal to citizens

In ‘K-West’ and ‘P-South’ wards, ramps built by housing societies or shop owners to facilitate vehicle access often become obstacles in the way of pedestrians. Such obstacles force senior citizens, women, children and various differently-abled persons to walk on the road, which endangers the safety of pedestrians. Taking the matter seriously, Commissioner Bhide ordered the immediate removal of such ramps. He directed the concerned parties to voluntarily remove these encroachments and restore the footpaths within a month. Commissioner Bhide clarified that strict action will be taken against those who do not follow these instructions as per the municipal rules and regulations. Moreover, in some areas, commercial stalls set up on footpaths are causing traffic congestion. Bhide directed the officials to ensure that alternative places are provided to these stall owners.

Patients, their relatives and ambulances frequently travel along Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg and Swami Vivekananda Marg in Vile Parle (West) to reach Dr. RN. Moreover, the presence of colleges and educational institutions on these routes results in a significant increase in foot traffic of college students. Therefore, ensuring smooth and hassle-free traffic flow on these roads is of utmost importance. Due to encroachments and unauthorized obstructions on footpaths, students and other citizens are often forced to walk on the road. This not only compromises the safety of pedestrians but also affects the flow of traffic. In this context and under the ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, priority has been given to making footpaths on these routes completely obstacle-free for citizens. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has issued instructions for immediate removal of unauthorized hawkers, shopkeepers’ encroachments, unauthorized ramps and other obstacles obstructing the path of pedestrians.

Business operators to be shifted
An inspection revealed that citizens were facing considerable difficulties due to obstructions on footpaths along Bindu Gor Marg near Goregaon (West) Railway Station. Since this situation was causing traffic congestion, Commissioner Bhide ordered the concerned business operators to be shifted at the earliest. The Bando Gor Marg is 350 metres long and 13.40 metres wide, serving around 70,000 railway passengers daily. In the first phase, 43 commercial structures near the Goregaon (West) railway station were removed, and there are plans to widen the road.

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Maharashtra

MLA Abu Asim Azmi holds important meeting with Suburban District Collector regarding Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar development works

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Mumbai: Local MLA Abu Asim Azmi met Mumbai Suburban District Collector (IAS) Saurabh Katiyar to discuss various pending and important development projects in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar (Govind) Assembly constituency in detail. The meeting had constructive discussions on important issues related to education, social welfare and rehabilitation in the area. During the meeting, MLA Azmi presented key demands to the District Collector, including allotment of government land for a degree college in Mankhurd Govind area, provision of a suitable place for funeral rites for the Shia Muslim community, and immediate resolution of the rehabilitation issues of residents living in transit camps. Speaking after the meeting, MLA Abu Asim Azmi said, “Public interest and all-round development of the constituency are my primary objectives. The meeting with the District Collector was very positive, and I am sure that the administration will soon take favourable decisions on the issues raised.

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