Maharashtra
We Say Mumbai Is Safe, But Is It? Students Speak
Mumbai: The horrifying sexual attack on a 20-year-old girl in a local train between Masjid Bandar and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) stations on the Harbour line at 7.28 a.m. has raised ‘security’ concerns. And this time not just about women but particularly students- because the torture and murder of a girl in a Mumbai hostel lastweek still haunts. Are Mumbai’s students not safe either?
Female student commuters from Mumbai who travel on the Harbour Lines at odd hours report feeling uncomfortable both inside the trains and on the platforms due to insufficient protection.
Although policewomen are present at major city railway stations, women commuters at smaller stations suffer the most. Padma Ahale, a student at Sophia College, takes the Harbour Line from Ram Mandir to Bandra and then to her college. “Security is a major concern, especially at smaller stations where there are no police officers on duty all day. I also believe that younger boys should not be allowed to board the ladies’ section, given the increase in juvenile cases,” she argues. Padma believes that it is usually preferable to board a general compartment rather than an empty ladies’ compartment.
One would wonder why Padma takes the Harbour Line when she has direct access to the Western Line. The reason is that the Harbour Line tends to be emptier during non-peak hours as compared to Western Line, which is normally crowded throughout the day.
However, the issue does not end with the lack of police officers at these railway stations. Late at night, some of the busiest and most densely populated stations, such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) or Victoria Terminus (VT), become risky for female commuters. Shalini Shah, an SNDT College student who had to travel at night for research assignments, until recently, says, “I think the ladies’ compartments should be completely closed off because some trains have common coaches separated by only a grille above their seats.” The male gaze makes you feel uneasy, especially if you’re travelling late.”
Last year, Shalini said she witnessed a woman being abused on her way back from CST station. “Perhaps I’ve been fortunate enough not to have encountered an unpleasant incident, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen,” she says. “The offender was seen on CCTV, but by the time the authorities intervened, the culprit had already left,” she continued.
Pearl Karanjia, a student at SVKM’s Mithibai College, on the other hand, has no reservations, even though she travels late on some days. “I’ve travelled on local trains late at night and found them to be mostly safe.” Although stations become isolated late in the evening, passengers can be found in the ladies’ section until 1 AM. Still, as a precaution, one should check the compartment with police officers who are stationed in the ladies’ compartment after 10 p.m. “Also, avoid getting into empty compartments,” Pearl advises.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: BMC Announces 12-Hour Water Cut In Chembur, Govandi And Mankhurd On May 18 For Tunnel Commissioning Work

Mumbai: Water supply will be disrupted in some areas of M East and M West wards on Monday, May 18, from 10 am to 10 pm due to commissioning work of the Amar Mahal (Hedgewar Udyan) to Turbhe low-level reservoir water tunnel underway. The affected wards include areas such as Chembur East and West, Govandi, and Mankhurd.
The BMC has urged citizens of the two wards to filter and boil water for consumption for seven days — from May 18, 2026, to May 25, 2026 — as a precautionary measure.
Business
Attention Mumbaikars! Petrol, Diesel Prices Hiked By ₹3 Amid Global Oil Crisis Due To Iran War; Check New Rates Here

Mumbai: Ending days of intense speculation, the Centre on Friday announced an immediate Rs 3 per litre hike in petrol and diesel prices across the country, marking the first revision in retail fuel rates in nearly four years. The revised prices came into effect immediately from Friday without any transition window. Along with petrol and diesel, the price of CNG was also increased by Rs 2, a move expected to have a wider impact on transportation and household expenses.
In Mumbai, petrol prices climbed to Rs 106.68 per litre after a hike of Rs 3.14, while diesel rates rose by Rs 3.11 to Rs 93.14 per litre. The increase is likely to hit daily commuters, cab and autorickshaw operators, and logistics businesses in the city, where fuel costs directly affect transportation fares and commodity prices.
Among the four major metro cities, Mumbai recorded one of the steepest hikes in petrol prices. In Delhi, petrol prices rose to Rs 97.77 per litre and diesel to Rs 90.67 per litre. Kolkata saw petrol prices increase to Rs 108.74 and diesel to Rs 95.13, while in Chennai, petrol now costs Rs 103.67 and diesel Rs 95.25 per litre.
The hike comes amid mounting pressure on state-run oil marketing companies due to rising global crude oil prices. Earlier in March, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) had raised the prices of premium petrol and diesel, but rates for regular retail consumers had remained unchanged until now.
According to reports, the three oil companies were collectively absorbing losses of nearly Rs 1,600 crore daily as they continued purchasing crude oil at elevated international prices while avoiding a retail hike. The Centre had reportedly delayed revising fuel prices in an attempt to keep inflation under control, since fuel costs have a cascading impact on transportation, food and essential commodities.
The pressure intensified after conflict in West Asia pushed crude oil prices sharply higher in the global market. India’s crude basket, which averaged around USD 69 per barrel before the Iran conflict escalated in February, later surged to nearly USD 113-114 per barrel in subsequent months.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to conserve fuel and adopt work-from-home practices wherever possible to reduce fuel consumption and ease pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves. Supporting the appeal, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a 90-day fuel conservation campaign and two days of work-from-home for government offices.
Maharashtra
Joint site inspection to be conducted to effectively implement mosquito control measures, Ashwini Bhide directs

Various agencies in Mumbai should cooperate in providing access to the Pest Control Department team during site visits in mosquito control measures. Mosquito control measures should be effectively implemented by providing necessary support to the Pest Control Department in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation area. Besides, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashwini Bhide directed that the objective should be to reduce the number of patients through preventive measures against monsoon diseases by the Municipal Corporation.
A review meeting of the Mosquito Control Committee was held at the Municipal Corporation Headquarters today (14 May 2026) under the chairmanship of Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide.
. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma, Deputy Commissioner (Municipal Commissioner’s Office) Prashant Gaikwad, Deputy Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Uday, Executive Health Officer Dr. Daksha Shah, Pesticide Officer Amrit Suryavanshi were present in the meeting along with representatives of various government and semi-government organizations of Mumbai. Senior officers and representatives of government, semi-government organizations from Central Public Works Department, Mahada, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Mumbai Port Trust, Navy, Air Force, BEST, Postal Department, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Dairy Department, Mahavataran, LIC, Airport Authority, Public Works Department, NTC attended the meeting. Obstacles in the access of the pest control team to places like dilapidated buildings, grassy areas, mill plots and containment areas of various agencies should be removed. There is a need to take mosquito control measures here with joint efforts. This will make it possible to control the increasing number of patients due to monsoon diseases. It has been observed that mosquito control measures have not been implemented for 6,160 water tanks in the premises of 21 agencies in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation area. A joint inspection visit should be organized in collaboration with the Pesticides Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation and various agencies. Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashwini Bhide directed that various agencies should make joint efforts to implement preventive measures at mosquito breeding sites by May 31, 2026.
Training of over 5000 personnel at construction sites completed
Large-scale reconstruction of buildings is underway in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation area. Security officers and workers are being trained to implement mosquito control measures at construction project sites. More than 5000 personnel have been trained in mosquito control measures in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation area. A WhatsApp group has also been created for communication and coordination between security officers and the pest control department. As part of the monsoon measures, the pest control department has been conducting a drive since February to personally visit various establishments and inspect the covers installed on water tanks. During the inspection, it was observed that the covers of the water tanks were not in good condition and were not installed properly. It was also found that the work of removing obstructions and materials has not been completed. Engineering measures need to be implemented at some places. Various government and semi-government institutions have been directed to implement mosquito control measures before the monsoon through site visit campaigns. Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed that the mosquito control measures should be completed in a planned manner by 31 May 2026 through a joint campaign.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News2 years agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime2 years agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
