Articles by Linah Baliga
BMC gears up for monsoon: 417 dewatering pumps to be installed and 386 flood prone spots identified
BMC deploys 417 dewatering pumps and identifies 386 flood-prone spots in Mumbai ahead of monsoon, aiming to improve waterlogging response and infrastructure.
Published on May 12, 2025 07:44 AM IST
Inflated billing by contractors up to ₹164 cr for 22 cement roads in South Mumbai: Narwekar
Narwekar demanded that BMC publish a white paper on CC road projects so it is accessible to the public to ensure accountability
Published on May 12, 2025 07:12 AM IST
Gokhale bridge thrown fully open after 30-month wait
Mumbai's Gokhale bridge and CD Barfiwala flyover reopened after 30 months, easing traffic congestion and showcasing successful collaborative efforts.
Published on May 12, 2025 06:46 AM IST
5 buildings razed in Versova, 35 more to go
The crackdown, led by the K-West ward office, is targeting structures built without official permission in ecologically sensitive marshlands
Published on May 10, 2025 07:12 AM IST
Gokhale bridge set to reopen on May 11, bringing major relief to western suburb commuters
Mumbai's Gokhale bridge reopens Sunday, easing commuter woes after closure caused major detours and traffic jams. Inauguration at 5pm.
Published on May 10, 2025 07:00 AM IST
Siddhivinayak temple to ban coconuts, garlands and ‘prasad’ from May 11 for security reasons
The decision, based on an advisory issued by the Mumbai police, aims to mitigate the risk of explosives being concealed in coconuts or among offerings. Temple authorities confirmed that the ban would be formally announced on Sunday and take immediate effect thereafter
Published on May 10, 2025 06:50 AM IST
BMC bleeds crores on defunct cycle track
The latest maintenance tender, a ₹9.5-crore contract for two years, is pending issuance to BB Infratech, the same firm awarded a ₹3.7-crore maintenance contract last year
Published on May 09, 2025 06:58 AM IST
Colaba jetty: Residents send legal notice to Nitesh Rane and MMB, will move HC
CHCRA has sent a legal notice to minister Nitesh Rane, opposing a jetty project at Radio Club, demanding transparency and halting construction work.
Updated on Apr 28, 2025 04:49 PM IST
Major fire at ED office damages admin records, none injured
A fire at the ED office in Mumbai lasted 12 hours, damaging documents and furniture, but important case records were likely unaffected, officials say.
Published on Apr 28, 2025 07:26 AM IST
BMC, Railways to jointly fast-track bridge works in city
Bellasis Bridge will be completed by November 30; Carnac Bridge by June 10; and Sion Flyover by May 31,2026.
Published on Apr 25, 2025 08:02 AM IST
BMC to construct Town Hall Gymkhana at heritage precinct near CSMT
This first-of-its-kind project, spearheaded by the civic body, is envisioned as a dynamic venue for public dialogue, civic engagement, and cultural enrichment. It marks a historic milestone for Mumbai, signalling a renewed emphasis on transparent governance and citizen-centric urban planning
Published on Apr 24, 2025 08:06 AM IST
Metro contractors threaten BMC with contempt of court in property tax dispute
The contractors’ contention is that no property tax is applicable on casting yard used for working on Metro Rail projects from property taxes. Legal notice adds that the action of the BMC and MMRCL is in violation of a Bombay high court order that granted ad interim reliefs to them
Published on Apr 24, 2025 07:38 AM IST
BMC to launch sanitary waste collection service in May
The initiative will focus on collection of personal waste such as sanitary pads, diapers, expired medicines, and other potentially hazardous materials
Published on Apr 23, 2025 08:28 AM IST
BMC cracks down on illegal flats meant for parking space in Dongri
Officials revealed that the builder had illegally converted six floors — originally reserved for parking and refuge areas — into 45 residential flats, flouting the sanctioned plan approved on January 18, 2010. The violations came to light in August 2024, after a tenant lodged a complaint about the misuse of designated parking space
Published on Apr 22, 2025 08:32 AM IST
Reservation of Mulund plot changed to zoo to build city’s first dedicated bird park
Among the avian stars of the park will be the Red-Breasted Parakeet, Blossom-Headed Parakeet, White Peacock, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Black Swan, Galah Cockatoo, Ostrich, Crowned Pigeon, and Scarlet Macaw
Published on Apr 21, 2025 08:08 AM IST
MMB proposal seeks to allay concerns over jetty near Radio Club
According to MMB officials, the project’s primary objective is to streamline the influx of passengers and tourists at the Gateway, which sees an annual footfall of approximately 3.5 million people
Published on Apr 18, 2025 08:12 AM IST
Action taken against 3 contractors, 2 RMC plants
The punitive action comes as deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde told Mumbaiites, “No durusti, no khadda (No repairs, no potholes) for 25 years,” while inspecting ongoing road concretisation work on Tuesday
Published on Apr 17, 2025 08:24 AM IST
‘No repairs, no potholes for the next 25 years’: Eknath Shinde
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde promises pothole-free Mumbai roads for 25 years, with ongoing concretisation work and strict quality checks against contractors.
Published on Apr 16, 2025 09:28 AM IST
A historic 85-year-old gym in SoBo faces eviction
Over the decades, NHL has been instrumental in shaping 30 national-level and seven Commonwealth champions, and 11 state players in weight lifting, powerlifting, karate and athletics. Eleven of its members are Shiv Chhatrapati awardees and two are Dadoji Kondeo awardees
Published on Apr 15, 2025 08:46 AM IST
Bandra residents threaten legal action over Khar Danda food plaza
The plaza is to come at the end of the Carter Road promenade used by the elite residents of Bandra-Khar, and the proposal has thus put them in direct conflict with the traditional fishing community of Khar Danda. The plaza is proposed to be held three evenings a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
Published on Apr 14, 2025 07:28 AM IST
BMC to restart withdrawn services by tanker association with police help
Despite the stay given to notices issued to well and borewell owners until June 15, 2025, following directives from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and union minister of Jal Shakti Chandrakant Patil, the tanker operators have not called off their withdrawal of services
Published on Apr 14, 2025 06:44 AM IST
BMC to incorporate citizens’ suggestion of displaying hoardings on ‘dead walls’
In advertising parlance, a dead wall refers to a blank, uninterrupted building wall with no windows or doors, offering an ideal surface for large-scale advertisements like billboards and murals
Published on Apr 11, 2025 08:10 AM IST
‘Mulund dumping ground to be cleared within a year’: BMC chief
BMC promises to relocate all processed garbage from Mulund dumping ground within a year, as concerns about delays in bio-mining efforts persist.
Published on Apr 11, 2025 06:58 AM IST
74 roads in H West ward will be completed by May 31: Ashish Shelar
Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar directed BMC to complete 74 roads in Mumbai's H West ward by May 31, urging citizen cooperation amid ongoing works.
Published on Apr 08, 2025 07:36 AM IST
Fresh notice asking Century mills tenants to vacate premises soon
The plot, currently valued at ₹660 crore, was leased to Century Spinning and Manufacturing Limited (now Century Textiles) on April 1, 1927 for a 28-year period
Published on Apr 08, 2025 07:20 AM IST
Colaba jetty threatens promenade: Residents
On March 14, Maharashtra’s Minister for Ports and Fisheries, Nitesh Rane, performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the jetty. In response, residents launched an online petition titled ‘Save Colaba: Stop the Jetty Project’ on Change.org, urging authorities to reconsider the plan
Published on Apr 07, 2025 07:50 AM IST
200% tax slapped on 3,343 properties for illegal construction
The highest number of unauthorised constructions/ alterations recorded in the city between April 2024 and March 2025 were in the western suburbs, followed by the island city and the eastern suburbs
Published on Apr 05, 2025 07:48 AM IST
Politician admits role in ward officer’s exit
The ward officer, Nitin Shukla, who was proactive in demolishing unauthorised constructions, was abruptly transferred within 50 days of taking charge. Angry residents took to the streets, alleging that politicians were behind the transfer
Published on Apr 04, 2025 08:08 AM IST
Mumbai: Road contractor in the dock over poor concrete
Mumbai's BMC has served a notice to a contractor for using substandard concrete in roadworks, as it investigates a failed slump test amid concerns over quality.
Updated on Apr 03, 2025 04:48 PM IST
Residents take to streets to demand reinstatement of transferred F North ward officer
On his last day as ward officer, Shukla briefly came down to speak with residents. He explained that he could not override civic chief Bhushan Gagrani’s orders and urged them to return home
Published on Apr 02, 2025 08:28 AM IST