In response to the Bandra Terminus stampede, the Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh, one of the oldest passenger associations in the city, has renewed its demand for time restrictions on season tickets and controlled access to stations and a formal complaint was filed on Monday. "Mumbai rail accidents are rising day by day, indicating the need for urgent attention. The Mumbai local train and long-distance railway network is the busiest and most crowded among pan-Asian railway networks. Unfortunately, pending projects, decision-making without understanding root causes, and mismanagement lead to a high number of deaths on the tracks," said Siddhesh Desai, vice-president of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh. Desai outlined several suggested measures, including capacity mapping, time-based passes, entry restrictions, completion of pending projects, and the segregation of mail and express trains from local train tracks. Capacity Mapping Missing: The actual ticket sales for local and long-distance trains exceed calculated capacity. Observations show that even when the local train network is disrupted, ticket sales continue. The capacity of stations and platforms is not measured, allowing unrestricted entry and causing overcrowding. Passes without Time Restrictions: Commuters can travel at any time with a suburban pass, which needs to change. Implementing time-based passes would help segregate commuters based on peak and non-peak hours. Entry Restrictions Missing: Despite significant investments under the Amrit Bharat Station renovation program, safety and security lapses remain unaddressed. Automated doors and ticket validation, similar to those used in metro systems, could be implemented to manage crowds more effectively. Pending Important Projects: Key projects like the Kalwa-Airoli link and the addition of 5-6 tracks are still pending. Segregation of Mail and Express Trains from Local Trains: This crucial measure has yet to be implemented, contributing to ongoing congestion issues.
28 October,2024 04:22 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, October 28, released its third list for the Maharashtra Assembly election. In the third list, the party has given tickets to 25 candidates, including Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis' former officer on special duty, Sumeet Wankhede, from Arvi in Vidarbha. It has also retained legislator Bharti Lavekar for the Versova Assembly constituency. See full list here: The BJP has re-nominated Bharti Lavekar in Versova and replaced Borivali's sitting MLA with Sanjay Upadhyay. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis's former officer on special duty, Sumeet Wankhede, has been fielded from Arvi in Vidarbha.Via: @dharmendrajore #BJP #Versova… pic.twitter.com/k4gyqoOqR1 — Mid Day (@mid_day) October 28, 2024 The Maharashtra Assembly election will be held on November 20 and the counting for the polls is scheduled three days later. Thane will be with Mahayuti, says Devendra Fadnavis Earlier in the day, CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar filed their nominations for the polls. CM Shinde's Shiv Sena and Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) form the ruling alliance with BJP in the state. While speaking to reporters in Thane, Deputy CM Fadnavis said that Shinde would win the Maharashtra Assembly election with record votes, news agency ANI reported. "Thane always had saffron colour, and it will be the same. CM Eknath Shinde is going to file his nomination. He will win the election with record votes, he will break his own record. Thane will be with Mahayuti", he said.Tuesday is the last date for filing nominations for the Maharashtra Assembly election.Meanwhile, Pawar filed his nomination papers from the Baramati Assembly seat. He will be facing his nephew and Sharad Pawar's grand nephew Yugendra, who has been given a ticket from NCP (SP). Pawar said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would form the government in Maharashtra in the interest of the people. "Our alliance will work to resolve the issues. Issues like inflation, unemployment, various questions of farmers, women, adivasis, the poor," he said. He also criticised the Mahayuti ruling alliance for not resolving the issues of the people. "We want to change the government in Maharashtra. There are a lot of issues of the people of the state that are pending because the people who are in power currently have not resolved them. We will take all the issues in front of the people of Maharashtra and prepare them for the change in the state", he added. (With ANI inputs)
28 October,2024 04:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer minister and Congress leader Anees Ahmad joined the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) in Mumbai on Monday and the party announced his candidature from the Nagpur Central constituency in Maharashtra Assembly election 2024, reported the PTI. Anees Ahmad was inducted into the fold in the presence of party chief Prakash Ambedkar. "I represented the Nagpur Central assembly seat for 15 years. I noticed that the Congress sold some tickets in the Vidarbha region with almost no representation to communities such as Muslims, Telis and Dalits. I decided to leave Congress because it failed to undertake social engineering," Anees Ahmad said, as per the PTI. Speaking on the occasion, Prakash Ambedkar said, "In the Vidarbha region, the Congress has given tickets mostly to Kunbis and ignored other communities." Maharashtra polls: Raut warns Congress about fielding candidate for Solapur South seat Meanwhile, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday warned Congress about fielding a candidate for the Solapur South assembly seat, for which his party has already announced a nominee, reported the PTI. Speaking to reporters, Sanjay Raut said such actions could provoke a similar response from their side and create "problems" for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). "The Congress, in its new list, has announced its candidate (Dilip Mane) from the Solapur South constituency. This has happened when we have already fielded our candidate (Amar Patil) from the same seat. I consider it a typing mistake by the Congress. Such a mistake could happen from our side as well," he said, according to the PTI."I have heard that local Congress leaders are eager to contest the Miraj assembly constituency, which is part of our seat-sharing formula. If this infection (of fielding candidates against allies) spreads across the state, it will create problems for the MVA," Sanjay Raut said, as per the PTI. The Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP) are part of the opposition MVA, which is challenging the ruling Mahayuti. When asked about the Congress being keen on contesting more seats in Mumbai, Raut said, "The party is asking for one more seat in Mumbai. Traditionally, the Shiv Sena has been contesting more seats in Mumbai. The party is needed in Mumbai, the way Congress in Vidarbha region." Congress state president Nana Patole said the party high command had decided to contest the Solapur South seat in Maharashtra Assembly election 2024. (with PTI inputs)
28 October,2024 03:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA couple and their 14-year-old daughter were rescued on Monday after they got trapped in a bedroom of their flat in Maharashtra's Thane city as the door got locked, civic officials said. No one was injured, they said. The three persons were identified as Sumukh Dabholkar (46), Ashma Dabholkar (42) and Varda Dabholkar (14). The family, residing in a flat on the second floor of a three-storey building in the Kalwa area got trapped in the bedroom as the door got locked. The local fire station received their distress call at 6.45 am, Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell said. Fire personnel and the regional disaster management cell team rushed to the spot. A machine was used to open the door and the three family members were rescued, the officials said. Woman, two sons reported missing in Thane district traced to UP Meanwhile, a woman and her two sons reported missing from their home in Maharashtra's Thane district two months ago have been traced to Uttar Pradesh, police said on Friday, reported PTI. Sujata Mithlesh Chowdhary (40) and her sons Abhijit (22) and Aditya (19) were reported missing from their home in the Mira Road area in August, senior inspector Rahul Rakha said, reported PTI. Following their disappearance, the woman's husband lodged a missing person's complaint at Kashimira police station, he said. During the probe, the police received several technical and intelligence inputs and traced the trio to Varanasi, the official said, reported PTI. Investigations revealed that the two sons suffered losses in stock market trading and decided to leave home, fearing repercussions, he said, adding that the family has been reunited. (With inputs from PTI)
28 October,2024 03:18 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections 2024, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Monday filed his nomination papers from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi assembly constituency in Thane district. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded Kedar Dighe, the nephew of Thane strongman late Anand Dighe, from the seat in an attempt to corner Shinde. Shinde paid tribute to the late Dighe at Anand Ashram and performed aarti. He boarded a decorated vehicle modelled as a chariot, joined by hundreds of supporters who waved Sena flags and carried huge posters of the chief minister. Prominent leaders from Shiv Sena and NCP, and Union minister Ramdas Athawale of RPI (A) accompanied Shinde. The rally commenced from Dutt Mandir at Modella Check Naka, passing through the main streets of Thane. It took approximately two hours to reach the ITI centre where Shinde submitted his nomination papers shortly after 1.30 p.m. Tuesday is the last date for filing nominations for the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024. Earlier on Monday, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar filed his nomination papers from the Baramati assembly seat. Earlier today, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar filed his nomination papers from the Baramati assembly seat. Notably, Ajit Pawar's nephew and grandson of Sharad Pawar, Yugendra Pawar, is contesting from the same constituency as the NCP-SP candidate. The Maharashtra assembly elections 2024 are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said on Monday that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would form the government in Maharashtra in the interest of the people, reported ANI. "Our Alliance will work to resolve the issues. Issues like inflation, unemployment, various questions of farmers, women, adivasis, the poor," he said, reported ANI. He also criticised the Mahayuti ruling alliance for not resolving the issues of the people. "We want to change the government in Maharashtra there are lot of issues of the people of Maharashtra are pending because that has not been resolved by the people who are in power currently. We will take all the issues in front of people of Maharashtra and prepare them for the change in Maharashtra", he added, reported ANI. (With inputs from ANI)
28 October,2024 02:45 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024, Congress leader Vijay Waddetiwar on Monday said that the elections were for the fight of self-respect of Maharashtra, reported the ANI. Speaking to ANI, Vijay Wadettiwar said, "The elections in the state are for the self-respect of Maharashtra. The problems that the farmers are facing today are all visible. The condition of the unemployed, the condition of law and order, seeing all this, we know the corruption has reached at peak. Corruption is above 30 per cent today. The work of spreading poison in Maharashtra is going on." He said that the people were tired of the present government and that they would teach the government a lesson in the Maharashtra assembly polls. "The public is tired of the government. They will be taught a lesson in the elections. I fight elections only for the service of the people, for their work and for their development," the Congress leader further added, as per the ANI. Meanwhile, BJP leader Shaina NC took a dig at Congress party and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) the opposition alliance comprising of the Congress, NCP (SP) and the Shiv Sena (UBT). She said that their "boat has sunk" and asserted that the Mahayuti alliance would return to power in the state. Speaking to the ANI, Shaina NC said, "This is the same Congress who keeps commenting on Shiv Sena, Sanjay Raut, they exchange candidates, change names. This boat has sunk. The Mahayuti government will come back to power on November 23." Both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) -- comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress -- have intensified their preparations for the upcoming elections to 288 Assembly seats in the State. The BJP is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance alongside the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (with ANI inputs)
28 October,2024 02:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde is set to file his nomination today from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency for the upcoming Maharashtra Elections 2024. According to an ANI report, with the deadline for filing nominations on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar has already submitted his papers for the Baramati constituency. Pawar’s nephew and Sharad Pawar's grandson, Yugendra Pawar, is also contesting in the same area as the NCP-SP candidate. Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar asserted on Monday that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance aims to form the next government to address key public issues, including inflation, unemployment, and challenges faced by farmers, women, Adivasis, and the poor. Pawar criticised the ruling Mahayuti alliance, claiming it has not addressed the people’s concerns, the ANI report added. "Our Alliance will work to resolve the issues. Issues like inflation, unemployment, various questions of farmers, women, adivasis, the poor," he said. He further criticised the Ladli Behna Yojna, saying it was announced only recently in anticipation of the Maharashtra Elections 2024. Pawar said "We want to change the government in Maharashtra there are a lot of issues of the people of Maharashtra are pending because that has not been resolved by the people who are in power currently. We will take all the issues in front of the people of Maharashtra and prepare them for the change in Maharashtra." "Government only remembered Ladli Bahan and Bhai on the face of election all the facilities announced in last three-four months...people will not accept this they teach them a lesson in this election they did in Lok sabha," Pawar said. Both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition MVA — including Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress — are intensifying efforts to secure victory in the Maharashtra Elections 2024. The Mahayuti includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Maharashtra Elections 2024 are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting for all 288 seats set for November 23. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, and Congress 44. In 2014, BJP secured 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.
28 October,2024 02:09 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentLaunching a scathing attack against Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey on Monday said that there is nothing he can show and that he was defeated in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, reported news agency ANI. "...Aaditya Thackeray has a history of 5 years to show (the works which he has done in the past 5 years for Worli.). What history of work do you have to show? Milind ji (Milind Deora), you lost the 2014 Lok Sabha, lost the 2019 Lok Sabha, and disappeared completely from politics to do rehabilitation. Then you took the Rajya Sabha path from the back door," said the Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson, reported ANI. "Now when Eknath Shinde's so-called Shiv Sena could not find any candidate, on whose head should the blame of defeat be put, then after a lot of thinking and brainstorming you were brought forward... Why should Sandeep Deshpande get himself disgraced alone, two are better than 1. Now Aaditya Thackeray will defeat both Sandeep Deshpande and Milind Deora and then become a minister...." said Anand Dubey hailing Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, reported ANI. Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora expressed his gratitude and welcomed the party's decision to field him as a Mahayuti candidate from the Worli constituency and said that he is committed to understanding the aspirations of every resident of Worli and will ensure their voices are heard by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Taking to his social media handle on X, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora said, "I agree with Shiv Sena's decision to field me as a Mahayuti candidate from Worli, Mumbai. I will try my best to understand the aspirations of every Worlikar and convey their voice to @mieknathshindeJi." वरळी, मुंबईतून महायुतीचा उमेदवार म्हणून मला उभे करण्याचा शिवसेनेचा निर्णय मला मान्य आहे. प्रत्येक वरळीकरांच्या आकांक्षा समजून घेऊन त्यांचा आवाज @mieknathshinde जी यांच्यापर्यंत पोहोचवण्याचा मी सर्वतोपरी प्रयत्न करेन. https://t.co/CnkkkGZ98e — Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) October 27, 2024 The Worli constituency will head to a high-profile battle in the elections as Deora will be up against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. Milind Deora on October 25 confirmed that he will contest against Aaditya Thackeray. "Chief Minister @mieknathshinde ji believes that justice for Worli and Worlikars is long overdue. Together, we're paving the way forward and will share our vision soon. It's Worli NOW!," Milind Deora posted on X earlier. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar filed his nomination from the Baramati assembly seat today. His nephew and grandson of Sharad Pawar, Yugendra Pawar, is contesting from the same constituency as the NCP-SP candidate. Baramati will see another Pawar versus Pawar contest after Supriya Sule, daughter of Sharad Pawar, defeated Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, during the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. The Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024 are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (With inputs from ANI)
28 October,2024 01:19 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA day before the deadline for filing nominations for the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024, NCP (SP) head Sharad Pawar on Monday said the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has reached a consensus over 90 to 95 per cent of the total 288 seats in the state, reported news agency PTI. Speaking to reporters, Pawar, in a veiled attack on the BJP, said their fight was against those who engineered splits in rival political parties and those who compromised with their ideology, reported PTI. Those who are in power did not solve the problems of the people, he claimed. The Maharashtra assembly elections 2024 are scheduled on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23. The last date for filing of nomination papers is October 29. The MVA comprises the NCP (SP), Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT). The Shiv Sena split in June 2022, causing the collapse of Thackeray's MVA government, while the Sharad Pawar-founded NCP broke into two factions after his nephew Ajit Pawar joined the ruling alliance in July 2023. "Those who are in power did not solve the problems of the people. We are fighting against those who engineered splits in political parties, made unnecessary compromises with their ideology and did things they were not supposed to do," Sharad Pawar said, reported PTI. In March this year, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis countered the jibes he was subjected to over his "I will be back" assembly poll campaign line in 2019 by claiming he did return to power (in June 2022 following the rebellion by Eknath Shinde) and that too "after splitting two parties". Asked about possible challenges before the opposition in the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024 due to the government's welfare schemes like the Ladki Bahin scheme, Sharad Pawar said those who have been in power for so long did not design any such scheme, reported PTI. The Ladki Bahin scheme was launched only after a major setback (to the ruling Mahayuti) in the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year, the former CM claimed. The MVA won 31 out of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Under the Ladki Bahin scheme, eligible women get Rs 1,500 per month from the state government. (With inputs from PTI)
28 October,2024 12:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbaikars woke up to a rather cold morning on Monday as temperatures dropped by a degree. The Colaba observatory recorded a temperature of 33 degrees Celcius which is 1.3 degrees below normal temperature. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 34 degrees Celcius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates by the IMD, the maximum temperature will likely be around 34 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature will likely be around 22 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity is 62 percent. The sun rose at 06:37 AM and will set at 06:07 PM. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather updates have forecasted a "mainly clear sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI drops to 'moderate' category The Central Pollution Control Board's SAMEER app, in its latest Mumbai weather updates, reported Mumbai's air quality has dropped to the 'moderate' category with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 132 at 10:50 AM. As per the SAMEER app, the AQI of several areas in the city had slipped into the 'moderate' category with the exception of Borivali, Colaba, Bhandup and Powai which still recorded a 'good' AQI. Meanwhile, Byculla, Deonar, Malad and Sion areas fared the worst among other areas with an AQI of 193, 196, 190 and 171 respectively. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 141, while Thane also registered a 'moderate' AQI of 157. The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'. Meanwhile, as air pollution levels continue to rise in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revised guidelines issued last year for construction sites. The civic body will also form squads at the ward level to visit construction sites and act if guidelines are flouted. Sensor-based air pollution monitoring systems will be installed at all construction project work sites and immediate action to be taken if pollution levels are detected above the limit.
28 October,2024 12:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentParts of Mumbai woke up to a layer of haze on Saturday as temperatures rose, and the city's air quality dropped to the 'moderate' category. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the Colaba observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 34.5 degrees Celcius. Santacruz observatory, the Met department data showed, recorded a temperature of 35.6 degrees. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates by the IMD, the maximum temperature will likely be around 35 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature will likely be around 23 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity is 89 percent. The sun rose at 06:37 AM and will set at 06:08 PM. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather updates have forecasted a "mainly Clear sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI drops to 'moderate' category On October 26, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality dropped to the 'moderate' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 111 at 9:05 AM. Unlike its streak so far, many areas across Mumbai—per the SAMEER app dashboard—showed 'moderate' AQI. However, Bandra Kurla Complex's AQI slipped further into the 'moderate' category, at 168. Meanwhile, Byculla and Ghatkopar recorded 'moderate' air quality, with an AQI of 180 and 116, respectively. Worli recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 94. Powai recorded an AQI of 79. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 138, while Thane also registered a 'moderate' AQI of 117. The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'. Meanwhile, as air pollution levels continue to rise in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revised guidelines issued last year for construction sites. The civic body will also form squads at the ward level to visit construction sites and act if guidelines are flouted. Sensor-based air pollution monitoring systems will be installed at all construction project work sites and immediate action to be taken if pollution levels are detected above the limit.
28 October,2024 11:16 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
