Articles by Linah Baliga
The whistle-blower architect who exposed 65 illegal housing projects in Kalyan
Architect Sandeep Patil exposed 65 real estate projects in Kalyan-Dombivli where developers had produced fake commencement certificates to get projects registered with MahaRERA. Patil filed a PIL in the Bombay high court and the Enforcement Directorate has asked for his assistance. The case is still pending in court. Patil has called for stricter regulations and personal site visits by RERA officials to curb illegal constructions.
Updated on Aug 08, 2023 12:36 AM IST
Linah Baliga, Mumbai
Mumbai’s Ganpati Bappa will now be Canadacha Raja
Called “Canadacha Raja”, the idol is being sent to an event agency named Blue Peacock Entertainment, the organisers of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav in Toronto. They plan to celebrate the festival this year on a huge scale with the help of city officials.
Updated on Aug 07, 2023 12:25 AM IST
1 dead, 1 missing as fishing boat capsizes off Versova
While the survivor Vijay Bamania, 35, swam for hours to reach the shore late that night, the body of Vinod Goel, 45, was found at Silver Beach, Versova, on Sunday morning. The search for the third fisherman, Usmani Bhandari, 22, who is suspected to have drowned, is under way
Updated on Aug 07, 2023 12:15 AM IST
Megha SoodLinah Baliga
Nariman Point jetty design reworked based on residents’ objections
The reworked plan is to keep a minimalist, simple design at the NCPA jetty site contiguous with the existing Marine Drive promenade and retain its Art Deco character and heritage nature of the place
Updated on Aug 04, 2023 12:07 AM IST
As BJP’s intervention in BMC grows, Oppn says it should be called ‘BJPMC’
The presence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has raised concerns about political interference in the BMC's decision-making process. The BJP's involvement is seen as an attempt to gain control over the civic body ahead of upcoming elections. Critics have accused the BJP of misusing the corporation and undermining its autonomy. The intervention of BJP leaders, including Mumbai president Ashish Shelar and suburban guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, in various civic matters has raised further questions about the independence of the BMC.
Updated on Aug 03, 2023 12:49 AM IST
Linah Baliga, Mumbai
Colaba residents appoint arborist to prevent tree fall accidents
Along with their former corporator Makarand Narwekar, the residents have appointed a professional arborist company, TreecoTech, to determine the health of trees in their respective areas
Updated on Jul 31, 2023 12:28 AM IST
GMLR underground twin tunnel bid finalised at ₹6,301 crore
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finalized a bid of ?6,301 crore for the construction of underground tunnels for the Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. The project aims to connect the western and eastern suburbs of Mumbai and will consist of twin tunnels spanning 12.20km. The construction period is expected to be 5 years.
Updated on Jul 29, 2023 12:30 AM IST
Hard rain: Lessons from 2005
Mumbai has made progress in flood management since the 2005 cloudburst, implementing recommendations from a fact-finding committee. However, challenges remain, including unbridled development and the need to integrate urban planning with extreme weather events. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received INR 1,000 crore ($134.8 million) of a special grant of INR 1,200 crore ($161.8 million) for flood management. The BMC has also taken steps to curb reckless dumping of construction debris and has implemented early warning systems and flood mapping technologies. The widening and deepening of the Mithi River has also been undertaken to enhance its carrying capacity.
Updated on Jul 26, 2023 12:28 AM IST
Under opposition attack, Chahal defends move to offer office to Lodha at BMC HQ
The office of Mumbai's guardian minister, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, has been opened to the public, causing controversy ahead of the civic elections. Former BJP corporators have been assigned slots to sit in the office and hear public grievances, drawing criticism from opposition parties. Municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal defended the move, stating that Lodha's intention was to reach citizens through former corporators. Chahal also mentioned that the government had started an initiative to bring government services to citizens' doorsteps. The decision to allow the guardian minister an office at the civic headquarters has been questioned, but Chahal stated that he had to follow written instructions from the government.
Updated on Jul 25, 2023 12:44 AM IST
Linah Baliga, Mumbai
Two chronic waterlogging spots become flood-free this year
The BMC also came up with a new plan, which included an RCC open drain with grating on both sides of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, and connected the drainage line at the King’s Circle railway station to the Gandhi Market pumping station. This additional work upped the project cost by ₹7.25 crore. The overall cost of the project was ₹21.78 crore
Updated on Jul 24, 2023 12:46 AM IST
Life and times in the ‘Republic’ of Andheri
It has become de rigueur to see some of them to swap their personal vehicles with public transport to reach their destinations on time. A few months ago, tired of a two-hour drive from her home in Juhu to Mira Road, Hema Malini surprised her commuters when she took the metro on her way back and reached her destination in half an hour
Updated on Jul 23, 2023 12:59 AM IST
19 families shifted from Mahim building following slab collapse
BMC evacuated 150 people from a building in Mahim after part of the third-floor slab collapsed. No casualties reported. Another incident of soil/mud rolling onto a temple roof in Ghatkopar; 100 people being relocated.
Updated on Jul 21, 2023 12:54 AM IST
Linah Baliga, Mumbai
Tulsi Lake, a crucial reservoir in the city, overflows due to heavy rains
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities, the lake overflowed at 1.28am. In the last two years (2022 and 2021), the lake started filling up on July 16. In 2020, it overflowed on July 27 and on July 12 in 2019
Updated on Jul 21, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Unions protest against BMC’s list of 32K legit hawkers, demand re-survey
Seven hawkers’ unions, including Maharashtra Ekta Hawkers’ Union, Mumbai Hawkers’ Union, Azad Hawkers’ Union, Jai Hindustan Hawkers’ Union and four others, have submitted a written representation for a re-survey, failing which it will be termed a mock exercise, benefitting neither the city nor hawkers
Updated on Jul 20, 2023 12:31 AM IST
BMC sees big dip in pothole complaints this year
Last year, from July 1 to July 18, a total of 292 complaints were recorded on BMC’s helpline and app in 24 wards. This year, the complaints for the same period have come down to 173. The cumulative data (from April 1 to July 18) last year shows 408 pothole complaints while this year there are 353. The data is inclusive of statistics from the sewage, storm water drains, hydraulic and other departments.
Updated on Jul 19, 2023 12:31 AM IST
Residents not impressed with BMC’s Marine Drive revamp plan
Incensed residents have pointed out that an LCD wall along the NCPA boundary will add to the light pollution in an already overly illuminated gymkhana zone. They have also stressed on the problems of overcrowding an already choked space—one, moreover, where the coastal road project has eaten into promenade space
Updated on Jul 18, 2023 12:37 AM IST
Three boys feared drowned in Marve creek
Two others rescued; out to play football, swept away while trying to rescue friend; search operation stopped for the night
Updated on Jul 17, 2023 12:41 AM IST
Megha SoodLinah Baliga, Mumbai
How Amin Patel became Mumbai’s MLA No 1 five times
Amin Patel, the MLA from Mumbai's Mumbadevi constituency, has been declared the Number 1 MLA in Mumbai for the fifth time by NGO Praja Foundation. Praja's report card evaluates various parameters including attendance, quality of questions asked, popularity, and development funds usage. Patel is known for his accessibility and policies that prioritize immediate action on citizens' issues. He has also been actively involved in social work, particularly in education and healthcare. Patel plans to continue his philanthropic efforts by starting a new multispecialty hospital and redeveloping Kamathipura.
Updated on Jul 17, 2023 12:25 AM IST
SoBo residents write to BMC over colour scheme for Art Deco buildings on Marine Drive
Stressing on the fact that Art Deco buildings were built by some of the country’s first architects practising in independent India, the letter stated that their design principles for the heritage buildings in the immediate surrounding should be maintained so that it honours them.
Updated on Jul 15, 2023 01:02 AM IST
Fashion Street to be revamped into well-organised tourist attraction
Mumbai's Fashion Street, a popular bargain shopping hub, is set to be transformed into a well-organised hawkers' plaza with modular units and uniformed vendors. The revamp will also include a food court, toilets, and a garden to attract more tourists. The aim is to give the market an iconic look and make it more appealing to visitors. The project will be carried out by consultant Nasir Bakir, who plans to create patches with pay-and-use toilets and organise the market with a colour scheme and better merchandising.
Updated on Jul 14, 2023 12:42 AM IST
BMC to acquire lifeguard drones to prevent drowning at Juhu Beach
The machine, which will serve as secondary equipment in rescue operations, can cover a distance of 60 meters in 30 seconds
Updated on Jul 12, 2023 01:18 AM IST
‘Geotech consultants should be held responsible for landslides’
Hindustan Times spoke to experts and leading geotech consultants in the city, who provided an insight into the probable causes of landslides at construction sites during the monsoon and the precautionary measures to be taken to prevent future mishaps
Updated on Jul 11, 2023 01:15 AM IST
Cuffe Parade slum dwellers get seed funding for business ventures
An initiative in Mumbai's Cuffe Parade-Colaba area is mentoring entrepreneurs in slum households and providing seed capital to help them start businesses. The project, called 'Har koi banega businessman, businesswoman', selected 10 participants from seven local slums. The Mendonsa Foundation, an NGO, partnered with the CapSavvy Seed fund for the initiative. The project aims to eventually expand to other parts of the city, state and country.
Updated on Jul 10, 2023 12:59 AM IST
One killed, 2 injured after cement mixer truck hits 2 vehicles on EEH
According to the police, the incident happened when the cement mixer truck was heading to Chembur from Sion. The truck first hit the biker, Abdul Salam Rauf Shaikh, 30, who was standing at the spot and later hit another parked vehicle injuring two persons Suraj Shigvan, 23, and Andul Wahid Siddhique, 30
Updated on Jul 10, 2023 12:48 AM IST
Water percolation from nullah led to Chunabhatti landslide: SRA
Piling work being done for a 30-storey SRA’s saleable component building at Rahul Nagar in Chunabhatti East led to the massive landslide. Its impact was so great that a part of a private road, leading to the nearby Vasantdada Patil Engineering College, caved-in burying 31 vehicles
Updated on Jul 08, 2023 12:30 AM IST
Part of Gokhale bridge to reopen by Diwali, says BMC
Mumbai's Gopal Krishna Gokhale bridge, which was supposed to partially reopen before monsoon, will now open by Diwali in November, according to the BMC.
Updated on Jul 07, 2023 12:50 AM IST
SRA bldg construction leads to massive landslide in Chunabhatti
The BMC’s disaster control team and the Mumbai fire brigade reached the site immediately after the landslide occurred at 8.30 am. They cordoned off the area and evacuated people from the nearby Vasantdada Patil Engineering College
Updated on Jul 06, 2023 01:07 AM IST
20 families evacuated after floor caves in
The incident occurred at 3.30am in a fourth floor flat situated in C wing of Navjivan cooperative housing society at Evershine Nagar. Soon thereafter, BMC officials inspected the wing and asked the residents to vacate on an emergency basis
Updated on Jul 05, 2023 01:29 AM IST
Worli Koliwada to get facelift; cafes, photo booths planned
The facelift is intended to blend seamlessly with the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, planned coastal road and Worli Fort to create a unique aesthetic view to attract tourists. A civic official from G south ward in his letter dated June 19 stated to Worli Kolis that Deepak Kesarkar, guardian minister, had directed to implement the food court concept in the jetty area near the sea with an aim to provide self-employment to the local fishermen and citizens of Worli Koliwada.
Updated on Jul 06, 2023 01:42 AM IST
Chahal rebuts Aaditya’s charges on corruption in BMC
A day after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray led a morcha to the BMC, alleging corruption and misgovernance in several of its projects, civic chief and administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal held a press conference to counter the charges of alleged scams pertaining to roads, street furniture and the misuse of the civic body’s Fixed Deposits (FDs)
Updated on Jul 03, 2023 12:52 AM IST
