Drought Biggest Challenge For State In 2019, Says Devendra Fadnavis
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis feels that the biggest challenge for the Maharashtra government in the new year was tackling the drought the state was reeling under.
Outlining the achievements in 2018 and challenges in 2019, Fadnavis said, “The biggest challenge in 2019 for Maharashtra is drought. …the period March to June will bring major challenges on account of the severe drought.”
“The state government is fully aware of the magnitude of the problem,” he added.
Source: The Indian Express
On New Year’s Eve: At 455, Mumbai Sees Decline In Number Of Drunk Driving Cases From Last Year’s 615
The number of drunk driving cases registered on New Year’s Eve in Mumbai has seen a decline this year as compared to the past two years. The Mumbai Police found 455 people testing positive for alcohol consumption as compared to 615 cases last year and 567 the year before that.
The traffic police ascribes the fall in drunk driving cases to greater police presence on the streets in the days leading up to the New Year’s Eve and more awareness on the part of residents. The traffic police would now ask the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to suspend the licences of the 455 people found driving under the influence of alcohol for a period of six months, as per the announcement made by the transport minister.
Source: The Indian Express
2 Tigers Found Dead In Maharashtra; 2018 Toll Is 21
Two tigers died of suspected poisoning between Sunday and Monday in the Pauni range in the periphery of Umred-Karhandla-Paoni Wildlife Sanctuary in Nagpur, taking the deaths in the state in 2018 to 21, equal to last year’s figure. A half-eaten carcass of a wild pig was found near one of the tigers, raising the forest department’s suspicion that it may have been a poisoned bait.
According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), India saw 92 tiger deaths this year, with Madhya Pradesh topping the list at 23, and Maharashtra ranking second.
Source: Hindustan Times
BJP To Fight Polls With Sena But ‘Give Fitting Reply For PM Jibe’: Fadnavis
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday the Shiv Sena would be given a fitting reply at an appropriate time for party chief Uddhav Thackeray’s ‘chaukidar’ jibe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said while the barb was a case of “spitting at the sun”, it would not hamper the prospects of an alliance between the two parties.
Source: Hindustan Times
BMC Slaps Notices On Three Eateries For Fire Safety Lapses
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) found fire safety violations in several establishments during its inspections even on New Year’s Eve, and has issued notices to the eatery Bar Stock Exchange in Kamala Mills Compound and two others in Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
The BMC had found unauthorised rooftop seating at Bar Stock Exchange on Saturday, which had then been removed. But the civic body found repeat violations on Monday night.
Source: The Hindu
Commuters Get Their Way With Panchavati Express
Not all commuters' suggestions fall on deaf ears, after all. Some of them, including those from the passengers of Manmad-Nashik-Mumbai Panchavati Express, have been accepted by the Integral Coach Factory and changes have been made in the coaches accordingly.
"Based on the feedback, we have removed the useless cubicle and added a wide window. Things should improve. All new coaches will have this new feature," Integral Coach Factory General Manager Sudhanshu Mani said on social media.
Source: Midday
Beach Warriors Will Rescue Chimbai Beach
After successfully cleaning up Dadar beach, the Beach Warriors have now set their sights on one of their toughest challenges yet - Bandra’s Chimbai beach. Over the last couple of weeks, beach clean-up activists have started cleaning up one of the city’s oldest beaches, which is dumped with debris and garbage.
The activists say that by the end of 2019, Bandra will get its beach back. “We began three weeks ago have removed almost two tonnes of waste from Chimbai beach,” says activist Chinu Kwatra.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
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