1. Govt Shelves BMC’s Rs 30-cr Bandra Fort Development Plan
The BMC’s ambitious plan to link three iconic Bandra spots through a promenade has run into trouble with the state environment department, which has put several conditions before the project can even be considered for approval.
The BMC had proposed in March to build a promenade from Bandstand to Bandra Fort, from where it would turn up towards the underpass of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link to connect to the Bandra Reclamation. The civic body had set aside Rs 30 crore for the proposal, which would also include a complete overhaul of the Bandra Fort.
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
2. Hope of Bigger Flats for Slum Dwellers
Here’s good news for slum dwellers awaiting rehabilitation, and the builders too.
The state government is “actively” considering a proposal to increase the minimum carpet area of a tenement provided under the slum rehabilitation scheme from the current 269 sq ft to 305 sq ft. This is a win-win situation for both slum dwellers and builders, as the latter will get to construct more flats for sale in the open market.
Confirming the move, a senior official from Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) said, “A proposal to this effect has been sent to the state government and we expect a decision soon.”
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
3. Truck Gets Stuck Under Railway Bridge, Causes Car Crash
A truck transporting a cargo container got stuck under the King’s Circle railway bridge, which has a low clearance, late on Thursday night, snarling traffic.
A Mercedes that was right behind got wedged under the container. No one was injured. Despite no-entry and height restriction signboards, truckers often try to pass under the bridge.
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
4. VHP, Bajrang Dal To Issue Id Cards to Gau Rakshaks
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and its youth wing, the Bajrang Dal, will soon issue ID cards to their ‘cow protection’ volunteers.
This is being done in an effort to combat the negative publicity the Sangh Parivar has been getting recently over the lynchings of minorities and Dalits by cow vigilantes, after curbs on the slaughter and transportation of beef were put in place.
Speaking to Mirror, state VHP Vice President Hemant Jambhekar said, “Due to the activities of some elements who take the law into their own hands, who carry saffron flags and raise slogans like ‘Jai Shri Ram’ while carrying out raids on the illegal transportation of cattle, our organisation is getting a bad name.”
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
5. BEST Solution is to Raise Parking Fee, Says Panel
The panel of urban planners, transport experts and activists has recommended that in order to protect and enhance the efficiency of BEST services, parking fees across the city for private cars should be revised. The increase in parking fee will generate a revenue of Rs 400 crore a year and it will be enough to subsidise BEST services, said the panel.
Criticising the reform package of BMC for BEST, the panel which includes Sudhir Badami, Amita Bhide, Ashok Datar, Vidyadhar Date, Rajani Desai, Darryl D’Monte, A V Shenoy, Simpreet Singh and Trupti Vaitla, said, “The so-called reform package is based on the mistaken idea that BEST must earn a profit at all costs. However, public transport is an essential service which is subsidised the world over, and even throughout India. In the case of Mumbai, a large percentage of the population is poor, has limited capacity to pay for transport, and will face even further economic exclusion if fares are raised further.”
Source: Mumbai Mirror
6. Leopard Keeps An Eye On Residents In Borivali East
Exactly a year after a leopard spent a few days lounging on the boundary wall of Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivli's Rushivan area, another full grown leopard has been keeping an eye on the residents of the area from its perch in the same spot over the past two-three days. Powerful floodlights installed in the housing complex are no deterrent for the determined wildcat. Exclusive pictures of the leopard are with mid-day.
"Two-three days ago, a leopard suddenly appeared on the wall of SGNP in Borivli West. This is the same area where the sighting had happened last year. There is nothing to worry about, but we would like to appeal to the people to be vigilant and to not provoke the animal," said Sunish Subramanian Kunju (Honorary Wildlife Warden of Mumbai City and Secretary of Plant & Animals Welfare Society - Mumbai). Kunju has also informed the forest department about the sighting.
(Source: Mid-day)
7. Gemologist Fined Rs 3.2 Lakh After His Stone Fails To Turn Man A Crorepati
Selling 'lucky gemstones' to an 80-year-old has proved unlucky for a jewellery store. As the gems failed to turn the man's fortunes around, the consumer court ordered the shop to return Rs 3.2 lakh.
The victim, Kawadu Khandale's fantasy of being a rich man was renewed in 2013 when he saw an ad by Swarn Sparsh - sellers of astrological gems - promising they could change anybody's luck with a gemstone. The fact that they were offering a money back guarantee made it seem like a sound investment.
On February 11, 2013, the Prabhadevi resident went to a branch in Dadar East and bought a Neelam gemstone. Later, he received a message from two astrologers at the jewellery shop, Kumari Prachi and Shashikant Pandya, saying that Neelam was not lucky for him. Instead, they asked him to buy Pukhraj and Manik stones, for which he paid Rs 2.9 lakh.
(Source: Mid-day)
8. HC Denies Bail To Businessman Who Forged Documents For Rs 34 Cr Export Sops
A South Mumbai-based businessman's anticipatory bail application was rejected by the Bombay High Court on Wednesday. He sought anticipatory bail in a case where he allegedly attempted to fraudulenty claim Rs 34 crore as export incentives after submitting forged documents.
According to The Times of India, an affidavit by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has stated that the accused Hiten Haria, director of Ashapur Texfab, Ashapura Clothing, Ashapura Exports and Ashapura International had submitted foreign currency shown as remittances from buyers of the goods exported to be deposited in its current accounts.
(Source: Mid-day)
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