NGT admits petition to stop Versova beach construction
Environmentalist Zoru Bhatena’s petition filed against renovation of Versova beach has been admitted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Bhatena claims the developmental work violates clearances issued under the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) by Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA). Versova beach is also an important nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles. A two-judge bench found merit in the petition and ordered the Public Works Department (PWD), MCZMA, the state environment impact assessment authority, the municipal corporation and the district collector to respond to the notices served.
Source: Hindustan Times
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Active cases surge by 62%; Delta variant remains dominant
In the past one month, the number of active Covid-19 cases has increased by 62.3% in Mumbai, as per the civic body. Anticipating a further rise in cases in the next 14 days, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has instructed ward officers to activate buffer beds at Covid Care Centres. More healthcare workers are also expected to be stationed at the centres along with oxygen facilities on stand-by. Additional BMC Commissioner, Suresh Kakani told Hindustan Times that 70,000 beds will be added to the centres. The dominant strain in the city continues to be the Delta variant. A senior doctor told Times of India that as long as there are no new variants and the daily tally is around 500 cases, the healthcare system can handle the situation.
Source: Hindustan Times, Times of India
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Mumbaikars can now pay property taxes online
Property tax payments can now be made with mobile payment options like Paytm, Google Pay, Amazon Pay along with credit card, debit card and UPI modes through BMC’s tax portal. Although recently, online payment portals managed by the BMC were down, they are now operational once again. While Bank of Baroda is providing free services, Citi Bank is only offering netbanking services at a charge of Rs 20 per transaction.
Source: Indian Express, Times of India
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Incomplete portion of fly-over collapses, injures 13 labourers
At least 13 labourers were injured after part of an under-construction bridge collapsed at MTNL Junction at Bandra-Kurla Complex in Bandra. According to BMC’s Disaster Management Cell, the incident took place around 4.30 am on September 17th. BMC officials told Indian Express that the labourers were doing work on one of the girders of the bridge when it collapsed. Many workers jumped from the structure while others were trapped. According to officials, no worker remains unaccounted for. The injured workers, who are in the age group of 21 to 49 years, were taken to the Vile Parle-based V N Desai Hospital, where the doctors said that the condition of all of them was stable.
Source: Indian Express, Live Mint
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Mumbai convicts zero accused in crimes against SCs/STs
No offence committed against an individual from Scheduled Castes (SCs) or Scheduled Tribes (STs) resulted in a conviction in Mumbai’s city courts in 2020. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau, courts across Maharashtra have abysmally low conviction rates for crimes against SCs (11%) and STs (12.5%). Ashok Tengde, a Dalit activist, told Times of India that there is a massive under-reporting of crimes. In 2020, only 36 cases against SCs and 6 against STs were registered in Mumbai’s courts; none of which yielded any conviction against the accused.
Source: Times of India
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