BMC elections likely to be held in October
According to sources, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections for 2022 are likely to be pushed to October. This is due to the temporary halt in judicial proceedings for the reservation of Other Backward Castes (OBC) seats in the local elections.
The state government passed a resolution in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that local body elections will not take place without OBC reservation.
In a protest conducted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 9th, BJP leader Chandrakant Patil told the media that BMC elections may be postponed by 6 months. The delay allows the state government more time to demarcate wards. Along with this, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act was also amended, under which an administrator will take over the affairs of the BMC.
Source: Mumbai Live
Chheda nagar, infamous for its congestion, gets a new flyover
Chheda Nagar in Ghatkopar is one of the spots in Mumbai worst hit by vehicular congestion. A new flyover will help combat the traffic issue and make it easier to travel during peak hours.
Locals welcome the project as they see it decreasing commute time. It could make travelling east to west, and towards Thane, much easier.
“With the new flyover, the east-west connectivity issue will be resolved. The flyover will also lead to the easier way towards Thane. This would also provide better connectivity to the Mumbai international airport. Santacruz Chembur Link road gets better connectedness.” said RDA Commissioner, SVR Srinivas.
Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray will inaugurate the Rs 249 crore project that has been in the works since 2018 in March.
Source: Times Now News
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No construction work between 10pm and 6am, says police commissioner
Efforts to curb noise pollution in Mumbai, especially during nighttime, has led the newly appointed Mumbai police commissioner Sanjay Pandey to deny permission to builders and construction workers to undertake any construction work between 10 pm and 6 am.
The police commissioner met with builders after multiple complaints from residents about construction work at night causing noise pollution. On March 9th, he announced, “To keep #noiseundercontrol In Mumbai, met developers in the city. Agreed to have construction only between 6 am to 10 pm. Noise levels are only under 65 decibels. Display boards indicating timings and decibel levels at all sites. We will check for noncompliance.”
Source: Mumbai Live
New survey forecasts 12.1% economic growth in Maharashtra in 2021-22, highest in the decade
The Economic Survey of Maharashtra has predicted that fiscal growth will be 12.1% in the financial year 2021-22, contrary to the -7.6% in the last financial year. The growth is expected to be the highest in the last decade and more than the national GDP, which is 8.9%.
The service and industry sectors are predicted to grow at 13.5% and 11.9% respectively, which will be the driving force of the economy, followed by agriculture and its allied sectors which are expected to grow at 4.4%.
So far the highest growth rate reported was 9.2% in the financial year 2016-17. Despite the upward growth rate, the survey has also predicted a drop in foreign direct investments in the state.
Source: Hindustan Times
Water supply cuts may be imposed in south and central Mumbai on 14th and 15th March
Some parts in Central and South Mumbai will face water shortage on March 14th and 15th, for which the BMC has asked all citizens in the vicinity to prepare by storing enough water and using it more efficiently. Areas including Worli, Prabhadevi, Lower Parel, Mahim, Dharavi and Sion will face low water supply.
This is due to the repair work that is to take place in the Tansa east-west main aqueduct in Lower Parel. Water cuts may be imposed by local ward offices.
Source: Hindustan Times
(Compiled by Radha Puranik)