BEST bus drivers protest again
Contractual bus drivers of Mumbai BEST service went on a strike again. The reason was once again various issues related to their salaries – delays, lesser amount compared to staffers. The strike affected the commute severely as only one-third buses were on the road. According to the BEST spokesperson, 500 private bus operators and employees of Daga Group stopped work and protested. “We shifted the buses from other routes and tried to salvage the situation in the best possible way,” said a BEST spokesperson. The BEST has decided to levy fines of ₹5,000 per bus per day as long as the strike continues. The protest took place in Vikhroli, Ghatkopar and Mulund depots to demand better payments.
Source: Hindustan Times
Steep rise in cases of conjunctivitis in Maharashtra
Cases of conjunctivitis increased in Maharashtra as the state reported 39000 cases. With 7871 cases, Pune is the worst affected district in Maharashtra and Buldhana is the second worst affected with 6693 cases of the infectious disease that causes itching and watering of eyes. Till now Mumbai has not seen the outbreak of conjunctivitis but the BMC has urged people to stay cautious. The public health department said as per the analysis of samples, most cases are of viral conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus.
Source: The Times of India
Read more: Monsoon maladies on the rise, conditions worse than last year
Luxury housing for BMC’s senior officers in Colaba
Quarters of BMC’s class four employees will be demolished for constructing luxury houses in Colaba for senior officers. The area currently belongs to the class four employees of the Sewerage department of BMC. The houses are in a dilapidated state and will be demolished to make way for a swanky building while the occupants will be housed elsewhere.
Four flats would be for additional commissioners, and four would be for joint commissioners and senior officials, according to a senior BMC officer. Each flat will have adjoining servant quarters, and enough parking, and will measure about 2,000 square feet, he said. “We will spend Rs 60 crore on the project. We’ll set up the allocation such that only officers working for the BMC are eligible to get it.” The officers will return to their state government accommodation in south Mumbai after term in BMC gets over.
Source: Hindustan Times
BMC to treat potholes round the clock
To overcome the pothole problem in Mumbai, BMC has decided to work every day without a break. After heavy to very heavy rains lashed continuously for a week, guardian minister for the city, Mangal Prabhat Lodha reviewed the pothole condition of the city. After a meeting, it was decided to constitute ward-level teams under the supervision of a nodal official. The nodal official would be appointed at the level of the assistant municipal commissioner. They will track and keep a record of pothole filling in Mumbai.
Source: The Indian Express
A new theme park in Malad by BMC
After the Mumbai suburban collector handed over the land located in the Malvani area of Malad to the BMC for developing the garden, the BMC has planned to make a theme park. The land is located opposite Atharva College and has 6.5 acres of area. Local MP Gopal Shetty has suggested BMC to develop a theme park similar to the Vedic theme park present in Noida Sector 78.
According to BMC, 21 furniture shops are operational on the area of the proposed theme park. “We have begun the work for developing the theme park at the site and accordingly, notices have been issued to the 21 furniture shops. Once they submit their eligibility papers, the same would be scrutinised by us and eligible ones will be given alternate spaces. Those who have constructed their shop after the year 2000, would need to be demolished.” said a civic official. This will also be the largest open space in Malad, once it is developed.
Source: The Times of India
(Compiled by: Stephin Thomas)