BMC to launch 4 new initiatives for children studying in BMC schools
On 11th May, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and its education department launched four new initiatives in their schools. The initiatives include awareness programs and workshops for diabetes, mental and dental health. They also include making infrastructural changes to the inside and outside of the schools to make access to them safe.
The safe access to schools initiative was created as Mumbai Public Schools are usually located around areas where there is heavy traffic flow. It will cover introducing safer options for commuting to schools, and also childrens’ experience inside the premises.
Safety and accessibility changes like bus stops and appropriate traffic management systems will be made within a 500 metre radius of the school. The BMC will work with World Resources Institute, India (WRI) for this.
Source: The Indian Express
Civic polls likely to be pushed to after monsoons
A BMC official told the Times of India that pre-poll work for the BMC elections is expected to go on for at least another 5-6 weeks, and elections will not be possible once the monsoons arrive in the city.
In Mumbai, the work to demarcate wards began in January as elections were set to be held in February, then they were pushed to May, and now they are being pushed till after monsoons. The halted decision from the Supreme Court about reservation for OBC seats was a reason.
Source: The Time of India
Read more: Explainer: How to find your electoral constituency in Mumbai
Some parts of Mumbai may experience water cuts on May 18th and 19th
Areas around Kurla, Chembur, Sion, Dadar, Ghatkopar, King Circle, Matunga and Parel may experience water cuts on May 18th and 19th due to some microtunneling work.
Some areas will face total water cuts while some areas will have low pressure water.
This microtunneling comes after the Chief Minister introduced the ‘Water for all’ policy that aims to provide unmapped communities and areas with access to clean water.
The work will eventually distribute water to various slum clusters, Koliwadas and Gaothans in the area.
Source: The Time of India, News18
Mumbai may soon implement a single planning authority for the city
For years, there have been talks of integrating all implementing authorities in the city like the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) into a single planning authority.
At a recent conference on the climate crisis, Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray announced that this could be implemented within a year. The planning authority will be under the jurisdiction of the Mayor, and they will have the word on all related matters. “This will empower the Mayor to a position of power, and increase accountability,” he said.
The implementation of this planning authority will also increase revenue of the BMC, streamline co-ordination and infrastructure planning.
Source: Hindustan Times
Environmental organisations set up a Flamingo Festival in Mumbai on May 14th
Environmentalists in Navi Mumbai have come together to organise the first ever Flamingo festival in the city. The festival is organised by Save Navi Mumbai Environment, NatConnect and Kharghar Wetlands and Hills forums. It will be held on the occasion of World Migratory Bird Day on May 14.
The festival aims to highlight the need to conserve these migratory birds and raise awareness about the worsening conditions of the wetlands – their habitat.
The festival is free to attend and is mainly spread between the Thane creek, DPS Lake and the twin wetlands of NRI and TS Chanakya.
Source: Hindustan Times
[Compiled by Radha Puranik]