New Lower Parel bridge problem for Mumbai’s dabbawalas
The newly constructed bridge outside Lower Parel station has disrupted the daily routine of Mumbai’s dabbawalas. Subhash Talekar, the President of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association (MDA), stated that the old bridge was more convenient as it had a footpath. However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished it and failed to provide a similar facility for the new bridge.
The old bridge was spacious and had stairs, as well as wide footpaths, making it feasible for dabbawalas to exchange dabbas for areas such as Worli, Kalachowki, Byculla, and Mazgaon. To address their concerns, the MDA is now requesting the construction of stairs for the new bridge.
Source: Mid-Day
Water levels dip in seven lakes supplying water to Mumbai
Water levels in the seven lakes supplying to the city have dipped to below 25% with over a month left for the monsoons to begin. During the same time last year, water quantum in the seven lakes stood at almost 28%.
On May 2nd, the total water stocks in the seven lakes was at 3.51 lakh million litres while on the same date last year the total water stocks were at 4 lakh MLD. BMC’s data states that the Tulsi lake has a 40% stock, followed by 38.66% in Vihar lake, 36.34% at Tansa Lake and 32% at Modak Sagar. Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa has 23% and 22% each, and Middle Vaitarna having a stock of 13%. There is no announcement of any water cuts for the city yet.
However, last year, when lake levels dipped below 20% in June, BMC had announced a 15% water cut across Mumbai. Civic officials told the press that they have written to the state government and requested permission to use reserve water stock of Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa lakes in case of a delayed monsoon.
Source: Times of India
Read more: Mumbai weather report: How hot will it be in April?
48-hour hunger strike: Two residents fight for reopening of hospital, get assurances from BMC
Following a 48-hour hunger strike by two Vikhroli residents, the BMC was compelled to agree to their demand to accelerate the reconstruction of Krantiveer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Hospital (KMJPH), which was closed five years ago after being in a dilapidated condition.
The residents, Milind Parab, 56, and Ashok Kharat, 37, went on a hunger strike on May 1st. The two wanted to highlight the plight of the locals, who have been deprived of quality healthcare in the vicinity after the 100-bed hospital was shut.
Source: Hindustan Times
Dog bite cases rise but city behind on sterilisation
Cases of dog bite rise in Mumbai significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic, with 78,756 cases recorded last year. In 2019, the city recorded a total of 74,279 cases of dog bites.
The number dropped in 2020 and 2021 as most people remained indoors owing to the pandemic. Despite the jump in cases, sterilisation efforts are far behind. BMC data shows that between 2018 and 2022, 3.53 lakh dog bite cases were reported in Mumbai. However, according to the Indian Express, the actual figure would be higher as private hospitals, which treat a large number of such cases, often do not report them to the civic body.
Source: The Indian Express
Digitised car parking in Mumbai
After four years of constituting a panel of experts to solve Mumbai’s traffic woes, it is only now that the BMC is planning to implement one of the recommended solutions. The civic body plans to create an automated parking system under the proposed Mumbai Parking Authority (MPA).
The floated tender for the same states the estimated cost to be Rs 38 crore. It seeks to select a system integrator for the design, development, implementation, operation and maintenance of a sensor-based, automated parking, guidance and management system, complete with a camera and digital payment system with video analytics.
Source: Mid-Day
Compiled by Eshan Kalyanikar