BMC takes steps to tackle rising air pollution
As air pollution in the city worsens by the day, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced new measures. The BMC has recently imposed a ban on the open burning of garbage.
In a press conference, Guardian minister, Deepak Kesarkar, said that the BMC had issued notices to 6,000 construction sites, instructing them to install fogging machines and sprinklers to control air pollution. He also informed that the BMC is in the process of implementing waste segregation procedures at its two landfills in Deonar and Kanjurmarg, focusing on the extraction of pollutants from the garbage.
The new set of guidelines to mitigate air pollution announced by the BMC said, “There shall be a complete ban on open burning anywhere in the geographical area under BMC, especially garbage dumping grounds and possible sites of trash burning.”
Source: Indian Express
State wants to redevelop 290 slum clusters in CRZ
The Maharashtra government plans to redevelop 290 slum clusters in Mumbai that fall under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)-II regulations. If it goes through, it will unlock 188.66 hectares of land for further development.
The state government has sought approval from the central government, and the Ministry of Environment has asked for an environmental cost-benefit analysis. This comprehensive study will evaluate the redevelopment’s implications on the city’s infrastructure and environment. While this move could offer lucrative opportunities to builders, urban planners and civic activists are concerned about implications on environment and ecology in CRZ areas.
Source: Hindustan Times
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Mumbai airport expands winter flight schedule
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is gearing up for the winter season, with a total of 975 daily flights scheduled to connect travelers to 115 different destinations. The airport is expanding its flight operations by adding new routes, showcasing an approximately 8 percent increase compared to the 2022 winter schedule.
The winter schedule will be in effect from October 29 until March 30, 2024, promising enhanced connectivity and convenience for travelers.
Source: Mint
Western railways to cancel 2,500 trains for 10 days
The Western Railways has announced the cancellation of more than 2,500 local trains in a major traffic block scheduled for the next 10 days. This disruption is intended to facilitate non-interlocking work related to the construction of the 6th railway line between Bandra and Goregaon.
The construction of the 6th line, connecting Bandra and Goregaon, will take place from October 27 to November 5. In addition to the cancellation of suburban trains, 43 other trains, including Mail and Express services, will also be cancelled, while 188 additional train services will experience partial disruptions.
Source: IndiaTV
Gokhale Bridge will not re-open this year
The reopening of the Gopal Krishna Gokhale Bridge, a vital link between Andheri East and West, has been rescheduled to February 15. This marks another extension of the original deadline, set before the onset of this year’s monsoon, following its complete closure in November 2022.
BMC said the task of pushing the girder on the railway portion, moving north and then placing it 7.5 meters below the pillars is a critical task. While the BMC has officially announced a new deadline of February 15, 2024, a senior railway official has indicated a plan to initiate the opening of one section of the bridge before the Holi festival in 2024.
The Gokhale Bridge is a connector between Andheri East and West which affects the commute of lakhs of travellers everyday.
Source: Hindustan Times
(Compiled by Sherine Raj)