Promise of bigger flats to Dharavi residents

According to the latest statement from the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL), the residents of one of the largest and unique slum settlements in Mumbai and in India, will get flats that are 350 square feet, bigger than any other slum rehabilitation project. 

The project, which will be carried out by Adani Realty and Maharashtra government, is slated to be one of the largest slum cluster redevelopment projects. Dharavi, which has industries such as leather, pottery, snack-making employ thousands of people apart from residences. The plan is to build vertical towers to accommodate as many as 68,000 people and also provide commercial spaces. Those who are not eligible but are presently living in the slum, will get a rental house for stipulated period of time, according to reports.

Various political leaders and activists have been debating about how this prime land will be used and if the residents will be eventually moved to farther locations.

Source: The Indian Express, The Times of India

Sion Bridge to be razed and rebuilt, expect chaos

To make space for laying of railway tracks between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kurla, the Sion Bridge will be demolished and rebuilt over the next two years. The British-era bridge is a crucial link between LBS marg, Dharavi, Eastern Express Highway and severe traffic disruptions are expected. Commuters will have to use the already-congested Santacruz Chembur Link Road. 

“The railways have informed us about facilitating pedestrian crossing, but the actual picture will be clearer only after demolition. We have requested the railway authorities to ensure that even after demolition, pedestrians would be able to cross the bridge, which will prove convenient for those wanting to cross,” Dr Raju Bhujbal, DCP traffic (East) was quoted in Midday as saying. 

Source: Hindustan Times, Mid-day 

Read more: Frustrated with alternative routes, commuters wonder when Gokhale bridge will open?

IndiGo fined for the Mumbai tarmac incident

Flight delays due to fog have become a daily occurrence over the past few days and the situation went out of control when passengers of a diverted flight sat on the tarmac to eat. After the videos of people sitting and having food went viral, the civil aviation ministry took cognizance of the security lapse and issued a show cause notice. On January 14, flight to Delhi was diverted to Mumbai at 11:20 pm.

Officials noted that Indigo as well as the airport authorities failed to anticipate the challenges and do something about it.

“The aircraft was allotted a remote bay instead of a contact stand, leaving passengers without basic facilities like restrooms and refreshments, the official added. A contact stand is an aircraft parking stand that is suitable for walking passengers to and from an aircraft from an allocated boarding gate,” the Mint reported.

IndiGo has to pay a fine of Rs 1.20 crore while MIAL, a fine of Rs 90 lakh. The regulator BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) has imposed the fine.

In another incident related to IndiGo flight, a passenger tried to attack a pilot, over delayed flight. And in yet another traumatic situation, a passenger was stuck in the washroom of a Spice Jet flight for over an hour.

Source: The Mint, Hindustan Times

Preparations start for Mumbai rains

The BMC has initiated the desilting work of nullahs – big and small – so that most of it is completed before May 31st. It has allocated Rs 284 crore for the same. Last year it spent around Rs 257 crore for desilting work.

“There are 254.67 km of major nullahs, 443.84 km of minor nullahs, and 21.35 km of the Mithi river that have to be cleaned up in Mumbai and the suburbs. The BMC removes more than nine lakh metric tonnes of silt every year. Out of this, the BMC removes 75% of silt before monsoon, 10% during monsoon, and 15% post-monsoon as per its policy,” reported the Free Press Journal.

In absence of elected corporators, the civic body plans to use a dashboard to keep a check on the daily work. If desilting work is not carried out well, the chances of water-logging and flooding are very high, especially on heavy rain days.

Source: The Free Press Journal

BMC invites suggestions for the budget

It’s that time of the year for the richest civic body in the country to flex its financial muscles. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has invited suggestions before its annual budget for the city of Mumbai. The budget is likely to be presented in early February, around 4th or 5th.

Last year as well, the BMC had called for suggestions from Mumbaikars and had received suggestions in various areas from road maintenance to public health. At the time of presentation of the Rs 52,619 crore budget, commissioner and administrator IS Chahal had told the media that they had incorporated many of 965 suggestions they had received.

Pollution and traffic management on the backdrop of numerous infrastructure projects, are two major concerns for people as well as the BMC.

Citizens should send their suggestions to bmcbudget.suggestion@mcgm.gov.in by January 23.

Source: The Indian Express

Also read:

• As BMC prepares to release its budget, a wishlist from citizens’ group MNCDF
• Round up: Some of the key takeaways from 2023-24 BMC budget
• Medical facilities at Mumbai airport adequate for passengers, but not for visitors
• Time to seriously implement already-existing solutions to make monsoons bearable, says a young citizen