Winter is here, lowest temperature of the season
It’s time to pull out the scarves and (very light!) sweaters again. Marking the onset of winter, the temperature dipped below 20 degrees Celsius for the first time this season in Mumbai. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Santacruz observatory recorded a minimum of 19.7 degrees Celsius this week on 29 November.
While the Santacruz station noted this temperature drop, the Colaba coastal observatory marked a minimum of 21 degrees, indicating a two-degree dip from the normal range.
As the city encounters this decrease in temperatures, meteorologists affirm that the winter season has commenced. IMD Mumbai forecasts this cold spell to persist for the next four to five days.
Source: Indian Express
Successful trials of first girder on Gokhale bridge
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) accomplished the trial launch of the inaugural Open Web Girder (OWG) on Mumbai’s Gopal Krishna Gokhale bridge in Andheri this week.
P Velrasu, additional municipal commissioner (Projects), confirmed the successful launch. The girder was placed over the launching pad erected above the railway tracks.
Once the first girder is entirely in place, construction of the roadways will commence. BMC aims to complete this within the next two months. The target is to open one section of the bridge by February 2024, with the entire bridge becoming operational by May next year.
The Gokhale Bridge, a crucial east-west connector in Mumbai’s western suburbs, was closed in November last year due to structural instability concerns cited by the authorities. Its closure has resulted in traffic snarls and much longer travel time for commuters for months now.
Source: Indian Express
November real estate sales break 11-year-record
According to Knight Frank India’s report, Mumbai’s real estate sales and registrations achieved their highest figures for November in over a decade.
Shishir Baijal, chairman and managing director of Knight Frank India, projected a 5.5% increase in prime residential prices for 2024 in Mumbai. This surge is primarily linked to strong housing demand and economic growth.
In 2022, registrations totalled 1,12,668, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. By November 2023, the estimated registrations reached 1,14,464. Stamp duty revenues also surged from Rs 5,352 crore in 2021 to Rs 8,066 crore in 2022, and further climbed to Rs 9,922 crore till November 2023. This trajectory indicates an imminent crossing of the Rs 10,000 crore mark for the first time, as highlighted in the report.
The Central and Western regions of Mumbai accounted for 75% of all property registrations, signifying significant demand in these areas.
Source : Mint
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‘Electricity bill no proof that structure is authorised’
In a move to crackdown on unauthorised constructions, the Bombay High Court (HC) made significant remarks on Thursday, emphasising that electricity bills cannot serve as evidence of a building’s legitimacy. The court highlighted that the mere existence of an electricity connection does not classify a building as authorised.
Following these observations, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (MSEDCL), responsible for electricity distribution, assured the bench that they would incorporate a clarifying statement in their bills and new connection applications.
Electricity bills will now include a statement: “This bill for power supply cannot be treated or utilised as proof that the premises for which the supply has been granted is an authorised structure, nor would the issuance of the bill amount to proof of ownership of the premises,” said the bench.
Source: Hindustan Times
BMC asks for feedback on Malabar Hill water reservoir reconstruction
The fate of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) reconstruction plan for the Malabar Hill water reservoir remains uncertain. Now, the civic body has urged citizens and experts to submit their recommendations regarding the reconstruction methodology. These suggestions will be considered by an expert committee.
The proposed Rs 698 crore reconstruction project for the reservoir was formulated by the administration subsequent to a structural audit that revealed its vulnerabilities. This reconstruction plan is expected to impact 389 trees.
Individuals interested in contributing their ideas are requested to email their suggestions to mhriit.suggestion@gmail.com.
The window for receiving public input is two weeks, starting from December 1, 2023.
Source: Times of India
(Compiled by Sherine Raj)