Latest news with #BhushanGagrani
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Civic labour unions meet to protest against BMC tender
MUMBAI: A meeting was organised by a joint committee of seven labour unions at the Annabhau Sathe Auditorium in Byculla on Tuesday afternoon to oppose a recent BMC tender regarding the collection and transportation of solid waste. In an unexpected move, municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani made an appearance and attempted to placate the workers. However, his efforts proved unsuccessful, with the unions announcing that they will hold a vote on July 8 to decide whether to continue the protest. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The BMC's Solid Waste Management Department had issued a tender on May 14, 2025. As per the tender, cleaning and transport operations are to be carried out by contractors under an 'area-based' system. The plan involves handing over waste collection and disposal work across 22 wards to private firms. Currently, this work is handled by permanent civic workers and some contract workers. At Tuesday's gathering, Gagrani said, 'You all work hard to keep Mumbai clean. But the city's waste is increasing, and managing it is becoming more complex. The challenge is not just cleaning roads, but matching the cleanliness standards of modern global cities.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Aged 50-85 With No Life Insurance Could Get This Reassured Get Quote Undo He added that, after thorough study, the decision to adopt a 'service-based' model for cleanliness was taken, and the tender issued accordingly. 'We are willing to move ahead only after understanding your concerns and with your agreement,' he assured. 'This tender does not mean existing municipal workers will be removed. No employee will be laid off,' he stated. After his speech, Gagrani left the venue. But despite his assurances, the unions maintained their stance and said the protest plan remains in place. Municipal Union general secretary Ramakant Bane said a vote will be held across approximately 400 locations on July 8 to decide on the strike. 'If everyone feels we should keep up the protest, we will then all go to Vidhan Sabha and seek a meeting with the Chief Minister. The BMC administration has not been very receptive to our concerns,' said Bane. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
2 Koli agitations highlight habitation, livelihood issues
Mumbai: Two agitations by Koli fisher women in the city Monday highlighted habitation and livelihood affecting the sons of the soil. In the first case. Koli women from Sheva village in Uran stormed Vidhan Bhavan on the first day of the monsoon session. They raised slogans to draw the govt's attention to a rehabilitation issue that is "pending for the past 40 years". Police detained all the women and transported them to Azad Maidan in police vehicles. In the second instance, Koli women fish vendors from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Market at Crawford Market protested against the BMC "putting pressure on them to sell fish on the footpaths." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Devendra Tandel, president of the Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti, appealed to civic commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to halt this relocation process. "The fishing community is protesting against the BMC's decision to bring 348 fish vendors from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fish market, existing for five decades on CTS no. 1500 plot at Crawford Market, onto the streets. We object to relocating Kolis to new sheds on the road opposite Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market, as footpath relocation will create major traffic congestion at Crawford Market and cause inconvenience to over 150 fish vehicles arriving daily from across the state, and thousands of fish vendors. " The Samiti's Mumbai district president Praful Bhoir sought basic amenities in this 90,000 sq ft market that is reportedly devoid of toilets, drinking water arrangements or benches. However, when contacted, Manish Walunju, assistant municipal commissioner in charge of civic markets said that licensed vendors are being properly relocated from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Market to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule market (Crawford Market).
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Over 70,000 housing units stalled across MMR amid green clearance hurdle
MUMBAI: The construction of more than 70,000 housing units across 493 projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has come to a standstill following a directive from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Bhopal, a statutory body in India that deals with cases related to environmental protection and other natural resources. The new requirement has caused widespread delays, impacting project timelines and placing enormous financial strain on both developers and homebuyers. According to industry estimates, a majority of the affected projects fall within the affordable and mid-income housing segments (Aalok Soni/HT PHOTO) The tribunal's order mandates that all real estate projects falling within a 5 km radius of eco-sensitive zones must now secure environmental clearance from the Central government instead of state-level authorities — a significant departure from earlier norms. Until this directive, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) had the jurisdiction to evaluate and clear such proposals. The new requirement has caused widespread delays, impacting project timelines and placing enormous financial strain on both developers and homebuyers. According to industry estimates, a majority of the affected projects fall within the affordable and mid-income housing segments. In early June, real estate representatives sought relief by meeting municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, urging him to allow these stalled projects to at least proceed up to the plinth level under the Ease of Doing Business initiative. However, the plea was turned down, as any such permission would be in direct violation of the NGT's August 2023 order, passed in response to a petition filed by Bhopal-based environmentalist Pranjal Karera. Karera's petition had sought that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) centrally appraise all construction projects within 5 km of protected zones — including those under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, critically and severely polluted areas identified by the Central Pollution Control Board, and eco-sensitive zones notified under Section 3(2) of the Environment Protection Act. The order's impact is being felt across large swathes of MMR — including areas surrounding Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnala and Thane Bird Sanctuaries, Panvel Creek, and Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary. Developers argue that while environmental safeguards are necessary, delays in clearances are jeopardising the viability of ongoing projects. 'These clearances are a crucial part of the approval process. Timely intervention is essential to streamline procedures without compromising environmental norms,' said Zameer Khan, CEO of Unimax World. He added that several projects are also awaiting Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) approvals, further compounding delays. Developers warn that the prolonged uncertainty could result in increased project costs, which may eventually be passed on to homebuyers. The situation is particularly severe in Navi Mumbai, where many housing projects on CIDCO-allotted government land are stuck. These projects cannot be registered with the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) without the requisite clearances. 'The ripple effects are far-reaching — contractors, buyers, and even state government revenues are suffering. We're hoping for a viable solution soon,' said Hitendra Ghadia, director at Millennium Infra.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Language Rhetoric Steals Poll Thunder As Mumbai Residents Raise Civic Issues
Mumbai: With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in the offing, the language debate has once again taken centre stage as political parties begin building narratives that will shape their campaign. Leaders across political parties are delivering fiery speeches over the Hindi versus Marathi debate, and statements on regional identity. Amidst it all, Mumbai residents continue to battle civic issues like potholes, broken footpaths and overflowing drains, which impact their daily lives. Despite years of complaints, potholes still dot Mumbai's roads - whether in the inner lanes or on key stretches like the Santacruz and Vile Parle flyovers. Locals say the issue repeats every monsoon, despite roads being patched up often. "They just throw stones and leave. Brakes don't work properly on these patched-up roads, and accidents are common," says a resident from the western suburbs. Some former corporators too are raising concerns. Former BJP corporator Makrand Narvekar recently wrote to BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani, asking for improvements to the civic body's pothole tracking app. He pointed out that the platform doesn't show real-time data or reflect the actual ground situation. "It does not display ward-wise or city-wide data on reported, repaired or pending potholes. This defeats the purpose of public participation in governance. In the absence of elected representatives, it is all the more vital for the BMC to demonstrate transparency and accountability," he noted. The BMC has been under administrator's rule since over three years, marking the longest period in the civic body's 135-year history that it has been functioning without elected representatives. Mumbai BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty said that civic concerns will be a priority for the party. "Whosoever becomes the next mayor, their first job will be to fix issues like sanitation, potholes and electricity. We will use new technology to ensure pothole-free roads," he said. But citizens remain skeptical. Activists like Chetan Kamble argue that the current focus on language is just a distraction. "Marathi is important, but elections should be fought on civic issues. Not on Hindi versus Marathi. People are dying because of potholes, and around 2,000 kilometres of roads need proper resurfacing. Why isn't that being addressed?" Atul Kale, a local resident, chimes in, "We've been fighting over the same issues for 40 years. Schools, education, unemployment - those are real problems. Not whether someone speaks Hindi or Marathi." Another resident summed up the growing frustration. "BMC elections were always fought on issues, unlike this time. This identity politics is not helping the city. We want clean roads, working drains, and functioning hospitals, not just speeches," he said. As the political conversation shifts toward identity and emotion, Mumbai's roads, quite literally, continue to crack under pressure. Amid the Hindi vs Marathi rhetoric, campaigns will reflect if civic issues top the parties' agendas.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Worli jetty can be used as helipad: BMC gets Pawan Hans clearance
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received a favourable report from Pawan Hans Ltd confirming that the Worli jetty is structurally feasible and logistically suitable for conversion into a helipad for medium-sized helicopters, according to civic chief Bhushan Gagrani. Situated 120 metres into the Arabian Sea, opposite Worli Dairy, the jetty was originally built as a temporary structure during the construction of the first phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road. (Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo) However, due to the jetty's strategic location in a sensitive zone, clearances will also be required from other regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Forests and Environment, the Maharashtra home department and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for aviation safety and airspace compliance. Once it gets all the clearances, Gagrani said the helipad will serve multiple purposes, including facilitating medical evacuations, improving VIP transportation, enhancing marine security surveillance, and boosting tourism. 'It can be used mainly as a heli-ambulance, in any other emergency, or maybe some future scheduled service, like Mumbai-Shirdi, for people,' he added. Situated 120 metres into the Arabian Sea, opposite Worli Dairy, the jetty was originally built as a temporary structure during the construction of the first phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road. It was supposed to be dismantled upon the project's completion, but was retained at the request of the coastal police for surveillance purposes. Its reinforced cement concrete structure has now attracted the interest of urban planners exploring aerial connectivity for the city. The initiative stems from a directive by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who urged civic officials to examine the feasibility of setting up a helipad at the location. A structural assessment by the Maharashtra Maritime Board confirmed the site's suitability for such a project. Following this, the BMC brought in Pawan Hans Ltd, a public-sector aviation company under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, to conduct a detailed feasibility study.
