Shefali Parab-Pandit

The MPCB has directed the BMC to survey Mumbai's beaches and strengthen cleaning operations with more machinery, technology and manpower. The move follows heavy monsoon waste accumulation, with 2,498.66 MT cleared during a special drive last month. Juhu recorded the highest collection at 1,825 MT, followed by Versova and Dadar-Mahim.

A 22-foot Ganpati idol collapsed during the Bhuleshwar Raja arrival procession in South Mumbai, killing two people and injuring five, including two girls. A preliminary probe suspects failure of the idol's rear welding, while eyewitnesses cited an uneven road. Police are investigating, while BMC will inspect procession routes and Ganesh mandals have cancelled some arrival ceremonies.

Footballers, coaches and citizens gathered at Bandra's Neville D'Souza Football Ground on Sunday for a ‘Tiranga Andolan' against its proposed conversion into an exhibition centre. Led by MLA Aaditya Thackeray, protesters demanded protection of open spaces. The Bombay High Court had earlier halted the BMC plan after a plea by the Mumbai Football Association.

Two people died and five were injured after a 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed during preparations for Ganeshotsav in Mumbai's Bhuleshwar on Saturday. BJP corporator Akash Purohit said the idol became unstable before falling from a trolley. Sanket Nevshe, 33, the mandal president, died in the accident and was given a final farewell by mourners on Sunday.

The BMC has launched MDCTS to digitally track construction and demolition waste from generation to authorised disposal. Mandatory registration, GPS-enabled vehicle tracking and approved disposal routes aim to curb illegal dumping. Violators can face fines of up to Rs 25,000 per vehicle per offence.

Vishakha Raut's OBC certificate rejection has triggered a fresh Shiv Sena UBT-Shinde faction clash over her Dadar corporator seat. UBT leaders have urged BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide not to disqualify her until her appeal is decided, while the Shinde camp has sought action under the BMC Act.

A 17-year-old student, Dhiren Jain, was injured after an iron rod reportedly fell on his head during demolition work for a road-widening project in Vidyavihar East on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 3.50 pm on Station Road. Jain was admitted to Rajawadi Hospital, where his condition was stable.

Praja Foundation's Mumbai MLA Report Card 2026 ranked Congress's Amin Patel, Aslam Shaikh and Jyoti Gaikwad in the top three spots. The report also found that questions raised by Mumbai MLAs in the Maharashtra Assembly fell nearly 72% in 15 years, raising concerns over legislative engagement.

The BMC has cleared 134 encroached footpaths across Mumbai in a month, reclaiming nearly 197 km of pedestrian space. The civic body also removed 94 unauthorised stalls around Bhandup Railway Station (West) in two days. The drive covers all 26 BMC wards, with action underway at 1,459 locations and plans to relocate obstructing licensed stalls.

The proposed de-reservation of Byculla's 1,005.03-sq-m Alexandra Theatre for residential use has drawn opposition from Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT). They fear the move could set a precedent for other closed theatres, with Mumbai's DP-2034 having 119 cinema-theatre reservations covering 3,09,284.08 sq metres.