Shefali Parab-Pandit

The BMC Standing Committee approved the appointment of a Project Management Consultant for the Rs 3,304-crore Dahisar-Bhayander Link Road, a key component of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North) project. Opposition corporators questioned the funding model and the burden on Mumbai taxpayers, but the proposal was cleared through a majority vote by the ruling alliance.

A 55-year-old man, Abdul Wahab, died after a section of a terrace parapet wall from the 17-storey Galaxy Apartment in Chunabhatti collapsed and struck him shortly after midnight on Friday. He was rushed to Sion Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. BMC and fire brigade teams later removed the loose structure and secured the area.

BMC engineers have saved Rs 7.48 crore during the construction of the 2,000 MLD Bhandup water treatment plant by reassessing the cost of relocating Tata Power's transmission towers. The civic body secured a Rs 5.76 crore refund, recovered additional costs and is set to receive the salvage value of dismantled towers, further boosting savings.

Two noise barrier panels on Mumbai's Mrinal Tai Gore Flyover extension collapsed after a dumper truck struck them in the early hours of Friday. No injuries were reported as no vehicles or pedestrians were below at the time. The incident has renewed concerns about safety and construction quality on the recently inaugurated Rs 248 crore project.

In Mumbai's Byculla West, a portion of a vacant ground-plus-two-storey building collapsed onto its first floor during demolition work on Friday night. The structure in Sunder Gully near Dagdi Chawl had been declared dangerous by MHADA and was under demolition. The BMC Disaster Management Cell said no injuries were reported as the building was unoccupied at the time.

With Mumbai's water stock falling to just 9% of total reservoir capacity, experts have called for urgent measures such as recycled water use, groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting and revival of traditional water sources. They warn that long-term water security cannot depend solely on monsoon rainfall.

Residents of Borivali West have raised concerns over a 16,000 sq m playground at Shimpoli, reserved under DP 2034, allegedly facing the threat of encroachment. A citizens' group is organizing an awareness rally to protect the open space, which has garnered support from over 700 residents. Local leaders have urged civic authorities to retain the plot exclusively as a playground.

BMC has proposed a Rs 14 crore mini pumping station at the Maharashtra Nagar Subway in Mankhurd to address chronic flooding. The project includes an underground sump pit, high-capacity pumps and a 1,200-mm pipeline to discharge rainwater into Thane Creek. Officials expect the scheme to provide a long-term solution to recurring monsoon waterlogging and traffic disruption.

BMC has warned that Mumbai's available water stock will last only until August 20 unless substantial rainfall arrives in July. During a five-hour debate, corporators demanded urgent action, while the civic body outlined measures including cloud seeding, anti-theft drives, well revival, desalination projects and the proposed Gargai Dam to strengthen water security.

A 60-year-old banyan tree collapsed onto a parked vehicle on Mumbai's Breach Candy Road during heavy monsoon rain early Wednesday. The incident blocked one traffic lane for nearly four hours while BMC workers cleared the site. No injuries were reported, and officials said the tree's weakened roots likely contributed to the collapse. Traffic was restored by around 10.30 am.