Shefali Parab-Pandit

After the BMC blacklisted a contractor over the alleged engagement of minors in drain desilting work, Shiv Sena leader Amey Ghole demanded an FIR, criminal action and major reforms in the civic contracting system. He also sought mandatory age verification, safety gear, surprise inspections and an audit of desilting works across Mumbai.

Barely four months after spending Rs 2.4 crore on renovating Mumbai Mayor's official residence in Byculla, the BMC has floated a fresh Rs 2.9-crore tender, taking the total renovation cost beyond Rs 5.3 crore. The project includes noise barriers, a container conference hall, drainage upgrades, staff quarters and utility works, while officials say heritage norms will be maintained.

A Rs 2.9-crore BMC tender linked to works around the Mumbai Mayor's official residence sparked a political controversy, with the Opposition alleging misuse of public funds. Mayor Ritu Tawde clarified the proposal covered the surrounding zoo premises and not the heritage bungalow, and directed the Garden Department to cancel the tender.

Expected to be rolled out by October, the system will cover sub-engineers, junior engineers and assistant engineers, with postings generated automatically based on vacancies and transfer norms. Officials said the move is intended to end allegations of engineers securing preferred postings through influence.

The BMC has given housing societies, commercial establishments and shop owners one month to remove illegal ramps and other encroachments from Mumbai's footpaths or face demolition and recovery of removal costs. The action is part of the 'Pedestrian First' campaign to improve pedestrian safety and reclaim public walkways.

Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have opposed the BMC's proposal to change the reservation of the Neville D'Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation into an Exhibition Centre. The parties urged the civic body to retain the ground for sports, while the BMC said the proposal followed MHADA's request based on the site's original reservation.

Mumbai's long-delayed Vidyavihar flyover has entered its final construction phase, with only two spans pending. The remaining work is expected to finish by August 31, after which the BMC will conduct load testing and safety checks. The Rs 178.93 crore project is likely to open after September 8, significantly reducing travel time between Vidyavihar East and West.

Mumbai's combined water stock in its seven lakes has fallen to 88 percent of capacity after several rainless days, dropping below the levels recorded during the same period in 2024 and 2025. Weather experts have linked the prolonged monsoon lull to possible El Niño conditions, while the BMC is continuing the 10 percent water cut as a precaution despite political criticism.

The BMC Standing Committee has decided to hold a special meeting to frame a redevelopment policy for Mumbai's stalled municipal markets after concerns were raised over ageing infrastructure and delayed projects. The committee also approved ₹2.46 crore repair works for the 46-year-old Savarkar Market in Dadar, which has been classified as a C-2B category structure requiring major repairs.

Mumbai's new integrated waste collection system has caused sanitation problems in parts of G-South and G-North wards, with delayed garbage lifting leading to overflowing waste and foul odour. Opposition leaders blamed poor planning and contractor failures, while BMC officials said the disruption is temporary and services should stabilise within three to four days.