Articles by Linah Baliga
BMC shifts responsibility for cemeteries and crematoriums to ward offices
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in a first, has decided to shift the responsibility of managing and maintaining cemeteries and crematoriums from the health department to individual ward offices.
Published on Mar 25, 2025 08:38 AM IST
Fire in Dharavi after cylinder blasts in truck; no injuries
The fire occurred at 9.50 pm following explosions in a truck carrying dozens of gas cylinders near the PNGP Colony, officials said
Published on Mar 25, 2025 07:30 AM IST
Redeveloped building ready, tenants unable to move in
At D N Nagar, height restrictions from AAI hinder redevelopment of 400 buildings, leaving tenants of Durvankar CHS without possession of their new flats.
Published on Mar 24, 2025 08:00 AM IST
Concrete fails the test in Chembur, raises larger concerns
On Thursday night, though, residents of Nitu Mandke Marg and Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Marg in Chembur were pleased to see two trucks that had pulled up with RMC being sent back by additional municipal commissioner (projects), Abhijit Bangar
Published on Mar 22, 2025 08:52 AM IST
Revenue sharing talks stall pay-n-park scheme on Flank Rd cycle track
BMC's pay-n-park scheme for Flank Road's cycle track faces delays over revenue sharing, with concerns about misuse and local frustrations mounting.
Published on Mar 22, 2025 08:06 AM IST
Colaba hawkers case: Residents file intervention plea in HC
Colaba residents filed a plea in Bombay HC to address hawkers' impact on public spaces, citing safety, cleanliness, and legal violations.
Published on Mar 21, 2025 07:56 AM IST
BMC to use videography, AI to prevent malpractices in nallah desilting
The BMC’s initiative is pursuant to a review meeting held at Vidhan Bhavan on March 4, where chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had called for incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the cleaning of drains to ensure that the work is more efficient and completed on time.
Updated on Mar 20, 2025 01:41 PM IST
Pay up or payments will be withheld, Metro contractors told
Additional municipal commissioner (city) Ashwini Joshi had passed speaking orders on March 27, 2024, that the contractors were liable to pay the property tax. HT was the first to report on April 2, 2024, that the BMC had slapped a property tax bill on them
Published on Mar 18, 2025 08:34 AM IST
Colaba residents request stay against proposed jetty between Gateway of India and Radio Club
Despite these concerns, residents were dismayed to witness the inauguration of the jetty on March 13 by Nitesh Rane. They argue that the move disregards the valid and repeated appeals of the Colaba community, with no transparency or consultation with local stakeholders
Published on Mar 17, 2025 07:48 AM IST
BMC mandates engineers be present at road concreting sites at night
BMC mandates night presence of engineers for Mumbai's road concretisation, ensuring quality with IIT-B's guidance and a recent workshop on best practices.
Published on Mar 15, 2025 05:34 AM IST
Govt promises to relocate AAI transmission towers, 400 Andheri bldgs to benefit
People bought their own homes with their hard-earned money, and whose buildings have completed 45 years, will be issued notices over dilapidated buildings
Published on Mar 13, 2025 06:52 AM IST
40 Gurudwaras unite to foster Hindu-Sikh unity and communal harmony
MUMBAI: The Sikh community commemorates Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom, promoting Hindu-Sikh unity and interfaith harmony through various initiatives in Mumbai.
Published on Mar 12, 2025 08:52 AM IST
BMC to probe water connections in four Govandi colonies
BMC warns Govandi residents to prove legal water connections by March 18 or face disconnection, raising concerns about outdated criteria and Ramadan timing.
Published on Mar 11, 2025 08:32 AM IST
Road work damages gas pipeline in Andheri East, starts fire
The incident occurred at 12.35 am on Sunday near Sher-e-Punjab colony in Andheri East. The vehicles that caught fire were two-wheelers belonging to Arvindkumar Kathial, 21, and Aman Saroj, 22. Kathial sustained 30-40% burns, while Saroj suffered 40-50% injuries
Published on Mar 10, 2025 08:12 AM IST
4 labourers die in water tank as rescue attempt turns fatal
The deceased were identified as Hasipal Shaikh, 19, Raja Shaikh, 20, Jiaullah Shaikh, 36, and Imandu Shaikh, 38. Purhan Shaikh, 31, survived
Published on Mar 10, 2025 07:53 AM IST
Versova to get its first fire station after years of delay
The delay in emergency response has already resulted in multiple casualties. In October last year, three people died of smoke suffocation at Riya Palace in Lokhandwala. Residents believe that timely arrival of fire brigades could have saved lives
Published on Mar 08, 2025 08:18 AM IST
Mahim dargah’s interfaith iftar: Humanity has no boundaries
This iconic dargah, located in the heart of Mahim, is associated with the 14th-15th century Sufi saint Makhdoom Ali Mahimi. It is known for its syncretic tradition, where even police personnel visit to pray for the resolution of difficult cases
Published on Mar 07, 2025 08:10 AM IST
No more digging, concretisation drive to end on May 31: BMC
BMC promises no new road excavations; all current works to finish by May 31 amid citizen frustration over delays and health hazards from dust.
Published on Mar 06, 2025 08:44 AM IST
BMC looks to earn ₹2,000 crore from 610 vacant land plots
The BMC budget document had stated that the civic body aimed to earn a revenue of about ₹2,000 crore in the form of a One-Time Premium in the coming four years
Published on Mar 05, 2025 08:02 AM IST
Andheri leads in drug-trafficking cases
As many as 369 people have been arrested in Andheri in drug-trafficking cases in the last two years, with the authorities seizing 154.981 kg of narcotic substances, according to figures disclosed by the Maharashtra government in the state assembly
Published on Mar 05, 2025 07:18 AM IST
Wadala road cleared for commuters after 10 years, 600 vehicles removed
BMC and Antop Hill traffic police cleared over 600 vehicles and encroachments near Dosti Acres, improving traffic flow for Wadala residents.
Published on Mar 04, 2025 08:58 AM IST
City’s cultural hub: Revamped Ravindra Natya Mandir, PL Deshpande Academy reopen
The legendary playwright and humorist, popularly known as Pu La, is often hailed as the PG Wodehouse of Marathi literature. His words, “Jagnya saathi sagle jagtat. Pan aaple Chandh appalyala shikavtat, aapan ka jagava.” (Everyone lives for the sake of living, but it is our passions and interests that truly teach us why we should live.” continue to inspire generations
Published on Mar 03, 2025 07:36 AM IST
BMC starts ‘junction to junction’ road concreting to ease traffic
The BMC will now avoid random road digging for concreting and will instead use a ‘junction to junction’ approach to ease traffic congestion. The decision comes after the BMC acknowledged complaints from over 100 active Advanced Locality Management (ALMs) in H West Ward.
Published on Mar 01, 2025 08:50 AM IST
800 commercial units in slums get notices to clear property tax dues
BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani had, in his budget speech on February 4, said that the civic body expects to earn ₹350 crore in 2025-26 towards property tax from commercial establishments in slums across the c
Published on Feb 28, 2025 07:34 AM IST
BMC asks Navy to show go-ahead for trees felled at INS Trata
The civic body points out that the Tree Authority, not MoD, is the sanctioning authority for trees cut in Mumbai
Published on Feb 25, 2025 07:46 AM IST
Mumbai’s Ganesha artisans struggle to transition from POP idols
The sculptors of the normally huge sarvajanik or community idols are encountering significant challenges, with many unsure if they can meet the new requirements
Published on Feb 24, 2025 07:44 AM IST
‘If Delhi can use charcoal as fuel, why not us?’ Charcoal traders move HC against ban
In their plea to the Bombay High Court, charcoal traders have pointed to a notification issued by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee dated April 3, 2023, listing charcoal as an approved fuel for tandoors and grills in hotels, restaurants and dhabas in the capital
Published on Feb 21, 2025 06:44 AM IST
Bakers in Mumbai oppose BMC’s fuel change mandate
Irani has claimed that the wood-burning process in ovens lasts for only 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the bakery’s shifts, resulting in minimal smoke pollution. After this, the coal retains heat through low combustion. The ovens, moreover, are equipped with chimneys that meet the BMC’s height regulations
Published on Feb 20, 2025 07:56 AM IST
Irani cafes may lose their unique wood-fired flavour
The distinct taste and aroma of the baked goods that these cafes are known for are the direct result of the wood and charcoal-based ovens
Updated on Feb 20, 2025 06:21 AM IST
Worli slum faces eviction to make way for coastal road project
The slum-dwellers, taken aback by the sudden notice issued to them, say they have been living there for more than 70 years and are eligible for rehabilitation, not eviction
Published on Feb 19, 2025 07:02 AM IST