The state government has reduced its Transport Department headquarters plan from sixteen stories (Image used for representational purpose only)

MUMBAI: The state govt has cut down its grand plans of a 16 storey high-rise to house the Transport Department’s head quarters due to height restrictions imposed by the Navy.Instead, the state govt has approved Rs 67 crore for the construction of the new Transport Commissioner’s Office (Parivahan Bhavan) which will be a four storey building with a 2-floor basement on Worli’s Sir Pochkhanwala Road. The Transport Commissioner’s office is currently housed in a rented space in the MTNL Building in Fort.In 2025, CM Devendra Fadnavis had performed the ground-breaking ceremony for ‘Parivahan Bhavan’ which will be the first dedicated headquarters for the transport department, which has been operating from rented premises for 85 years.The state govt had picked a plot in Worli for the Transport Commissioner’s office and administrative approval was given for the construction of a 16 storey building at a cost of Rs 179 crore in 2022. However, as per the 2011 guidelines of the Ministry of Defence, the Western Naval Command objected to the height of the building on security grounds and refused approval for construction, officials said. The new building will be constructed by the state Public Works Department (PWD).“As per the guidelines, a four-storey construction can be constructed on the proposed site. Accordingly, the Transport Commissioner submitted revised plans and estimates in 2025. A meeting of the High Level Committee of Secretaries was held in June this year led by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal for giving approval to construction of govt buildings.Considering the monsoon season and the distance of the plot from the sea, the revised cost of construction was estimated to be around Rs. 67.83 crore. So the previous administrative and financial approval was canceled and fresh administrative/financial approval was given,” an Govt Resolution (GR) stated.In 2022, the Rs 179-crore project had got its approval from the state govt, which even issued a GR for the construction work to commence. Officials said Rs 50 crore was already earmarked for the project for 2022-23 and work was expected to start but height restrictions from the Navy had stalled the project.“Performed Bhoomi Pujan of the Transport Commissioner Office, ‘Parivahan Bhavan,’ in Worli, Mumbai, marking a new milestone in enhancing Transport Dept infrastructure. The department contributes significantly to the state’s progress through modern technology, effective implementation of the Motor Vehicles Act, and public welfare initiatives,” CM Fadnavis had said in a post on X after performing the ground breaking ceremony.

Mumbai: It has been six months since the death of Ajit Pawar, and after a period of sympathetic silence towards his widow and political heir, deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar, the gloves gradually seem to be coming off in the political arena. The latest barb aimed at her came from outside the NCP, with the Congress referring to Sunetra as a “gungi gudiya” (mute doll), which in turn led to the NCP barging into the Congress office here on Tuesday to demand an apology.There were demonstrations by the NCP in Thane and Pune as well. By evening, Sunetra, too, had given a bite: “When the time comes, I will give a fitting response.”The Congress remark had come after an NCP MLA was seen calling an end to questions at a press conference held by Sunetra.Sunetra has so far managed to persevere over internal party leadership rumblings, and may again have the upper hand in the latest, intra-party exchange of heat as the Congress was forced on the back foot by public and political opinion, including from within the party.The irony of the situation is that the term the Congress used against Sunetra was once used by critics against one of its own, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, when she began her political innings in 1966.The state Congress had posted a clip from Sunetra Pawar’s press conference on Monday, showing MLA Dhananjay Munde shutting down questions from reporters about the law and order situation in Beed. Its comment on X read: “How long will Sunetra Pawar remain a gungi gudiya (silent doll)?”NCP politician Chhagan Bhujbal said such a comment was not expected from the Congress and said the party condemned it. “When Indira Gandhi started out in politics, people in the party would mock her as gungi gudiya. But in a short time, she broke Pakistan into two,” he said.The term gungi gudiya was first used against Indira Gandhi, the daughter of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, by socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia in 1966 when she became prime minister following the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri.Dhananjay Munde clarified that he had not tried to run the show at the press conference. “I asked her not to speak because it was not a press conference of questions and answers. Only a memorandum was being given,” he said.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis called the Congress comment “shameful”. “The Congress has descended to a very low level. They are getting no response from people and want to be in the news,” he said.Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde sought an apology. “Sunetra Pawar is Maharashtra’s first woman deputy chief minister. In 2024, they had insulted ladki bahins and they taught them a lesson. This is an insult to all the women in the state and the Congress should immediately apologise,” he saidState Congress chief Harshavardhan Sakpal defended the comment. “There is no need for an apology because it was not an insult but a political comment. Even Indira Gandhi was once called a gungi gudiya. However, through her achievements, she created an identity as Durga. Sunetratai should also demonstrate becoming a Durga through her achievements,” he said.Congress politician Prithviraj Chavan was critical of the comment. “Sunetra Pawar is actively engaged in politics and holds the responsibility of a constitutional position in the state. It is not right to speak about her in a way that lowers the level of discourse. Of course, we expect a response from her through actions as well,” he said.NCP (SP) politician Rohit Pawar said Ajit Pawar had set high expectations, “Ajitdada was an aggressive and outspoken leader and now that is the public’s expectation. But no one can be like him,” he said.

Second round of renovations for mayor’s bungalow

Mumbai: The premises housing the mayor’s official residence—a nearly 6,000sqft heritage bungalow within the Byculla garden and zoo—is set to undergo a revamp for the second time in four months at Rs 2.9 crore. The last renovation in April cost BMC Rs 2.4 crore.The civic body has floated a tender for this new upgrade, which will include installation of bio-absorbent noise barrier panels (see graphic for other works planned). The work is to be carried out over three months, including the monsoon. Officials said firms interested in taking it up are expected to inspect the site before submitting their bids.The bungalow, featuring teak wood construction and a tiled roof, was built in 1931 and is among Mumbai’s listed heritage buildings protected under Development Control Regulations. Mayor Ritu Tawde from BJP, who is also a corporator from Ghatkopar, resides with her family there.Civic officials said the work will be carried out in accordance with heritage conservation guidelines to ensure that the bungalow’s structural integrity and original architectural features are not compromised.A key component of the project is the fabrication and installation of container-based structures to house a conference hall, complete with interior and exterior finishing works and furniture. “The container-based structure will be temporary in nature on the lawns of the bungalow and is proposed to be used by the mayor for interacting with party workers as well as visitors who come to meet her regularly,” said a civic official. “There are also drainage works proposed along the premises.”Former mayor Kishori Pednekar from Shiv Sena (UBT) expressed surprise over the proposal to install sound barriers, saying during her stay, she never experienced any issue with sound pollution. “The sound barriers will also obstruct the view of the bungalow.” She also questioned the plan for the portable container outside the heritage residence. “The mayor’s bungalow is meant to be a public space where citizens can meet and interact with the city’s first citizen. Putting up a container outside could restrict public access to the residence,” she said.The mayor’s official residence was earlier at Dadar’s Shivaji Park, but that was converted into a memorial for the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

Resident doctors said that emergency and casualty services will continue during the initial 24 hours in the interest of patient safety. (Representational Image)

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) on Tuesday announced an indefinite statewide strike starting midnight of August 5 over the government’s proposal to grant Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) registration to homoeopathy practitioners, news agency PTI reported.In a statement, MARD said that while emergency and casualty services will continue during the initial 24 hours in the interest of patient safety, all OPD services, routine duties and academic activities at government medical college hospitals in all districts will remain suspended.The Indian Medical Association (IMA), BMC MARD, Maharashtra State Resident Doctors Association (MSRDA), Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI), Maharashtra Association of Gazetted Medical Officers’ Group-A (MAGMO), and Maharashtra State Medical Teachers Association (MSMTA) extended their full support to the statewide indefinite agitation called by Central MARD, PTI reported.The organisation said that despite multiple rounds of discussions with the government and concerned authorities, it had not received a satisfactory assurance regarding the implementation of the BHMS-CCMP (certificate course in Modern Pharmacology) policy.“In the absence of a clear legal and regulatory framework, and with the matter currently pending before the courts, Central MARD has decided to commence a statewide indefinite strike from midnight of August 5,” the statement read.The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) issued a notification on June 30 permitting homoeopaths to prescribe modern medicines after completing a six-month certificate course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).MARD has demanded immediate suspension of the BHMS-CCMP registration process until the final verdict of the court.It also demanded that there should be no implementation or registration under the BHMS-CCMP framework without a comprehensive, legally sound, transparent and scientifically validated regulatory mechanism.The organisation had also asked the state government to address the long-pending issues of resident doctors across Maharashtra.During the first 24 hours of the strike, resident doctors will continue to provide emergency and casualty services for patient safety, while OPD services, elective procedures, routine duties and academic activities will remain suspended.“In the absence of a positive resolution, from August 6 onwards, all resident doctor services, including emergency services, will be withdrawn until further directions from Central MARD,” the statement said.“The Central MARD reiterates that this agitation is not against any system of medicine or its practitioners. The movement is solely aimed at ensuring that any policy affecting patient care is implemented only after due legal scrutiny, scientific evaluation, and establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework,” it stated.In a related development, the Mumbai Press Club organised a debate between practitioners of homeopathy and allopathy each.Jayesh Lele, who represented allopathy, asked what happens in cases if there are any side effects on patients by the medicine prescribed by homoeopathic doctors.The dual registration of allopathy and homeopathy doctors by the Medical Council does not exist in every state, he said.Bahubali Shah, who represented the homeopathy side, said the move was needed as there are few doctors in rural areas, PTI reported.Jayesh Lele, who represented allopathy, asked what happens in cases if there are any side effects on patients by the medicine prescribed by homoeopathic doctors.Bahubali Shah, who represented the homeopathy side, said the move was needed as there are few doctors in rural areas.(With agency inputs)

Mumbai: Around 98% of surveyed residents in the H-West ward do not hold formal skill certifications despite possessing skills and capabilities. With only about 2% of residents holding certifications, below the national average of 4.1%, the findings highlight the need to recognise and certify existing competencies rather than address a lack of capability.Additionally, at least 71% of the ward’s nearly 7,000 women homemakers have expressed willingness to enter paid employment, indicating a significant untapped workforce that could benefit from skill certification and employment support. Nine per cent of youth profiled and evaluated in the ward have shown interest in being self-employed with a focus on opportunities arising out of the gig economy.The findings of the first-of-its-kind AI-enabled hyperlocal Saksham Skill Census were unveiled by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday. Developed by the office of district collector Saurabh Katiyar and the District Skill Development Centre, the pilot surveyed 59,824 households across Bandra West, Santacruz West and Khar West, and profiled 45,000 candidates, to identify unrecognised talent and connect it directly with market demand.Women in the ward also showed a desire for skill development, with 52.9% expressing interest in training, compared with 54.1% of men. Moreover, 67.4% of women said they were keen to upskill.Along with the household survey, Saksham conducted a comprehensive employer survey involving 1,018 employers across banking and financial services, IT, healthcare, retail, hospitality, automotive and logistics. Based on the survey, 1,690 candidates have already been shortlisted for direct interviews and offer coordination, while 2,179 candidates have expressed active interest in employment opportunities.Residents were profiled and mapped to tailor-made livelihood pathways, enabling skilling interventions and employment opportunities aligned with their aspirations and capabilities.The process of connecting more than 5,800 unemployed youth with employment opportunities is also in the pipeline. The next phase of the initiative will focus on organising weekly ward-level job fairs.