Resident groups and activists have urged CM Devendra Fadnavis to cancel land allotments.

MUMBAI: Resident groups and activists have written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking his intervention to cancel the allotment of three reserved open spaces in Juhu and Andheri (West) to the Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal (SVKM).TOI had last week reported that BMC and MHADA had allotted three plots to the trust.The Gulmohar Area Societies Welfare Group (GASWG) and RTI activist Anil Galgali have urged the CM to ensure the plots remain reserved open spaces, accessible to the public in accordance with the Development Plan (DP).The BMC has proposed allotting the 12-acre Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex in Andheri (West) to SVKM at an annual rent of about Rs 21 lakh along with a 50% share in revenue.

3 plots, 16 acres

Separately, MHADA has allotted two open spaces measuring nearly four acres in Juhu and DN Nagar to the trust.One of these, Lokmanya Tilak Udyan in Juhu, is currently maintained by the BMC and used by local residents. The allotments have also been opposed by Mumbai BJP chief and MLA Ameet Satam.In a letter to the CM, GASWG said the plots are reserved gardens, playgrounds and recreation grounds that are held in public trust and cannot be handed over for the exclusive use of a private trust.“If the BMC finds these plots inadequately maintained, the remedy is to allocate municipalfunds and personnel, not barter away public land,” the letter stated.It was signed by Ashok Pandit, Bharat Shetty and architect PK Das.Galgali demanded immediate suspension of both proposals, disclosure of all documents and feasibility studies related to the allotments, and continuation of BMC management to ensure unrestricted public access.SVKM president and BJP MLC Amrish Patel denied any irregularities, saying due process had been followed.“We will utilise these plots for creating sports facilities for 52,000 students. There will be no construction,” he said. MHADA Vice-President Sanjeev Jaiswal, Chief Officer Milind Borkar and BMC Additional Commissioner Avinash Dhakane did not respond to TOI’s queries.

Model Rhiya Yadav, who went viral during the NEET protest in Mumbai, has approached the Maharashtra Police cyber cell

MUMBAI: Model Rhiya Yadav, who went viral after stopping a police van carrying protesters during the NEET paper leak protest in Mumbai, has approached the Maharashtra Police cyber cell alleging online harassment following the incident, she said on Monday.Rhiya said she had filed an online FIR a few days ago and later visited the cyber cell after receiving a call from the police.While several people praised Rhiya and supported her online following the incident, she said she was also subjected to harassment.Speaking to ANI, Rhiya said she had filed an online FIR a few days ago.She later received a call from the cyber cell, following which she visited the Maharashtra Police cyber cell on Monday.“Many will appreciate you and support you, but there are also some who choose to speak against you. Everyone has the right to express their opinion, but no one has the right to degrade someone, malign their reputation, attack their dignity publicly, or make statements suggesting that a person does not have the right to live. I would also like to clarify that the movement we started was not for any political party, religion, or individual. It was for all of us,” she said.Rhiya said she wanted to take a stand against the online harassment and encourage others facing similar situations.“As a woman, I want to tell others who may be facing similar situations that they are not alone. I am taking this stand to show that I will continue to speak up and stand for what is right,” Rhiya added.The 37-day-long agitation culminated in Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigning on Saturday afternoon.The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which withdrew its protest from Jantar Mantar after receiving assurance from the government over its demands, had initially started as a satirical social media account following CJI Surya Kant’s remarks.The protest site, which is usually barren, witnessed a large gathering of youth and students who joined the CJP-led agitation with creative banners and Gen Z slang.After more than a week of protest, the movement gained fresh momentum when Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the agitation and became the face of the protest with his 26-day-long hunger strike.Six student union leaders also went on hunger strike alongside Wangchuk.Three were reportedly hospitalised, while the other three ended their fast on July 20.Jantar Mantar drew large crowds after Delhi Police took Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital from the protest site.He was later shifted to a private hospital in Gurugram on the Delhi High Court’s order.The agitation peaked on July 20 with the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, which was met with police action against protesters.The action drew criticism from the Opposition, while Delhi Police maintained that the protest had turned violent.Pressure increased following nationwide protests after July 20, with several Opposition leaders also joining the movement.Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, CPI MP P Sandosh, former Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad were among the leaders who joined the CJP at Jantar Mantar.(With ANI inputs)

MUMBAI: Mumbai’s corporate geography is undergoing another transformation. After decades that saw Nariman Point dominate the skyline before Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) emerged as the country’s premier business district, a growing number of promoter-led companies, family offices and founder-driven enterprises are now gravitating towards Worli, signalling that connectivity and convenience are becoming as valuable as a prestigious business address.The shift comes at a time when Mumbai’s office market is enjoying unprecedented momentum. The city recorded its highest-ever annual office leasing of 11.6 million sq ft in 2025, up 13% from the previous year, driven by domestic corporates, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), banking and financial services firms, and flexible workspace operators. But while multinational companies continue to lease large office campuses across BKC, Powai and other established commercial hubs, promoter-led businesses are increasingly following a different approach.Real estate consultants say founders are looking beyond rents and Grade A office buildings. Headquarters are now being chosen based on how quickly promoters can move between home, office, investors, bankers, clients and government offices—an important consideration for businesses where decision-making remains closely held.That changing mindset is steadily turning Worli into one of Mumbai’s most sought-after headquarters destinations.Located at the heart of the city’s commercial spine, Worli offers quick access to South Mumbai, Lower Parel, Prabhadevi, Mahalaxmi, BKC and the western suburbs. It is also within easy reach of several premium residential neighbourhoods where many entrepreneurs, business families and high-net-worth individuals live, allowing founders to significantly reduce commuting time while remaining close to clients and financial institutions.Industry experts say this “commute dividend” is emerging as an important competitive advantage for promoter-driven businesses, where promoters remain deeply involved in daily operations, financial decisions and client relationships.Infrastructure has further accelerated the area’s rise. The Mumbai Coastal Road has significantly reduced travel time to South Mumbai, while the Bandra-Worli Sea Link continues to provide faster connectivity to the western suburbs. Metro Line 3 has improved public transport access, and the area offers relatively convenient connectivity to both Mumbai airports, making it attractive for companies with frequent domestic and international travel requirements.The trend is also finding support from institutional investors. Global investment bank Goldman Sachs has expanded its office presence in Worli, while Mindspace REIT recently acquired three commercial assets from K Raheja Corp, including Ascent Worli, underscoring growing confidence in Central Mumbai’s commercial real estate market.Industry observers say the rise of family offices, professionally managed investment platforms and diversified promoter groups is also reshaping demand. As entrepreneurial families expand into private equity, venture capital, technology ventures and multiple business verticals, they are increasingly seeking headquarters that combine accessibility with corporate stature.Kamlesh Thakur, president of NAREDCO Maharashtra, said Mumbai’s commercial landscape is being redefined by the evolving priorities of Indian businesses.“Promoters today evaluate office locations not only from an operational standpoint but also through the lens of accessibility, talent availability, business continuity and long-term value creation. Central micro-markets such as Worli offer the right balance between connectivity, premium commercial infrastructure and proximity to established residential neighbourhoods. As infrastructure projects continue improving intra-city mobility, occupiers are likely to increasingly favour locations that enable faster decision-making and a better quality of work-life,” he said.Khetsi Barot, managing director of The Guardians Real Estate Advisory, said headquarters have become a strategic business asset rather than merely an office address.“For promoter-led businesses, the headquarters reflects the company’s identity and leadership vision. Founders increasingly want locations that keep them close to clients, financial institutions and residential catchments while offering a premium corporate environment. Worli’s strategic location, robust connectivity and high-quality Grade A developments make it particularly attractive for businesses seeking operational efficiency and long-term brand value,” he said.Property consultants believe the trend could gather further momentum as fresh commercial developments, large-scale redevelopment and infrastructure upgrades continue to reshape Central Mumbai. The growing preference for Worli also reflects a broader shift in corporate priorities—from choosing office addresses primarily for prestige to selecting locations that maximise productivity, reduce travel fatigue and enable quicker business decisions.For Mumbai, the evolution marks the next chapter in the city’s commercial journey. If Nariman Point symbolised India’s first corporate era and BKC became the face of global finance, Worli is increasingly carving out a distinct identity as the preferred headquarters hub for India’s new generation of promoter-led enterprises, where accessibility, agility and business efficiency are becoming the new markers of corporate success.

Coastal road command centre

MUMBAI: At 12.08pm on July 15, an alert flashed across the 30×6-ft video wall inside the Coastal Road’s Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at Breach Candy.A car had caught fire inside the southbound tunnel. Within seconds, CCTV cameras zoomed in on the vehicle, the tunnel’s Linear Heat Detection System confirmed a rise in temperature, and an emergency call from a tunnel call box reached the control room.For the team manning the nerve centre of the Coastal Road, it was the biggest emergency since ICCC became operational in Oct 2025. The fire was brought under control without any casualties. But the incident exposed an equally important challenge, managing panic among motorists trapped in a confined underground space.TOI visited ICCC, located at the edge of the Coastal Road interchange at Breach Candy. The facility integrates traffic management, tunnel ventilation, firefighting, surveillance, and mechanical and electrical systems on a single platform.While Coastal Road has separate technical buildings housing equipment, ICCC serves as the central command point for monitoring and controlling the entire corridor, including the twin tunnels.“The centre is staffed round the clock by more than 100 personnel working in shifts. Representatives from police, traffic police, fire services and other emergency agencies are also stationed here to ensure coordinated decision-making,” said a BMC official.Unlike a conventional CCTV control room, ICCC continuously monitors thousands of data points generated by the tunnel’s critical infrastructure. Officials said the system has two key components: the Traffic Management Control System (TMCS), which oversees CCTV cameras, variable message signs and incident detection, and the Plant Management Control System (PMCS), which monitors electrical, mechanical, ventilation and firefighting systems.A key safety feature is the Linear Heat Detection System — a temperature-sensitive optical cable running through the tunnel that keeps monitoring heat levels and automatically triggers an alarm if temperatures cross about 60 degrees Celsius.“The moment the system detects abnormal temperatures, an alert appears on the control room screens. Operators verify it through CCTV feeds and activate the emergency response protocol,” said an official from L&T, the EPC contractor for the tunnel package that designed and built much of the tunnel infra and MEP systems.The tunnel is equipped with an Automatic Incident Detection System that analyses live camera feeds to detect stopped vehicles, wrong-way driving, pedestrians and unattended objects. “Once the fire alert was confirmed, the control room activated multiple systems. Public announcements were made in Marathi, Hindi and English, asking motorists to be calm, leave vehicles if necessary and go to the nearest cross-passage. The tunnel’s Saccardo ventilation system — comprising three reversible axial fans — switched into emergency mode to extract smoke from the affected section,” said an official from Tap Turbo Engineers, operations and maintenance contractor for Coastal Road’s mechanical and engineering systems.Officials said that under normal conditions, two of the three fans operate at around 70% capacity to maintain air quality. During a fire, the system automatically determines the direction in which smoke should be extracted and, if required, reverses the fans to push smoke away from evacuation routes. “Our priority is not only to extinguish the fire but to remove smoke quickly because smoke poses the biggest risk to human life inside tunnels,” an engineer at ICCC said.Officials said the biggest challenge during the incident was not equipment failure but human behaviour. Several motorists ignored repeated announcements to keep the emergency lane clear. Some abandoned their vehicles while others tried to reverse, blocking the route meant for fire engines and rescue vehicles. “Our systems worked exactly as designed. The delay occurred because rescue vehicles could not move freely due to panic among motorists,” said M Swami, chief engineer, Coastal Road.The incident prompted authorities to step up public awareness on tunnel safety. Additional signage on evacuation procedures has been installed, and officials said motorists must understand that saving lives takes precedence over saving vehicles. Drivers should switch off the engine, leave the key inside if instructed, evacuate through the nearest emergency exit and avoid reversing or making U-turns in the tunnel. “The systems can manage the fire. What they cannot manage is panic,” an official said.