7 min readMumbaiJun 29, 2023 01:45 PM IST
First published on: Jun 25, 2023 at 09:20 PM IST
After witnessing a week of above normal temperatures, the city breathed a sigh of relief as rains commenced in Mumbai on Saturday. However, just a day later, the heavy downpour took its toll on the city’s infrastructure. The first to be hit was the Andheri subway, where the BMC had claimed to have installed dewatering pumps to avoid flooding. Traffic snarls, damage to vehicles on which trees had falled were among other incidents reported.
What was a reason for shock though was that two partial building collapses were reported in a day – the one in Vile Parle claimed two live, while the one on Ghatkopar saw authorities trying to retrieve two people feared trapped inside the debris.
This also begs the question: As solid waste chokes Mumbai drains, will desilting be enough to protect the city from flooding this year?
Following are the other important updates from Mumbai in the past week (June 19-25):
On the political front
🔴 Sena factions spar for legacy on party’s foundation day
The Nesco Center in Goregaon and Sion’s Shanmukhananda Hall became battle grounds on June 19 as CM Eknath Shinde and former CM Uddhav Thackeray gave fiery speeches from the venues on the Shiv Sena’s 57th foundation day, marking the continuation of the factions’ tussle to claim the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray.
Shinde referred to Uddhav’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister and said the Sena (UBT) chief would be “turned into garbage”. Read Vallabh Ozarkar’s report on how keeping his flock together remains a task for the CM
Meanwhile, Uddhav said Shinde is PM Narendra Modi’s “new slave”, who defends him even as the PM sits silent on matter like the violence in Manipur. Vallabh Ozarkar explains the need for Uddhav to rebuild his party
🔴 The rebellion rings loud
Both Sena factions marked a year since Shinde and 40 MLAs broke away from the Shiv Sena and formed their own faction. The NCP alleged that its workers were detained by the Mumbai police to stop them from agitating against the state government by observing “Gaddar Din (Traitor day)” even as Shiv Sena (UBT) said that 15 of their workers were detained. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said Uddhav is the real traitor for snapping ties with the BJP and allying with congress and NCP to form a government.
Shubhangi Khapre writes about the ‘gaddar’ calls dominating Maharashtra politics
🔴 Who will be the new Leader of Opposition?
In a series of developments since Supriya Sule emerged as the party’s choice after her father and party chief Sharad Pawar resigned from the position, and later named her the working president, NCP leader Ajit Pawar said he wanted to give up the post of Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. Sources in the party hinted that the NCP would promote an OBC leader to the post in case of changes.
Chrisann Pereira’s mental health deteriorating, says family
👉 Family members of actor Chrisann Pereira, who was framed in a drug case, jailed and eventually acquitted by a Sharjah court, are upset that she still has not received permission to fly back to India as a committee will take a decision on her return, a process that can take one or two months. “My sister is losing her mental health day by day… anyone would” her brother Kevin said.
👉 Another victim of the man who framed Pereira has been convicted in a narcotics case. Bandra-based Clayton Rodrigues was sentenced to 25 years in jail, prompting the Mumbai Police to announce that it will prepare a chargesheet mentioning that he was framed by baker Anthony Paul.
Other important news this week:
- Covid jumbo centres scam: BMC officials purchased medicines, body bags at exorbitant rates; what is the scam about?
- Amul’s ‘Utterly Butterly’ campaign creator Sylvester daCunha dead
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes closes inquiry into IIT-B student suicide
- Merchant Navy officer goes missing, family seeks govt help
- Mumbai cops to provide security to Adipurush dialogue-writer Manoj Shukla after he cites threat to life
- Mumbai’s first one-stop crisis centre to open at women’s hospital for violence survivors
- ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ producer Asit Modi, 2 others booked on molestation charges
- Mumbai Police files chargesheet in Malwani violence case, three minors among 26 named accused
- Mumbai local trains to be replaced by Vande metro, tenders invited to procure 2,856 coaches
- BMC razes 70-year-old Patel bridge, to construct new one
Photo of the week
People enjoy the monsoons at Marine Drive. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)
News to watch out for next week:
- Uddhav Sena to undertake protest march on July 1 over ‘fund irregularities and corruption’ in BMC
- ED has summoned IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal and Yuva Sena secretary Suraj Chavan, who is close to Aaditya Thackerey, on Monday to make inquiry in connection with the covid field centres scam.
- The Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat Express is set to make its maiden journey from Tuesday.
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will respond to the Bombay High Court as to what temporary safety measures are being taken for the ongoing monsoon, to prevent injuries and deaths due to open manholes. The BMC had told High Court that it would install protective grills on all manholes within a year.
- Amid ongoing season of admissions, Mumbai colleges will declare second merit list for degree admissions this week. First merit lists of most popular colleges from the city closed on high cut-offs.
- Details of second round of First Year Junior College will also be announced this week. Deadline to confirm admissions on seats allotted in round 1 is extended till Monday evening.
New from Mumbai: June 12-18
News from Mumbai: June 5 – 11
News from Mumbai: May 29-June 4
Within a day of monsoon's arrival, incidents of building collapses, flooding and fallen trees were reported. (Express and agency photos) 
People enjoy the monsoons at Marine Drive. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)
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