Category: Cities

Bhiwandi Mayoral Election Sees Congress Maneuvering

Mumbai – The Congress party is strategically positioning itself for the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) mayoral election slated for February 20th. Here’s a breakdown:

• Alliance Shift: Samajwadi Party (SP) has exited the Congress-led Bhiwandi Secular Front (BSF) and allied with Shiv Sena.
• BJP Defectors: Nine BJP corporators have pledged support to Congress, bolstering their position.
• Candidate: Congress will nominate BJP rebel Narayan Chaudhary for mayor and Tariq Momin as deputy.
• Majority: With defectors, Congress aims to secure a majority without SP’s backing, after winning 30 of 90 seats in the BNMC elections.
• Opposition: Local Congress leaders are opposing the move.

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Delhi Schools Targeted in Bomb Threat Hoax

New Delhi: Three Delhi schools were targeted with bomb threats via email Thursday morning, triggering swift evacuations. Authorities have since declared the threats a hoax.

• Schools affected: CRPF Public School (Rohini), St. Thomas School (Dwarka), DAV Centenary Public School (Paschim Enclave).
• Response: Fire tenders, rescue teams, and bomb disposal squads were deployed.
• Outcome: No suspicious objects were found during initial searches.
• Investigation: Cyber teams are tracing the email origins.

This incident follows a pattern of similar threats in Delhi-NCR schools, with over 500 cases reported last year. Police are continuing investigations.

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NCP Demands Security for MLA Rohit Pawar Amid Crash Concerns

Mumbai – The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has urged the Maharashtra government to provide security for MLA Rohit Pawar, citing concerns raised in the wake of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s death in a recent plane crash.

Key facts:

• Demand: Supriya Sule, NCP working president, formally requested state protection for Rohit Pawar.
• Context: Pawar has been questioning the circumstances surrounding the January 28th plane crash in Baramati that killed Ajit Pawar and four others.
• Justification: Sule stated Pawar is articulating public doubts and concerns regarding the incident, emphasizing the need for transparency.
• MLA Claims: Rohit Pawar suspects potential sabotage and has called for investigation.

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Navi Mumbai Gears Up for Massive ‘Hind-Di-Chadar’ Event

Navi Mumbai is preparing to host an estimated 1.5 million attendees for the two-day ‘Hind-Di-Chadar’ event commencing February 28th, commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Officials have released details of extensive arrangements:

• Venue: Owe Maidan in Kharghar, capacity for 500,000 with seating for 80,000 in the main pavilion.
• Traffic: Special traffic management plan with 30 designated parking sites.
• Security: CCTV surveillance, central control room, and volunteer deployment.
• Health: 2,159 pre-event health camps, five temporary medical centers, and 350 reserved hospital beds.
• Services: Langar services planned for 250,000 people.

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Zepto Deploys Rapid Delivery at India AI Summit Amidst Crowds

Delhi: The India AI Impact Summit 2026, ongoing at Bharat Mandapam, is experiencing significant visitor turnout, prompting both praise and complaints. Amidst the event’s popularity, quick-commerce company Zepto has established a presence, offering rapid delivery services and a Zepto Cafe directly within the venue.

• Attendees report receiving orders in as little as five minutes.
• Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha confirmed over 1,000 orders were fulfilled on a single day.
• The summit, while showcasing AI advancements, has faced criticism for long queues and cash-only payment options at some food stalls.

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Delhi HC Grants Time for Actor’s Brother Video Link

The Delhi High Court has granted the central government four weeks to arrange a video conference between the court and Vikrant Jaitly, brother of actress Celina Jaitly, detained in the UAE for over 18 months.

• The court order follows a request from the Centre, seeking time to explore diplomatic channels.
• The Ministry of External Affairs is examining the possibility of invoking the India-UAE Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)
• The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has requested consular access, pending approval.
• Next hearing scheduled for March 17.

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Mumbai Faces “Urgent” Climate Governance Challenge, Says Chief Minister

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared climate change an “urgent governance challenge” during the Mumbai Climate Week (MCW) inauguration. He emphasized Mumbai’s vulnerability to extreme weather.

• Key Initiative: MCW, a three-day citizen-led conference, aims to foster concrete climate action.
• State Target: Maharashtra aims for over 50% green energy by 2030, focusing on clean hydrogen and e-mobility.
• Call to Action: Fadnavis urged strengthened flood control, advanced weather forecasting, and disaster-resilient infrastructure.
• Global Collaboration: He stressed the need for international partnerships and climate finance, positioning Mumbai as a potential global hub.

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Delhi Police Boosted with New Infrastructure, Counter-Terror Capabilities

New Delhi – Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated ten new Delhi Police projects Monday, coinciding with the force’s 79th Raising Day. A key feature is the newly established Special Cell integrated headquarters, poised to enhance counter-terrorism operations.

• Safe City Project: Phase one inaugurated, featuring the Integrated Command Control Communication and Computer Centre (C4I) at ₹857 crore.
• Connectivity: 2,100 of 10,000 planned cameras are already live, integrated with district-level C3I and police station-level C2I units.
• Internal Security: Shah reported an 80% reduction in violence in Jammu & Kashmir, the Northeast, and Naxal-affected states since 2014.
• Commissioner’s Priorities: Focus on a drug-free India, eliminating cyberterrorism, and dismantling organized crime.

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Mumbai Metro 4 Construction Halted After Fatal Incident

Following a fatal parapet collapse at a Mulund metro site on Saturday, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has suspended all construction on the 32.32-km Metro 4 corridor. The incident resulted in one death.

Key facts:

• A 13-member “Special Intensive Safety Inspection Team” has been formed to investigate safety lapses along the entire route.
• MMRDA has informed police that the main contractor, subcontractor, or general consultant may be responsible.
• Construction will remain suspended until the inspection team submits its report and corrective measures are implemented.
• The inspection will cover all aspects of the construction.

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Mumbai Court Discharges Ex-Law College Vice Principal in Forged Degree Case

A Mumbai court discharged former law college vice principal Chitra Salunkhe on February 9th in a 2007 case alleging the use of a forged BA degree for admission.

• Accusation: Salunkhe was accused of submitting a fraudulent BA certificate to gain entry into LLB and LLM programs at Siddharth Law College.
• Court Ruling: Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vinod Ramrao Patil stated there was no evidence linking Salunkhe to the alleged forgery.
• Defense Argument: Salunkhe’s lawyer argued that the charges were baseless and cited a report alleging harassment based on gender and caste.
• Key Finding: The court noted the investigation failed to produce the forged degree, and departmental inquiries didn’t prove the accusations.

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