MUMBAI: Protests against the Metro rail's second line between Charkop and Mankhurd via Bandra seem to have created a divide between the island city and the suburbs.

MUMBAI: A major hurdle in the path of the proposed Navi Mumbai international airport has been cleared by the Union government. After repeated pleas from chief minister Ashok Chavan and former CM Vilasrao Deshmukh, the Centre has given a huge boost to the airport project by amending the 1991 notification of the Coastal Regulation Zone.

MUMBAI: In a bid to ensure that all healthcare units comply with the rules related to disposal of bio-medical waste, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has initiated action against 230 erring establishments. Of these, 100 have been served with closure notices, while the rest have been asked to comply with the norms within 15 days or face consequences (closure notice).

MUMBAI: Parel, Dadar, Byculla and parts of Andheri (E) are emerging as the hotspots for malaria. The BMC has identified 326 chronic sites, including 127 in the island city, 59 in the western suburbs and 13 in the eastern suburbs, where the disease is assuming menacing proportions.

NAVI MUMBAI: The Vashi police on Thursday arrested two persons for trying to sell the skin of a leopard- a species protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. Officials believe the animal must have been killed recently as the skin gave off a strong odour.

MUMBAI: In an attempt to tackle the city's growing water shortage problem, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to pass a proposal making it mandatory for all new buildings to install water recycling systems. Here, grey water (household non-toxic water) is disinfected and then reused for non-potable purposes (see box).

Since October 2002, rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory in all new constructions that are over 3,000 sq ft. But civic officials admit that the project has met with little success. According to Pramod Charankar, deputy municipal commissioner, in-charge of water supply projects, the BMC is investing Rs 5 crore this year to implement rainwater harvesting in civic gardens and hospitals.

MUMBAI: Burdened by expectations of an error-free forecast now that the Doppler radar has arrived, the Met department on Tuesday issued a disclaimer about the much-hyped prowess of the instrument to give accurate and timely forecasts.

MUMBAI: H-West Ward Citizens' Federation chairperson Shyama Kulkarni protested the manner in which the government was trying to force the elevated route of the Mumbai Metro through the Bandra-Khar area, displacing people and commercial establishments, instead of opting for an underground line plan.

MUMBAI: Former Union minister Ram Naik and National Alliance of People's Movements leader Medha Patkar have come out strongly against the displacement of thousands of families from Laljipada in Charkop which is to be acquired for a carshed for Mumbai Metro's second line from Charkop to Mankhurd via Bandra.