A cold wave condition prevailed in parts of north central Maharahtra, between Jalgaon/Nashik and Pune, with the minimum temperature dipping by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius below normal.

On track Authority hopes to commission first phase by mid-2013.

With Mumbai’s first monorail line nearing completion, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has kicked off a three-stage certification process to ensure that this mode of transport is safe for the public. As part of safety checks being observed by MMRDA, which is implementing the Chembur-Wadala monorail corridor, the contractor for the 8.3 km line has started conducting trials.

The proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport, touted to be one of the world’s largest greenfield, state-of-the-art international airport, may turn into a white elephant, as passengers will bear t

Sunday was the third coldest January day in city in the last ten years

After experiencing one of the coldest days on Saturday, mercury levels in the city continued to dip further as Sunday became the third coldest January morning in the last ten years. On Sunday, Mumbai recorded a minimum temperature of 10.4 degree celsius (Santacruz) — a departure of 7 degrees from normal and 16.1 degrees celsius (Colaba) — a departure of 3.4 degrees from normal.

Giving a boost to what will be the first major cluster redevelopment project to take off in the city, the state-level expert panel has decided to recommend the Bhendi Bazaar proposal for environmental clearance.

The State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) screens proposals for construction projects spread over 20,000 sq m and recommends them for clearance to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). The latter, headed by the environment secretary, will now accord approval to Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment, which will be spread over a plot of 66,264.74 sq m.

Mumbai: The state government has decided to permit use of no-development zones (NDZs) for industrial, commercial and residential activity in the exit policy for special economic zones (SEZs).

A basic floor space index (FSI) of 0.5 on the gross area will be permitted in NDZ areas. As an exit route, the state’s new industrial policy permits conversion of denotified SEZs more than 100 acres to integrated industrial areas (IIAs).

NCP ministers warn CM against opening prime land for real estate development

NCP vehemently opposed the new Maharashtra industrial policy Wednesday, saying it was an opportunity for big developers to grab land at a throwaway price on the excuse of promoting industry. At a cabinet meeting that okayed the policy, senior NCP ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil and R R Patil questioned its real objective.

All other NCP ministers and even some Congress ministers supported the three who kept arguing for almost four hours.

March organised by the National Alliance of People’s Movements

Thousands of urban poor of Mumbai marched on the streets of the city, covering a distance of about 30 km in two days, demanding land, housing rights, dignity and equal rights. The march was organised by the National Alliance of People’s Movements, under the leadership of Medha Patkar. The march began on January 1 from two different areas in Mumbai, namely Govandi and Golibar, to demand the implementation of the Rajeev Awas Yojana as self-development towards right to shelter. The protesters halted at Shivaji Park in Dadar on Tuesday night and resumed the march towards Mantralaya in South Mumbai on the morning of January 2. The protesters were stopped in South Mumbai and taken to Azad Maidan.

The Maharashtra cabinet on Wednesday approved the new Industrial policy which focuses on strengthening small and medium industries and aims at an investment of Rs 5 lakh-crore and employment generation for 20 lakh people.

The draft policy which was pending with the Chief Minister's office for nearly a year was approved after a marathon cabinet meeting which saw comprehensive and detailed discussions.

Reeling under drought conditions in 145 out of a total 353 talukas of Maharashtra, the state government is taking several measures including seeking central assistance and requesting neighbouring state Karnataka to release water, to tackle the crisis.

The state has sought a central assistance of Rs 5,000 crore, including Rs 2,270 crore for relief measures. Last week, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who heads the group of ministers that decides on relief measures for drought-hit states, said he had received report from a Central team that recommended a financial assistance of Rs 778 crore to Maharashtra for water and related programmes.