Mumbai set to get its first new rail corridor in 100 years
For the first time in a century, Central railway is set to build a new railway corridor of 17.5 km all the way to South Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The project will demolish over 700 structures, rebuilding many that are on the route and diverting the old harbour line to P D’Mello Road.
Source: Mid-Day
Read more: Mumbai is not fully open until the trains start running
Diwali crackers in full force in Mumbai despite strict Supreme Court curbs
Despite a supreme court order earlier this week curbing the use of firecrackers across the country, Mumbai was filled with firecrackers on Diwali. Citizens from all over the city reported loud sounds after 10pm. The SC, however, did not impose a complete ban on fireworks.
The number of crackers burst this Diwali was reportedly more than the previous year, owing to lockdown restrictions, but still lesser than pre-pandemic, according to activist Sumaira Abdulali, who recorded decibel levels in the city on Diwali.
Source: Times of India, The Hindu
Air quality deteriorates in Mumbai as winter approaches
As Mumbai prepares for winter, air quality in the city touched 188 (moderate) on Monday, up from 155 the previous day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per the CPCB’s national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), ‘moderate’ air “may cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disease such as asthma.”
On October 15, Mumbai’s air quality was 141, and has been consistently rising. Experts said the spike in airborne pollutants is typical at this time of year, due to falling temperatures and slower wind speeds.
Source: Hindustan Times
No free COVID-19 vaccines in Mumbai for 4 days
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced that vaccination at all government and municipal centres will remain closed for four days from Thursday, November 4th to Sunday, November 7th. This is due to Diwali festivities. The corporation clarified that this was not due to shortage of doses.
Source: Mumbai Live
Mumbai colleges vaccinate 29,000 students against Covid-19
In the first week of vaccination drives, held in 60 colleges affiliated to Mumbai University and SNDT Universities, over 29,000 students got vaccinated. The drive restart post-Diwali. From data collected so far, 70% of 1.8 Lakh students have been vaccinated with at least one dose.
The state’s health department, along with the higher and technical education department, had launched a special week long drive to boost vaccination among students called the Mission Yuva Swasth Abhiyaan.
Source: Times of India
Also read:
- Smoggy, but unfazed: Mumbai needs to take air pollution more seriously than it does
- Dharavi: COVID recovery quick, economic recovery to take time
(Compiled by Radha Puranik)
