Covid-19: Masks not mandatory in Maharashtra, clarifies state health minister Rajesh Tope

Amid uncertainty over the use of masks in public places, the Maharashtra health minister has clarified that masks aren`t mandatory in the state yet. Earlier, in a letter to collectors, municipal corporations and chief executive officers, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Pradeep Vyas said all districts should ensure the proportion of RT-PCR tests was at least 60 per cent. In view of rising cases, it said people should be advised to wear masks in closed public spaces like trains, buses, cinemas, auditoriums, offices, hospitals, colleges, and schools.

Covid-19: BMC shuts vaccination centres at 4 tourist spots

The BMC had started a vaccination drive at 8 tourist destinations in the city to inoculate young beneficiaries but had to close half of them due to poor response.

As Covid-19 cases have started rising again, the BMC set up vaccination points at Gateway of India, Jehangir Art Gallery, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, Byculla zoo, Mahakali Caves at Andheri, Chhota Kashmir Boating Club at Aarey Colony, Snow World in Kurla and Kidzania at RCT Mall. While the drive started on May 27, the centres at Andheri, Aarey, Kurla, and Jehangir Art Gallery barely inoculated any kids. Till June 2, the other 4 centres had vaccinated only 224 beneficiaries.

Mumbai: BMC moves to secure 90,000 manholes, one week before monsoon

Five years after famous gastroenterologist Dr Deepak Amrapurkar`s death, the BMC has decided to put safety grills on all the manholes in the city, barely a week before the monsoon. Until now, only manholes at flooding spots were shielded. 

The move follows a meeting the chief minister held with the civic chief recently. As of now, less than 4 per cent of the manholes in the city are safe. The BMC has put a safety net on 3,679 manholes in Mumbai and its suburbs. This year the civic body installed 250 protective grills on manholes, and 50 will be installed in the coming week

Mumbai: Dismissed constable who found a career in crime, arrested

A dismissed police constable Uttam Keshav More was arrested by Unit 12 of the crime branch on June 3 for extorting money from people. The Crime Branch found a police ID card in his possession that he used to threaten people with. The police said the accused has looted many people in the past in Dahisar, Kandivli and Borivli and also taken gold jewellery and valuables from some.

Mumbai: BJP`s ex-corporators hit out at BMC`s claim of 105 per cent desilting of nullahs

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not happy with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) claim of 105 per cent desilting of nullahs. BJP’s former corporators said the claim was based on an online number but the ground reality is different. Last year civic commissioner IS Chahal made the same claim but the flood situation continued in the city. The BJP’s former corporators fear the same situation. Additional Municipal Commissioner P Velrasu has said the BMC has completed 105 per cent of desilting work on nullahs and 98 per cent on the Mithi river.

Work on Delisle Road bridge will start this month, says Western Railway

Even as Delisle Road bridge, one of the most crucial and awaited bridges in the city, has missed the May deadline, Western Railway has assured that work will begin this month. One girder is planned to be installed this month before the onset of monsoon.

Sidhu Moose Wala killing: Amit Shah meets Punjabi singer`s family

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday met the family members of late Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moose Wala in Chandigarh. The singer-turned-politician was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jawaharke village in Mansa district of Punjab on May 29, a day after the Punjab government curtailed his security cover.

One more nabbed in Hyderabad gangrape case, total 3 arrested so far
Telangana Police arrested the third accused in connection with the alleged gangrape of a teenage girl in Hyderabad`s Jubilee Hills last week.So far, three accused including two minors have been nabbed in the Hyderabad rape case. One accused, identified as Saduddin Malik, was arrested yesterday and the second accused who is a juvenile was held earlier today.