The New Year has been heralding good news for residents of Mira Road and Bhayander. After being spared the 8% water supply benefit tax from January 1, residents have another reason to cheer—they won't have to put up with 20% water cuts on Wednesdays.
Since December 1 last year, residents have been facing a 24-hour water cut every Wednesday. The cut was implemented by the Shahad Temghar Water Authority (STEM), a consortium of three municipal corporations—Thane, Bhiwandi-Nizampur and Mira-Bhayander—formed in 2000 to manage their bulk water supply.
On Monday, MP Sanjeev Naik, MLA Gilbert Mendonca, MBMC commissioner Shivmurti Naik and mayor Tulsidas Mhatre met the state water resources minister Sunil Tatkare at Mantralaya and apprised him of the water crises in the region.
The water cut was imposed due to the drop in the overflow level of water in Andhra dam that supplies water to the region. The region receives 86 million litre per day (MLD) of water from STEM. Another 15 MLD comes from the MIDC. The MBMC is currently able to provide only 91 MLD of water to each of the residents against their daily requirement of 135 MLD.
"Water crisis is a round-the-year phenomenon in Mira-Bhayander. Lifting of the water cut is a relief," said Lekha Shetty, who resides at
Mira Road.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
BEST Bus rapid transit on exp highway
BEST will run air-conditioned King Long buses on a dedicated bus lane (DBL) on the Western Express Highway between Andheri and Kandivli from this month.
"It is a precursor to the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS)," BEST committee chairman Sanjay Potnis said on Tuesday.
"Our buses will run (on trial basis for a few months) on the stretch between Andheri flyover and the Times of India press. The project will be supervised by the MMRDA, the nodal authority. The traffic police, BMC and RTO, besides BEST, will ensure that the buses run unhindered at a frequency of three to five minutes on the DBL."
This means the buses will be immune to snarl-ups and zip past vehicles stranded in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
BEST general manager Om Prakash Gupta said: "We are waiting for a go-ahead from the MMRDA. Our buses can be put into operation on the proposed route within 24 hours."
Potnis said the RTO and the traffic police would evaluate the feasibility of running buses on DBLs. "There are practical problems. It needs to be ensured that no private vehicle, auto or taxi enters the lane."
If the trial is successful, BEST will extend the DBL to cover the highway from Bandra to Dahisar. Last year, BEST launched a 'fast track' corridor between Mahim an Mira Road along S V Road. The DBL, in comparison, will ensure faster travel.
"It is a precursor to the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS)," BEST committee chairman Sanjay Potnis said on Tuesday.
"Our buses will run (on trial basis for a few months) on the stretch between Andheri flyover and the Times of India press. The project will be supervised by the MMRDA, the nodal authority. The traffic police, BMC and RTO, besides BEST, will ensure that the buses run unhindered at a frequency of three to five minutes on the DBL."
This means the buses will be immune to snarl-ups and zip past vehicles stranded in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
BEST general manager Om Prakash Gupta said: "We are waiting for a go-ahead from the MMRDA. Our buses can be put into operation on the proposed route within 24 hours."
Potnis said the RTO and the traffic police would evaluate the feasibility of running buses on DBLs. "There are practical problems. It needs to be ensured that no private vehicle, auto or taxi enters the lane."
If the trial is successful, BEST will extend the DBL to cover the highway from Bandra to Dahisar. Last year, BEST launched a 'fast track' corridor between Mahim an Mira Road along S V Road. The DBL, in comparison, will ensure faster travel.
Mira Road, Bhayander to get 10 veggie, fruit markets
The Mira Bhayander Municipal corporation (MBMC) has earmarked 10 reserved plots for municipal markets in the bustling suburbs. The proposal has been sent to the state government for approval. The region, which boasts a population of 10 lakh, currently does not have a single municipal market for vegetables and fruits. As of now, most major roads in Mira-Bhayander are encroached upon by hawkers illegally selling vegetables and fruits.
Earlier, MBMC had set aside two plots—one each at Navghar in Bhayander (East) and near Mira road railway station—for the markets. Now, a total of 10 have been reserved for the purpose.
Certain plots meant for schools, gardens and playgrounds were dereserved for the markets. A few belong to the Central government.
Municipal commissioner Shivmurti Naik said allocation of space for the markets will help get rid of hawkers occupying roads. Despite the bifurcation of hawking and non-hawking zones in the region, most roads and footpaths are encroached upon by fruit and vegetable hawkers. Civic sources said a few plots, which have been reserved for markets have also been encroached upon.
Earlier, MBMC had set aside two plots—one each at Navghar in Bhayander (East) and near Mira road railway station—for the markets. Now, a total of 10 have been reserved for the purpose.
Certain plots meant for schools, gardens and playgrounds were dereserved for the markets. A few belong to the Central government.
Municipal commissioner Shivmurti Naik said allocation of space for the markets will help get rid of hawkers occupying roads. Despite the bifurcation of hawking and non-hawking zones in the region, most roads and footpaths are encroached upon by fruit and vegetable hawkers. Civic sources said a few plots, which have been reserved for markets have also been encroached upon.
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