The Times of India

A tragic incident unfolded in Walkeshwar late Tuesday night when a third-floor balcony of a MHADA cessed building collapsed, killing a 51-year-old pedestrian. Santosh Ramchandra Bharaskar, who worked at a nearby petrol pump, sustained fatal injuries from the falling debris. Emergency services, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade and police, were quickly on the scene. The cause of the collapse is currently under investigation by authorities.

Municipal body issues revised guidelines after instances of engineers refusing promotions come to fore

A tragic incident in Chembur saw a massive peepal tree crush a school bus, injuring five students and tragically claiming the life of an 11-year-old boy. Rescue efforts were swift, with locals and authorities working to free trapped children. An inquiry has been ordered to investigate potential causes, including recent road concreting and the adequacy of pre-monsoon tree trimming, as questions arise about roadside tree safety.

The housing market in Mumbai is thriving, achieving unprecedented property registrations in the first half of 2026. With over 80,000 transactions recorded, there's a notable 6% increase from the previous year, contributing to a 4% boost in state income. June alone saw a remarkable 15% rise in registrations, marking the highest level in 14 years. This ongoing demand, fueled by mid-income buyers, underscores the market's strong performance and widespread appeal.

State governments are witnessing an impressive surge in revenue from liquor sales, with excise collections skyrocketing by up to 82% in early FY27. This remarkable increase is attributed to heightened consumption, elevated excise duties, and price hikes from manufacturers. Maharashtra stands as a key player, emphasizing the critical role of liquor taxation in state budgets. However, while this trend strengthens revenue, it simultaneously presents growing public health dilemmas.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray downplayed Sachin Ahir's defection, stating his party is unfazed by leaders leaving. He alleged the current political maneuvering is 'Operation Devendra Fadnavis,' aimed at weakening the BJP leader. Thackeray also criticized the BJP's alleged corruption in Ayodhya and Ujjain, predicting a significant challenge in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Mumbai's BMC Education department has filed a police complaint against seven unauthorized primary schools in Trombay. These institutions continued operations despite receiving closure notices earlier this year. The schools, identified during a civic survey, failed to provide valid government recognition or explanations for their continued functioning. Police have registered offenses against the school managements under relevant laws.

Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh has urged Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar to establish a study group for a long-stalled socio-economic and educational survey of the Muslim community. Shaikh highlighted the survey's importance for policy formulation, noting the lack of comprehensive data since the 2006 Sachar Committee Report. He proposed naming the group after the late Ajit Pawar, acknowledging his past contributions to the community.

Police On Trail Of Money Used For 50kg Online Order

Farmers' distress is escalating, prompting the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) to announce nationwide protests. A key event is the 'Jail Bharo' movement on August 10, targeting issues like falling prices, rising costs, and loan waiver shortcomings. AIKS will also coordinate with other farmer and worker groups to amplify their demands against government policies, with further programs planned to mark its 90th anniversary.

Residents of Mumbai now have an efficient way to report illegal hawking with the introduction of the BMC's WhatsApp chatbot. In response to a directive from the Bombay High Court, citizens can easily submit the locations and real-time photos of unauthorized vendors. This initiative seeks to accelerate the response time from civic officials and improve technology-facilitated grievance resolution, replacing the older, more fragmented complaint channels.

The airport sector in India is gearing up for an investment boom, expecting to reach Rs 4.2 lakh crore by 2029, driven by a surge in domestic air travel and new airport constructions. A key feature of this expansion is the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, which aims to markedly enhance passenger capacity. While domestic traffic is forecasted to grow steadily, international travel encounters immediate challenges.