Latest news with #MakarandNarwekar
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Ex-corporator asks BMC for underground parking at Regal Junction
Mumbai: Former corporator Makarand Narwekar has written to BMC Commissioner and has asked to construct an underground parking at Regal Junction citing Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) directions. Narwekar said the Regal Junction Area development project, which has been under an undeclared and unexplained stay for some time, envisioned an underground parking facility with a viewing deck over it—an idea that promised both functional and aesthetic value to one of South Mumbai's most prominent public spaces. Narwekar drew attention to the recent meeting of MHCC held for deliberation and for granting of in-principle approval for the Regal Junction Project and said that MHCC, while granting its in-principle approval, had specifically stated that the Assistant Commissioner, A Ward, was advised to keep the public plaza open for public activities and all the parking to be planned underground. Narwekar said that this recommendation aligns with the original plan and with the pressing need to free surface space for pedestrians and tourists, while accommodating vehicular needs underground. According to Narwekar, while around 50 cars are currently parked in an open space diagonally opposite Regal Cinema, the proposed underground parking was designed to accommodate around 150 cars and bikes. Therefore, the provision of underground parking with a viewing deck above it is essential to improve the tourist experience in the area and to reduce surface congestion. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Gold Rates Today in Mumbai | Silver Rates Today in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mumbai civic school's decision to shift 1,300 students to online mode of learning sparks outrage and a call for protest in front of BMC HQ
Mumbai: A protest has been called after a civic-run school in Colaba shifted all classes for 1,300 English medium students to online mode after the municipal corporation's school infrastructure cell declared the school building unsafe. This decision affects half of the 2,800 students enrolled across the school's Marathi, Urdu, Kannada and English medium sections. Parents and students of Colaba Municipal School protested on Monday against the abrupt shift to online learning. Makarand Narwekar, former BJP corporator from Colaba, stated that if the BMC does not provide an alternative space for schooling within two days, a protest march with all students and parents will be organised. While students from Marathi, Urdu and Kannada medium sections were successfully transferred to nearby schools within the locality, authorities were unable to secure physical classroom space for the English medium sections. Consequently, these students have been directed to continue their education virtually until further notice. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai "This building is not dilapidated. It was repaired two years ago. At most, some repairs are needed, but shutting down the school and jeopardising the future of students will not be tolerated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mix Pink Salt with This Ingredient and Watch the Weight Melt Away curiouslythink Learn More Undo The time has come for IAS officers sitting in air-conditioned offices in BMC to wake up. If the BMC doesn't secure an alternative space for schooling in the next two days, all students and parents from the school will march towards the BMC headquarters," said Narwekar. A BMC official said, "We are trying to accommodate all the children in a BMC school near the MTNL office in Colaba. We are also talking to some private institutions to use their vacant classrooms and accommodate the children." Shivnath Darade, a member of the Maharashtra State Teachers Council, said, "The officials could have informed students and parents before the academic year began, allowing them to make necessary arrangements. Instead, more than a month into the academic session, students have been abruptly transitioned to online learning." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mumbai corporator seeks child rights commission's intervention over Colaba school closure
Mumbai: Makarand Narwekar, former BJP corporator from Colaba, has written to the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR), seeking its intervention to issue a notice to BMC. He alleges that around 1,500 students of a BMC-run school in Colaba have been attending online classes after both its buildings were declared unsafe. In his letter to the MSCPCR, Narwekar stated that these students belong to Mumbai Public School at A M Sawant Marg, Colaba, which has a total strength of over 1,500 students. "The Child Rights Commission should issue a notice to the BMC and investigate the handling of these closures, which has made students from modest backgrounds suffer. Senior BMC education department officials must be held accountable for playing with the future of these students. The commission should fix responsibility on these officials for destroying the future of the children," said Narwekar, adding that the BMC has made no alternate arrangements for the 1,500 students, forcing them to opt for online classes. BMC did not respond to Narwekar's allegations. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
10 months on, no progress in Colaba housing project for Mumbai conservancy staff
Mumbai: Ten months after assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar conducted the bhoomi pujan, work is yet to start on the Ashray Yojana housing project for conservancy staff in Colaba. The project, valued at Rs 17 crore, was supposed to provide 54 houses of 238 square feet each to conservancy staffers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, work is yet to start. Performing groundbreaking before elections and then forgetting about it seems to have become the norm in the BMC, say political observers. Former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar said that while these workers were hailed as Mumbai's true heroes ahead of the assembly elections, they have since been forgotten by the BMC. Narwekar pointed out that despite a bhoomi pujan being conducted 10 months ago, work on the scheme is yet to begin. Bhoomi pujan for the project at Cochin Street was carried out by Rahul Narwekar in Oct 2024, as he is also the local MLA from Colaba. Makarand Narwekar wrote to municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, expressing disappointment and strong objection to the issue. He said dignified housing for our conservancy workers is long overdue. "Over and above keeping our city clean, their contribution to initiatives like deep clean drives is of utmost importance. In such a situation, they are feeling cheated that groundbreaking has happened, but the project is yet to start. There is a feeling that projects only gain momentum before elections to get votes, which is unacceptable," he said. "The silence and inaction since the tender process began suggest a lack of seriousness and commitment from the concerned departments. Such negligence not only erodes public faith in your administration but also sends a dangerous message that the welfare of conservancy workers is not a priority for the BMC," Narwekar said. He asked the BMC to take this issue seriously or face legal action. "These workers have toiled under challenging conditions for years, and delays like this reinforce systemic injustice. If immediate steps are not taken to begin execution of the project on a war footing, we will be compelled to raise this matter in the strongest possible terms across all appropriate platforms, including courts."
Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Project for pedestrians at Colaba 40% complete, to be ready by December
A pedestrian-friendly walking infrastructure that is coming up at Colaba is 40 per cent complete with former corporator from the area, Makarand Narwekar, stating that the phase-I stretch between Mantralaya to Badhwar Park is slated to be ready by December 2025. Pegged at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore, the project by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seeks to uplift the pedestrian infrastructure along 210 metres between Deepak Jog Chowk near Mantralaya and Bhai Bhandarkar Chowk, near Badhwar Park. The civic body is developing stamped concrete footpaths, vibrant 3D street art as well as a multi-utility corridor for landscaping works along the earmarked lanes as part of the project, funded by the district planning and development committee as well as the tourism department. Ashoka trees and ornamental plants will be planted on the stretch while beautifying the boundary wall at Badhwar Park. According to officials, the first phase of the project was decided owing to its proximity to Machimaar Nagar — one of the oldest fishing villages of the city. Following completion of phase I, the BMC is eyeing to ultimately extend the project until Cuffe Parade. On Sunday, Makarand Narwekar, former BJP corporator from Colaba, said work on the project is nearly 40 per cent complete and slated to be executed entirely by year end. 'With wider footpaths, dedicated green corridors, improved lighting, and organised pedestrian zones, this project will greatly enhance the walking experience in the area for everyone,' said Narwekar.
