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Hindustan Times
13-08-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
BMC intensifies crackdown on ‘khataras', tows over 1,900 scrap vehicles from roads
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ramped up its efforts to remove abandoned, unusable and scrap vehicles—commonly called khataras—from the city's streets. As of August 12, civic officials have identified 4,325 such vehicles across Mumbai, including the island city and the eastern and western suburbs. (SEE BOX) Mumbai, India - August 16, 2023 : Sakinaka residents have complained of open space reserved for public utility by BMC, but is being used to dump scrap vehicles which is causing mosquito and other problems in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. (Photo by Vijay Bate/HT Photo) To reclaim road space and improve traffic flow, the BMC has issued legal notices to 3,153 vehicle owners under section 314 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888 (amended), directing them to remove their khataras within 72 hours. Of the total identified, 1,927 vehicles have already been towed away and moved to yards operated by authorised contractors. The ongoing drive is part of a broader push by municipal commissioner and administrator Bhushan Gagrani to ensure smoother traffic and cleaner public spaces. To carry out the work efficiently, the BMC has appointed external agencies—M/s IFSO Technology Pvt. Ltd. for the island city, M/s Raza Steel for the eastern suburbs, and M/s Pradeep Trading Company for the western suburbs. These agencies work closely with civic staff, following the due process of identification, notice and removal. 'This campaign is not merely punitive. The aim is to free public roads from long-abandoned vehicles that obstruct traffic and hinder emergency services,' a civic official said. According to zone-wise figures, the island city has reported 833 abandoned vehicles, with 502 notices issued and 147 towed. In the eastern suburbs, 1,440 vehicles were found, 1,130 notices served and 740 removed. The western suburbs reported 2,052 vehicles, with 1,521 notices issued and 1,040 towed. Under section 314, if a vehicle owner fails to remove the vehicle within 72 hours of receiving notice, it is towed and kept at a contractor's yard. If unclaimed for 30 days, the vehicle is officially disposed of, with no recovery possible thereafter. Owners who wish to reclaim their vehicles within this period must pay the applicable fine. The civic body has also set up channels for citizens to report such cases. Residents can send a WhatsApp message with a photo and Google location to 7505123456 (island city), 9819543092 (eastern suburbs) or 8828896903 (western suburbs). Complaints can also be lodged by calling 1916 or through the BMC's official website
Hindustan Times
21-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Reserved category students can't claim EWS quota, CET Cell clarifies
Pune: The state common entrance test (CET) Cell has issued a crucial clarification regarding admissions to professional courses for the academic year 2025-26. In an official notice, the CET Cell has clearly stated that students belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, VJ, NT, SEBC and SBC are not eligible to claim reservation benefits under the economically weaker section (EWS) category. Mumbai, India - October 20, 2021: Students catch up with one another at Sathaye College, Vile Parle, after colleges reopen as per the directions of Maharashtra Government, in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. (Photo by Vijay Bate/HT Photo) (HT PHOTO) The clarification was issued following observations that several candidates had submitted EWS certificates while also applying under reserved categories during the ongoing centralised admission process. The CET Cell emphasised that dual claims under both constitutional reservation and EWS are not permitted under the existing policy framework. 'All such candidates are, hereby, informed that those who have registered under any reserved category cannot avail the benefit of EWS quota. Such candidates are advised to take immediate corrective action to avoid disqualification,' the CET Cell stated in an official notice. Candidates who have submitted incorrect or conflicting category information have been directed to make the necessary corrections while the official grievance redressal window is open. They must upload the appropriate documents that align with their chosen reservation category. In the case of professional courses such as medicine and AYUSH, where a separate grievance period is not available, students are expected to generate revised applications and make the necessary changes before the final date of registration. This clarification is likely to impact a large number of students who may have inadvertently or deliberately tried to benefit from dual reservation categories. Admission officials warn that failure to comply with the clarification may lead to rejection of the admission application. The notice applies to all courses under the state's centralised admission system. The CET Cell has stated that the move is intended to ensure legal compliance and equal opportunity in the admission process. Parents and students have been urged to carefully review their application details and take corrective steps at the earliest, as errors at this stage could cost candidates their chance at admission in the current academic year.
