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MP News: State Achieves 60% Plantation Target, Bhopal Hills To Bloom By 2026

**Madhya Pradesh Progresses Towards Amrit Harit Maha Abhiyan Targets, Plans New Initiatives for 2026**

*Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)* – Madhya Pradesh has achieved approximately 60% of its target under the Amrit Harit Maha Abhiyan, a campaign aiming to plant over one crore saplings by the end of 2025. The Urban Administration Department (UAD) is already looking ahead, preparing proposals for 2026 with a focus on securing land and introducing innovative plantation concepts across the state.

### Transforming Bhopal’s Seven Hills into Seasonal Floral Landscapes

One of the highlight projects for 2026 is the beautification of Bhopal’s seven hills — Arera Hills, Shyamala Hills, Idgah Hills, Katara Hills, Danish Hills, Neori Hills, and Kaliyasot Hills. The UAD plans to transform these hills with seasonal flower beds, planting between 25,000 to 30,000 flowering plants to ensure year-round bloom cycles.

Six varieties of seasonal plants will be used to keep the hills vibrant throughout the year, aiming to turn Bhopal into a natural floral destination. A senior UAD official stated, “The goal is to make the hills come alive with blossoms season after season, creating a unique natural floral attraction in Bhopal.”

### Addressing Land Challenges for 2026 Plantation Drive

Securing land within municipal limits continues to be a major challenge for expanding plantation activities. While smaller Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have exceeded their targets — such as Chand in Chhindwara at 227%, Dhanpuri in Shahdol at 160%, and Bhedaghat in Jabalpur at 142% — larger cities are lagging behind.

Bhopal, notably, has achieved just 17% of its plantation target, with issues including encroachments in several patches. Of five key plantation patches in Bhopal, three face encroachments: a 19-acre area in Damkheda and two 13-acre patches. However, patches in Jahgariya Kurd measuring 15 and 23 acres remain encroachment-free.

Following directives from the UAD on September 2, ten municipal corporations have collectively marked nearly 500 acres for the 2026 plantation drive. This figure is expected to rise to 700–800 acres by the end of the year.

### Land Identified So Far for 2026 Plantation Drive

– Satna: 100 acres (11 patches)
– Gwalior: 84.79 acres (4 patches)
– Bhopal: 84 acres (5 patches)
– Rewa: 64 acres
– Chhindwara: 61 acres
– Jabalpur: 55 acres
– Ratlam: 25.50 acres
– Burhanpur: 11 acres
– Dewas: 3 acres
– Khandwa: 2.99 acres

Satna currently leads in total land identified for plantation activities.

### Innovative Concept Plantation Drives Across Madhya Pradesh

For 2026, the UAD plans to roll out innovative concept plantations across 416 ULBs. These will include unique models such as Nagar Vans (urban forests), Herbal Forests, Oxygen Parks, and Botanical Gardens. The final designs and plantation types will depend on local conditions and available land resources.

These concept plantations aim not only to increase green cover but also to enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and offer recreational and educational spaces for citizens.

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*Story by Utsav Gupta*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-news-state-achieves-60-plantation-target-bhopal-hills-to-bloom-by-2026

Navi Mumbai Housing Federation Submits 26-Point Charter On Self-Redevelopment Issues

The Navi Mumbai Co-operative Housing Federation has submitted a detailed memorandum to the Self-Redevelopment Authority of Maharashtra, highlighting numerous challenges that housing societies face in executing self-redevelopment projects. The representation was handed over to Authority Chairman and MLA Pravin Darekar by Federation Director Satish Nikam.

According to the Federation, societies in Navi Mumbai struggle with rigid banking norms, heavy premiums, overlapping approvals, and delays from multiple authorities. For instance, TDCC Bank requires 100% member consent for loans, which the Federation says should be reduced to 51%, and loan disbursement should be allowed immediately after issuance of the Letter of Intent.

The Federation also flagged that the 4% interest subsidy announced by the government in 2019 has not yet been implemented, while the 10% bank guarantee requirement for contractors discourages participation in projects.

The memorandum criticized the continued imposition of transfer charges by CIDCO and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation despite government directives to stop them. CIDCO’s freehold conversion charges, as well as various fees and premiums imposed on redevelopment projects, were described as excessive. Furthermore, rules requiring 40–70% of balance FSI to be shared with CIDCO and NMMC were called “unfair” and an additional burden on societies.

Procedural bottlenecks were also highlighted, including unclear processes for plot amalgamation, delays in deemed conveyance and lease deed approvals, and the absence of a single-window clearance system, which leads to prolonged delays.

Other concerns raised by the Federation include the misalignment of Navi Mumbai Lease and Development Regulations with UDCPR, lack of clarity on GST exemptions, rigid project completion deadlines for large-scale projects, and the absence of AAI guidelines on building heights. Additionally, the unregulated functioning of Project Management Consultants (PMCs), who often mislead societies or collude with developers, was pointed out as a significant issue.

To address these challenges, the Federation urged the creation of a single-window clearance system that includes representatives from all relevant departments, including the Housing Federation, to reduce red tape. It also called on the NMMC to make city development plan maps publicly available online to enhance transparency.

“Societies want to undertake redevelopment themselves, but the current policies make the process extremely complicated and financially burdensome,” said Federation Director Satish Nikam, appealing to the Authority to incorporate these recommendations into its upcoming policy framework.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/navi-mumbai-housing-federation-submits-26-point-charter-on-self-redevelopment-issues

Attention Mumbaikars! CSMT’s Platform No. 18 To Remain Closed For 80 Days From October 1 For Redevelopment Work; Find Out Which Trains Will Be Affected

**Mumbai: Major Redevelopment Work to Suspend Train Operations at CSMT Platform 18 for 80 Days**

Train operations at Platform 18 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) will be suspended for 80 days starting October 1, as the Central Railway undertakes significant redevelopment work at the historic terminus. The block, scheduled until December 19, is part of a major revamp project being executed by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).

According to railway officials, the shutdown is necessary to carry out foundational work and erect safety barricades on the platform. Train services will only resume after the construction is completed and Platform 18 is handed back for passenger use.

While suburban services will remain unaffected, long-distance trains that usually operate from Platform 18 will be reassigned to other platforms. Officials added that although maintenance windows for premium trains may be slightly tighter during this period, passenger safety will not be compromised.

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### Train Adjustments & Daily Traffic

Platforms 11 to 18 at CSMT handle nearly 40 to 45 long-distance trains every day, with Platform 18 catering to six to eight of them. Thousands of commuters depend on this platform daily.

Earlier this year, Platforms 12 and 13 were upgraded to accommodate 24-coach trains, which temporarily disrupted schedules. A similar adjustment process will now take place at Platform 18 during this block.

Due to this suspension, two express trains will be affected:

– **12112 Amravati–CSMT Express**
– **11002 Ballarshah–CSMT Nandigram Express**

Both trains, with journeys commencing on September 30, will be short-terminated at Dadar until further notice, as reported by *Mid-day*.

Central Railway (CR) has appealed to passengers for understanding and cooperation, emphasizing that the inconvenience is temporary but essential for long-term improvements at the iconic terminus.

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### Upcoming Mega Block on Sunday: Impact on Mumbai Division

In addition to the CSMT works, CR’s Mumbai Division will carry out a mega block on Sunday to undertake engineering and maintenance activities across the Main Line and Trans-Harbour Line.

#### Main Line Block
A block will be operated on the 5th and 6th lines between Vidyavihar and Thane from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm. As a result, several long-distance trains will face minor diversions and delays of around 10–15 minutes.

**Impact on DOWN trains (LTT departures):**

– 11055 LTT–Gorakhpur Express
– 11061 LTT–Jaynagar Pawan Express
– 16345 LTT–Thiruvananthapuram Netravati Express
– 17222 LTT–Kakinada Express

**Impact on UP Mail/Express trains (CSMT-bound):**

– 11010 Pune–CSMT Sinhagad Express
– 12124 Pune–CSMT Deccan Queen
– 12126 Pune–CSMT Pragati Express
– 12140 Nagpur–CSMT Sevagram Express
– 22226 Solapur–CSMT Vande Bharat Express
– 12321 Howrah–CSMT Mail
– 11012 Dhule–CSMT Express

**Impact on UP LTT-bound trains:**

– 13201 Rajgir–LTT Express
– 17221 Kakinada–LTT Express
– 12168 Banaras–LTT Superfast Express
– 12812 Hatia–LTT Express

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#### Trans-Harbour Line Block
The Trans-Harbour Line will also face a block between Thane and Vashi/Nerul from 11:10 am to 4:10 pm. During this period, all UP and DOWN services between these sections will remain suspended.

Services between Thane and Vashi/Nerul/Panvel from 10:35 am to 4:07 pm (Down) and from 10:25 am to 5:09 pm (Up) have been cancelled.

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Central Railway advises passengers to plan their journeys accordingly and stay updated with official announcements to minimize inconvenience during these essential maintenance activities at Mumbai’s key railway routes and CSMT.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/attention-mumbaikars-csmts-platform-no-18-to-remain-closed-for-80-days-from-october-1-for-redevelopment-work-find-out-which-trains-will-be-affected

Mumbai Railway Update: Harbour Line Train Services Briefly Disrupted As Antop Hill Residents Protest Mobile Tower Installation

Train services on Mumbai’s Harbour Line were briefly disrupted on Friday afternoon following a protest by a group of slum residents near Wadala Railway Station. The residents opposed the installation of mobile towers in their locality, leading to a temporary halt in train operations.

**Crowd Gathers Near Railway Tracks**

The agitation was led by residents of the Antop Hill area, with hundreds gathering near the railway tracks around 12:15 pm. As part of their demonstration, the protesters blocked a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-bound local train. The train was detained for approximately three minutes, from 12:16 pm to 12:19 pm, according to railway officials.

**Concerns Over Health and Safety**

The protesters raised concerns about the installation of mobile towers on the rooftops of slum structures. They claimed the move was illegal and expressed fears over potential radiation hazards. “They were demanding an immediate halt to the tower installation, citing health and safety issues,” an official said.

**Authorities Intervene**

In response to the situation, the Government Railway Police (GRP) and railway authorities swiftly intervened to disperse the crowd. Following the intervention, train services resumed shortly, restoring normalcy on the Harbour Line.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-railway-update-harbour-line-train-services-briefly-disrupted-as-antop-hill-residents-protest-mobile-tower-installation

Mumbai: Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad Alleges Mahayuti Govt Allowed Builders To Exploit Reserved BMC Plots, Demands Withdrawal Of DC Rule Change

City Congress President and MP Varsha Gaikwad has stirred up political controversy by accusing the Mahayuti government of permitting construction activities on municipal plots that are officially reserved for public amenities such as gardens.

Gaikwad pointed out that under the Development Control (DC) rules, no development can take place on such reserved plots without formally changing their reservation status according to established norms. She alleged, however, that the state government has bent these rules to favor its “ladka (favourite) builder.”

### Controversial Notification Issued

On July 3, 2025, the state’s urban development department issued a notification proposing a controversial amendment to the DC rules. The modification would allow private builders to undertake Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects even on public or BMC lands that are reserved or designated for specific amenities. This change effectively cleared the way for a builder to commercially exploit a suburban plot—something that was previously impossible under existing rules.

### Allegations of Unusual Haste

Gaikwad further alleged:
“What is more shocking is that Devabhau Sarkar implemented this modification in unusual haste, without waiting for the mandatory public suggestions and objections procedure to be completed. The government misused Section 154(1) of the MRTP Act, issuing a directive to the BMC to enforce the modification immediately, even before the final sanction.”

She questioned the motive behind this unusual speed, claiming it was specifically designed to benefit two builders who are close to the government.

### Warning of a Dangerous Precedent

“This move not only jeopardizes Mumbai’s development plan but also sets a dangerous precedent, endangering all reserved, public, and BMC-owned plots,” Gaikwad warned. “I demand that this disastrous notification be withdrawn immediately.”

### Builder’s Request Processed with Unusual Speed

Gaikwad revealed that on April 8, 2025, one of the builders wrote to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani seeking restoration of an earlier revoked consent/NOC issued to the CEO of SRA on March 4, 2009. This consent had declared a BMC plot as a ‘slum’ and allowed the builder to develop it under an SRA scheme along with adjoining plots.

She highlighted the unusual speed with which the BMC handled the request.
“While the BMC often takes months or even years to respond to citizens’ applications, this time it was incredibly swift. On April 9, just a day after the builder’s letter, Commissioner Gagrani wrote on the file, ‘Please get this verified and submit for orders.’”

### Fast-Tracked Approvals Alleged

Gaikwad alleged that the entire approval process was fast-tracked in an unprecedented manner.
“The rush was so great that even the fact that the wrong subject was mentioned in the builder’s letter went unnoticed. The administrative machinery, which had previously opposed the same proposal, suddenly acted with great haste to clear it.”

Documents indicate that on April 28 and May 6, 2025, representatives of one of the builders met with Deputy Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kiran Dighavkar, where it was decided to accept the builder’s proposal. Following this, Dighavkar’s office formally submitted a proposal on June 9, 2025, which was quickly approved by Gagrani’s office on June 13, 2025.

“In other words, once initiated, it took just four days to obtain approvals from all concerned departments and the final approval of the Municipal Commissioner,” Gaikwad stated. She added, “It is not difficult to imagine the immense pressure behind this fast-tracking, especially when earlier officials had taken the exact opposite stance on the issue.”

### BMC Commissioner Responds

When contacted by FPJ, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani denied any involvement of the BMC in modifying the DC rules. Regarding the approval of the builders’ proposals, he asserted that no approval has been granted so far.

“The allegation is speculative and premature in the extreme,” Gagrani said.

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The controversy raises significant questions about governance, transparency, and adherence to development norms in Mumbai, as voices call for greater scrutiny and accountability in urban development decisions.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-congress-mp-varsha-gaikwad-alleges-mahayuti-govt-allowed-builders-to-exploit-reserved-bmc-plots-demands-withdrawal-of-dc-rule-change

Mumbai News: BMC To Revamp 10 Dry Waste Centers Across City To Reduce Burden On Dumping Grounds

BMC to Revamp 10 Dry Waste Centers in Mumbai with Advanced Technology

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to modernise 10 of its existing 41 dry waste centers across the city. Tenders for the revamp, covering the first two phases of the project, will be invited in October. This move aims to ease the burden on Mumbai’s two major dumping grounds at Kanjurmarg and Deonar.

Current System Unorganised; New Technology to Be Introduced

At present, dry waste segregation at these centers is largely unorganised and predominantly managed by informal groups, with minimal mechanisation involved. To bring in efficiency and streamline waste processing, the BMC will introduce conveyor belts and advanced waste segregation units.

The sites identified for Phase 1 include Wadala, Marol-Andheri, Dahisar East, and Borivali West. Phase 2 will cover facilities located in Colaba, Agripada (Byculla), and Andheri West.

Focus on Larger Sites and Improved Worker Conditions

Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Solid Waste Management), emphasized, “Priority is being given to sites with an area of at least 2,000 sq ft. The central ministry is encouraging such initiatives, with partial funding support available. Our goal is also to divert more waste away from the dumping grounds.”

The revamp will not only enhance working conditions for waste workers but also promote better utilisation of recyclable materials, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable Mumbai.

Long-Term Vision: Mechanise All 41 Dry Waste Centers

The BMC’s long-term plan includes mechanising all 41 dry waste centers to more effectively manage Mumbai’s growing daily waste and reduce the pressure on existing dumping sites.

As a step forward, a dry waste segregation and processing center was inaugurated in Andheri six months ago. Operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, this facility processes 10 metric tons of waste every day using scientific methods. According to officials, “The center is running successfully.”

Special Disposal System for Sanitary and Biomedical Waste

In compliance with Central Pollution Control Board guidelines, sanitary pads, diapers, and similar waste are disposed of through eco-friendly incinerators and designated biomedical waste centers.

In the last two months, over 4,000 institutions have registered with the BMC using a QR code system, generating approximately 2.5 tons of such waste daily.

Each administrative ward currently has dedicated vehicles with a capacity of 0.6 tons for waste collection. “Moving forward, the system will be upgraded with yellow bags, bins, and additional transport equipment to ensure more efficient handling,” added Dr. Joshi.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-bmc-to-revamp-10-dry-waste-centers-across-city-to-reduce-burden-on-dumping-grounds