Mumbai: BEST to shut-down services on 170 non-AC bus routes
After the closing down of air-conditioned (AC) BEST buses today, services on 170 non-air-conditioned bus routes will also shut down soon. The undertaking is planning to conclude its services on these loss-making routes which generate less than 40 paise per rupee in operation costs. 400 buses running on these routes will be re-directed to other routes. Tap in for more news from Mumbai!
Deonar plant likely to cost Rs. 2,000 crore
A plant to convert waste into energy at Deonar will take the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation 2 years to build and would approximately cost Rs. 2,000 crore. Due to this, it is unlikely for the BMC to stop dumping waste at the Deonar landfill by June 2017, as directed by the Bombay High Court. The plant is expected to generate 25MW of electricity per hour.
BMC identifies 475 spots for its pay-and-park scheme
With the assistance of the traffic police, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has zeroed in on 475 venues in South Mumbai to be included in its 'pay-and-park' policy. The list was submitted to the BMC recently by the traffic police, who were studying these spots. Mumbai has 91 pay-and-park lots, which the BMC wants to increase for an alternate source of revenue.
KEM Hospital to get ROTTO to boost organ transplants
The government-run Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO) will soon be set up at Mumbai's KEM Hospital in Parel. The organization would be responsible for coordinating and facilitating transplants and creating a large network of donors, recipients which would enable patients to find donors. KEM Hospital has already obtained funds from the Centre for the same.
South Mumbai's Wellington Fountain restored, unveiling this week
The 152-year-old emblematic Wellington Fountain was restored by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for Rs. 12 lakh. The unveiling of its original form is likely to take place this week. The fountain has an octagonal shape with two tiers and is situated at the intersection of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg and MG Road.
Pollution, mangrove loss lead to doubling of fish prices
Most varieties of marine fish in Mumbai have started costing double since the last 5-8 years; the number of varieties has also diminished. This can be attributed to water pollution caused by waste discharged into the sea as well as a loss of mangroves, which act as breeding grounds for marine species. Seer fish (surmai) costs Rs. 200-220/kg from Rs. 80-110/kg five years ago.
