The Maharashtra transport ministry on Sunday formally announced the permanent closure of border check posts and said they had sent a positive report to the government. Known for being hubs of corruption, transporters, who had pushed for their closure, welcomed the decision. "In line with the directives of the Central Government and in line with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, the Maharashtra Government has decided to permanently close all the Motor Transport Border Check Posts (RTO border check posts) in the state. The aim of this decision is to smoothen inter-state traffic and remove obstacles in the movement of commercial vehicles," Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. Sarnaik further said the original purpose of these border check posts, which were established in the year 1966, was to control the movement of vehicles, ensure compliance with transport rules and collect road tax. "After the implementation of GST and the progress made in digital implementation measures, the need for these border check posts, which were established for physical inspection, is no longer there. In this regard, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had directed the Transport Department of Maharashtra. Accordingly, a positive report has been sent to the Chief Minister after eliminating the administrative errors. After his approval, the check posts on the state border will be closed," he said. Transporters welcome decision “We welcome this long-awaited and much-needed decision by the Maharashtra Government. It is the result of our persistent follow-up, multiple representations, and continuous pursuit at every level and forum. The permanent closure of RTO border check posts will greatly benefit the road transport sector, reduce corruption and delays, and align Maharashtra with the progressive vision of digital and seamless transport operations. We sincerely appreciate the state government’s action and now look forward to the formal announcement by the Chief Minister at the earliest,” Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor & Former President, All India Motor Transport Congress told mid-day. "The landmark decision comes in response to repeated appeals and follow-ups by transport unions, stakeholders, and the central government. The move aims to eliminate bottlenecks in interstate transportation, enhance road safety, and implement a paperless, technology-driven monitoring system in line with the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ framework," he added.
11 May,2025 07:01 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Sunday said that it has drawn a traffic decongestion plan for Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and suggested wider roads, one-way traffic system, etc. The MMRDA suggested that some changes needs to be implemented to improve traffic flow in the BKC, one of Mumbai’s busiest commercial and financial hubs. Every day, nearly 2 lakh employees and 4 lakh visitors travel to BKC that spread across 370 hectares, traffic congestion—especially during peak hours—has emerged as a pressing challenge, it said. Due to the shutdown of the Sion bridge, most of the traffic has been diverted towards BKC, MMRDA said. While the BKC lanes are designed for smaller vehicles, heavy vehicles such as trucks and multi-capacity transporters are now being routed through this stretch, leading to increased congestion. To tackle this situation, both short-term and long-term measures are being implemented, it said, adding that to deal with this, MMRDA has developed a detailed traffic management plan based on current and future traffic growth, public feedback, and expert studies. The plan has been approved in a recent meeting led by the MMRDA Chairman and will be carried out in partnership with the Mumbai Traffic Police. Converting Cycle Tracks into Traffic Lanes Several underutilised cycle tracks across BKC will be repurposed into vehicular lanes to expand existing road widths. This conversion is projected to increase traffic capacity by 600–900 vehicles per lane. Supporting infrastructure such as streetlights, signboards, trees, bus stops, and landscaped elements will be relocated to the footpaths to facilitate the expansion. Benefits of Cycle Track Removal As part of this initiative, the existing carriageway will be widened by removing the cycle track, increasing lane capacity from 2+2 lanes to 3+3 lanes—an overall 50% increase. This enhancement is expected to reduce peak-hour travel time from 25 minutes to 15 minutes, saving 10 minutes, which represents a 40% reduction in travel time. As a result, the average waiting time at signals or bottlenecks will decrease from 10 minutes to 7 minutes, saving 3 minutes—a 30% reduction in waiting time. This reduction in idling time will also lower carbon emissions. Based on a petrol car emitting approximately 170 grams of CO₂ per kilometre, and considering a 2.3 km effective time-distance saving at an average speed of 40 km/h, CO₂ emissions during waiting time are expected to drop by 30%—from 1,133 grams to 793 grams per vehicle. The proposed transformations include: Existing 2+2 lane (7m + 7m) with 2.7m cycle track → Expanded to 3+3 lane (9.7m + 9.7m) Existing 2+2 lane (7m + 7m) with 1.5m cycle track → Expanded to 3+3 lane (8.5m + 8.5m) Existing 1+1 lane (3.5m + 3.5m) with 1.5m cycle track → Expanded to 2+2 lane (5.0m + 5.0m) Implementation of One-Way Traffic System in BKC To streamline internal vehicular movement and reduce congestion in the busiest sections of BKC, a one-way traffic system will be implemented in BKC. This solution, backed by expert recommendations and traffic studies, is expected to significantly enhance traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks. The MMRDA said, "Through the MMRDA's strategic plan, we are enhancing BKC's infrastructure by expanding roads and implementing a one-way traffic system. These measures will significantly reduce congestion, improve travel times, and make BKC more efficient and accessible for commuters. This decision is the result of careful consideration of BKC’s growing economic importance and increasing footfall."
11 May,2025 05:31 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentIn a bid to increase its revenue and passenger capacity on its buses, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will bring back the 3x2 seating arrangement after more than 15 years, officials said on Sunday, reported news agency PTI. Earlier this week, the transport body's board approved the purchase of 3,000 new buses with conventional 3x2 seating instead of the existing 2x2 arrangement in ordinary buses, they said, reported PTI. Talking to PTI, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the 3x2 seating will bring more revenue to the corporation and give the passengers a comfortable ride, especially in rural areas. "Earlier, there were 52-55 seats in a bus, but now that number has come down to 40. So automatically, the requirement for buses went up, but the income per trip dropped. Hence, we decided to reintroduce 3x2 buses in the fleet," Pratap Sarnaik told PTI. According to officials, this is a significant development, as it will help the loss-making corporation generate more revenue and enable it to carry more passengers per bus. With a fleet of around 15,000, including around 12,500 ordinary buses, the MSRTC is the largest state transport corporation in the country. Officials pointed out that the ordinary buses of state transport corporations in neighbouring states still follow the 3x2 seating arrangement, and even the semi-luxury buses of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have this layout, reported PTI. An MSRTC official said Minister Sarnaik visited the KSRTC and GSRTC with senior officials, learnt the economics of seating arrangements in ordinary buses and decided to reintroduce the 3x2 format. "Passengers were forced to travel standing in the gangway. At least they now will get a place to sit and travel comfortably," he said, reported PTI. He said the number of women and elderly passengers increased significantly since the state government made travel free for senior citizens and gave a 50 per cent concession to women, reported PTI. The official said around 2008, the corporation decided to change the seating format and the iconic yellow-red colour scheme and rebranded its ordinary buses as "Parivartan" (transformation) by introducing a 2x2 seating arrangement. As these buses were more spacious and comfortable, they became popular among passengers. Officials said while the 2x2 seating arrangement provided comfort, especially on urban routes, with features like hand rests, a wider gangway, etc., passengers on crowded rural or semi-urban routes were dissatisfied, reported PTI. With the 3x2 seating arrangement, the seats and gangway may feel a bit congested, but passengers are more likely to get a seat during their journey, as the number of seats in 11-metre-long ordinary buses will increase from 40 to 50, they said, reported PTI. A senior official said the corporation has already floated a tender for 3x2 seat ordinary buses, and a pre-bid meeting has happened. He said it would take a few months for these buses to hit the streets of Maharashtra. "These buses will be effective on short and medium short-distance routes," the official said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
11 May,2025 03:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court has emphasised that the principle of bail is the rule, and refusal is an exception, saying detaining a prisoner for a long period without trial amounts to "pre-trial punishment", reported news agency PTI. A bench of Justice Milind Jadhav on May 9 also took note of overcrowded jails in the state, and said the courts need to strike a balance. The bench made the observations while granting bail to one Vikas Patil, arrested for allegedly killing his brother in 2018. Justice Jadhav noted that trials are nowadays taking perpetuity to conclude, and prisons were simultaneously overcrowded in some segments. The bench said it regularly deals with cases where undertrial prisoners have been in custody for a long period and is equally aware of the conditions of the prisons. Justice Jadhav referred to a December 2024 report from the superintendent of the Arthur Road Jail, which stated that the facility was overcrowded beyond its sanctioned capacity by more than six times. It noted that every barrack sanctioned to house only 50 inmates, as of date, has anywhere between 220 to 250 inmates. "Such an incongruity leads us to answer the proposition: How can courts find a balance between the two polarities?" Justice Jadhav remarked, reported PTI. The court said these are cases concerning the liberty of undertrial prisoners who have been incarcerated for long periods, impacting their constitutional right to speedy justice and personal liberty. The principle rule is bail is the rule, and refusal is the exception, it said. Justice Jadhav referred to an article written by two undertrial prisoners, "Proof of Guilt", which raised the question of the long incarceration of persons awaiting trial. He said while mere long incarceration cannot be an absolute proposition for bail, it was an important issue that needed consideration along with the right to a speedy trial. The paradox in the question raised in the article as to how long is too long a period of incarceration until the right to a speedy trial is defeated is relevant prima facie, and there cannot be one definite answer, the court remarked. Detaining an undertrial prisoner for a long period only served to legitimise the award of "surrogate punishment" without trial, which amounts to pre-trial punishment, the court said, reported PTI. The bench also called for a change in the mindset and approach of the prosecution and referred to how prosecutors vehemently oppose bail pleas even in cases of long incarceration pending trial under the mistaken impression that the crime was serious, and hence, bail should not be granted. "The overarching postulate of criminal jurisprudence that an accused is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty cannot be brushed aside lightly, however stringent the law may be," Justice Jadhav said, reported PTI. The court noted that in the present case, the accused has been in jail for over six years, and there is no distinct possibility of the trial to start or conclude in the near foreseeable future. (With inputs from PTI)
11 May,2025 03:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra government has decided to permanently shut down all Motor Transport Border Check Posts across the state, aligning with the Centre’s directives and the nationwide implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The move is intended to streamline interstate commercial vehicle movement, reduce logistical delays, and transition to a paperless transport system. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik confirmed the development on Sunday, stating that the decision marks a significant shift in the state’s approach to road transport regulation. “Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier urged us to phase out the border check posts. Similarly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated the need for their closure during the foundation ceremony of the Chief Transport Commissioner’s office,” Sarnaik said. He also noted that the State Transport Union has long advocated for the removal of these posts. Check posts rendered obsolete Initially established in 1966, the check posts were designed to monitor vehicle movement, enforce transport laws, and collect road taxes. However, with GST replacing the need for many state-level levies and the advent of advanced digital tracking systems, these physical checkpoints have become redundant. Following the Centre’s guidance, the state’s Transport Department submitted a favorable report to the Chief Minister’s Office, clearing the last remaining administrative hurdles. Final approval from the CM is awaited, after which all check posts will officially cease operations. Rs 504 crore compensation to private partner As part of this transition, the government will compensate Main Adani Pvt. Ltd., the private firm contracted to develop and manage the state’s Integrated Check Post (ICP) project. The compensation package, amounting to Rs 504 crore, will cover the termination of the project, which had integrated transport and customs functions at the border posts. “A proposal for the compensation has been sent to the Chief Minister. Once approved, the infrastructure and technology assets of the ICP will be handed over to the Transport Department,” Sarnaik said. Digital oversight to replace manual checks A committee led by the Transport Commissioner evaluated the implications of removing physical checkpoints. The panel concluded that modern electronic surveillance systems are capable of monitoring compliance, improving efficiency, and minimizing corruption. With this move, Maharashtra will join 18 other states that have already transitioned to a digital, paperless transport governance model in line with the Union Government’s 'Ease of Doing Business' initiative. “This reform will not only simplify logistics for transporters but also improve road safety and bring greater transparency to our transport administration,” Sarnaik added.
11 May,2025 02:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCivil Defence of Maharashtra recently conducted mock drills as part of the nationwide exercise, even though the agency has been grappling with manpower crunch and inadequate training equipment, reported news agency PTI. Realising the key role of civil defence amid the military confrontation between India and Pakistan, the government is trying to strengthen the agency by resolving issues ranging from paltry daily allowance to inadequate sirens and ambulances. With the spotlight on civil defence, a course will be introduced in the engineering college syllabus from the upcoming academic year, a senior Maharashtra government official said. The Directorate of Civil Defence and the University of Mumbai recently signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU), finalising the inclusion of the Civil Defence course in the academic curriculum, Director of Civil Defence Prabhat Kumar told PTI. This course will be taught in all engineering colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai and will carry a weightage of 25 marks. "Students who wish to serve the nation while pursuing their education will get an opportunity through this course," Kumar told PTI, adding that students will be trained in rescue operations and saving lives during emergencies. They will also be prepared to work alongside government and civic agencies, such as disaster management cells, fire brigades, and hospitals, especially during emergency and war-like situations. The spotlight on civil defence has intensified following mock drills conducted across coastal districts and Pune, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. These drills aimed to raise awareness among volunteers and the general public. The mock drills involved around 10,000 volunteers from Civil Defence, Home Guard, NDRF, and other emergency response agencies. An official told PTI the government is taking appropriate steps to strengthen civil defence, and its revival is underway. The Directorate of Civil Defence has long struggled with shortages in manpower, vehicles (including rescue vans and ambulances), sirens, and training equipment. However, these requirements are likely to be fulfilled in the near future, he said. Although the sanctioned manpower for Civil Defence is 420 personnel, operations are being carried out with only 135 staff members across the state. He said some units, like those in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, have only one full-time government employee each. "In emergencies, Civil Defence needs its ambulances and vehicles. However, many of the existing vehicles are in poor condition, with some on the verge of being scrapped," the official told PTI. Volunteers currently receive a daily allowance of Rs 150 for their service. A proposal has been submitted to the government to increase this amount to Rs 500 per day. He added that in addition to the proposed allowance hike, proposals for increasing manpower, training equipment, and sirens have also been submitted. The government is positive about meeting these demands. (With inputs from PTI)
11 May,2025 02:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFollowing the Union Ministry of Home Affairs' directives, a mock drill named “Operation Abhyas” is being conducted to evaluate emergency preparedness. The drill is scheduled for May 11, 2025, at 4 PM at Lodha Amara, Kolshet Ground, Thane. This mock drill is being conducted under the guidance of District Collector and Civil Defence Controller Ashok Shingare, Additional District Collector Harishchandra Patil, Resident Deputy Collector Dr. Sandeep Mane, and Sub-Divisional Officer Urmila Patil, along with Civil Defence Deputy Controller Vijay Jadhav. The initiative is being taken by Tehsildar Umesh Patil. Sequence of events during the mock drill: - A siren will be sounded. - Information regarding an air strike/bomb attack will be announced. - Instructions will be given to citizens to reach safe locations. - Citizens will be escorted to safety without causing panic or confusion. A search and rescue operation will be conducted in the pertinent area to promptly assist injured or trapped individuals and provide them with essential first aid. All departments and agencies have been instructed to treat this mock drill with utmost seriousness. The drill must be executed successfully by adhering to all the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. A siren will be sounded at 4 PM to alert citizens during the drill. During this period, citizens are requested to remain calm, refrain from believing in rumours, avoid taking selfies, and strictly follow the instructions provided by the authorities. Officials have clarified that this is solely a preparedness exercise and no actual disaster has transpired. This appeal has been made jointly by Sub-Divisional Officer Urmila Patil and Tehsildar Umesh Patil.Civil defence officials said the drill provided an opportunity to simulate and understand the exact coordination required during such emergencies. Exercises like these are crucial, particularly in sensitive urban areas like Mumbai and Thane, as they not only help train defence and emergency personnel but also raise public awareness about the dos and don’ts during crises.Helplines:Maharashtra Disaster Management Control Room 1070 / 112 / 9321587143 BMC: 1916 For those at homeIf you hear sirens, stay inside your house and be calm. For those on the roadIf you are driving or in a vehicle, stay calm and continue to drive or advise the driver not to stop.
11 May,2025 02:08 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe city and its surrounding districts will see a partly cloudy sky on Sunday, the weather department said. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience a partly cloudy sky on Sunday, May 11. Temperatures will range from a cool 26 degrees Celsius in the morning to a warm 34 degrees Celsius during the day. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Santacruz observatory in suburban Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 33.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 25.3 degrees Celsius. The weather department's data showed that the city observatory in Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 33 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather update forecasts a "partly cloudy sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Atmospheric and oceanic conditions are becoming favourable for the southwest monsoon to set in over the Andaman Sea and nearby areas around May 14, which closely aligns with the region’s typical onset date of May 15, according to some weather experts. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI in 'good' category On May 11, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality remained in the 'good' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 55 at 10:05 AM. As per the SAMEER app dashboard, many areas across Mumbai showed 'good' AQI. Bandra Kurla Complex recorded 'good' air quality with an AQI of 72. Byculla, Malad and Kandivali recorded 'good' air quality with an AQI of 33, 55 and 22, respectively. Chembur, Sewri and Mulund recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 36, 40 and 37, respectively. Meanwhile, Worli recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 60. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'good' category with an AQI of 69, while Thane registered a 'good' AQI of 49. The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'.
11 May,2025 12:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai Traffic Police have announced temporary traffic diversions on the southbound lane of Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Marg in Ghatkopar, owing to ongoing construction on the Metro-4 corridor. According to a notification issued by Pradeep Chavan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Eastern Suburbs, a girder has been installed on the Metro-4 pillars near Pankesha Baba Dargah. To assess its load-bearing capacity, heavy weights will be placed on the structure using a crane over two days. To ensure public safety and prevent traffic congestion, the southbound stretch of LBS Marg from R City Mall Junction to Pankesha Baba Dargah will be closed to all vehicles during the testing period. Traffic will instead be diverted to the northbound lane at R City Mall Junction. Vehicles will continue along this lane up to Pankesha Baba Dargah and rejoin the southbound side through a designated crossover near the Dargah. The diversion will be enforced from 9:00 PM on May 10 to 9:00 AM on May 11, and again from 9:00 PM on May 12 to 9:00 AM on May 13. Motorists are urged to follow traffic instructions and cooperate with the authorities to minimize inconvenience. The order was issued on May 9 under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and applicable government notifications.
11 May,2025 10:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra government has taken all security precautions, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday. Fadnavis spoke to reporters in Alandi village after taking darshan of Sant Dnyaneshwar. “Pakistan is a terrorist state. They have been supporting terrorism, but India won’t stop. Under the leadership of PM Modi, our armed forces are giving a befitting response to Pakistan,” he said. When asked about heightened security measures in Maharashtra, the CM said a review meeting was held in Mumbai on Friday. “All security precautions have been taken in the state in the wake of the current situation. Security information is provided to the district units, and resources are being made available,” he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 May,2025 08:18 AM IST | Pune | AgenciesIn recent years, Mumbai has seen a significant rise in stray animal sterilisation efforts, led by dedicated NGOs, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and municipalities in the greater Mumbai metropolitan region. However, the effort does not match the need, as the number of stray cats and dogs continues to climb and so do cases of animal fights, stray attacks, and infectious diseases among the animals in many pockets of the city. Behind this growing crisis lies a critical truth: Population control isn’t just about managing numbers — it’s about survival, safety, and compassion. Sterilisation is a medical procedure for animals which prevents them from reproducing. In male animals it is called neutering where the testicles are removed while for females, it is spaying where the ovaries and uterus are removed. Volunteer vets and surgeons participating in the Spay Day initiative of Feline Foundation. Pic/Instagram@thefelinefoundation Stray animal sterilisation comes with a good share of financial challenges. Many lower-middle-class families and individuals who care for strays simply can’t afford the surgeries, leading to an endless cycle of uncontrolled breeding. Sunday mid-day spoke to two key organisations working on the ground to better understand the challenges and the road ahead. In Versova, the Feline Foundation has been responding to the sharp spike in Mumbai’s stray cat population. “There’s no official census, but the surge in hotline calls, intakes, and sterilisations says it all,” says Pallavi Kamath, the foundation’s executive director. “Mumbai’s dense environment, coupled with plentiful food sources, means high breeding rates. Today, many stray cats only survive 6-7 years — far below their natural lifespan of 18-20 years.” Unlike dogs, cats are highly territorial and solitary. In overpopulated zones, they often engage in violent territorial disputes, suffer starvation, or fall victim to fatal illnesses. Mumbai’s harsh infrastructure — busy roads, open drains, construction debris — only worsens the danger. Reproductive cancers are also common in unneutered cats. “There’s a well-meaning but misplaced concern that neutering is unnatural,” Kamath says. “But stray overpopulation is also a man-made problem so it’s our responsibility to fix it, and sterilisation is humane.” In PAL Foundation’s Water Bowl Project, cement water bowls are donated to volunteers all over the city. Pic/Instagram@palfoundation.in While the BMC has been supportive of cat sterilisation — making Mumbai the only Indian city to institutionalise such efforts — the process is layered with paperwork, and public awareness is sorely lacking. “Bureaucratic formalities slow things down,” Kamath explains. “Many people don’t even know that free sterilisation services exist. That’s one of the biggest challenges we face — educating people and getting access to private properties where strays take shelter.” The story is no different for stray dogs. Deepali Jain, legal coordinator of Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) — a group founded by senior police inspector Sudhir Kudalkar — says the current protocol places too much responsibility on feeders. “Every female dog can give birth to 6-7 puppies. But the BMC only steps in when someone calls. Ideally, there should be designated officials managing sterilisation proactively.” Jain points to gaps in enforcement and coordination. While the BMC has tie-ups with groups like In Defense of Animals and Youth Organistion for Defence of Animals, there is no city-wide strategy. According to PAL, BMC data shows that the stray dog population has reached an estimated 1.64 lakh as of 2023 — marking a staggering 72% increase since 2014. Overpopulation leads to food scarcity, aggression, and rising cases of dog bites — especially during heat cycles. “Stray dogs recognise only their feeders. When people shoo them, they respond out of fear. That’s when bites happen,” she says. “They’re emotional beings, and they need calm, humane care — not hostility.” PAL also deals with animal cruelty and legal issues — cases of feeders being harassed, animals being hurt or illegally relocated, or territories disrupted by construction. With over 10,000 members in its WhatsApp community and 25-30 volunteer lawyers, PAL has become a legal support system for animal welfare across the country. But even promising initiatives stumble due to poor outreach. “There’s an app to register stray dogs, but no one knows about it,” Jain points out. “Without awareness and government-led education programs, we’re always a few steps behind.” Despite the hurdles, hope persists. The Feline Foundation recently neutered 105 cats in one day as part of Spay Day, a global event promoting sterilisation awareness. Meanwhile PAL has placed about 5,550 water bowls in Mumbai for dogs in their Free Water Bowl project of 2025. NGOs continue to push forward with zonal surveys, medical camps, and free sterilisation drives. Yet for any real progress to take root, Mumbai needs a structured, city-wide population control policy — with increased funding, stronger protocols, and consistent public awareness campaigns. As Jain puts it, “We accommodate people in this city with some sort of management. Why not extend that logic to strays? They deserve a lifeline too.” 15Average number of kittens a cat can deliver per year
11 May,2025 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Tanisha BanerjeeADVERTISEMENT
