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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
97 trees to go for alternative water tank behind Hanging Gardens
MUMBAI: In a major step towards repairing the 135-year-old Malabar Hill reservoir, the BMC has finalised the removal of 97 trees to make way for the construction of an alternative water tank on a plot behind the popular tourist spot of Hanging Gardens. The tank will ensure an uninterrupted water supply to parts of South Mumbai while the heritage reservoir undergoes crucial repairs. Of the 389 trees earlier earmarked on the plot, 189 were to be hacked, but after public resistance the number was brought down to 97. According to a civic official, 20 large trees, mostly mango, chikoo, jackfruit, Ashoka and palm, will be chopped. The rest of the trees are smaller ones. However, rare species like the Ram trees will be preserved. The plot has a huge variety of trees, among them jackfruit, junglee badam, mango, akash neem, kailashpati, jamoon, chafa, Ashoka, neem, coconut, kadipatta, amla, chikoo, reetha and many more. Botanists had surveyed the garden and estimated where a few Ashoka, jackfruit and shevga trees could be retained, depending on their size. 'We have bifurcated the tree-cutting into two segments,' said a civic official. 'Seventy-four trees will be removed where the new tank is being constructed, while 23 will be cut at the valve operations site.' In an effort to minimise the environmental impact, the BMC's waterworks department is exploring alternatives to further reduce the project's carbon footprint. 'We will try to save some more old trees,' the official said. Sticking to its earlier strategy, the BMC has conveyed to IIT Roorkee that it will opt for a 52-MLD (million litres per day) single-tank design, abandoning an earlier, more elaborate plan to explore a three-tier system with a capacity ranging between 35 and 44 MLD. The three-tier plan included an underground tank, a ground-level tank and an overhead tank. This vertical configuration aimed to reduce land use while maintaining supply during repair periods by pumping water to the upper level when necessary. However, the civic official said that the estimated cost of the project was ₹100–125 crore, which made it non-feasible. The decision to build an alternative tank was reinforced by a recommendation from IIT-Roorkee, whose experts inspected the aging Malabar Hill reservoir in June 2024. While the BMC had initially requested the team to consider options for repair without constructing an additional tank, the IIT team maintained that a 52-MLD alternative was essential. This marks a shift from the earlier ₹698-crore plan to completely reconstruct the reservoir, which was scrapped after public resistance and intervention from local representatives, which saved the iconic Hanging Gardens above it. Malabar Hill MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha had announced in 2024 that the BMC would only carry out repairs on the reservoir, preserving the historic structure while addressing the city's water needs. Malabar Hill's requirement is 240 MLD, and the current reservoir has a capacity of only 147 MLD. At present it supplies water primarily to A and D wards comprising areas like Nariman Point, Cuffe Parade, Churchgate, Colaba, Girgaon, Nepeansea Road and the entire Malabar Hill area.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Malabar Hill reservoir repair: BMC now mulls 3-tier tank
Mumbai: BMC is now considering constructing a three-tier alternative tank with a capacity of 35-44 million litres per day (MLD) as part of the long-delayed repairs of the 135-year-old Malabar Hill reservoir. As per the proposal, the structure would include an underground tank, a ground-level tank and a third tank on a floor above. Water would be brought in through the ground-level tank and pumped to the upper level to maintain supply when compartments of the main reservoir are shut for repairs. Civic officials estimate the project could cost Rs 100-125 crore. Officials said Hanging Gardens would pose the primary challenge to this plan —which were the bone of contention earlier too—as they sit directly above the reservoir. To isolate the reservoir for repairs, heavy weights would need to be placed on the gardens to counter hydrostatic pressure. This may impact public access to the gardens during the repairs, pointed out officials. "How accessible the gardens will remain is still being worked out," a civic official said. The repairs, initially planned years ago, were repeatedly stalled due to citizens' resistance. In its final report on Feb 2024, some experts of an eight-member panel had said a phase-wise reconstruction of the tanks would not be possible without affecting supply unless a new tank was built. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Ken Koh revived ailing family business in S'pore to produce the 'Rolls-Royce' of soya sauce CNA Read More Undo The need for an alternative tank was confirmed following a recommendation by a team from IIT-Roorkee, which inspected the reservoir in June 2024 and suggested constructing one of 52 MLD capacity. BMC asked the team to reassess the feasibility of fixing the reservoir without building another tank and how water could be supplied in such a case. The IIT team reiterated its recommendation, but BMC decided to scale down the capacity of such a tank and build it vertically to reduce its footprint as much as possible. It was after a 10-month battle with civic authorities that Malabar Hill MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha had announced in 2024 that the original Rs 698-crore plan to reconstruct the reservoir had been scrapped and, instead, it would only be repaired. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
News18
11-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Maharashtra To Train 1 Lakh Youths Yearly Through Home-District Apprenticeship
Last Updated: Officials say the decision will not only reduce the burden of relocation but also strengthen the connection between local talent and industries In a major boost for skill development and employment, Maharashtra's Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has directed that students from Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) be provided apprenticeship opportunities within their home districts. This move is expected to help thousands of students gain hands-on experience while staying close to their families. Officials say the decision will not only reduce the burden of relocation but also strengthen the connection between local talent and industries. Students will now be able to work and earn a stipend through apprenticeship programmes in industries operating in their own regions. Under the Maharashtra Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, the state aims to train around one lakh candidates every year. Industries with 30 or more employees (including contractual staff) are now required to offer apprenticeship positions equal to 2.5% to 25% of their total workforce. Currently, the scheme covers 258 designated trades in 27 sectors and 414 optional trades in 35 sectors. In addition, 123 professions under the Maharashtra State Skill Development Examination Board and 20 others in six sectors have also been included. Depending on the trade, apprenticeship duration can range from 6 to 36 months. Both freshers and previously trained candidates will benefit from this initiative. To ensure quality training, government, semi-government, and private institutions are being encouraged to increase apprenticeship intakes. The curriculum of ITIs is also being reviewed regularly so more trades can be brought under this scheme. As per government norms, institutions offering basic training will receive the necessary reimbursements. Students have already welcomed the move. Many ITI students across the state have expressed satisfaction at getting a chance to learn and work without leaving their hometowns. Lodha is also actively working to restore apprentice recruitment in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Earlier, about 200 ITI students were appointed annually in BMC departments, but this practice had stopped in recent years. The minister has written to the BMC Commissioner to restart this initiative, and similar efforts are underway in other municipal corporations across the state. First Published:
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maha govt to seek help of private companies to upgrade its ITIs
1 2 3 Nagpur: To address the growing demand for skilled manpower in emerging sectors like solar energy and electric vehicles, the Maharashtra govt has announced a new policy to upgrade its industrial training institutes (ITIs) through private partnerships. Speaking at a seminar, skill development minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said the policy is aimed at transforming govt ITIs into world-class training centres with the active involvement of private industry. "The pace of industrial change is rapid, and new technologies require new skills. We want to equip our youth accordingly," he said. The minister revealed that the state has 418 govt-run ITIs and nearly 600 in the private sector. "Training must align with actual job market needs," Lodha added. "We've studied the gaps and launched this policy to overcome gaps by partnering with industry." Under the scheme, industries, industrial associations, PSUs, and NGOs can adopt ITIs. Tenure options include 10 years with Rs10 crore investment or 20 years with Rs20 crore. MITRA (Maharashtra Institution for Transformation) will act as the strategic partner for implementation. Lodha assured the govt's commitment to provide technically skilled young manpower through ITIs and urged private companies to come forward with confidence to partner in this modernisation effort. This initiative involves multiple stakeholders including Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skill University, Maharashtra State Skill Development Society, and others. Advantage Vidarbha's Ashish Kale expressed hope that the policy will meet the growing demand for skilled manpower driven by new industries in the Vidarbha region, supported by investments encouraged by leaders like chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Lodha also attended a job fair organised by RTMNU with the District Skill Development Center and Model Career Center, where 19 companies offered jobs to over 300 students. A student app was also launched to help youth access employment and training resources.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BJP functionaries demand more women-centric schemes
Nashik: BJP functionaries in Nashik on Friday urged minister of skill, employment, entrepreneurship and innovation Mangal Prabhat Lodha to prioritise women-centric technical and skill education to boost self-employment opportunities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Minister Lodha, visiting the local BJP office, specifically asked for suggestions from the functionaries on how his ministry could best serve the public. A senior BJP office-bearer revealed that another significant demand raised was for government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to undertake construction of rainwater harvesting systems in govt buildings. "This, they argued, would ensure a financial flow to the institutes while simultaneously advancing student skill development," the functionary said. Another suggestion was to provide different technical and skill development courses to women so that they could handle modern equipment required for the production of household or even industrial goods, which will help them to be self-employed. The functionaries also demanded that various measures should be taken to propagate information about the courses and schemes to the last man. The minister took note of all the demands and assured the functionaries of taking necessary steps to fulfil them. The minister also said he would soon form teams to spread the message of govt schemes to the beneficiaries.
