Mumbai: Several two-wheeler riders sustained minor injuries after skidding on the Vikhroli East-West connecting flyover on Friday, following an oil spill from a passing vehicle.The incident occurred when oil leaked onto the road surface, making the stretch slippery and causing multiple riders to lose control. Officials confirmed that while a few riders were injured, none suffered serious harm.The mishap took place a short distance ahead of the convoy of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, who was en route from Vikhroli to Powai for an event. On noticing the incident, the mayor immediately halted her convoy and stepped in to assist the injured. She interacted with the riders and ensured that they received prompt attention.She also alerted the traffic police and directed them to regulate vehicular movement on the flyover to prevent further accidents. Instructions were issued to provide first aid to those injured.Subsequently, the mayor contacted officials from the municipal ward office, fire brigade and the bridges department, directing them to coordinate and take immediate measures to clear the spill and restore safe traffic conditions on the flyover.

Mumbai: Suburban and some long-distance train services on Western Railway will face early morning disruption on Sunday due to a major block at Prabhadevi for girder-related work, along with a jumbo block in the Vasai Road–Virar section during the intervening night of March 21 and 22.The traffic and power block on all lines at Prabhadevi will be carried out from 1.30 am to 6 am to facilitate critical infrastructure work on the road overbridge.During this period, no suburban train services will run between Churchgate and Prabhadevi. Stations such as Matunga Road and Mahim will not be served, while several trains will be short-terminated or reversed at Dadar and Bandra.Western Railway officials said some suburban services will be cancelled or short-terminated, and a few mail/express trains will also be regulated due to the block.In addition, a jumbo block will be operated on the UP and DOWN local lines between Vasai Road and Virar from 12.15 am to 4.15 am. During this period, local trains will be diverted to run on through (fast) lines between Virar/Vasai Road and Borivali, impacting normal suburban operations in the northern section.The twin blocks are part of ongoing infrastructure and maintenance works aimed at improving operational safety and connectivity across the Western Railway suburban network.Passengers have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly, especially during the early morning hours when services will remain affected across key sections.

Stat In a bid to mitigate flooding during the upcoming monsoon, BMC will deploy 547 dewatering pumps across vulnerable locations in the city on a hire basis. The civic body has floated a two-year contract for the same at a cost of Rs 142 crores. Of the total, 146 pumps will be stationed in the city area, 223 in western suburbs and 178 in eastern suburbs.In addition to the hired pumps, 26 departmental dewatering pump sets of various capacities will also be put to use. Due to inadequate staff availability in the SWD Workshop, these pumps are operated and maintained by the appointed contractual agency, the tender states.The number of pumps being deployed this year is higher when compared to the 504 pumps deployed last monsoon. Civic officials said that these pumps will be stationed at flood-prone and low-lying areas. The comprehensive Operation and Maintenance (O&M) period is scheduled from May 25 to Oct 15, 2026, covering the core monsoon window.Dewatering pumps play a critical role in Mumbai’s flood management system, particularly as several parts of the city lie below sea level. These pumps are designed to quickly remove excess rainwater from waterlogged areas by lifting and discharging it into nearby drains, rivers, or directly into the sea.

NEW DELHI: As India and Bangladesh look to work towards a pragmatic reset in ties, Bangladesh high commissioner Riaz Hamidullah Friday called on external affairs minister S Jaishankar and also commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal.Jaishankar said that the conversation with Hamidullah was focused on advancing bilateral ties. In a social media post about the “courtesy call”, the high commissioner said he affirmed Bangladesh’s readiness to walk, work with India, together, in shared interests and for shared benefits.These were rare meetings that Hamidullah had in the capital with senior Indian ministers since he was appointed high commissioner in April last year. Describing Goyal as a leader with exceptional wisdom, passion and foresight, he said that the commerce minister shared his vision of deepening economic partnership.“Discussed ways to advance wider Bangladesh-India economic partnership aside addressing prevalent trade-related issues to driven by shared benefits for both people,” said Hamidullah on X.India received a request from Dhaka in the middle of the West Asia crisis for continued supply of diesel as per the long-term energy trade contract between the two countries. India has said it will consider the request, keeping in mind its own fuel requirement. The two countries are also looking to finalise dates for a visit by Bangladesh foreign minister Khalilur Rahman in April.