Ulhasnagar Mayor Ashwini Nikam conducted a late-night inspection, uncovering significant lapses in the city’s readiness for the impending monsoon

ULHASNAGAR: With the monsoon knocking on the door, Ulhasnagar’s civic preparedness came under sharp scrutiny after Mayor Ashwini Kamlesh Nikam conducted a surprise midnight inspection on two wheeler across several parts of the city and found heaps of garbage, open trenches, clogged drains and incomplete development works.Accompanied by corporators, local representatives and senior civic officials, Nikam on two wheeler visited key locations across the city to assess the status of cleanliness and infrastructure works before the onset of heavy rains.During the inspection, the mayor expressed strong displeasure over the condition of roads, drainage systems and public spaces, warning officials against any negligence that could inconvenience residents during the monsoon season.According to civic sources, the inspection covered major areas including Section Camp, Ulhasnagar-2, Gol Maidan, Phule Chowk, Prem Auto, Shahad railway station, the bus stand vicinity and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk. At several locations, garbage piles were found lying unattended, while drains and nullahs remained clogged despite repeated instructions for pre-monsoon desilting and cleaning.The mayor also took note of unfinished civic projects and open excavations that could pose a safety risk to pedestrians and motorists during heavy rainfall. Officials were directed to immediately clear debris, complete pending works and ensure proper drainage arrangements to prevent waterlogging.In a statement issued after the inspection, Nikam said citizens would not be made to suffer due to administrative lapses. She instructed all departments to complete monsoon-related works on a war footing and ensure that roads, drains and nullahs remain functional throughout the rainy season.Several Shiv Sena functionaries, public representatives and municipal officers accompanied the mayor during the late-night inspection. Civic officials have now been asked to submit compliance reports and take immediate corrective measures.Residents have welcomed the surprise inspection, expressing hope that the administration’s intervention will help address long-pending civic issues before the arrival of the monsoon.

ULHASNAGAR: In a significant administrative move, Ulhasnagar Municipal Commissioner Manisha Awhale has withdrawn the charge of Medical Health Officer (MHO) from Dr Mohini Haresh Dharma, citing serious deficiencies in the functioning of the health department and concerns over supervision, cleanliness management, record maintenance, allegations of corruption and implementation of public health programmes.The action follows an inspection conducted by the municipal administration on May 19, during which officials reportedly found the condition of several urban primary health centres unsatisfactory. According to the official order issued by the commissioner, shortcomings were observed in basic infrastructure, sanitation, maintenance of registers, medicine stock records and overall management of health facilities.The order further notes that despite health services being a critical public responsibility, the department allegedly failed to ensure proper utilisation of medicines and equipment supplied by the government and the civic body. The administration also expressed concern over the implementation of public health schemes, including programmes linked to the National Health Mission and maternal health initiatives.Adding to the controversy, the order references complaints received regarding statements allegedly made by local MLA Kumar Ailani, who had accused Dr Dharma of demanding money from doctors in the city. The civic administration described the allegations as serious and noted that they had created resentment among sections of the medical fraternity. According to the order, there were reports that doctors’ associations had even discussed the possibility of agitation and suspension of medical services over the issue.The commissioner stated that considering the overall situation and administrative concerns, Dr Dharma would no longer continue as Medical Health Officer. The additional charge has been handed over temporarily to Dr Satyam Gupta, Tuberculosis Officer of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, until further orders.The development has reignited demands from citizens and activists for a comprehensive departmental inquiry into the functioning of the health department during Dr Dharma’s tenure. Activists have sought an examination of administrative decisions, implementation of health schemes, expenditure, procurement processes and all complaints received by the civic administration.Among those raising concerns is activist Satyajit Burman, who had earlier alleged that Dr Dharma’s appointment in the municipal corporation in 2019 was irregular. Burman claimed that she was appointed through a municipal resolution despite being 50 years and 11 months old at the time, which he alleged violated eligibility norms.Significantly, Burman claimed that when he sought details of the appointment process and requested copies of the relevant appointment file from the municipal corporation, civic officials informed him that records pertaining to Dr Dharma’s appointment were not available with the corporation. Burman argued that the absence of the appointment file further strengthened his allegations regarding irregularities in the recruitment process and raised questions about transparency and record maintenance within the administration. However, despite the allegations and complaints submitted to various authorities, no action has so far been taken against Dr Dharma in connection with the appointment-related issues.

KALYAN: Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has assured that electricity supply to illegal jeans-wash units operating across the Kalyan division will be disconnected within seven days, following a protest by social activists and environmental groups outside its office on Tuesday.The agitation was held at the MSEDCL Kalyan Division office premises in Tejashree Compound and saw participation from members of several organisations and environmental activists and several other activists took part in the protest.The protesters raised concerns over rising electricity bills, the alleged mandatory installation of electric meters and the failure of authorities to disconnect power supply to illegal jeans-wash factories despite repeated directions from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).According to the activists, the MPCB has issued closure notices to several illegal jeans-wash units operating in the Kalyan division over the past three years. The pollution watchdog had also directed MSEDCL to disconnect electricity supply to these units. However, protesters alleged that the orders were not implemented, allowing the units to continue operating.Environmental activist Shashikant Dayma alleged that several illegal jeans-wash units are functioning in residential and semi-residential areas of Ulhasnagar, Kalyan and Ambernath. He claimed that these units use chemical-laden water to process and colour denim fabric and subsequently discharge the untreated effluent into nearby drains.“The contaminated water eventually flows into the Ulhas and Waldhuni rivers without treatment, causing environmental damage and affecting the health and quality of life of residents living near these units,” Dayma alleged.He further claimed that hundreds of such units were once concentrated in Ulhasnagar and were shut down following enforcement action a few years ago. However, after the crackdown, many operators allegedly shifted their activities to the outskirts of the city and gradually resumed operations illegally in parts of Ulhasnagar, Kalyan and Ambernath.Holding MSEDCL equally responsible for the continued pollution of the Ulhas and Waldhuni rivers, protesters staged a sit-in outside the office of the chief engineer and demanded immediate action against both the units and officials accused of ignoring MPCB directives.Following discussions with the protesters, MSEDCL’s chief engineer reportedly provided a written assurance that electricity connections of illegal jeans-wash units would be disconnected within seven days. The utility also assured that action would be taken against officials found responsible for failing to comply with regulatory orders.Shailesh Tiwari an activist part of protest alleged that the delay in implementing MPCB directives reflected a lack of seriousness towards environmental protection. Dayma, meanwhile, expressed hope that strict enforcement would help curb industrial pollution and improve the health of the Ulhas and Waldhuni river systems.

KALYAN: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday asserted that the Mahayuti government would always stand firmly with Sanatan Dharma whenever it faces challenges, while addressing a large gathering at the historic Pimpleshwar Mahadev Temple in Dombivli.The chief minister was speaking at a gratitude ceremony and public felicitation programme organised by the temple trust after the state cabinet approved the transfer of the temple’s 4.5-acre land parcel from MIDC to the Pimpleshwar Temple Trust, bringing an end to a long-standing dispute over the property.The event was attended by Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, Industries Minister Uday Samant, local leaders, trustees, devotees and representatives of the Warkari community.Addressing devotees, Fadnavis said the successful resolution of the land issue was a victory of faith and perseverance rather than politics.“The struggle over the Pimpleshwar Mahadev land has finally come to an end. This is a victory of Mahadev’s devotees. I am grateful to Lord Mahadev for giving me an opportunity to be a part of this sacred work,” he said.The chief minister noted that the increasing value of land in the area had led to repeated attempts to stake claims over the temple property. “There were efforts from various quarters to take control of the land, but devotees, trustees and local residents remained united and protected this sacred place,” he said.Fadnavis credited Industries Minister Uday Samant, Forest Minister Chandrakant Bawankule and MLA Ravindra Chavan for pursuing the issue and helping secure cabinet approval for the land transfer.“This government respects all religions and does not believe in insulting any faith. However, whenever Sanatan Dharma faces a challenge, the Mahayuti government will stand strongly with it,” he said.Speaking on the occasion, Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Shinde said the resolution of the land issue marked the culmination of a decades-long struggle by temple trustees, villagers, social workers and devotees.“For many years, the trust, local residents and devotees fought tirelessly for this land. Under the leadership of the Mahayuti government, the issue concerning the temple’s 4 acres and 25 gunthas of land has finally been resolved,” Shinde said.He added that the government would now focus on the temple’s restoration and development. “The land issue has been settled, and in the coming years all necessary decisions regarding the temple’s renovation, development and funding will be taken,” he said.Highlighting religious tourism initiatives in the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, Shinde said restoration work at the Khidkali Temple was underway, while development of the ancient Shiva temple complex in Ambernath was progressing. He also cited infrastructure upgrades at Malanggad and Durgaadi Fort Temple as examples of the government’s focus on preserving religious heritage.Shinde further revealed that a large religious tourism corridor is being planned across the constituency to connect key pilgrimage centres and improve facilities for devotees.Pod Taxi Demand for Kalyan-DombivliDuring the programme, Shinde urged the chief minister to introduce a Pod Taxi network in the Kalyan-Dombivli region, citing rapid urbanisation and increasing transport needs. Drawing parallels with the proposed Pod Taxi project in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex, he said such a system would significantly improve last-mile connectivity by linking railway stations, Metro corridors and residential areas.According to Shinde, the project could become a major component of the region’s future urban transport network and support the vision of developing Kalyan-Dombivli into a modern and smart urban centre.