The already reducing cover of mangroves in Navi Mumbai is set to be chopped further, with a proposal being submitted by CIDCO to the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, seeking to take mangrove area equivalent to approximately 16 football fields for setting up extra high voltage transmission (EHVT) Lines. Presently, the EHVT Lines are passing through the proposed area for the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) as well as the approach funnel of the airport. They will have to be shifted to facilitate the construction of NMIA, and make the airport operationally safe.

CIDCO has already submitted the proposal regarding the shifting of EHVT lines to the central government. The linear portion of 9.0361 hectare of forest land has been proposed for the diversion. Some 24.01 hectare of non-forest land is required for the R823.45 crore project. The portion of the land required for the project also includes areas around 10 villages in Raigad district and the forest patch that will be diverted will be from Sonkhar, Ulwa, Targhar, Vaghivli, Panvel, Kamothe, Kharghar.

CIDCO says
Speaking to mid-day, CIDCO PRO Priya Ratambe, said, "We are going to do compensatory mangroves plantation against the forest area that will be diverted for the project. Since I don't have the complete technical details, I cannot explain when the compensatory transplantation work will start and when it will be completed. But, we will have to cut mangroves as it is required for the airport project and is unavoidable."

Against transplantation
Reacting to the proposal, activist Nandakumar Pawar, who has been constantly raising his voice against destruction of mangroves in Navi Mumbai said, "In the name of development, the authorities are ignoring the importance of the ecologically rich mangroves that are home to a rich biodiversity. It is really sad on the part of authorities to say that they will be doing transplantation and compensatory transplantation at other place because everyone is well aware of the fact that the survival rate of transplanted trees is extremely less."

He added, "I'm a fisherman and since I was a child, I've made several attempts to grow mangroves but there has been no success. The nine hectares of mangroves that will have to be diverted is an important area and this patch will never get its environment back. We're against this decision."

Massive destruction
The teams appointed by the Maharashtra State Mangrove Monitoring Committee have recorded massive destruction of wetlands and mangroves in at least four places in Uran, and the killing of 4,500 aquatic plants along NH 348. Swiftly acting on a series of complaints filed by environment groups – The Nature Connect and Shree Ekvira Aai Pratishtan (SEAP) – the mangrove committee has directed the revenue and forest departments to investigate and report the destruction.

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To aid the construction of the Navi Mumbai airport, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) had successfully shifted eight villages from the area that will be affected by the project, but forgot to make arrangements for the pets and animals in the village. The NGO, Hands That Heal, has now come forward to give shelter and food to these animals, who had been abandoned by the authorities. They are now relocating all the animals to their shelter in Panvel.

The villages that have been shifted include Chinchpada, Kolhi, Kopar, Ulwe, Varche Ulwe, Pargaon-Dungi, Targhar, Kombadbhuje and Waghivli Vada. From these areas, villagers are to be resettled in Wadghar, Wahal and Kunde Wahal areas. Aishwarya Chaudhary, founder of the NGO, said, "I didn't know about this situation but recently, I came across a post on Facebook mentioning the plight of the animals and birds in this area. My team of 12 has been working for the past four days. Many animals were found dehydrated, starving and homeless."

"We have collected 20 dogs, 13 cats, and three cows. As many trees have been cut down as well; birds have also been displaced. Our shelter is too small to house everyone, and I urge CIDCO and other NGOs to come forward to help this cause," added Chauhan. CIDCO PRO, Priya Ratambe said, "Our health department is finding a solution for the situation and will find an alternative soon."

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This weekend, the action shifts to Navi Mumbai as it readies to host its first-ever flea market. The idea germinated when Jaspreet, a resident of the satellite city who organises corporate events, got tired of travelling to Mumbai each time he wanted to attend an event, much like everyone else in his neighbourhood.

"We have only celebrity performances here, and there's not much of music or stand-up comedy. Yes, local colleges here host events, but that's about it. We wanted to give locals an event of their own," he says. "We're mixing modern, quirky elements with desi decor. We will have stalls from Delhi, Punjab and Jaipur selling jhumkas, handicrafts, home decor, customised sneakers and wacky stationery," he informs.

Malvani mutton sukke

The food will include typical Maharashtrian dishes including Malvani and Nagpuri fare, apart from Kolkata rolls, kebabs and chhole kulche. Those who swear by fries can get their fill at a dedicated stall, and you can cool off with fruit popsicles that can be customised. Visitors also get to sip on a range of cocktails.

Divine

All this while you groove to a star-studded line-up, led by DIVINE, the rapper who is all the rage thanks to
Gully Boy. Ritviz, Delhi bassist and DJ MojoJojo, Sonic Sage, Rang the Band and Not The Acoustic Average. Stand-up comedians Angad Singh Ranyal, Sahil Shah, Rahul Dua and Azeem Banatwalla will also be performing at the three-day event.

Rahul Dua

Poetry enthusiasts who enjoy poet Kabir Das's dohas should attend Neeraj Arya's Kabir Cafe performance. Their originals comprise of progressive rock renditions of Kabir's poetry. They will be performing songs from their latest album as well as old favourites. "It'll be like going back to the days when you read the dohas, or heard it on a cassette or when your grandmother sang it to you," says Raman Iyer, from the outfit. Performing for the third time in Navi Mumbai, the band says a lot their fans from the area have been asking them to perform there for a while now. "Given the traffic, it's natural to wish for something to happen next door. Navi Mumbai now has a lot more pop-up events and venues are also opening up," he says.

ON March 1 to 3, 2 pm onwards
AT DY Patil Football Grounds, Nerul, Navi Mumbai
LOG ON TO insider.in
COST Rs 250 onwards

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On the basis of the specific input, the NCB Mumbai unit seized 2.9 kg white crystalline powder suspected to be ephedrine, from a courier hub in Navi Mumbai on March 2, 2019. The two parcels which contained ephedrine concealed in them were booked by a lady who was arrested on last Saturday in connection with a seizure of 280 gm of amphetamine.

The said consignments were destined for New Zealand and Zambia. Further investigations are under process to identify the source of the seized drugs.

Ephedrine is a controlled substance in India which has legitimate industrial usage, however, it can also be used in the illicit drug market for the manufacturing an illicit drug.

Dealing in drugs may attract punishment of rigorous imprisonment up to 20 years and a financial penalty of up to Rs. 2 lakhs and even can even lead, to being awarded a death penalty.

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After a huge delay, the Navi Mumbai Metro trains are finally here. Two trains of three cars each have landed at the Mumbai port from China, and will soon make their way to Navi Mumbai. mid-day gets you a first look at the sleek trains with swank exteriors.

The Navi Mumbai Metro has been delayed much beyond schedule. The first phase (now under implementation) begins from Belapur railway station and ends at Pendhar station near Taloja. The total length of this route is 11.10 km and it will have eleven stations and a depot-cum-workshop which is being developed at Taloja.

"The trains will undergo trials soon. The target is to commission them by 2020," Deepak Hartalkar, Superintending Engineer, Navi Mumbai Metro, told mid-day. He said work on the elevated spans has been 100 pc complete, work on stations and signalling etc is in progress. "Once various kinds of trials and tests are done, the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety will be approached for clearances which will take a few months," he added.

The Metro will open for public only after the safety commissioner gives his approval and this might take time till 2020. Work on the first phase approximately costs Rs 3,063.63 crore.

FINALLY! Here they are. Navi Mumbai Metro trains arrive. Two three-car trains land at Mumbai port. My story in @mid_day today and a few more pics. Click here to read: https://t.co/f0VswpLZJz pic.twitter.com/aZAWQdv2KE

— Rajendra B. Aklekar (@rajtoday) March 11, 2019

The second phase has been planned between Khandeshwar and Taloja MIDC. The third phase will connect Pendhar and Taloja MIDC and the fourth phase will connect Khandeshwar and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) near Panvel.

Also read: Navi Mumbai Metro brings Howrah Bridge to Mumbai

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Hey, Navi Mumbaikars and especially foodies we call for #NOCOOKINGWEEKEND on March 16-17, 2019. The Bhukkad Flea along with Amigo Entertainment presents a fund-raising event for an NGO Earthangels Welfare Foundation – Navi Mumbai Food Truck Festival 2nd Edition at Tandel Grounds, Sector 26, Seawoods, Navi Mumbai.

It's the biggest and most awaited event in the city wherein we bring to your city’s best food cuisine, flea stalls and much more fun activities. Food trucks, food stalls, shopping stalls, and a dedicated kids zone will be up for everyone to enjoy and have fun at the festival. Activities like pani puri eating competition, grape stomping, dance competition, and many performances will make your weekend worth remembering for a lifetime.

Mascot Meet and Greet, 100+ food dishes and exclusive products for women will keep ur stomach full, enjoyable, and happy at the end of the day. We promise to make you groove, dance and sing along as we will be having best of Navi Mumbaikars performing for all our wonderful audience.

Save the date and be here with your friends and family as it'll be the best food experience of the city as this is the 2nd edition and we know you don't want to miss it!

Event Name: Navi Mumbai Food Truck Festival 2nd Edition
Date: March 16-17, 2019
Time: 11am to 10pm
Venue: Tandel Ground, Seawoods, Navi Mumbai
Visitors: Rs 20

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The Way of the Cross, a re-enactment of the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is a visual reminder of his agony, pain, suffering, and death on the Cross. On the eve of Good Friday, over 300 parishioners of Sacred Heart Church gathered to witness and participate in the Stations of the Cross. Retracing the steps of Christ, more than 300 Catholics and bystanders walked the streets of Vashi singing hymns of praise and prayers.

The Friday's mass commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Mount Calvary in Jerusalem, nearly 2,000 years ago. The next major event will take place on Sunday morning when the 'Passion Week' ends with the Easter Sunday festival which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Here's how the parishioners conducted the station of the cross in Mumbai:

Jesus laying in his mother's lap

The enactment of the station of the cross depicts Jesus in pain and agony

Parishioners walk along with the station of the cross as they recite hymns and prayers

On Good Friday, thousands and lakhs of Christians will be out in large numbers and overflow the local churches as they participated in the Good Friday mass.

Today, in Kerala, local churches were overflowing as thousands of Christians participated in the Good Friday mass. Of the around 3.4 crore population of Kerala, Christians number 61.41 lakhs, composed of 29.94 lakhs males and 31.47 lakhs females. The chief priest, who conducts the day's mass, along with a large number of the laity re-enact Jesus' journey with the worshippers moving to each station singing hymns as the story of the betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Christ is narrated by the priest.

The most important ritual in this mass is the drinking of 'choruka' - a decoction made of bitter gourd juice and vinegar - by all the devotees. When the Good Friday mass reaches its last lap, the priest pours out a spoon of 'choruka' into the mouth of each and every person attending the mass.

At the end of the Good Friday mass in Kerala, those attending are served 'kanji' - the steaming hot gruel made of rice along with mango pickle and a serving of pulses. To know the full story read here.

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