The initiative encourages residents, housing societies and businesses to adopt public spaces and work together to keep Navi Mumbai clean and green.

The Campaign

More than one lakh citizens have registered for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s (NMMC) ‘Sugandhi Shahar’ (Fragrant City) campaign, which aims to improve cleanliness and beautify public spaces through active public participation.

The initiative, conceived by Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, includes the ‘Angan Dattak Yojana’ (Adopt-a-Space Scheme). It was launched in March 2026 from Vashi village in the presence of Mayor Sujata Patil. Under the scheme, residents, housing societies, shopkeepers and other participants are encouraged to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness and improving public spaces near their homes and establishments. The campaign aims to make cleanliness a shared responsibility between citizens and the civic administration.

Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat said the campaign had received an encouraging response. A coordination meeting was recently held in Vashi to strengthen cooperation among residents, traders, street vendors, cleanliness volunteers and officials from various NMMC departments. Representatives from the health, gardens, water supply, electricity and solid waste management departments participated in discussions on improving coordination and ensuring regular maintenance of adopted spaces.

Bhagat also appealed to citizens to conserve water, highlighting concerns over reduced rainfall and declining water levels at Morbe Dam. He stressed the importance of making water conservation and cleanliness part of everyday life. Through the campaign, the civic body hopes to encourage greater community participation and create cleaner, greener and healthier neighbourhoods across Navi Mumbai.

Mayor Sujata Patil directs a detailed investigation into the work and contracts handled by the suspended electrical department engineer.

The Suspension

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has revoked the suspension of Deputy Commissioner Dr Kailas Gaikwad, who was facing bribery allegations. At the same time, the civic body has decided to continue the suspension of electrical department executive engineer Pravin Gade and ordered a detailed inquiry into his work.

Dr Gaikwad was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) after allegedly demanding Rs 42,000 from a contractor to approve a pending bill in the encroachment department. He was subsequently suspended by the civic administration and later granted bail by a court.

During a general body meeting on Tuesday, representatives proposed revoking his suspension and assigning him to a department other than the encroachment department. Mayor Sujata Patil approved the proposal. However, the decision does not mean that the bribery allegations against him have been dropped. Meanwhile, Pravin Gade’s suspension was discussed following an electric shock incident involving two schoolgirls in Nerul on July 1, 2025, reportedly caused by exposed electrical wires.

During the meeting, corporators raised questions about electrical works and contracts handled during his tenure. Concerns were also raised about alleged irregularities in electrical projects worth around Rs 12 crore and a hospital air-conditioning project worth Rs 6 crore. The Mayor directed that an ad hoc committee conduct a detailed inquiry into Gade’s work and contracts. His suspension will continue until further review, and he will not be assigned to another department while the inquiry is pending.

Corporator Nishant Bhagat and senior citizens’ group seek rejection of liquor licence, citing safety concerns and nearby schools, hospital and religious centres.

The Bar

A proposal to open an orchestra bar and obtain a liquor licence for M/s Hausa Restaurant in the residential building ‘The Affairs’ in Sector 17, Sanpada, along Palm Beach Road, has sparked strong opposition from residents and local representatives.

Corporator Nishant Bhagat and the Palm Beach (Sonkhar) Senior Citizens Service Committee have submitted a formal objection to the Konkan Divisional Commissioner, demanding that the proposal be rejected. They have also warned of public agitation and legal action if their concerns remain unaddressed. Residents have cited the Maharashtra Government’s Home Department circular dated July 27, 2026, and provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, in support of their objections.

According to the residents, the proposed establishment shares a common entrance with Advance Eye Hospital, which operates in the same building. They have also highlighted the presence of Jaipuriar School, Sadhu Vaswani School and several religious and community prayer centres within a reported distance of 200 metres. The neighbourhood also has a jogging track and recreational centre frequently used by women and senior citizens. Residents fear that the proposed bar could disturb the peaceful residential environment and raise safety concerns for children, students and elderly people.

Bhagat and local representatives said they had raised the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during his visit to the area last month, submitting a representation in the presence of State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik. The residents have sought an immediate stay on the proposal and strict enforcement of applicable rules. They have warned of approaching the court if their demands are not addressed.