The Belapur Circle Officer filed a new First Information Report (FIR) on September 17, 2024, in response to the chopping of mangroves behind the T.S. Chanakya Maritime Institute. This action took place six months after the incident in March 2024, which alarmed individuals who care about the environment and are now calling for prompt action to save the surviving mangrove plants.

In March 2024, environmental activists Sunil Agarwal and Advocate Pradeep Patole used the Mangrove Suraksha App to file complaints against the removal of 150 mangroves in the area.

Sources were the first to raise the problem, and the activists quickly got a response from the app. Based on these concerns, a team of police conducted an area survey on April 29, 2024. Declaring the results of the site inspection, Advocate Patole said, “Since the sites are under the ownership rights of CIDCO, action should be taken through CIDCO first.”

This most recent FIR is the second one filed about the mangrove cutting in this area, and four months have gone since that inspection.

The Save Navi Mumbai Environment Group’s founder, Sunil Agarwal, stated, “More than 150 mangrove trees have been cut, and a FIR was filed against an unknown person, despite Mistry Construction Company being the primary beneficiary of these incidents.” Along with other activists, he urges CIDCO to take the required actions to protect the remaining mangroves and requests that the Revenue Department act immediately.

CM Eknath Shinde inaugurates phase one of RRP Electronics semiconductor project.

The Inauguration

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the first phase of RRP Electronics’ Semiconductor Project in Mahape, Navi Mumbai. Praising the initiative, Shinde expressed pride in a Marathi entrepreneur revolutionizing the Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing (OSAT) sector. He assured continued government support for industrial growth.

The event was attended by prominent figures, including cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Senior Scientist Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and several high-ranking officials. Shinde emphasised Maharashtra’s commitment to industrial progress, highlighting key projects like the Atal Setu, which has cut travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to 20 minutes, and enterprise agreements worth ₹5 lakh crore signed in Davos, promising job opportunities in the electronics semiconductor sector.

Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis lauded Maharashtra for hosting India’s first semiconductor project and its vital role in global supply chain resilience, particularly after COVID-19 disruptions. He noted Maharashtra as the first state to implement a semiconductor policy, positioning it at the forefront of the digital economy.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar echoed the project’s significance for Maharashtra’s industrial growth, noting substantial investments of ₹12,000 crores and decentralisation efforts. RRP Electronics CEO Rajendra Chodankar also provided insights into the project’s development.

The semiconductor project is poised to strengthen Maharashtra’s role in India’s rapidly expanding electronics and digital sectors.

MNS demands housing regularization for project victims and LIG families in Navi Mumbai.

The Demand

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken a firm stance on the housing issue in Navi Mumbai, demanding the regularization of homes extended by project victims. At a press conference, MNS city President Gajanan Kale criticized local MLAs for making false promises and failing to address these concerns. He called for the regularization of extended homes built by Lower Income Group (LIG) families in areas like Nerul, Belapur, and Airoli.

Gajanan Kale announced the party’s plan to launch a ‘Parivartan Yatra’ from September 25 to October 2 in the Belapur Assembly to engage with Navi Mumbai residents on critical issues such as education, healthcare, and employment. He proposed a government audit of all CBSE, ICSE, and private schools to prevent fee hikes, offering relief to parents.

On employment, Kale praised the state’s directive mandating 80% local employment in 929 Navi Mumbai companies and promised to gather youth bio-data during the yatra to support job placements.

Addressing healthcare, Kale criticised municipal hospitals for poor services, alleging incidents of expired medicines being prescribed. The MNS aims to push for a uniform tariff in private hospitals to curb exploitation by large healthcare providers.