In a major anti-corruption crackdown, the Thane Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a senior officer of the Supply Department in Navi Mumbai for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs5 lakh through intermediaries. The accused has been identified as Anil Taksale, Deputy Commissioner of the Supply Department, posted at Konkan Bhavan.

According to ACB officials, the arrest followed a complaint lodged by a local rice trader who alleged that Taksale demanded illegal gratification to provide relief in a departmental case and to allow his business to function without interference. The complainant claimed that the officer had initially demanded a one-time bribe of Rs5 lakh and was also seeking a monthly payment of Rs1.5 lakh to avoid future action.

Acting on the complaint, the ACB laid a trap near a hotel in CBD Belapur. During the operation, two middlemen — Sai Pratim Madhav Amin (42) and Raja Ganesh Thevar (52) — were caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount on behalf of the officer. Based on their statements and evidence gathered, Taksale was subsequently arrested from his office at Konkan Bhavan.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the CBD police station. The ACB is now investigating whether the accused officer was involved in similar corrupt practices with other traders and if more officials are part of the alleged nexus.

The arrest has sent shockwaves through the administrative machinery, once again highlighting concerns over corruption within government departments.

Ridership rises 12% in 2025; commuters seek more services and better frequency.

The Rise

Passenger traffic on the Uran–Nerul–Belapur railway line has shown steady growth since the route became operational, with nearly 42 lakh commuters using the service over the past two years. Railway officials said passenger numbers increased by around 12 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year, underlining the growing importance of the suburban rail corridor.

The long-awaited rail link was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, 2024, after which regular passenger services began. Between January and December 2024, around 19 lakh passengers travelled on the route. This figure rose to approximately 23 lakh commuters during the same period in 2025, indicating a significant increase in usage.

Officials attributed the rise in ridership to major infrastructure developments in the region, including the Atal Setu, the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, and several other ongoing projects. Improved connectivity and anticipated airport access have fuelled demand for enhanced rail services.

In response, the railways increased the number of daily trips by 10 from December 15 on the Uran–Nerul–Belapur route. Passenger halts were also added at Targhar and Gavhan stations, further boosting ridership. Air-conditioned local trains are now operating on the line.

However, commuters continue to express concern over long waiting times during non-peak hours, with intervals stretching up to 90 minutes between 10.30 am and 5.30 pm. The last local train from Belapur and Uran departs at 10.30 pm, which many passengers feel is too early.

While only 10 additional services were introduced against a demand for 20, commuters are still awaiting direct local services from Uran to CST, Thane and Panvel.

Water supply across Navi Mumbai was restored after the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) successfully completed emergency repair work on a major pipeline connected to the Morbe Dam. The disruption was caused by a leakage in a 2,050 mm diameter water pipeline near the Bhokarpada Water Treatment Plant, which forced civic authorities to temporarily shut down the water supply to prevent further damage.

According to NMMC officials, the repair work was undertaken on a priority basis and was completed ahead of the expected timeline. Water pumping resumed by mid-afternoon, enabling the gradual restoration of supply to various parts of the city. The swift response by the civic body helped minimize inconvenience to residents.

However, officials clarified that water supply in some areas, particularly CIDCO-administered nodes such as Kharghar and Kamothe, was resumed with reduced pressure and quantity during the evening hours. This was attributed to the time required to stabilize the pipeline system and refill reservoirs after the shutdown.

The municipal corporation has assured citizens that normal water supply across Navi Mumbai is expected to be fully restored by Friday morning. In the meantime, residents have been urged to use water judiciously and avoid wastage during the transition period.

The Morbe Dam is a key source of drinking water for Navi Mumbai, and any disruption in its supply affects a large population. NMMC officials reiterated that regular inspections and timely maintenance of critical infrastructure are being carried out to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure uninterrupted water supply to the city.