In a major crackdown on drug trafficking and illegal immigration, the Navi Mumbai Police conducted a pre-dawn raid on Thursday, seizing narcotics worth Rs1.10 crore and arresting three African nationals.

Acting on directives from Commissioner of Police Milind Bharambe, the Anti-Narcotics Cell and Crime Branch launched a coordinated operation at 4:00 AM. The raid, led by Assistant Commissioner Bhausaheb Dhole and Inspector Sandeep Nigde, involved 125 police officers targeting 11 locations across the Commissionerate.

Authorities confiscated 118.48 grams of high-quality cocaine worth Rs59.24 lakh, 100.84 grams of MD powder valued at Rs50.42 lakh, and Rs43,500 in cash. A total of 35 African nationals were screened, and three individuals found in possession of narcotics were arrested under the NDPS Act at Ulwe Police Station.

Additionally, 11 individuals with expired visas and passports were served Leave India Notices, as part of the police’s intensified efforts against illegal immigration.

The Navi Mumbai Police have vowed to continue their crackdown on drug trafficking and unlawful activities, warning of strict action against offenders.

CIDCO to hold computerised lottery draw for “My Preferred CIDCO Home” scheme on February 15.

The Lottery

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) will hold the computerised lottery draw for its highly anticipated “My Preferred CIDCO Home” housing scheme on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM. The event will take place at Raigad Estate, Phase I, Sector-28, Taloja Panchanand, Panvel, and will be streamed live on the CIDCO website for applicants to watch in real time.

Launched on October 12, 2024, the scheme aims to provide affordable housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low-Income Group (LIG) categories. A total of 26,000 tenements have been made available across Navi Mumbai in key locations such as Vashi, Bamandongri, Kharkopar, Kharghar, Mansarovar, Khandeshwar, Panvel, and Kalamboli.

A key feature of this scheme was that applicants could select up to 15 preferred tenements, making it highly flexible and attracting overwhelming participation.

The live webcast of the draw can be accessed on cidcohomes.com, ensuring transparency in the process. After the draw, the list of successful applicants will be published on lottery.cidcoindia.com.

With this initiative, CIDCO continues its mission to provide affordable housing and fulfill the dream of homeownership for thousands in Navi Mumbai.

NMMC mandates use of tertiary treated recycled water for construction projects.

The Regulation

In a major step towards water conservation, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has made it mandatory for developers to use tertiary treated recycled water in all construction projects approved by the Town Planning Department.

The initiative aims to curb the rising demand for potable water as the city grapples with declining rainfall and increasing concerns over water scarcity. With several redevelopment projects underway, the consumption of drinking water for construction has surged, putting additional strain on resources.

To address this, NMMC is leveraging its advanced sewage treatment infrastructure. The city currently operates seven sewage treatment plants using Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology. Additionally, tertiary treatment plants at Koparkhairane and Airoli utilize Ultra Filtration and Ultraviolet-Based Technology to further purify secondary treated water. This recycled water is already being supplied to industrial establishments in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area for non-potable use.

By enforcing the use of recycled water in construction, NMMC aims to reduce reliance on drinking water and promote sustainability. This regulation is expected to play a crucial role in preserving Navi Mumbai’s water resources for the future while ensuring responsible urban development.