Vishal Dolas alleges CIDCO and NMMC are altering master plan reservations to benefit private developers at the expense of local employment and infrastructure.

The Demand

Former corporator Vishal Dolas has raised serious concerns over the alleged misuse and unauthorized modification of public utility plots across CBD Belapur. Addressing a press conference, Dolas accused the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) of compromising the city’s master plan.

The controversy centers on plot modifications in CBD Belapur, specifically Plot Nos. 15 and 16 in Sector 15, as well as Plot Nos. 5 and 5A in Sector 46A. Dolas highlighted that land originally reserved for public amenities such as hospitals, schools, and five-star hotels is being systematically converted into residential and commercial properties by misusing Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) to favor private builders.

Clarifying that his stance is not against urban development, Dolas emphasized that converting commercial and hospitality reservations into housing developments directly deprives local youth of crucial employment opportunities and harms long-term civic planning.

Dolas urged authorities to declare a clear, transparent policy regarding changes in land use and demanded an independent inquiry into recent plot transfers. He warned that if CIDCO and NMMC fail to address these concerns, he will escalate the matter to the Urban Development Department, the Lokayukta, and the judiciary, alongside mobilizing local residents for a larger public protest movement.

Steady monsoon downpours boost primary water reservoir for Navi Mumbai residents.

The Storage

In a major relief for Navi Mumbai residents, water levels at the Morbe Dam the primary drinking water source for the region have reached 75.66% of its total capacity, following consistent monsoon showers across its catchment area in Khalapur.

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) officials confirmed that the rising water levels significantly reduce concerns over potential water cuts or supply disruptions in the coming months. The steady inflow has ensured a secure drinking water buffer for over 15 lakh residents across the city.

While the current stock is sufficient to meet daily demand well into early next year, civic engineers noted that sustained heavy downpours are still required for the reservoir to hit 100% capacity and overflow. NMMC continues to monitor catchment rainfall closely to optimize seasonal storage reserves.

Police crack multiple factory break-in cases across industrial belts, recover stolen machinery and heavy equipment.

The Theft

In a major breakthrough, the Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch has dismantled an organized criminal syndicate involved in a series of industrial thefts across the city’s manufacturing belts, including the TTC MIDC area. Four key members of the gang have been arrested following targeted raids driven by technical intelligence and tip-offs.

The gang specifically targeted locked or minimally guarded industrial units and godowns during off-hours. After breaking into these premises, the suspects stole high-value raw materials, industrial cables, metal components, and machinery parts to sell illegally in the scrap market.

During the operation, police recovered stolen industrial goods and heavy equipment alongside vehicles utilized by the syndicate to transport the looted property. Crime Branch officials confirmed that these arrests have successfully solved several pending theft and burglary cases registered across local police stations, providing much-needed relief to local factory owners and manufacturers.