Despite extensive cement-concrete surfacing in the MIDC areas near Navi Mumbai, poor road quality and persistent drainage issues continue to cause major inconvenience for drivers, especially during the monsoon season.

The industrial zones surrounding Navi Mumbai include 136 km of roads, with 21 km falling under the jurisdiction of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) in Rabale and parts of Mahape. The remaining 115 km, managed by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), have been largely concretized. However, poor workmanship at road joints and along service roads has led to the early formation of potholes, even with the season’s first rains.

Drainage issues further worsen the situation, as many drainage holes are positioned higher than the road surface, causing water to accumulate on the roads after even minimal rainfall. Service roads with paver-block surfaces are particularly prone to flooding and becoming severely damaged.

In Turbhe MIDC, improperly leveled manholes and elevated channel edges have become hazardous for motorists. Shiv Sena Ubatha group’s sub-city chief, Mahesh Kothiwal, said that despite holding protests to highlight these problems, little improvement has been made.

When contacted, NMMC officials were unavailable for comment. MIDC’s executive engineer, R. G. Rathod, stated that while resurfacing work is nearing completion, the ongoing monsoon has delayed repairs. Final patchwork and improvements will be carried out soon.

The situation highlights the need for better construction standards and timely maintenance to ensure safe and durable roads in the region.

In a significant step towards enhancing the city’s waste management system, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has approved a Rs 934 crore project for improved garbage collection and transportation. As part of this initiative, the civic body will soon distribute 24,000 new garbage bins across the city, ensuring better waste segregation at the source.

The bins, color-coded in blue and green, will be placed in various residential and public areas within the next week. The new system will introduce electronic vehicle (e-vehicle) based waste collection for the first time in Navi Mumbai, promoting eco-friendly transportation.

The new waste management contract spans nine years, replacing the previous seven-year arrangement that ended in March 2022. The project emphasizes the segregation of waste into multiple categories beyond just wet and dry, including domestic hazardous waste, plastic, wood, glass, and metals.

Under the new plan, the city will see the deployment of 246 waste collection vehicles, including 40 e-vehicles and several large compactors, a significant increase from the current fleet of 110 vehicles. All vehicles will be monitored in real-time through a centralized control room to ensure transparency and efficiency.

Currently, Navi Mumbai generates approximately 750 tonnes of waste daily, including 340 tonnes of wet waste and 410 tonnes of dry waste. The new system aims to further improve Navi Mumbai’s position among India’s cleanest cities, where it already ranks in the top tier alongside cities like Indore and Surat.

NMMC To Expand Library Network To Meet Growing Demand From Students

The Library

In a major boost to students and competitive exam aspirants, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has announced plans to establish new libraries and study centres across the city. The initiative aims to ease overcrowding at existing facilities and provide accessible, quiet spaces for focused learning.

Currently, 31 study centres serve over 2,296 students citywide. However, with increasing demand — particularly at locations like the Goregaon Library in Belapur (which alone sees over 1,000 students), and centres in Nerul Sector 19A, Vashi, and Airoli — the civic body is expanding its efforts.

New centres are being planned at Sector 2, Nerul Gaon, and Turbhe Stores, among other locations. NMMC officials emphasized that the upcoming facilities will offer a well-equipped and peaceful environment, crucial for candidates preparing for state and central government examinations. The initiative will especially benefit students from economically weaker sections who depend on public resources for their academic needs.

Students across the city have welcomed the move. “The expansion is a positive step towards supporting Navi Mumbai’s youth in their academic and professional ambitions,” said Sindhu Rathod, a civil services aspirant.

In addition to the new centres, a fully equipped library has been established at the Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium. It houses literary works in multiple languages and is open for membership to interested readers.

This expansion reflects NMMC’s commitment to creating a supportive educational infrastructure for the city’s growing academic community.