Residents of Kharghar are raising serious concerns over the growing encroachments and unauthorized shops in Sectors 30 to 40, which are causing inconvenience and safety issues. Locals have shared photographs showing illegal roadside stalls selling clothes, fruits, coconuts, and snacks, taking over footpaths and parking spaces.

One image shows a clothing shop operating from a car boot, while another captures coconut vendors blocking a busy intersection. A third photo highlights a snack stall covered with plastic sheets, further restricting pedestrian movement, especially under the newly constructed metro bridge.

Frustrated residents say these illegal setups are disrupting daily life. “We pay taxes for planned infrastructure, but these encroachments create chaos,” said Radhe Trivedi, a local.

Arvind Pawar, another resident, said multiple complaints to the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) and CIDCO have seen little action. “We need stricter enforcement to remove illegal hawkers and restore order,” he added.

Citizens have taken to social media to highlight the issue, tagging government officials, including the Chief Minister’s Office of Maharashtra and MLA Prashant Thakur, demanding intervention.

Resident Lalita Iyer emphasized the need for long-term solutions to prevent future encroachments and protect Kharghar’s planned urban development.

With growing pressure from residents, authorities are now being urged to take immediate and strict action to remove these unauthorized commercial activities and restore public spaces to their proper use.

Residents raise alarm over poor air quality index in Sanpada.

The Air Quality

Residents of Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, especially those in sectors 13 to 19, woke up to a thick, foul-smelling mist on Thursday morning, suspected to be caused by burning waste. The toxic haze has raised serious health concerns as it has lingered over the past few days.

Photographs taken in the early hours showed deserted streets covered in smog, creating a gloomy and hazardous atmosphere. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 304 at 6:00 a.m., placing it in the “very poor” category, which can cause respiratory issues with prolonged exposure. By 5:00 p.m., the AQI improved to 168 but remained a concern for those with lung or heart conditions.

Local resident Maria Kaur took to social media, tagging the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and officials like Dashrath Bhagat and Vijay Nahata, demanding urgent action. She described the air as “toxic” and “stinky,” highlighting the severity of the pollution.

Nilesh Gore, another resident, urged authorities and environmental groups to investigate the source and take immediate action. “Continuous exposure to such hazardous air is particularly dangerous for the elderly and children,” he warned.

Residents are now calling for strict measures to curb pollution and prevent further deterioration of air quality in the area.

According to authorities on Friday, around 1,000 officers would be sent to keep the peace during the Coldplay event in Navi Mumbai.

This British rock group’s ‘Music of the Spheres World Tour’ includes three performances in Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium on January 18, 19, and 21. According to a press statement from the Navi Mumbai police, the event is anticipated to draw up to 45,000 people, for which extensive security measures have been put in place.

According to the announcement, as part of their bandobast, 434 police officers and 70 officers will be inside the stadium. Additionally, it stated that 440 police officers and 21 officers will be stationed outside the stadium every day. Currently, the area prohibits heavy trucks from Uran, Nhavasheva, Pune, and Thane. Similar orders have also been issued by the Thane municipal police, which limit the movement of large trucks under their control.

According to the statement, there are parking spaces reserved for the event.