No casualties reported as firefighters battle blaze at chair manufacturing unit in Gotheghar.

Fire

A major fire broke out at a chair manufacturing unit in Gotheghar’s Army Industrial Area on Monday afternoon, keeping fire officials busy for nearly 10 hours. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

The fire was reported to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Disaster Management Cell at around 2:40 pm. The blaze erupted at a unit located at Hamdhan Park along the Mumbra-Panvel Highway. The intensity of the fire and the presence of highly combustible materials made the operation challenging. Firefighters from different stations rushed to the spot with 16 fire tenders and water tankers and worked continuously to prevent the flames from spreading.

After several hours of firefighting, the blaze was finally brought under control at around 1 am on Tuesday. The fire caused extensive damage inside the industrial unit. Plastic, foam, rexine, chemicals, thinner drums, electrical wiring, furniture, chairs, fans, air conditioners and office equipment were among the materials reportedly destroyed.

Officials said the situation was brought under control after a prolonged operation and confirmed that no one was injured or killed in the incident. The incident once again highlights the challenges faced by firefighters while dealing with industrial fires, particularly when units contain large quantities of combustible materials. Authorities are expected to assess the extent of the damage and determine the cause of the fire.

Over 1,500 societies and 2,000 citizens attend event to understand redevelopment process

The Redevlopment

Redevelopment is becoming an important option for several ageing housing societies in Navi Mumbai, with residents looking for better homes and improved facilities. To help them understand the process, a redevelopment exhibition was organised at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre in Vashi.

The second edition of the Ease of Doing Redevelopment (EODR) exhibition, organised by CREDAI-MCHI Youth NMR, attracted representatives from around 1,567 housing societies, more than 35 developers and over 2,000 citizens.

The event gave housing society members an opportunity to interact directly with developers and discuss their individual requirements. Experts also provided guidance on key aspects such as redevelopment potential, project feasibility, financial planning, legal procedures and checking a developer’s track record. For many society members, redevelopment can be complicated, with questions about costs, additional space, project timelines and the credibility of developers. The exhibition brought various stakeholders together under one roof, allowing residents to get answers and compare options based on their society’s needs.

Organisers said the previous edition, held last year, attracted around 800 to 1,000 societies, with several projects subsequently moving towards redevelopment. Experts stressed that every housing society has different requirements and that redevelopment decisions should be taken only after carefully examining technical, financial and legal aspects.

The strong response this year reflects the growing interest among Navi Mumbai residents in upgrading ageing buildings and creating more modern and better-equipped living spaces.

Inclusive initiative promotes cleanliness, environmental awareness and community participation.

The Drive

Eighteen children with multiple disabilities participated in a special cleanliness drive in Kopar Khairane, showing that community service can be an inclusive activity for everyone. The drive was organised by Sahayogini Palak Sanstha, Navi Mumbai, as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign. The children were accompanied by their parents, special educators and support staff during the activity.

The cleanliness drive was conducted around the organization’s centre in Sectors 1, 2 and 4, as well as a nearby garden. The initiative was supported by ONGC and focused on creating awareness about cleanliness, hygiene and protecting the environment. For the participating children, the activity was more than simply cleaning public spaces. It gave them an opportunity to step outside their regular routine, work alongside others and contribute to their neighbourhood. Their participation also highlighted the importance of creating opportunities where children with disabilities can take an active role in community activities.

Parents and educators joined the children throughout the programme, encouraging them and ensuring their safety and comfort. The event was held under the guidance of Sahayogini Palak Sanstha president Suresh L. Naik and project manager Manoj Kumar Mahto.

The organisers expressed gratitude to ONGC for supporting the initiative and said that such programmes can help build environmental responsibility while promoting a more inclusive and caring community.