Election Commission goes hi-tech to increase voter turnout
The State Election Commission has tied up with Facebook, which will send messages to voters across the state on polling-day. Gupshup has designed the Mahavoter bot, which will direct users to FB-messenger and then virtually assist them with information on polling-booths, candidates etc. The SEC is also collaborating with Operation Black Dot, Kraft Pixel, to increase voters-turnout. Tap in for more news from Mumbai.
Water pollution in Mumbai's most expensive real estate areas, including Juhu, Malabar Hill, Nariman Point, and Worli, falls under the 'bad' category (38-50 WQI), along with ten other locations in Pune, Raigad, Thane. Eight locations in Palghar, Raigad and Thane had 'bad to very bad' WQI (below 38). 87.3% locations were ranked above 50 WQI.
The Prithvi computer at Mumbai's Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has been fitted with a new, advanced weather prediction model, the CFSv2, developed by the US National Centers for Environmental Prediction. More reliable and timely predictions, sometimes as early as nine months in advance, are expected. The IITM has tested the system multiple times with Indian weather conditions to hone accuracy.
The Anti-Narcotics Squad seized 40 kilos of marijuana worth Rs 3 lakh, intended to be distributed to voters, at Vikhroli Village. A kilo of MD-drug was recovered a couple of days back. The excise vigilance department also seized 117 IMFL bottles, worth Rs 12.43 lakh, and 472 empty bottles of various brands from the Panvel market yard. Officials are on alert ahead of elections.
Demolition on Indu Mills' 12-acre plot in Dadar is expected to be completed before the BMC polls, to pave way for the construction of a Rs 650-crore B.R. Ambedkar memorial. Opposition parties and Dalit leaders are terming the timing of the demolition, approved by the NTCL last November, 'appeasement politics'. The project saw several protests over the delay in starting work on the memorial.
Dhirubhai Ambani International School at Bandra Kurla Complex has recycled over 3,000 kilos of garbage on its campus in six months. Prakruti, the school's eco-club, spearheaded the initiative to compost 15kg vegetable waste daily, beginning July 2016. 80 kilos of compost is produced a month, used for plants in the campus. Indian Green Building Council has honoured it as the 'first platinum-rated school building'.
Two new toll booths have come up at Hiwargaon Pawasa and Chalakwadi on the Nashik-Pune highway. The NHAI approved levying of toll tax after four-laning was completed on 104 kms of the 138-km Sinnar-Khed stretch in 2.5 years. The modified roads have cut down travel time between Pune and Nashik by half. Signboards and trees along the roadside have added to its aesthetics.
