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By:

Minal Sancheti

2 May 2026 at 12:26:53 pm

Tussle between BMC, WR leaves Dadar dry

Mumbai: Dadar is the only railway station in Mumbai that has no authorised water connection. This, as per the sources, is due to an ongoing dispute between the Western Railway and the BMC. The tussle between the BMC and the Western Railway has led to a strange situation. The Western Railway is asking the BMC to pay Rs 338 crore for way leave charges, and the Western Railway has to pay Rs 22 Lakh to the BMC. The tussle has been going on for 12 years and remains unresolved. As per the sources,...

Tussle between BMC, WR leaves Dadar dry

Mumbai: Dadar is the only railway station in Mumbai that has no authorised water connection. This, as per the sources, is due to an ongoing dispute between the Western Railway and the BMC. The tussle between the BMC and the Western Railway has led to a strange situation. The Western Railway is asking the BMC to pay Rs 338 crore for way leave charges, and the Western Railway has to pay Rs 22 Lakh to the BMC. The tussle has been going on for 12 years and remains unresolved. As per the sources, due to this, the BMC has not given any new connections to the Western Railway, which needs the connections because of the increase in the capacity of new coaches. Currently, the Western Railway is facing a water shortage of 20 per cent for train operations. Thus, the water is being filled at the next train stops like Surat and Valsad, or wherever the train halts. The dependency on water tankers has increased because the Western Railway did not have enough water connections from the BMC. This has caused more expenditure for the Western Railway. For Dadar terminus, the Western Railway uses 40 water tankers, each water tanker of the capacity of 10,000 litres, which comes down to four lakh litres of water every day. Around eight water tankers of the capacity of 10,000 litres, which comes down to 80,000 litres of water, are required for Dadar station. In total, the Western Railway incurs expenses on 4,80,000 litres of water every day. BMC PRO Tanaji Kamble has denied that there was no water connection at Dadar Railway Station. “Every station has BMC water connection,” he said. Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Western Railway Vineet Abhishek said, “All efforts are being taken to ensure there is no inconvenience to our passengers.”

The Quiet Architect of New Zealand Cricket

In the annals of cricket, few players embody grace under pressure, tactical acumen, and unwavering humility quite like Kane Stuart Williamson. On this day, as the news of his retirement from international cricket reverberates across the globe, the cricketing world pauses to celebrate a maestro who elevated New Zealand from respected underdogs to genuine contenders on the biggest stages. At 35, Williamson steps away after a storied career spanning over 15 years, leaving behind a legacy defined not just by runs and records, but by the quiet dignity with which he transformed the Black Caps into a fighting unit.


Born on August 8, 1990, in Tauranga, Williamson’s journey began like many Kiwi talents—honed on backyard pitches and local clubs. He made his international debut in 2010, scoring a century on Test debut against India in Ahmedabad, a sign of the composure that would become his hallmark. Over 378 international matches, he amassed a staggering 19,346 runs with 48 centuries, becoming New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer in Tests and a pillar across formats.


What set Williamson apart was his ability to anchor innings with classical technique while accelerating when needed. His batting was a masterclass in balance—elegant drives, precise footwork, and an uncanny ability to read the game. He captained New Zealand with distinction, leading the side in all formats and instilling a culture of resilience and collective belief.


Fighting Unit

When Williamson assumed full-time captaincy around 2016, New Zealand cricket was at a crossroads. The team had talent but often fell short in crunch moments. Under his stewardship, the Black Caps became synonymous with smart, fighting cricket. Williamson’s leadership was never about histrionics or fiery speeches; it was cerebral, empathetic, and fiercely strategic. He fostered a team environment where players trusted their instincts, backed each other, and competed with integrity.


His crowning achievement as captain came in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final in 2021. Williamson led New Zealand to victory over India at The Oval, securing the country’s first major ICC trophy in the modern era. In that final, his unbeaten fifty in the second innings exemplified his temperament—calm, determined, and pivotal. He also guided the team to the finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup, showcasing their ability to challenge the giants consistently.


Williamson turned New Zealand into a unit that punched above its weight. Against stronger, resource-rich opponents, the Kiwis under him played with unity, adaptability, and mental toughness. He emphasized preparation, tactical flexibility, and player development, turning potential weaknesses into strengths. His humility rubbed off on the squad; stars like Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and others thrived in an atmosphere free of ego. Even in defeat, the Black Caps earned respect worldwide for their sportsmanship and grit—qualities personified by their leader.


Best Performances

Williamson’s career is studded with memorable knocks, but a few stand out as defining. In the 2019 ODI World Cup, he was a colossus, scoring 578 runs and earning Player of the Tournament as New Zealand reached the final. His consistency and big-match temperament were unmatched.


In Tests, his maiden double-century in 2015 against Sri Lanka and record-breaking feats, including becoming the first New Zealander to score a Test century against every top-tier nation, highlighted his class. He became New Zealand’s all-time leading Test run-scorer and the first to 8,000 runs in the format.


One of his most explosive displays came in T20Is, despite retiring from the format in November 2025 to focus on longer formats. His 95 off 48 against India in 2020 remains a fan favorite, blending timing and power.


Perhaps his most clutch performance was in the 2018 Test against England or various chases where his calm presence steered the team home. Williamson’s occasional off-spin also provided crucial breakthroughs, adding depth to his all-round value.


(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai.)

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