Shirish Patel, urban planner who designed India’s first flyover, dies at 92
Mumbai: Urban planner Shirish Patel who designed India’s first flyover at Kemp’s Corner in Mumbai, died on Friday. He had cancer and was aged 92.
Patel was one of the pioneers in envisioning the creation of Navi Mumbai as a model city to alleviate the pressure on Mumbai. He played a key role in designing the project and overseeing the state government's efforts during its construction in the 1960s and 1970s.
He was deeply committed to preserving Mumbai's heritage and improving the city's infrastructure, in addition to playing a vital role in the construction of the Koyna Dam, one of the largest dams in Maharashtra.
Describing Shirish Patel's death as an irreparable loss, renowned conservation architect Pankaj Joshi told The Indian Express that he first met Patel when they were both members of the civic heritage committee. “He worked tirelessly towards multiple issues affecting Mumbai’s heritage and infrastructure. He also highlighted the importance of open spaces and environment sustainability and considered these factors to be non-negotiable when it came to Mumbai’s infrastructure development,” Joshi said.
Throughout his life, Patel championed the cause of equitable urban development in Mumbai. He strongly opposed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) plan to demolish and rebuild the Malabar Hill water reservoir. Last year, following widespread public opposition, the civic authorities decided to abandon the move.
Shirish Patel was born in 1932 and spent his childhood in Karachi. He relocated to Mumbai after his father Bhailal Patel became the first Indian municipal commissioner of the city. Patel studied at the prestigious Cambridge University and served as a chief planner with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO).
In 2023, Patel, along with architects and urban planners Oormi Kapadia and Jasmine Saluja, authored a book titled ‘6 Metros’ which is a comparative study of urban planning and implementation in London, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Delhi and London.
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Youngster attacked by gang in Koppal: FIR against 30 people; three arrested
Koppal: Police in Koppal City station limits have registered a case against more than 30 people and arrested three in connection with an alleged assault on a youngster over his relationship.
According to the complaint, Sameer Ahmed Moolimani (22), who works at a mobile agency, was sitting at a hotel with his girlfriend around 8:30 pm on May 6 when a group of youngsters approached him and asked his identity. He said that he was attacked after informing them about the relationship.
Sameer said in his complaint: “They blindfolded me, took me on a bike towards the Hospet side of the national highway, and assaulted me. They asked me, ‘Do you love a Hindu girl?’ They also threatened me, saying, ‘If I am seen with her again, I will not leave you alive.’"
He also stated that after the assault, he was blindfolded and later left near the district hospital.
Police have registered a case at Koppal City police station against more than 30 people, including the girl’s brothers Ashish and Nilesh. Three people have been arrested so far, and investigation is in progress.
