Tragic Road Accident in Jalgaon Claims Lives of Six Family Members
A severe collision in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, resulted in the deaths of six family members, including three children, on October 15. Tragic Road Accident in Jalgaon Claims Lives of Six Family Members
Maharashtra SIR: Lists of logical discrepancies, unmapped persons yet to be published
Sources in the CEOs office say process of publication is ongoing at ERO level, without offering any timeframe for its completion; claims and objections window open till October 26
Sugarcane Stir Intensifies in Western Maharashtra
Farmers are demanding that the MSP of sugar be raised from the current Rs 31 per kg to Rs 50 per kg.
River Pengana flows on the border of Telangana and Maharashtra. The Telangana government had taken up work on the erection of the Korata-Chanaka barrage on the river, but this work remains incomplete.
Unique Forms of Navratri Revelry
From Souths Golu Padi dolls to Maharashtras Bhondla, to Bengals Durga puja pandals, Norths Ramlila, Indias devotion take many forms
Comedians Harsh Gujral, Madhur Virli summoned by Maharashtra Cyber Cell
Harsh Gujral and Madhur Virli have been asked to appear before the Maharashtra Cyber Cell for questioning on October 19. The investigation was initiated after a complaint was filed by a woman, according to reports.
Maharashtra declares 40 more talukas drought-hit, announces 5,000 aid for farmers
Maharashtra declares 40 more talukas drought-hit, announces 5,000 aid for farmers
Maharashtra FDA bans sale of loose spice powders, mixed spices to curb adulteration
Maharashtra's FDA has implemented a ban on the sale of loose and unpacked spice powders. This initiative aims to prevent adulteration and ensure traceability of spice products. Businesses involved in spice processing must comply with strict packaging and labelling regulations. The order also prohibits harmful substances used in spices, ensuring only permitted sterilisation methods are utilized. Violations of these regulations could lead to severe penalties, including closures and license cancellations.
Maharashtra FDA Bans Sale Of Loose Spice Powders, Orders Strict Action Against Adulteration
Maharashtra FDA mandates sealed packaging for spice powders, bans prohibited colours and ethylene oxide sterilisation, and warns of stringent action against adulteration across the supply chain.
The dispute over trustee appointments and the administration of the philanthropic institutions was heard before the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner on Thursday.
Maharashtra FDA bans loose spice powder sales, orders Statewide crackdown on adulteration
The Food Safety Commissioners order bans prohibited colouring agents, including Metanil Yellow and Rhodamine B, and adulterants such as brick powder and chalk, and requires all spice powders to be packed and sealed at the place of production before sale
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], October 15: PPS Motors, a part of one of India's largest automobile retail conglomerates, inaugurated a new Mahindra service facility in Saswad, Pune, further strengthening its presence in Maharashtra and enhancing access to quality vehicle service for customers in the region. The facility was inaugurated by senior officials from Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., including Pavan Kumar, SVP and Head Sales, Customer Care and CX, Sachin Gupta, VP & Head - Customer Care, Manoj Kumar - Zonal Head Customer Care - West Zone, Samira Mahapatra - RCCM - Pune Region, and PPS Group's Supreeth R, CEO, PPS-M & M (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala), Pakshal Shah, Chief of Staff, Insha Maseeh, COO, PPS-M & M Maharashtra along with other senior representatives from both organisations. The new workshop, PPS Group's 151st Mahindra touchpoint in India , takes its network to 9 Mahindra touchpoints in and around Pune .
Imran Khan Told To Leave India By October 28 After Protest Against CEC
Actor Imran Khan has been directed to leave India by October 28 following a notice issued by Mumbai's Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The action follows his participation in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam says the notice was issued under the Foreigners Act and follows due legal process. The opposition has criticised the move, arguing that someone should not face deportation for protesting. The action follows a complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who alleged violations of OCI rules. Imran Khan is likely to challenge the order in court.
FAI seeks revocation of ban on sales of non-subsidised fertilisers in UP, Maharashtra, Bihar
The industry body has also said that restricting access to these products in current Rabi season, could affect farmers who rely on specialised nutrition solutions for crop- and soil-specific requirements
Tata Trusts Challenges Mehli Mistry's Right To Contest Trustee Changes After Term Expiry
Tata Trusts has argued before the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner that Mehli Mistry cannot challenge trustee changes after his term expired, while a separate dispute involves Noel Tata's proposed appointment.
Six people, including three children, killed in truck-bike collision in Maharashtra's Jalgaon
At least six people, including three children, were killed in a truck-bike collision in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district on Thursday, police said.
Bombay HC bars bursting of firecrackers on roads, public places in Maharashtra during Diwali
Taking a strong stance on noise and air pollution during Diwali and other festivals, the Bombay High Court on Thursday issued directives prohibiting the bursting of firecrackers on roads and in public spaces across the...
KORA by NM Welcomes Aditya Roy Kapur as Its New Brand Face
The association marks a new chapter for the contemporary Indian occasionwear brand, bringing its philosophy of For Your Every Celebration to life. Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 15: KORA by NM,
Rohini Hattangadi, Varsha Usgaonkar At Nana Prayer Meet
A prayer meet was held in Mumbai to honour Nana Patekar, with Rohini Hattangadi, Shivaji Satam and Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe attending to pay their respects.
First educate yourself: Ashoke Pandit reacts to notice against actor Imran Khan over Mumbai protest
Maharashtra weather update: Heatwave in Ratnagiri, rain forecast for Mumbai
While the bulletin forecasts a heatwave in isolated pockets of Ratnagiri, it does not explicitly indicate a yellow heat alert across Maharashtra. Several districts are expected to experience dry weather, while others may receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by lightning and gusty winds
Congress Criticizes Fadnavis Government Over Insufficient Aid to Farmers
Congress leader Balwant Wankhede criticizes Maharashtras 5,000 rupee aid for farmers, calling it inadequate and a mockery of their struggles. Congress Criticizes Fadnavis Government Over Insufficient Aid to Farmers
Bowlers bundle out Pondicherry for 130, spin dramatic win for Vidarbha
Mandhana Captaincy Era Set To Begin As India Take On Zimbabwe (Preview)
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International: A new chapter in Indian women's cricket will commence on Friday when Smriti Mandhana leads the side as full-time captain for the first time in the opening T20I against Zimbabwe, who are still searching for their first win in the format this year. Fridays clash will mark the start of Zimbabwe's first-ever bilateral series against India, and the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium is set to host a women's international match for the first time. Smriti, who takes over from Harmanpreet Kaur after being the vice-captain for almost ten years, inherits a side brimming with confidence after winning the Asia Cup and the Asian Games gold medal. Captaincy is hardly unfamiliar territory for Smriti - she has led Maharashtra in domestic cricket and guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two WPL titles. She has also captained India in 18 T20Is, winning 11 and losing six of them, with the first of those coming seven years ago against England in Guwahati when Harmanpreet was injured. Her elevation to captaincy comes when Smriti is at the peak of her batting powers. The left-handed opener has struck two hundreds and 15 fifties in T20Is over the last three years and has pushed her strike rate to a career-best 148.25 in 2026. While Harmanpreet still remains a key figure in the dressing room, her now being free from leadership duties means she could well be more destructive with the bat. The main selection puzzle to solve for India is the number three slot, left vacant by Jemimah Rodrigues, who is recovering from a right hamstring tear. G Kamalini batted there twice, but Anushka Sharma and Niki Prasad pushed their case after posting strong showings against Australia A. Prema Rawat could come in with Shreyanka Patil not included for the series. India will also have huge hopes from vice-captain Shafali Verma and left-arm spinner N Sree Charani to continue their sparkling run. Zimbabwe, led by Josephine Nkomo, have lost all of their T20Is this year and last won in the format against Namibia in September 2025. They will, however, draw belief from their maiden ODI win over the West Indies at home in September. Opener Kelis Ndhlovu, the only Zimbabwean with a T20I fifty this year, will be a key figure with the bat. The three T20Is will be followed by three ODIs in Vadodara from October 23 to 28. When: October 16, 2026, 7:00 PM Where: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur Where to watch: The match will be shown live on the Star Sports Network channels on TV and live-stream is available on the JioHotstar app and website. Squads India: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Shafali Verma (vc), Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, and Minnu Mani Squads Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Air India to launch non-stop Delhi-Osaka flights from February 2027
The airline will operate four weekly flights between Delhi and Kansai International Airport in Osaka using its Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The new service aims to strengthen air connectivity between India and Japan amid growing demand for travel between the two countries
Column | The monkeys of Jain Ramayana
How the vanaras came to be monks on a hilltop in Maharashtra
Delhi rain brings relief from October heat as IMD issues orange alert
Delhi received moderate rain on Thursday, October 15, after days of October heat. The IMD issued an orange alert warning of rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 4060 kmph until 2 pm. The maximum temperature is expected to settle around 29 degrees Celsius
India opens new control room in Makkah for Umrah pilgrims amid flight delays
India has opened a control room at the Indian Haj Pilgrims Office in Makkah to assist Umrah pilgrims affected by flight disruptions between India and Saudi Arabia. The Jeddah helpline remains operational as authorities advise travellers to check flight status and contact airlines
Indonesia wildfires: Toxic haze turns skies orange amid air pollution worries
Wildfires in Indonesia have triggered a severe air pollution crisis across Southeast Asia, turning skies orange in Palangkaraya and pushing pollution levels higher in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Thick haze has reduced visibility, forced school closures in East Timor and raised health concerns among residents
India-US trade pact to take effect once India gains competitive edge: Goyal
Piyush Goyal said the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement had reached the final stages of preparation, but its implementation would depend on securing the intended competitive advantage for Indian businesses in the US market
Comedians Harsh Gujral and Madhur Virali Summoned by Maharashtra Cyber for Obscene Remarks
Comedians Harsh Gujral and Madhur Virali face questioning by Maharashtra Cyber over allegations of obscenity in their comedy acts. Comedians Harsh Gujral and Madhur Virali Summoned by Maharashtra Cyber for Obscene Remarks
SC issues notice to EC on Rahul Gandhi's plea over alleged SIR irregularities
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the poll panel, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi
Gujarat refinery robbery: Nine arrested after employee shot dead
Nine people have been arrested after a 53-year-old employee of a Rajkot precious metal refinery was shot dead during a robbery. Four alleged robbers fled with gold and silver worth around Rs 1.53 crore. Police said all the stolen valuables have been recovered with Rajasthan Police's help
BJP accuses Rahul, his 'ecosystem' of seeking regime change through unrest
The BJP spokesperson alleged that the objective was to bring about a change in government through street protests rather than through democratic political processes
PM Modi inaugurates five key projects worth Rs 3,350 crore in Ladakh
The projects include a new passenger terminal at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, power infrastructure upgrades, India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park and 40 water bodies developed under Project Him Sarovar
Delhi protest: AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj demands FIR over alleged assaults
AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj has filed a complaint with the Delhi Police Commissioner, alleging life-threatening assaults by police and paramilitary personnel during recent protests. He has sought an FIR for alleged criminal conspiracy and warned of approaching the court
Delhi Bar Council urges restraint over personal attacks on CJI Surya Kant
In a letter dated October 13, the Bar body stressed that an independent and effective judicial system was essential to constitutional democracy and the rule of law
Pakistan: 22 killed in school roof collapse in Peshawar, six critically injured
A roof collapse at a school in Peshawar, northwest Pakistan, killed 21 pupils and a teacher on Thursday, a hospital official said. More than 30 people were injured, with six reportedly in critical condition. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the bereaved families
UP: 18-year-old from Azamgarh dies after being hit by Varanasi-Lucknow train
An 18-year-old man, Abhay Vishwakarma, died after allegedly being hit by the Krishak Express near Tendua village in Uttar Pradeshs Ballia district on Wednesday night. Police informed his family, took custody of the body and said further legal proceedings are underway
Delhi schools receive bomb threat emails, police teams launch searches
Security personnel are checking the premises. No suspicious objects have been found at the schools so far, they said. Further investigation is underway
Incoming calls to show caller names under new DoT rules from November 1
Department of Telecommunications has directed telecom operators to roll out Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service across India from November 1, 2026. The feature will display callers names alongside their phone numbers on 4G and higher-generation networks, with safeguards for privacy and security
Maharashtra: Three Ugandan women found staying in Pune beyond visa validity
The women were detained during a verification drive conducted on Tuesday at a residential premises in Marunji, within the jurisdiction of Hinjewadi police station
Three Indian students die in Germany apartment fire, resident arrested
Three Indian nationals studying in Germany, aged 25, 26 and 27, died in a fire in Bochum. German police have provisionally arrested a 41-year-old building resident after investigators ruled out a technical fault, while the cause and circumstances remain under investigation
Delhi High Court agrees to hear plea against CJP October 16 protest
The Delhi High Court agreed to hear a plea seeking to stop Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipkes proposed October 16 protest at Connaught Place Central Park. The plea cites concerns over holding demonstrations at the busy public venue during the Dussehra weekend
Harshil Desai: From a Teenage Photographer in Surat to Building a Global Advertising Venture
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 14: At just 17, Harshil Desai took on his first professional photography assignment, marking the beginning of a career that would eventually extend beyond photography into
Rahul Gandhi slams Modi government over detention of Ankita Bhandaris parents
Rahul Gandhi criticised the Modi government after Ankita Bhandaris parents were detained during a protest near India Gate and released around 5 am on Thursday. The family has given the Centre 24 hours to cancel Dushyant Kumar Gautams appointment as Sikkim governor until the CBI probe is completed
Maharashtra Man Kills Wife, Injures Mother-In-Law, Dies By Suicide
A man in Maharashtra's Hingoli district allegedly murdered his 24-year-old wife and seriously injured his mother-in-law following a domestic dispute, before subsequently dying by suicide. The incident occurred in Kharwad village on Wednesday evening.
No Diwali fare hike for Maharashtra ST buses as Pratap Sarnaik rejects proposal
The MSRTC administration had proposed a uniform 15 per cent fare increase for the period from November 1 to 15, 2026, to manage the corporation's financial challenges during the festive rush
Protest fallout: Mumbai Police ask actor Imran Khan to leave India by Oct 28
Mumbai, Oct 15: The Mumbai Police have issued a notice to Bollywood actor Imran Khan, an American national, directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, officials said on Thursday. The action follows the actor's participation in an agitation at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan on October 10, where protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police had briefly detained Khan during the demonstration. Imran Khan (43), who has acted in several Bollywood films, is the nephew of superstar Aamir Khan. Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who had sought action against Imran Khan after he participated in the protest, welcomed the police notice against him. Imran Khan holds foreign citizenship and is not an Indian national. Under relevant provisions of the Foreigners/Immigration Act, foreign nationals are prohibited from participating in political protests or political activities on Indian soil, a police official said. A formal notice directing the actor to leave the country by October 28 has been served on him, and he has received a copy of it, the police said. Further administrative procedures are underway, they added. The actor was unavailable for a response in the matter. He has acted in several films, including I Hate Luv Storys (2010) and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011). He recently had a cameo appearance in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, a Bollywood film backed by Aamir Khan. Following the agitation last week, a video surfaced showing the actor responding to a reporter's query about his participation in the protest as he was being escorted to a police vehicle. I have no demands. I am not part of any organisation, he said. Somaiya had urged Mumbai police to act against Imran Khan for joining a protest here in support of the Cockroach Janta Party despite being a foreign citizen, and sought clarity on whether he can participate in such agitations. The BJP leader on Thursday welcomed the police action against the actor and demanded that others involved in similar activities also be deported. There are thousands of Imran Khans in India. They want to live here and defame the country. Action should be taken against all such people, and they should be deported, Somaiya told reporters, while thanking the police for acting on his complaint. Imran Khan had taken part in political activities against the government despite being a US citizen, he said, adding that a thorough investigation into the matter would expose others. Somaiya said he had complained to the Union government's immigration authorities, the Airport Authority and Mumbai Police after the actor participated in the protest, and also urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene in the matter. I filed a complaint on Saturday and followed it up on Sunday. I had sought a report on how long Imran Khan had been a US citizen, Somaiya said, adding that he was grateful to the authorities for taking action. The actor was born and educated in the US, but earned his livelihood in India while participating in political and diplomatic activities opposing the government, the BJP leader charged. Action against Imran Khan should serve as a warning to others engaged in similar activities, Somaiya said and demanded that authorities identify and take action against all such individuals.
Maharashtra forms task force to plan integrated rail, metro and RRTS network
The initiative is part of the state's Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision and aims to assess transport requirements, identify suitable systems for different regions and improve coordination among infrastructure agencies
K'taka BJP thanks Centre for forming panel to address sugarcane farmers demands
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Oct 15 (IANS) Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday thanked the Centre for responding to the legitimate demands of sugarcane farmers in Karnataka and Maharashtra by constituting a high-level committee to examine their concerns. In a statement, Vijayendra said the committee, headed by former NITI Aayog member Professor Ramesh Chand, was formed to find comprehensive solutions to the issues faced by sugarcane growers. He expressed gratitude to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi for taking the farmers demands seriously and responding to them positively. Vijayendra said Prime Minister Narendra Modis government was firmly committed to ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their produce and that their problems are addressed through lasting solutions. The committee will work towards addressing key concerns, including the cost of sugarcane production, an increase in the minimum selling price (MSP) and transparency in weighing systems, he said. Stating that the BJP and the NDA government at the Centre stood firmly with farmers, Vijayendra said they were committed to ensuring that sugarcane growers received appropriate support and justice. Protecting farmers interests, improving the well-being of their families and ensuring the sustainable growth of the agricultural sector remained the top priorities, he added. It can be recalled that Union Minister Joshi said on Thursday that the Centre has taken swift steps to address the demands of sugarcane farmers and resolve issues in the sugar sector by constituting a joint committee headed by a former NITI Aayog member. In a statement, Joshi said the Centre had acted within just two days of giving an assurance at a high-level meeting held in New Delhi earlier this week, demonstrating its commitment to addressing farmers concerns. The joint committee, headed by Professor Ramesh Chand, former member of NITI Aayog, will meet sugarcane farmers, particularly in Karnataka and Maharashtra, to assess their problems and understand the ground realities, he said. The committee will hold consultations, conduct research and undertake a comprehensive assessment of the issues affecting the sugar sector. It will submit a detailed report containing specific recommendations to the Union government at the earliest, Joshi added. The panel will conduct an in-depth study of various aspects of the sugar sector, including the demand for higher remunerative returns for sugarcane farmers, taking into account the cost of cultivation and other relevant factors. Joshi said the Centre had responded promptly to the farmers demands and initiated measures to find comprehensive solutions to the challenges facing sugarcane growers and the sugar industry. It can also be noted that Union Minister Joshi had written to Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, urging the state government to respond promptly to the demands of sugarcane farmers and take measures to safeguard their interests. In the letter, Joshi referred to the detailed discussions held with sugarcane farmers and their representatives in New Delhi on October 12. Following the meeting, the farmers submitted a representation highlighting various issues they face in the state. Joshi urged the Chief Minister to take immediate action on several demands, including an independent inspection of sugar recovery rates, transparent inspection of weighing machines, a review of the eight per cent deduction for mechanical harvesting and the announcement of the State Advisory Price (SAP) for sugarcane. He called upon the state government to respond to the farmers demands without delay and take appropriate steps to address their concerns.
Central Railway has sought approval to divert around 6.5 hectares of forest land in Maharashtra for a 32.23-km fourth railway line between Kalyan and Asangaon. Estimated to cost Rs 1,619.96 crore, the project aims to ease congestion, increase train capacity and improve operations along the busy corridor shared by suburban, long-distance and freight services.
Kerala Police registers zero FIR over alleged assault on NSUI activist in Delhi
The case was registered at the Museum police station in Thiruvananthapuram following a complaint submitted by Vijayan to the Kerala police chief
MSBTE Hall Ticket 2026 Out for Winter Exams, Download Admit Card at msbte.ac.in
Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) Winter Hall Ticket 2026 has been released for diploma, post-diploma and advanced diploma examinations. Students can access the hall ticket section through the official MSBTE website. Practical examinations begin on 21 October for applicable students, while theory examinations are scheduled from 17 November to 9 December 2026.
Maharashtra drought: Three Palghar talukas declared drought-hit
The decision is part of the state's expanded drought declaration, which now covers 305 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas, or more than 85 per cent of the state's total
Israels restrictions on foreign airline crew tighten amid flydubai incident
Air France and United Airlines are restricting crew assignments on flights to Israel amid stricter enforcement of nationality rules. An Ethiopian Airlines flight was also ordered to return to Addis Ababa after Israeli authorities identified an Indonesian pilot on board, reports said
EAM S Jaishankar meets UAE foreign minister, calls for multilateral reforms
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called for urgent reform of multilateral institutions at the Raisina Dialogue in Abu Dhabi, advocating stronger cooperation among smaller groups of countries. He highlighted the India-UAE partnership and held bilateral talks with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
Maha govt forms task force to shape comprehensive transit network under 'Viksit Maharashtra 2047'
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 15 (IANS) In a major step towards modernising urban mobility, the Maharashtra government has issued a Government Resolution (GR) to establish a high-level Task Force, which will draft a comprehensive framework for expanding railway networks, metro corridors, and Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and other urban areas in the state. The initiative aligns with the 'Viksit Maharashtra 2047' vision, which aims to plan and expand transit networks more effectively and systematically. The formation of the Task Force follows a high-level meeting held on October 7, under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development-1). The newly established task force has been mandated to deliver its strategic recommendations and report within six months. Its core responsibilities include the formulation of policy recommendations and coordination measures to ensure seamless integration of public transit networks under the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 goals, conducting deep assessments regarding feasibility, suitability, and economic viability to determine which transport systems should be deployed in specific regions and the evaluation of the expansion of railway networks, the implementation of metro corridors, RRTS, and connecting major cities via semi-high-speed rail. The task force comprises key leaders and planning chiefs from major infrastructure and urban development bodies. Chaired by the Chairman and Managing Director, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), the Chief Manager (Planning), Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), will be the member secretary. The task force's members include Joint Secretary (UD-7), Urban Development Department; Director (Planning/Projects), Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (Maha-Metro), Nagpur; Director (Projects), Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (Maha-Metro), Pune; Director (Planning), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL), Mumbai; Head (Transport & Communications), Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Mumbai. The invitees (Planning Department Heads) include the representatives from CIDCO (Navi Mumbai), Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Nashik Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority, and Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited. The task force chairman is also empowered to invite additional members as necessary for deliberations. The transit network in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) comprises a massive, multi-modal public transport system that serves millions of daily commuters. It is anchored by the historic suburban railway grid, rapidly expanding metro lines, and feeder systems. Spanning over 435 km, Mumbai's suburban rail network is one of the oldest and busiest in Asia, carrying roughly 7.5 million passengers daily. It is structured mainly across three primary trunk routes -- the Western Line, Central Line, and Harbour Line -- extending from South Mumbai deep into the extended suburbs and neighbouring districts. The network continues to undergo capacity upgrades, station improvements, and rolling stock modernisation (including widespread introduction of air-conditioned local train services) managed by the Central Railway, Western Railway, and other bodies, such as the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC). The Mumbai Metro network has seen substantial operational growth, scaling up to an operational length of roughly 80 km across key intersecting corridors. Line 1 (Blue Line): Versova to Ghatkopar (11.4 km, fully elevated, operational since 2014) while Line 2A (Yellow Line): Dahisar East to Andheri West (18.6 km), Line 7 (Red Line): Dahisar East to Gundavali (16.5 km) are operational and Line 3 (Aqua Line): Cuffe Parade to Aarey Colony (33.5 km, fully underground, completed in phases through late 2025, serving major commercial hubs like BKC and the airport). Daily metro ridership has scaled past 1.6 million passengers, providing vital east-west and north-south links that complement the traditional north-south bias of the suburban rail network. Over 120 km of additional metro tracks are currently in various phases of construction or approvals (including Line 2B, Line 4/4A Green Line, Line 5, Line 6, and extensions like Lines 9 and 12) to interconnect Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan, and Mira-Bhayander. A single monorail corridor operates in pockets of the city, though its integration and service reliability have faced historic bottlenecks. Extensive municipal and state transport bus fleets (BEST, TMT, KDMT, NMMT) serve as critical first- and last-mile connectors to railway and metro stations.
Savarkar defamation case: Satyaki alleges surveillance, questions Rahul's lawyer
Satyaki submitted a written communication, known as a pursis, before Judicial Magistrate First Class Amol Shinde of the special MP/MLA court in Pune on Wednesday, seeking restrictions on questions concerning his personal life, daily routine and attendance at public events
Maharashtras Sunil Tatkare Seeks Central Aid from PM Modi Amid Severe Drought
Sunil Tatkare meets PM Modi to request assistance for drought-stricken Maharashtra and discuss railway station upgrades. Maharashtras Sunil Tatkare Seeks Central Aid from PM Modi Amid Severe Drought
IIT-Bombay student death: Activists detained outside campus as parents hunger strike continues
ACB arrests education officer and teacher for alleged Rs 40000 bribe in Beed
Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested an education extension officer and a Zilla Parishad school teacher in Maharashtras Beed district for allegedly demanding a Rs 40,000 bribe from a headmaster in exchange for a favourable inquiry report. The teacher was caught accepting Rs 20,000
Tatkare meets PM Modi, seeks central aid for drought-hit areas in Maharashtra
Tatkare raised concerns over the severity of the drought situation in the state and requested the Centre to provide the necessary support to affected regions
IIT-Bombay warns students against asking peers about caste, JEE ranks, GATE scores
NCP MP Sunil Tatkare seeks central aid for drought-hit Maharashtra
The News Mill
US: Rifle jams during alleged attack plot at Hindu temple, 19-year-old arrested
A 19-year-old man, Alexandros Paporakis, has been charged in Illinois over an alleged plan to attack a Hindu temple. Authorities said his rifle reportedly jammed, while a co-workers tip led to his arrest and the recovery of weapons, ammunition and body armour
JP Nadda hits back at Kharge over remarks on Amit Shah and electoral rolls
The reality of the public mandate cannot be altered by mere allegations, he said.
'Steel And Velvet': What Smriti Mandhana Brings As India's New All-format Captain
What Smriti Mandhana: The first thing Biju George noticed about a teenaged Smriti Mandhana at the BCCI's first-ever Under-19 girls' camp, held in Guntur in 2013/14, was the cover drive. Tall and bespectacled, Smriti leaned into the ball so sweetly while playing the cover drive that George nicknamed her 'Lady Dada'. The second thing he noticed was her gutsy nature when she came to him to solve an issue. She came up to me and said, 'Listen, I find it difficult. I am like a compulsory hooker. So people get me out with that and I want to work on that,' George said to IANS. He and a colleague, Raghu, took her to the indoor nets at the old NCA and threw balls at her for hours till the issue was solved. That habit and maturity runs through almost every account of Smriti Mandhana, India's new all-format captain. Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as Indias skipper on October 6, though she will carry on as a player. She leaves after leading India to its first-ever ODI World Cup at home in 2025, a second Asian Games gold medal and twin Asia Cup triumphs. But under Harmanpreets captaincy, India was also a T20I side that has gone out in the group stage of the last two World Cups, though she was hamstrung by the absence of key all-rounders this year. Smriti, 30, has led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs as a stand-in captain and taken Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to WPL titles in 2024 and 2026, apart. This year she passed Mithali Raj as the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket, made a record 18th international hundred to surpass Meg Lanning, and moved past Suzie Bates to be at the top of the T20I run charts. In March, Mattel made her a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll, the first cricketer to be bestowed with that honour. Aarti Vaidya, the former India player and national selector, feels a measured and assured Smriti is very prepared to begin life as the sides captain. She has played a lot of WBBL and franchise matches in England too. So she has that international cricket experience of handling and being with different teams and that helps. Similar views are echoed by Malolan Rangarajan, RCB's women's head coach. It's very well deserving for someone who has worked so hard on her game and also contributed so much to Indian cricket. She has been Indias vice-captain for such a long time and so, it's a well-deserved elevation and adds another feather in Smriti's cap, he said to IANS. It also helped that when Smriti captained RCB, it had former international captains like Heather Knight and Sophie Devine. While picking her, it wasn't like we were waiting to see how good a captain she was. She had captained before she joined RCB also. So she was very well experienced back then itself. But having worked with her over a period of 4-5 years now, you get to know the person also. She is a leader of a team and not a leader of select individuals. She always thinks about what's best for the team, how can this team, and anything with it, go forward. I'm pretty sure regardless of her being the Indian captain or not, even as the vice-captain, she was always thinking about how well she can contribute and take Indian cricket forward, added Rangarajan. Asked about instances in WPL where Smriti the skipper shined, Rangarajan is wary of reducing it to a single moment. She's got an extraordinary pulse of the game. She knows what works, and what doesn't work. With her, it was always about knowing what's best for the team and what's best for a situation. So I can't point out a single situation in which Smriti was amazing. She's a very, very, very experienced player. She knows a lot of Indian and international girls. Even tactically, she's very, very adept - knows exactly what to do when and just overall, her experience has been amazing, he said. Tejal Hasabnis, who will play under Smriti in the ODI series against Zimbabwe in Vadodara, knows Smriti well from the Maharashtra days. Getting to debut internationally under Smritis captaincy during the 50-over clash against New Zealand in Ahmedabad in 2024 will always be a fun fact worth cherishing for the right-handed batter. Growing up, I have played a lot of cricket under her. She used to lead Maharashtra senior side as well. So, yes, it will be very familiar and I am just looking forward to it. I am so excited because this is kind of a new chapter starting for the Indian women's cricket team. So, I am very excited to see how she approaches it and what will come next. She also gives a glowing assessment of what playing under Smritis captaincy is like. Basically, Smriti is someone who is a very calm and thoughtful person off the field and is the same on the field. I feel she is someone who prepares and then she just comes there and executes her plan with a calm head. Even in domestic games, she was pretty clear on what she wanted from the team. She gave us role clarity - like what she expects from the players and when just out there, she supports us to execute our plans. Former India player Soniya Dabir was Smritis roommate when she first broke into Maharashtra's senior side as a shy teenager. Made the sides captain at 16, Smriti leaned on the senior players rather than trying to impress them. She used to listen to everyone for help in terms of formulating strategies. She could make it out whose advice was to be taken and used to think about the situations differently. That thought process was very clear from a young age. With the bat, we always believed that as long as she was there, we could still go ahead and win the match. Smriti has spent her India career under two very different leaders: the measured Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet, whose fire a team still learning to believe in itself needed a lot. Luckily for her, she got to play under Mithali and Harman for a long time. So she is quite experienced for that job and on and off, when Harman was not available, she was also taking her place, says Aarti. George puts this captaincy change in a well-thought phrase. Harman was steel-steel. Now Smriti will be steel and velvet. Harman can be aloof at certain times. Smriti is never aloof. Smriti is always available and I know the girls will love working with Smriti. He calls it a new era for India, where the captaincy is more welcoming. In Georges view, Smriti is that one girl who will always listen and one of the few who would reach out and ask. Smriti and Jemi (Jemimah Rodrigues) are a few people who have never changed, he said. Aarti feels the change at the helm has arrived at the right time. I just thought time had come for her to take charge now. I guess she would handle it properly because she has that experience with her. George, though, will watch out for one adjustment. Challenges will be working with the same support staff because they were so much used to Harman's style of captaincy. A home Champions Trophy in February 2027, then the T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, and ODI World Cup title defence in 2029 a great showing in all of them will be on Smritis radar. Results will decide how her captaincy will be judged, especially with the social media era quick in asking questions and hurling criticisms. That level of scrutiny, long reserved for India's men's captains, is a measure of how far the women's game has come. Harmanpreet built a side that learned to fight, and then to win and constantly challenge big teams. Smritis task will be to take it up a notch and also crack the code of success in the shortest format while being the ever-dependable batter. She's been playing the sport at the highest level for a while now. She knows what it takes to play at that level. Not only play, but to also be a superstar at that level. So, it's come at a very good time for her and the Indian cricket team. Knowing Smriti, the only thing she'll be thinking about is how she can take this team to the next level. They've obviously won the World Cup in the 50 overs and knowing her, she'll be thoroughly and fully focused on how she can make this team even better, added Rangarajan. It also helps that Smriti is easily approachable and shows empathy towards newbies and youngsters to give them a sense of belonging. With Smriti, what you see is what you get. Regardless of her seniority or experience, she conducts herself in a very, very calm manner. She's very approachable, and I'm pretty sure if you speak to more girls, they'll echo the same sentiment of how good Smriti is around the group and how she is. RCB also has found a couple of players who came in as uncapped players and have now gone on to play for the country, and that's a testament to how Smriti has led the team, said Rangarajan. He also feels Smriti can easily compartmentalise her batting and captaincy duties. Again, Smriti is experienced enough to detach the two. When she captains, she captains and when she bats, she's mature and experienced enough to think like a batter and do what's required for the team. So, knowing her as a person, I don't think it's going to make too much of a difference, her being a captain or not. Soniya also agrees with it. I don't think that captaincy pressure will matter that much to her. She is used to it now. Like she said in an interview, a captain is more answerable. So now she has an idea of what she is going to face. She will take it as an opportunity. There are still lots of trophies to be won. Aarti adds, If you have that hunger to win, then obviously there are a lot of things which come your way and I guess she has that hunger and proved it during WPL also. She has handled the team there very well. Rangarajan returns to clarity of thought in Smriti, the leader. Smriti is such an experienced player. She knows every player - literally every player. Practically, shes very, very clear. She doesn't waste her time around and wants to do what's right for the team. Even in meetings, she's very clear with the messaging that needs to go out to the team. She's been absolutely good and I don't expect her to do anything different in the Indian team. Aarti adds, If you have that hunger to win, then obviously there are a lot of things which come your way and I guess she has that hunger and proved it during WPL also. She has handled the team there very well. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
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