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Maharashtra

Maharashtra to set up science city named after Rajiv Gandhi in Pune

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In a significant decision, the Maharashtra government has decided to set up a world-class science city near Pune, under a Central scheme to inculcate the scientific spirit among students and prepare future scientists, officials said on Wednesday.

The proposed complex will be named “Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Science Innovation City” and shall be developed on an 8-acre complex in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation jurisdiction.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and an initial outlay of Rs 191 crore has been sanctioned for it under a Central government initiative.

“It will be ready within the next five years. It is intended to create a scientific outlook among the students and to prepare future scientists,” said Thackeray.

He said that recognizing the need to strengthen science and technology to shape India into the 21st century, the city will help adopt a scientific approach to change, boost the scientific temperament among the people and students, use tech for social development, experiential learning approach, creating curiosity for science among the younger generations and teaching science in an easy to grasp, fun manner.

The proposed ‘Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Science Innovation City’ is expected to come up in the precincts of the famed Pimpri-Chinchwad Science Park which became operational in 2013 and has been a huge crowd puller, said the PCPS Education Officer Sunil Pote.

“We have been informed that the upcoming science innovation centre will be designed on the lines of similar high-class scientific zones in China, Singapore and other countries. This will be a good contribution to popularise science among the young minds,” Pote said.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Weather Update: City Wakes Up To Clear Skyline; Light Showers, Cloudy Skies Expected Later Today

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Mumbai: Mumbai woke up to clear skies and breezy weather on Thursday morning. The weather is expected to remain generally pleasant, with chances of light drizzle in some pockets today. Skies will stay mostly cloudy. The maximum temperature is forecast to hover around 30°C, while the minimum may remain close to 25°C. This mild trend is likely to persist for the next 48 hours, after which a shift in weather conditions is expected.

In Navi Mumbai and Thane, similar weather conditions will prevail. While certain areas could see brief spells of light rain, the overall impact is expected to be minimal. Temperatures are predicted to range between 29°C and 31°C, offering some respite from humidity. Cloudy skies will dominate through the day, ensuring that the sun remains subdued.

Palghar district is also likely to see light showers with overcast conditions. Here, the maximum temperature could touch 31°C. Some coastal belts may receive mild rain, but heavy rainfall has been ruled out.

Further down the Konkan coast, key districts like Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg will also see very light rainfall activity. Drizzles or isolated short showers may occur, but the possibility of heavy downpours is low. Daytime temperatures in these districts are expected to stay between 30°C and 32°C, with relatively calm winds adding to the subdued monsoon spell.

Mumbai and the Konkan coast are likely to continue experiencing subdued rainfall today, as the monsoon has taken a backseat in recent days. Instead of heavy downpours, residents are witnessing occasional drizzles and mild showers, painting a relatively calm weather picture across the region.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), no rain-related alerts have been issued for Mumbai or major districts along the Konkan coast for the day. The overall trend suggests that the Konkan region, including Mumbai, will remain under the influence of cloudy but manageable weather for the next couple of days.

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Maharashtra

Dahisar toll naka will be shifted, big relief for Mira-Bhayander residents

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has decided to shift the Dahisar toll naka. The move will bring relief to thousands of daily commuters, especially residents of Mira-Bhayander, who have been facing this toll for a long time.

For many years, the Dahisar toll plaza had been a cause of trouble for commuters. Long queues during peak hours and wastage of time were causing financial burden on local residents. Citizens of Mira-Bhayander were constantly demanding that short commuters should not be burdened with additional toll.

Officials have confirmed that the toll naka will now be shifted further on the highway. This will exempt local commuters from paying toll charges on short-distance journeys. This change will not only smoothen the traffic but will also reduce the daily expenses of people.

Local citizen groups and representatives have welcomed the decision. A resident said, “This was a long-pending demand. Now we will not have to pay extra toll on short-distance travel.”

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will soon decide the new location of the toll naka and work will start in the coming weeks.

This shifting of Dahisar toll naka is being considered as an important step towards easing urban travel and solving the problems of suburban residents.

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Bombay High Court Grants Bail to Accused in 2012 Pune Serial Blasts After 12 Years in Custody

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Mumbai, September 10, 2025 (By Kamar Ansari) The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Farooq Shaukat Bagwan, one of the accused in the 2012 Pune serial bombings, after he spent more than 12 years in judicial custody without the trial reaching a conclusion.

A division bench of Justices A. S. Gadkari and Rajesh S. Patil observed that Bagwan’s continued incarceration amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to a speedy trial. The court also noted that a co-accused, Munib Iqbal Memon, had already been granted bail last year on similar grounds, making Bagwan eligible for the same relief on the principle of parity.

Bagwan, now 39, was arrested in December 2012 and charged under multiple laws, including the Indian Penal Code, the Explosives Act, the Arms Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

The Pune blasts, which occurred on August 1, 2012, targeted locations such as Deccan Gymkhana and Bal Gandharv Rang Mandir. Five low-intensity explosions took place between 7:25 pm and 11:30 pm, injuring one person. A sixth explosive device, planted in a bicycle near Jangli Maharaj Road, was later defused.

According to the prosecution, Bagwan allegedly provided forged documents for obtaining SIM cards and allowed his shop to be used in preparations for the blasts. However, his defense, led by Advocate Mubin Solkar, argued that the trial had progressed at an unacceptably slow pace. He pointed out that only 27 out of nearly 170 prosecution witnesses had been examined in more than a decade, making prolonged custody unjustifiable.

The bench underscored that the right to a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be denied. Noting that the trial was unlikely to conclude soon, the court ordered Bagwan’s release on bail upon furnishing a surety bond of ₹1 lakh.

The State opposed the plea, citing confessional statements and evidence linking Bagwan to the conspiracy. Despite this, the judges ruled that prolonged pre-trial detention and judicial parity with the co-accused strongly justified granting bail.

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