Mumbai: The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has appointed a 387-member jumbo committee five months after Harshwardhan Sapkal took charge as the new state unit chief.

The new body includes a 36-member political affairs committee, 16 senior vice presidents, 38 vice presidents, five senior spokespersons, 108 general secretaries, 95 secretaries, 87 executive committee members.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala is the chairman of the political affairs committee.

Dheeraj Deshmukh, former MLA and son of late chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, has been named a senior spokesperson for the first time.

Former chief ministers Sushilkumar Shinde and Prithviraj Chavan, Mumbai Congress chief and Lok Sabha member Varsha Gaikwad, Rajya Sabha members Rajni Patil, Imran Pratapgarhi, former state presidents Nana Patole, Manikrao Thakare are members of the political affairs committee.

Presidents of 13 district units of the party have also been named.

Party sources said 40 per cent of the appointees are Other Backward Classes (OBC) and adequate representation has been given to Muslim, Adivasi, Dalit communities from each region of the state.

Fresh faces from regions from where leaders have deserted the party have been given place, the sources added.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has approved the Uttan-Virar sea link project, initiated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). This project, part of the BJP-led Mahayuti government’s agenda, aims to enhance connectivity to the Vadhavan port mega-project in Palghar.

The sea link proposal, featuring three connectors in Uttan, Vasai, and Virar, was submitted on April 9 and cleared on July 11. State Environment Secretary Jayashree Bhoj stated that the department will now seek approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

The project will impact forest land, including 15.39 hectares of mangroves, and 2.5 hectares of reserved forest within the eco-sensitive Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. MMRDA anticipates acquiring 208.6 hectares of private land, with documents indicating that 9,075 trees will be affected by the connectors: 1,868 will be cut down, 1,612 will be transplanted, and 5,595 will be retained. Mangroves will be particularly affected, with 8.71 hectares impacted by the Uttan connector and 6.68 hectares by the Virar connector, necessitating the diversion of existing utilities.

Originally, the Versova-Virar sea link was planned from Versova to Virar, but with BMC implementing alternative coastal routes, the effective connection will be from Uttan to Virar. The sea bridge will extend 24.25 km parallel to the coast, with three connectors: a 9.32 km Uttan connector linking to the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road, a 2.5 km Vasai connector, and an 18.95 km Virar connector connecting to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde recently reviewed a revised, economically viable plan for the Uttan-Virar Sea Link (UVSL). CM Fadnavis emphasised its connection to the Vadhavan Port and the Samruddhi Mahamarg, reinforcing its importance for regional economic development. MMRDA presented six cost variants, ultimately selecting a ₹52,652 crore option as it was deemed the most financially viable and efficient.

Key cost reductions stemmed from several optimisations like lane design adjustments, future integration planning, reduced land acquisition, structural improvements, and cuts in preliminary costs. The project will be crucial for linking Mumbai’s northern suburbs with Vadhavan Port and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, unlocking significant economic potential. CM Fadnavis also mandated the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to expedite project implementation and approvals. Senior officials attended the review meeting to facilitate the project’s progress.

The police have launched an investigation against two persons who used illegal online gaming platforms to dupe people by inducing them to use the gaming apps and promised them huge profits.

According to the police, the complainant is assistant police inspector S.B. Kasule (40), a resident of Dharashiv. The police had received information about two persons who were duping people by giving false promises of providing high returns on playing online games.

Accused Lured Victims via WhatsApp with Login IDs and Promises of High Returns

The police who were armed by the mobile numbers of the accused persons, then tracked the location and found the accused persons operating at Talwale village and found to be running three illegal online gaming platforms which promoted gambling. Their questioning of the accused persons further revealed information about two other persons from Beed and Nanded who had provided them with a login ID and password to use the gaming platforms.

Cyber Crime Police Register Case Under IT Act and Gambling Laws

“Analysis of their WhatsApp data has revealed that they had provided gaming app links through WhatsApp to several people and induced them to play games by giving them login ID and password and took money from them online by promising them good returns,” said a police officer. A case has been registered by the cyber crime police recently 318 (cheating) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, sections 66C (identity theft), 66D (cheating by personation by using computer resource) of the Information Technology Act and provisions of Maharashtra Prevention Of Gambling Act.

Cops Caution Public Against Unverified Gaming Apps, Share Cyber Safety Tips

“Download apps only from authentic sources such as Google Play, Apple Store and official websites. Ensure that app permissions requested by the game app are relevant and necessary, check the game app publisher’s information to ensure website legitimacy, never share your personal information such as bank account details with game app and beware of in-app purchases and subscription offers that seem too good to be true. Report any suspicious activity to the game developer and to the payment provider immediately and if any such game scam occurs call 1930 or report a complaint on www.cybercrime.gov.in,” said a police officer.