Mumbai, Oct 14: Indian stock markets opened higher on Tuesday as investors looked past global uncertainties caused by the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, while also tracking quarterly earnings from Indian companies.

The Sensex began the day at 82,562, gaining 235 points or 0.29 per cent. Similarly, the Nifty opened at 25,283, up 55 points or 0.22 per cent.

Among the top performers on the Sensex were HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Tata Steel, Infosys, Bharat Electronics, Bajaj Finserv, Ultratech Cement, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Larsen & Toubro, which rose up to 1.3 per cent.

On the other hand, stocks like Eicher Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Axis Bank, Sun Pharma, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance, and Bharti Airtel witnessed early losses.

In the broader market, both the Nifty MidCap and Nifty SmallCap indices were trading in the green, rising 0.37 per cent and 0.38 per cent, respectively.

Among sectoral indices, the Nifty Metal index led the gains with a 1 per cent rise, supported by positive momentum in metal stocks.

Meanwhile, the Nifty Pharma index was the biggest laggard, slipping 0.37 per cent.

As per the experts, IT stocks, particularly the largecaps, are viewed as overvalued by the market since they are facing many headwinds and some strong structural issues.

“On the other hand PSU stocks have been trading at very low valuations despite decent growth and robust balance sheets. This anomaly in valuations have been corrected by the market. This trend is likely to continue,” market experts said.

‘However, in growth stocks like digital companies and renewable energy, their long-term growth potential will continue to attract investment despite high valuations,” they added.

With Muhurat trading approaching, there is room for a mild rally, according to analysts.

Mumbai: Just days after the much-hyped inauguration of the final phase of Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commuters continue to face a major challenge lack of mobile network connectivity across key underground stations on the newly opened stretch.

The issue, first reported by the media, has left thousands of daily passengers frustrated particularly between Acharya Atre Chowk and Cuffe Parade, where users report zero cellular signal, making it impossible to make calls, send messages, or complete digital UPI payments.

Following the inauguration, the daily ridership of Line 3 crossed 1.5 lakh, but the network dead zones have become a persistent concern.

“We’re trying our best. BSNL has been onboarded and is expected to provide connectivity soon,” said Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC).

For many commuters, the lack of mobile signal has turned a state-of-the-art metro into a daily struggle.

“I rely entirely on UPI and didn’t carry cash. I had to step out and find an ATM just to get a ticket,” said Manoj Shinde, an accountant working in South Mumbai. “In this age, it’s unacceptable to not have basic mobile connectivity in a city like Mumbai.”

Commuter Vineeta Singh, who boarded from Churchgate, shared a similar frustration. “It’s ironic that we’re encouraged to go cashless, but the system forces us to carry cash. I had to run up to the road level to find a shop willing to provide change for ₹500,” she said.

Patchy Wi-Fi Fails to Fill the Gap

While MMRC claims to provide free Wi-Fi at underground stations to mitigate the issue, passengers say the service is unreliable. Many commuters report that devices either fail to detect the Wi-Fi or cannot complete the mandatory OTP login since the process itself requires mobile network access.

“I always have to ensure my UPI app’s QR code scanner is open before entering the station. Otherwise, I’d have to climb back up to get signal. The Wi-Fi is patchy, and you still need a network for OTP, so it’s a dead end,” said Kunal Sharma, a regular commuter.

Frequent traveler Suhasini Deshpande, who commutes between Worli and Vidhan Bhavan, described the situation vividly:
“As soon as the train stops at a station in South Mumbai and the doors open, people quickly start checking their phones because the moment the train starts moving again, the network disappears.”

The lack of connectivity has disrupted basic services across all major telecom networks, affecting calls, mobile data, and digital transactions essential elements of daily urban life.

According to sources, BSNL users are likely to start receiving network coverage soon in the newly opened phase. However, other telecom operators have yet to cooperate fully with MMRC on the network upgradation plan, meaning users of private carriers may have to wait longer.

Transport experts say while minor glitches are expected in large-scale infrastructure projects, basic connectivity should have been ensured before the official launch.

“The incident highlights the critical need for robust telecom infrastructure in underground transit systems,” said one expert, adding that reliable mobile connectivity is now a non-negotiable aspect of modern public transport.

Kolkata, Oct 13: The father of the second-year medical student said on Monday that he will take the victim back to Odisha once she records her statement before a judicial magistrate.

The father of the victim also met the West Bengal Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, on Monday afternoon.

Adhikari told the victim’s father that he would arrange the transport facility for the victim. A video of the conversation between the two was also shared on Adhikari’s official Facebook account.

In the video, Adhikari first inquired about the physical condition of the victim. The father said that his daughter was more stable than before. Then the BJP leader advised him that if there was a need for better treatment, then the victim should be taken to Odisha. The father responded by saying that he plans to take the victim to Odisha once she records her statement before a judicial magistrate under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Adhikari told him that he would talk to the Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other BJP leaders and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made in Odisha.

The BJP leader further asked the victim’s father whether West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had called him.

In response, the victim’s father said, “We spoke to the Chief Minister of Odisha. But there was no talk with the Chief Minister of West Bengal.”

Meanwhile, Governor C.V. Ananda Bose expressed concern over the Durgapur incident. On Monday, he left Howrah station for Durgapur in a car.

At the station, he said, “I have taken stock of the entire incident. I am going to talk to the victim. Strict action will be taken against those who did this.”

On Friday, the second-year medical student from Odisha was allegedly gang-raped outside the campus in Durgapur after she went out with her male friend for dinner.

The police have arrested all five accused in the Durgapur gang-rape case.