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Maharashtra

Mumbai Metro 3: Over 2 Lakh Passengers Travelled Through Aqua Line In 10 Days After Launch; Marol Naka Sees Highest Footfall

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Mumbai: The total ridership on Mumbai’s Aqua Line, also known as Metro 3, has exceeded the 200,000-passenger mark just 10 days after opening to the public, according to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC). The highest number of commuters has been recorded at Marol Naka station, which serves as an interchange with the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) Metro 1 line.

An MMRC official confirmed that the ridership surpassed 2,00,000 a few days ago, though the latest data was still pending, as reported by Hindustan Times. Between October 7 and October 15, over 198,000 passengers travelled between Aarey and Bandra Kurla Complex on the Aqua Line. On the first day of service, October 7, 18,015 commuters used the line, while the average daily ridership during the first nine days was around 22,043 passengers.

MetroConnect3 Mobile App Used By Several Passengers For Ticket Booking

Of the nearly 200,000 commuters, 11,213 purchased their tickets using the MetroConnect3 mobile app, which allows passengers to book tickets from anywhere in the city and requires them to begin their journey within three hours of booking.

Marol Naka station saw the highest footfall among the Aqua Line stations, with 39,887 passengers recorded over nine days, resulting in a daily average of 4,432. Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) station also saw significant traffic, with 31,977 passengers and a daily average of 3,553.

Additionally, Marol Naka station on the blue line (Metro 1) saw a rise in passengers, with a daily average of 45,700 between October 7 and October 11, a 10.12% increase from the daily average of 41,500 recorded between September 30 and October 4.

Arrangements To Manage Increased Footfall

To manage the increased footfall, MMOPL (Mumbai Metro One Private Limited) officials made several adjustments at Marol Naka, including expanding the passage area, adding more security checkpoints, installing additional fare collection gates and setting up directional signage to guide passengers towards the Aqua Line.

Transport experts attribute the increased footfall to Marol Naka’s role as an interchange station. AV Shenoy, a member of the Mumbai Mobility Forum, while speaking to HT, emphasized the importance of connecting multiple modes of public transport, noting that similar integration with suburban railway networks will be crucial as more metro lines are introduced.

During the October 7-11 period, the VAG Metro 1 corridor saw an average of 502,500 passengers daily, compared to 498,500 between September 30 and October 4. MMOPL officials noted that weekend ridership tends to drop by more than 50%.

The first phase of Metro 3, Mumbai’s first underground metro line, opened on October 7 and operates from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm on weekdays and 8:30 am to 10:30 pm on Sundays, with fares ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 50.

Crime

Raigad: Pune History-Sheeter Held For Killing Friend By Pushing Him Into Kal River

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A Pune-based history-sheeter was arrested on Sunday by Mahad MIDC police for allegedly killing his 38-year-old friend by pushing him into the Kal river following a late-night argument.

The accused has been identified as Tushar Tukaram Yenpure, a resident of Dattanagar, Pune. The victim, Tulshiram Chandrakant Gaikwad (38) of Ambe Shivtar, had been reported missing on September 9. His body was recovered downstream on September 12.

According to police, the incident took place on September 9 around 9 pm when Gaikwad, Yenpure, and four others were walking back from a local market after buying groceries. During the walk, Gaikwad reportedly abused Yenpure, which enraged him. In retaliation, Yenpure allegedly pushed Gaikwad off a small bridge into the river.There was no barricade on the bridge. Gaikwad, who could not swim, drowned instantly.

“Gaikwad’s family had filed a missing complaint on September 11 after being unable to trace him. Yenpure, who has several criminal cases against him in Pune and has previously been jailed, had threatened the others with dire consequences if they revealed the incident,” police officer from Mahad said.

However, during questioning, all four friends gave consistent statements confirming Yenpure’s role. A police team later traced and arrested him from Baramati.

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Maharashtra

Ghatkopar Drunk Driving Incident: Injured Man Succumbs To Injuries At Rajawadi Hospital

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35-year-old man who was critically injured in a horrific drunk driving accident in Ghatkopar last week has succumbed to his injuries. The victim, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, passed away late Sunday night while undergoing treatment at Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai.

The tragic incident occurred on the morning of September 13 at around 6:15 AM, on the LBS Road near Excel Arcade building in Ghatkopar (West). A Kia car (GJ 15 CK 4411), registered in Gujarat and allegedly driven under the influence of alcohol, veered off the road and crashed into the footpath.

The accused, Bhavika Mohan Dama-Bhanushali,30, a resident of Bhanuashaliwadi in Ghatkopar (East), was driving the car. She was reportedly on her way to drop off her friend Koram Bhanushali,30, accompanied by another friend Aniket Bansode, when she lost control of the speeding vehicle.

In the accident, the car smashed through a steel barricade, mounted the footpath, and crashed into the steps of a local shop. The impact severely injured a man who was seated on the footpath. The force of the crash was so intense that the barricade flew and shattered the glass door of a Punjab National Bank ATM center, damaged the steps of the Ambron Battery shop, broke a sewage line, and wrecked a parked motorcycle (MH03 DW 2971).

The Ghatkopar police rushed to the scene upon receiving information and immediately shifted the injured victim to Rajawadi Hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU. Despite medical efforts, he was declared dead by doctors at around 11 PM on Sunday, September 14, an official said.

Initially, police registered a case under sections 281, 125(A)(B) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 134(A)(B), 184, 185, and 187 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Following the victim’s death, the police have now added Section 105 of the BNS, relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

All three individuals in the car Bhavika Dama-Bhanushali, Koram Bhanushali, and Aniket Bansode have been arrested and produced before the court, which has remanded them to police custody for two days.

According to police, eyewitnesses Dhananjay Muluk, Baban Tarte, and Jitendra Pawar have recorded their statements. Bhavika Dama-Bhanushali has reportedly confessed to driving under the influence of alcohol, and her friend Korum Bhanushali has also admitted to consuming alcohol.

Police are continuing their investigation based on forensic evidence from the crash site, CCTV footage, and medical reports of the accused.

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Maharashtra

Heavy Rains Lash Palghar As Monsoon Withdrawal Begins; IMD Issues Orange, Yellow Alerts

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Palghar,: Palghar district has been witnessing heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning since Sunday afternoon, as the withdrawal phase of the southwest monsoon sets in. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert for September 15, followed by a yellow alert for September 16 and 17, warning of continued intense shower.

The heavy downpour has affected all eight talukas of the district, filling rivers, streams, and dams to capacity. Several rivers have now reached warning levels, while overflowing streams have cut off road access in some areas. Power supply was disrupted in many villages on Sunday night and Monday morning due to storms but was restored by Monday evening.

According to official data, Palghar has recorded 323.5 mm of rain so far in September, while cumulative rainfall between June and September stands at 2,305.4 mm 95.3% of the district’s seasonal average. Last year, rainfall during the same period was slightly higher at 2,205.7 mm, or 102.8% of the average.

Vasai: 2,702.3 mm (80.5%)

Wada: 2,609.4 mm (86.7%)

Dahanu: 1,899.9 mm (111.0%)

Palghar: 2,431.9 mm (89.2%)

Jawhar: 2,708.9 mm (92.1%)

Mokhada: 2,266.6 mm (87.3%)

Talasari: 2,132.3 mm (108.6%)

Vikramgad: 2,573.5 mm (88.4%)

Farmers say the rains have had a mixed impact. The early rice crop is nearly ready for harvest and could suffer damage if heavy showers persist. However, the mid-season rice crop is at the grain formation stage and is benefitting from the rainfall, which is considered favourable for its growth.

With fields lush and rivers in spate, officials confirmed that the district is experiencing the full force of the retreating monsoon. The IMD has cautioned residents to remain alert over the next two days as the rains continue.

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