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.

Mumbai: The special CBI Magistrate court has issued summons to actress Rhea Chakraborty, seeking her reply to the closure report filed by the CBI on her complaint against Sushant Singh Rajput’s sisters Priyanka and Meetu Singh and Dr Tarun Kumar of New Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

The CBI has closed the case for want of evidence. The CBI has also closed the case filed by Sushant’s father in Patna. The CBI had in March filed its closure report in the case before a Bandra Magistrate court. The notice was issued after the case was transferred from the Metropolitan Magistrate court, Bandra to special CBI magistrate court on the request of the CBI.

The special CBI magistrate is likely to hear the actress and the prosecution on closure of the case on August 12. Sushant was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14, 2020. After the actor’s death, his family made several allegations and so did Rhea against his sisters.

Besides, the Narcotics Control Bureau had also booked the actress, his brother and others in connection with the alleged drug supply chain which allegedly involved supplying narcotic substances to Sushant. The actress had filed the complaint against Sushant’s sisters in September 2020. Sushant’s father had lodged a complaint against her in July 2020 in Patna. Rhea had claimed that Sushant had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in addition to other mental health issues, and that he had abruptly stopped medication.

Rhea had claimed that his sister Priyanka had been sending him medicines without proper diagnosis. Both the cases were taken up by the CBI for investigation. However, after the probe, the agency has decided to close the case and submitted the closure report.