Mumbai: Dandoshi Police has so far arrested 10 accused in the violence between two communities over the playing of Lord Ram songs at Santosh Nagar Market under the jurisdiction of Dandoshi police station in Malad East, Mumbai. On the demand of Bajrang Dal, BMC Bulldozers yesterday raided the house of the main accused and razed the house to the ground. During the raid, a packet of drugs was recovered from the accused’s house. Dandoshi police has registered a separate FIR, which is under investigation. According to police information, a Devi program was organized by South Indian in Santosh Nagar area. There was a scuffle between the two groups. The situation is currently under control. The police have registered a case under sections 109, 118 (1), 351 (3), 352, and 189 (1) of the IPC. A case has been registered under Sections 189(2), 189(3), 191(1), 191(2), 191(3), Section 37(1) of the Arms Act and Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.

During the incident, the Mumbai Dandoshi Police resorted to lathicharge, resulting in serious injuries to three persons who have been admitted to the Trauma Care Hospital.

During the bulldozer operation at the accused’s house, thousands of people from Bajrang Dal and Hindu organisations raised slogans, chanted Hanuman Chalisa and performed Hanuman Aarti. Former BJP MP Kirat Soumya reached Santosh Nagar and participated in the Hanuman Aarti. Kirat Soumya has questioned the police action. Currently, the Mumbai Police has turned the entire area into a cantonment. Kret Soumya has said that until strict action is taken in this matter, they will continue their protest against it. Mumbai Police DCP Mahesh Chamte said that the accused have been arrested and a search is on for more people involved in the matter. So far, 10 accused have been arrested and a case of rioting has been registered against them.

Mumbai, April 7: In a major step towards achieving the ‘Viksit Maharashtra’ objective within the ‘Viskit India 2047’ vision, the Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday gave approval for the establishment of a new independent department for Electronics, Information Technology, and Artificial Intelligence.

The Directorate of Information Technology will be transformed into the Directorate of Electronics, IT, and AI. A new IT Cadre, comprising permanent positions for ministerial departments, the Commissioner’s office, and all districts, will be created to accelerate IT, AI, and digital governance in the state.

The state Cabinet’s move comes after the CM Fadnavis recently told the state legislature that Maharashtra is leading the way in the space of AI startups. He further stated that the state government is making special efforts to promote fintech and AI startups as it seeks to make the state a trillion-dollar economy.

He added that technology will serve as the foundation of this economic growth, and the government is positioning the state as a leader in the startup and technology sector.

The state Cabinet also cleared the financial restructuring of the state power distribution company Mahavitaran Government bonds that will be issued in the capital market for state-guaranteed loans amounting to Rs 32,679 crore.

Additionally, the agricultural distribution business will undergo a demerger (Agri Demerger). Furthermore, Mahavitaran will be listed on the stock market.

Further, the Cabinet also cleared the establishment of the Maharashtra Geotechnology Application Centre (MahaGeoTech) company to bring speed and efficiency to administration using geospatial technology.

This centre will focus on modern technology, research, geospatial innovation, and entrepreneurship, enabling educational programs for students, professionals, and researchers.

The state Cabinet also approved the restructuring of the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC) as it will now become a company. Its registration under the Societies Act of 1860 will be cancelled, and it will be established as a company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.

This decision will accelerate projects related to road information systems, urban planning, Jalyukt Shivar (watershed development), hilly area development, e-Panchnama, Maha Agri Tech, mangrove studies, groundwater management, and mineral/mining studies.

Moreover, the state Cabinet also gave approval to implement the Maharashtra Resilience Development Program (MRDP) which aims to raise disaster management funds with the help of private capital.

This includes a Rs 165 crore fund from the World Bank. The program will provide relief on home loans for disaster-affected citizens and offer credit concessions and insurance security to MSMEs.

To mitigate flood risks, prevention plans will be prepared for the Krishna Basin, including the cities of Kolhapur, Sangli, and Ichalkaranji.

Mumbai: The first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), named Nayak, has been launched to begin excavation for the Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel project today. The inauguration was officially done by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik was also present at the event, which took place at the TBM launch site in Manpada, Thane.

At present, the 23-kilometre journey between Thane and Borivali takes anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes, largely due to heavy congestion on Ghodbunder Road. Once completed, the new tunnel route will bring this travel time down to just 15 minutes, offering a faster and more reliable commute. The project, which began on May 19, 2023, is expected to be completed by May 2028.

Implemented by MMRDA, the project also includes connecting roads linking the Western Express Highway in Borivali and Ghodbunder Road in Thane.

A machine built for Mumbai’s toughest terrain, a 13.34-metre diameter single-shield TBM—among the largest deployed in urban tunnelling. Weighing nearly 2,500 tonnes and assembled from over a thousand components, the machine represents cutting-edge engineering tailored for challenging geological conditions.

Meanwhile, prior to this, Phase 1 of the long-awaited Metro Line 9 rail service between Dahisar East and Mira Bhayandar was inaugurated. CM Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, and Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, were present at the inauguration ceremony of phase 1 connecting Dahisar East to Kashigaon.

The 4.97 km line connecting Dahisar and Kashigaon, with stations at Pandurang Wadi and Miragaon, is expected to provide relief to commuters in the Mira-Bhayander region, which currently depends heavily on road transport, leading to frequent traffic congestion.