Thane: The much-awaited Panvel–Karjat suburban railway corridor, a key infrastructure project under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase III, is steadily nearing completion. Developed by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) at an estimated cost of ₹2,782 crore, the 29.6-kilometre corridor aims to significantly ease congestion on the Central Railway line while improving connectivity between Navi Mumbai and Karjat.

According to MRVC officials and recent reports, nearly 79% of the project work has been completed, with major civil works, including bridges, tunnels, and station structures, now in their final stages.

The corridor will feature five stations: Panvel, Chikhale, Mohape, Chowk, and Karjat. Once operational, it will reduce travel time between Panvel and Karjat by nearly 30 minutes, providing much-needed relief to thousands of daily commuters from Karjat, Bhivpuri, Neral, and Khopoli who travel to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai for work.

The project includes nine major bridges, 35 minor bridges, 15 underpasses, one rail flyover, and three tunnels, which have already been excavated. Track-laying has begun, marking a key milestone in the project’s progress. MRVC officials have stated that while the initial target for completion was December 2025, the line is now likely to open to the public by March 2026.

The corridor is expected to play a crucial role in reducing passenger load on the main Central line, where crowding has become a growing concern even during non-peak hours. Once operational, it will also boost development and connectivity in emerging residential and commercial areas along the route.

Mumbai: The Rafi Ahmed Kidwai (RAK) Marg police have successfully cracked a sensational jewelry theft case that took place at the Busa Industrial Estate, Sewri Naka, Mumbai, on the night of October 21. In a shocking twist, police have arrested the security guard of the jewelry manufacturing unit, along with three others, for orchestrating the crime.

According to the police, the accused have been identified as Rohitkumar Mohendrakumar Sharma, 20, the complainant and security guard at the factory, Manish Rathod, 24, Bhagwan Paraskar alias Mama, 60, and Mangal Kashyap, 20. The alleged mastermind, Irfan Shaikh, is currently absconding, and a manhunt has been launched to trace him.

As per the FIR, the complainant Rohitkumar Sharma, originally from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, was employed as a security guard at a jewelry workshop owned by gold trader Pradeep Dinesh Sharma at Busa Industrial Estate. On the evening of October 21, after a Diwali Laxmi Puja at the unit, the owner and his friends left around 8:30 p.m. Sharma’s two fellow workers went downstairs for dinner, leaving him alone on duty.

At around 10:15 p.m., three unidentified men allegedly entered the premises under the pretext of delivering a parcel. They reportedly threatened Sharma, assaulted him with a knife, and forced their way into the office. From a drawer containing the puja items, they stole 400 grams of gold jewelry worth Rs48 lakh before fleeing the scene.

Sharma, who sustained injuries on his leg, claimed he raised an alarm after the assailants fled. Nearby workers rushed him to KEM Hospital for treatment. Based on his statement, police initially registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Arms Act.

However, as the investigation progressed, police found inconsistencies in Sharma’s statement and suspected foul play. Detailed questioning, along with technical and other evidence, revealed that the security guard himself had conspired with others to stage the robbery.

Police subsequently arrested the four accused and recovered crucial evidence linking them to the crime. Efforts are underway to locate the absconding mastermind, Irfan Shaikh. Further investigation is in progress, officials confirmed.

New Delhi, Oct 27: India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has been admitted to a Sydney hospital after suffering a left rib cage injury in Saturday’s match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Sources aware of the development have told media that Iyer, who has been in ICU after being taken quickly to the hospital on Saturday by the BCCI medical team, is expected to be further assessed by specialists on Monday, who would promptly decide on his path to recovery.

It is also understood that Iyer’s major vitals like blood pressure were fluctuating dangerously, which meant the Indian team medical staff took him to the hospital right away.

“At the hospital, scans revealed internal bleeding due to the fall’s impact and on discovering that, Iyer was immediately admitted to prevent the risk of infection spreading to other vital organs.

“Based on what the specialists say after assessing him, he could spend more days in ICU or be under their close observation for maybe a week. His family is also kept in the loop and if needed, they could go to Sydney to be by his side,” said sources.

The incident occurred in the 33rd over of Australia’s innings when Alex Carey miscued a short ball from seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana. Stationed at backward point, Iyer sprinted back with the ball swirling overhead and launched himself full length to complete a tumbling catch near deep third man.

The effort gave India a crucial wicket, but Iyer remained on the ground clutching his left side in visible discomfort. After that, with support from team-mates and physio Kamlesh Jain, Iyer walked off the field and didn’t come back for the remainder of the innings, as Australia were bowled out for 236 in 46.4 overs.

In reply, India chased down the target easily, thanks to an unbeaten 168-run stand between Rohit Sharma (121 not out) and Virat Kohli (74 not out). Iyer, 31, is not a part of India’s T20I squad for the subsequent series against Australia, starting on Wednesday.