Mumbai: A tragic accident claimed the life of a serving police constable in Mumbai after an excavator drilling crane allegedly toppled onto his motorcycle due to negligence during roadwork. The incident occurred on Wednesday on the northbound carriageway at an MMRDA flyover construction site of the Sion–Panvel Highway under the jurisdiction of Mankhurd Police Station.

The deceased has been identified as Police Constable Santosh Gopal Chavan (Badge No. 030186), who had served in the police force for 23 years. He was originally posted at Nehru Nagar Police Station and was currently on deputation at the East Control Room in Chembur.

According to preliminary information, the accident took place while roadwork was underway by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). An excavator drilling crane being used at the site reportedly collapsed after being placed on unstable soil by the contractor. The heavy machinery suddenly tilted and fell onto the passing motorcycle (MH 43 W 3238) ridden by Constable Chavan.

He sustained severe injuries in the incident and was declared dead, officials said. The incident has raised serious concerns over safety protocols and supervision at ongoing infrastructure projects in the city.

Police officials confirmed that a case is being initiated against the contractor for alleged negligence. Authorities from Mankhurd Police Station have begun legal proceedings and are investigating the exact circumstances that led to the crane collapse. The deceased Constable Chavan was a seasoned officer with over two decades of service with the police department. Further investigation is underway.

Mumbai: In a major breakthrough for Indian intelligence and anti-narcotics agencies, international drug trafficker Salim Dola, a close associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, is set to be brought to Mumbai today after 5 pm following his deportation to India from Turkey.

Dola was brought to India early Tuesday morning as part of a highly confidential and coordinated international operation led by the Narcotics Control Bureau under ‘Operation Global-Hunt.’ He arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on a special aircraft after being detained in Istanbul based on intelligence inputs shared by Indian agencies with foreign authorities.

Upon arrival, he was taken into custody by NCB officials and questioned at the airport. After initial interrogation, officials confirmed that Dola will now be transported to Mumbai later today, where he will be taken to the NCB office for further probe and legal proceedings.

Dola was a key figure in an international drug trafficking syndicate with operations spanning India, Dubai and several other countries. His name has reportedly surfaced in connection with a large-scale synthetic drug racket, raising serious concerns about the extent of the network.

Security agencies suspect that the syndicate has links with the infamous D-Company, indicating a possible nexus between global narcotics cartels and organised crime groups. Dola was earlier active in Mumbai’s Dongri area before allegedly shifting his base to Dubai, from where he is believed to have managed a major drug supply chain targeting India. Officials have also claimed he used a Saudi Arabian passport to facilitate international travel.

The arrest follows sustained action against his network. In October 2025, the Mumbai Crime Branch extradited his close aide Mohammad Salim Sohel Sheikh from Dubai. A month later, four of his family members, including his son Tahir Dola, were also brought to India after being arrested abroad. The NCB had earlier announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to his capture, while an Interpol Red Corner Notice had intensified efforts to track him globally.

Dola’s custodial interrogation in Mumbai is expected to yield crucial leads on international drug trafficking routes and could expose deeper links between narcotics syndicates and the underworld network linked to Dawood Ibrahim. Further investigation is underway.

Navi Mumbai: The much-awaited ‘Missing Link’ stretch on the Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai–Pune Expressway will be opened to public traffic from May 1, with only light motor vehicles (LMVs) and passenger buses allowed in the initial phase, according to a notification issued by the Maharashtra Traffic Police.

As per the notification, the phased rollout has been planned to ensure commuter safety and address technical considerations within the tunnel section, with goods vehicles barred from using the route during the initial period.

In Phase I, from May 1 to October 31, entry will be restricted to LMVs and passenger vehicles, while goods-carrying vehicles will remain prohibited. From November 1 onwards, a review of the first six months will be conducted to assess the feasibility of allowing goods vehicles, and a decision will be taken accordingly, the notification stated.

The notification further stated that vehicles carrying hazardous or inflammable materials, including explosives, will be strictly prohibited from using the Missing Link at all times in line with tunnel safety protocols. Such vehicles will continue to use the existing expressway.

Speed limits have been fixed at 100 kmph for cars and 80 kmph for passenger buses on the Missing Link stretch. It also clarified that minor speed violations within a permissible margin will not attract action under Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The notification was issued by Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) Praveen Salunke, which will remain in force from the date the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) opens the road for public use until further orders.