Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great leader irrespective of whether US President Donald Trump says it or not, and added that India frames its own foreign policy, which cannot be dictated to it by any other country.

His statement comes in the wake of Trump’s praise of PM Modi.

Trump on Friday said, “I’ll always be friends with (Narendra) Modi, he’s a great prime minister. He’s great. I’ll always be friends, but I just don’t like what he’s doing at this particular moment.”

The relations between New Delhi and Washington are on a major downturn after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including 25 per cent additional duties for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. India described the US action as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”

When asked about the US President’s remarks, CM Fadnavis said, “Whether Trump says it or not, PM Modi is great. All world leaders feel that he is a great leader. American stand these days is… some praise us and some try to pull us down. But this is a new India…Modiji’s India. We decide our own foreign policy and nobody can dictate it to us.” The country’s march to become Viksit Bharat will continue, he added.

Fadnavis was speaking to reporters after the immersion of Lord Ganesh idol, installed at his official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai, in an artificial tank there.

On the occasion, he appealed to citizens to bid farewell to Lord Ganesh with traditional fervour and in a peaceful manner.

“All of us bid goodbye to the Lord with a heavy heart and with a sense of happiness that he will return next year,” he said.

The 10-day Ganesh festival, which began on August 27, drew to a close on Saturday.

Mumbai: As Ganeshotsav enters its final phase, Mumbai is preparing for the grand Anant Chaturdashi processions on Saturday, September 6. With lakhs of devotees expected to take part in the Ganesh Visarjan, the Mumbai Traffic Police on Friday, September 5, issued a detailed traffic advisory to ensure smooth flow of vehicles and avoid gridlock across the city.

In a statement, the police noted that Ganesh Visarjan is one of the most celebrated events in Maharashtra, drawing massive crowds to immersion spots across Mumbai. “The immersion processions attract devotees and onlookers in large numbers, leading to a surge in pedestrian and vehicular traffic,” the advisory said. To manage the situation, diversions and restrictions have been put in place across South Mumbai, central areas, and the eastern suburbs.

Among the key restrictions, no vehicles will be permitted on the stretch between Padmashree Govardhan Bafna Chowk (Prarthana Samaj Junction) and Vinoli Junction. Instead, motorists will be diverted through Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road, Bata Junction, Balaram Road, Navjeevan Junction, Tardeo Circle, and Nana Chowk. Similarly, traffic from Navjeevan Junction to M Powell Junction will be barred, with alternate routes provided via Patthe Bapurao Road, Javji Dadaji Marg, Opera House Junction, and Maharshi Karve Road.

To ease pressure between the northern and southern parts of the city, vehicles have been advised to use the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road during the visarjan period. Restrictions will also be enforced between Bhai Bhandarkar Chowk (Badhwar Park Junction) and Indu Clinic Junction, as well as from Zhulelal Mandir Junction to Sant Ghadge Maharaj Chowk. In Colaba, movement will be curtailed on Captain Prakash Pethe Marg and Rambhau Salgaonkar Marg.

In Chembur, vehicles are prohibited on Hemu Kalani Marg between Umarshi Bappa Junction and Basant Park Junction, and on Gidwani Marg between Golf Club and Chembur Naka. Heavy vehicles will also not be allowed on R.C. Marg from Maravali Church to Chembur Naka in both directions. Parking restrictions are in force on Nathalal Parekh Marg, Captain Prakash Pethe Marg, Pandey Road, and Rambhau Salgaonkar Road to reduce roadside congestion.

If required, northbound traffic on Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Road will be diverted from Islam Gymkhana to the coastal road. On Anant Chaturdashi itself, all vehicular movement will be banned on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Road from Gol Deool to Prarthana Samaj Junction.

The police have urged citizens to cooperate with authorities and use public transport wherever possible to avoid delays.

Chandigarh: AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Saturday met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at a private hospital in Mohali and enquired about his health.

Mann (51) was hospitalised on Friday evening after he complained of exhaustion and low heart rate.

Mann is currently under observation, according to hospital authorities.

The CM was unwell for the last two-three days, Sisodia told reporters after meeting Mann.

“He had an electrolyte imbalance,” said the AAP’s Punjab incharge.

Earlier, he was undergoing treatment at home.

“Yesterday evening, his pulse rate dropped and thereafter he was hospitalised. He has been under observation since then,” Sisodia said.

“He is stable and there is nothing to worry about. According to doctors, he will remain in hospital for one or two more days,” he added.

On his conversation with Mann, Sisodia said the CM talked about the flood situation in Punjab.

On Friday, a meeting of the Punjab cabinet, which was to be chaired by Mann, was postponed after he fell ill. The CM could also not accompany AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on a visit to the flood-hit areas on Thursday.