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Karnataka government to decide on Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations today

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The Karnataka government on Monday will take a decision on the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the state after consultation with the expert committee.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is in a fix as the BJP and the opposition legislators including those of Congress party, MP’s and pro-Hindu organisations are demanding to allow the festivities with minimum restrictions.

On the other hand Dr Devi Shetty, the Chairman of the state Covid Expert Committee had warned that if Covid guidelines are not followed in public programmes, the virus will definitely raise its ugly head.

Presently, the government has banned mass celebrations of Muharram and Ganesh Chathurthi festivals in the state in the backdrop of fears of Covid-19 spread.

BJP MP Pratap Simha has asserted that if Sunday prayers could be allowed in churches and mass prayers could be allowed in Masjids, restrictions on Ganesh Chaturthi are meaningless.

“I demand the government should allow celebrations of Ganesh festival in the state,” he said.

Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, a senior BJP leader said that no one could stop him from organising celebrations during Ganesh festival.

“The government cannot interfere with Hindu festivals. Let them shoot, I prefer to become a martyr by organising the Ganesh festival,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Pramod Muthalik, the founder of Sriram Sena attacked the government saying that there are no Covid fears while masses were gathered during the Jan Ashirwad yatra.

“I am warning the government. Sriram Sena has told the government to take a decision on Ganesh festival by August 26. Now, I give a deadline of August 30, if the government fails to take out restrictions on Ganesh festival, protests will be staged before the residences of all the MLAs across the state,” he threatened.

V. Sunil Kumar, the minister for Energy, Kannada & Culture stated that, the grand celebration of Ganesh festival is needed.

However, the government will also have to keep in mind about Covid fears, preparations and expert opinion.

Dr Devi Shetty, the Chairman of Covid Expert Committee said that there is no harm in conducting ‘puja’.

“If people are gathering without taking precautions and following Covid guidelines, even if it is a religious function or worshipping god, the Covid infection will rise. No vaccines will work,” he underlined.

Meanwhile, the expert committee has warned the government that the next four weeks are crucial for the state of Karnataka.

The Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated on September 10.

The celebrations will start from the beginning of the month and continue till the end of the month, if government permits, sources said.

The committee has recommended the government to implement tough restrictions while allowing the festival.

It has also recommended monitoring the positivity rate in all districts, especially those bordering Kerala and Maharashtra, the sources said.

Business

Committed to boosting Mumbai’s infrastructure, ease of living: PM Modi

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Mumbai, Oct 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to enhancing Mumbai’s infrastructure and the ‘Ease of Living’ as he is set to inaugurate Phase-1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and the Mumbai Metro Line-3.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, “On the way to Navi Mumbai to take part in the programme marking the inauguration of Phase-1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport. With this, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will get its second major international airport, thus boosting commerce and connectivity.”

“The final phase of the Mumbai Metro Line-3 will also be inaugurated. We are committed to enhancing Mumbai’s infrastructure and boosting ‘Ease of Living’ for the people of this dynamic city,” he added.

Phase-1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, developed at an estimated cost of Rs 19,650 crore, will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister in line with his vision of transforming India into a global aviation hub.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is India’s largest Greenfield airport project, developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. As the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, it will work in coordination with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to reduce congestion and position Mumbai among global cities with multi-airport systems.

Spread across 1,160 hectares, NMIA is designed to be one of the most efficient airports in the world, capable of handling up to 90 million passengers per annum and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo.

Among its standout features is an Automated People Mover (APM) system that will connect all four passenger terminals to facilitate smooth inter-terminal transfers. A landside APM will also link the city-side infrastructure, ensuring convenience for passengers and staff.

Committed to sustainability, the airport will include storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), solar power generation of nearly 47 MW, and electric bus services for city-wide connectivity. NMIA will also become the country’s first airport to be connected by a Water Taxi service.

In addition to the airport, PM Modi will inaugurate Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line-3, which stretches from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade and has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 12,200 crore.

With this launch, the Prime Minister will dedicate the entire Mumbai Metro Line-3 (Aqua Line) to the nation. Built at a total cost exceeding Rs 37,270 crore, this milestone marks a major leap forward in the city’s urban transport infrastructure.

Mumbai Metro Line-3, the city’s first fully underground metro line, is set to redefine commuting in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region by offering faster, more efficient, and eco-friendly transport options for millions of daily commuters.

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Akhilesh Yadav to meet SP veteran Azam Khan in Rampur amid rumours of latter’s party switch

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Lucknow, Oct 8: In a significant political development in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav is set to meet old warhorse Azam Khan on Wednesday, a meeting seen by many as an attempt to bring an end to ‘differences and distrust’ with the party stalwart.

The meeting between the duo will be closely watched, not just by SP workers but also by political analysts, as this is expected to have greater ramifications for the party in strengthening its Muslim votebank, as the latter is one of the biggest Muslim faces of the party and commands strong influence in Western Uttar Pradesh areas like Moradabad, Amroha, and other cities.

SP’s Bareilly president Shivcharan Kashyap said that Akhilesh Yadav will arrive in Bareilly from Amausi Airport and from there, he will travel to Rampur by road.

He informed that the two leaders will meet and discuss issues in private.

The proposed meeting between the two comes amidst rumours of Azam Khan, once one of the most powerful ministers in the SP government, contemplating a switch to BSP.

Azam Khan, one of the tallest SP leaders in Uttar Pradesh, was incarcerated in jail for about two years, and this left him ‘disillusioned and disenchanted’ with the SP leadership, as the latter failed to show solidarity with him during his difficult time.

After his release from Sitapur jail on September 23, Azam Khan also said that he will meet only Akhilesh Yadav and no one else.

“Akhilesh Yadav will meet me, and I will meet only him,” he said, while replying to reporters, when quizzed about meeting the SP supremo.

He also said sarcastically, “It’s his magnanimity that he’s coming to meet a goat thief and a buffalo thief.”

Rumours of Azam Khan joining the BSP have been circulating in political circles for quite some time. However, he rubbished all these speculations, calling himself a true soldier of the party.

Azam Khan was one of the founding members of the Samajwadi Party and one of the closest aides of late Mulayam Singh Yadav. The meeting with Akhilesh Yadav is not only an attempt to rekindle old relationships but also to convey a message of unity within the party.

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FICCI Frames 2025: ‘Shaved Again After Reaching Colaba From Juhu But Now..’ Akshay Kumar Praises CM Fadnavis For Easing Traffic Congestion In Mumbai

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Mumbai, October 7: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar engaged in a candid conversation with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, applauding the state’s rapid infrastructure development. Sharing a personal experience, Akshay said with a laugh, “Four days ago, I travelled from Juhu to Colaba in just 35 minutes. Earlier, it used to take so long that I had to shave twice, once before leaving home and again after reaching the set,” he said jokingly, drawing smiles from the audience.

He went on to highlight how the city’s connectivity has transformed. “There was a time when we used to talk about South Bombay and North Bombay, but now, because of the infrastructure you’ve created, it feels like one Mumbai,” the actor remarked.

During the conversation, Akshay urged the Chief Minister to focus on improving Film City in Goregaon, which he described as the heart of India’s film industry.

Responding to Akshay’s appeal, CM Fadnavis acknowledged the issue and shared his long-standing vision for the project. “I’m glad you brought this up. During my tenure between 2014 and 2019, one regret I have is that I couldn’t execute the Film City redevelopment. We had planned and designed it to become a vibrant international ecosystem and had even spoken to the film fraternity,” he said.

The Chief Minister assured that under the current government, he intends to turn that vision into reality. “This time, I will ensure that Film City is developed into a world-class ecosystem—one that reflects Mumbai’s global creative strength,” he added.

The interview offered a blend of star power and state vision, underscoring how infrastructure and creativity together shape Mumbai’s identity as India’s commercial and cultural capital.

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