Connect with us
Thursday,30-January-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Govt Approves Metro 8; ‘Gold Line’ To Directly Connect Mumbai Airport With NMIA – Details Inside

Published

on

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has approved Metro Line 8, also called the Gold Line, to connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai with Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The 35-kilometre corridor, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) Metro Master Plan, aims to improve airport connectivity and streamline travel for passengers.

Metro 8 To Be Developed Using PPP Model

The project will be developed using the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, despite its mixed track record in Mumbai metro projects. A Government Resolution issued on Monday confirmed the state’s decision, initially taken in May 2024. While MMRDA was originally tasked with overseeing Metro 8, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has now been appointed as the nodal agency. CIDCO has been directed to prepare a detailed project report for the line, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The new corridor is expected to provide seamless access between the two airports, especially critical as NMIA is likely to become operational by mid of 2025. Currently, NMIA is accessible via the Atal Setu, and connectivity will further improve with the completion of the Worli-Sewri connector.

Challenges With PPP Model

However, the decision to use the PPP model has raised concerns. Metro 1, which connects Ghatkopar and Versova, was built on a PPP basis between MMRDA and Reliance Infra over a decade ago. While the metro line itself has been successful, the financial arrangement remains problematic, prompting all further metro projects in Mumbai to adopt a contract-based approach without private participation.

Details Of The Metro Line 8 Project

Metro Line 8 will span 35 km, comprising 25.8 km of elevated track and 8.2 km of underground sections. The route will pass through key areas like Kurla and Mankhurd, linking Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and a proposed Interstate Bus Terminal at Mankhurd. It will include 20 stations and integrate with Metro 2B.

Estimated to cost Rs 15,000 crore (as per 2023 data), Metro 8 will take approximately six years to complete, marking a remarkable step toward enhancing urban mobility in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Crime

BMC issues notice to Saboo Siddik Hospital for illegal occupation, bills like private hospital in the name of charitable hospital

Published

on

Mumbai: Mumbai’s Saboo Siddik Hospital has become a topic of discussion these days. Although this hospital is called charitable, the fees here are no less than any private hospital. This hospital, run by the Muslim Ambulance Society, has been a victim of controversies many times before. Patients admitted here have to pay a huge amount in the name of charity hospital. According to the information received, many illegal activities have taken place in this hospital and now BMC has become active regarding this. BMC has issued a show cause notice to this hospital. If sources are to be believed, the place where the MRI and pathology lab has been built is actually a car parking space which the hospital administration has occupied and converted into a lab and given it on contract to a private company which arbitrarily charges money from patients in the name of MRI and blood tests. Along with this, the upper floor of this hospital has been illegally converted into a general ward. In this connection, Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s Executive Health Officer Dr. Daksha Shah has ordered an inquiry into this.

According to the information, many officials of the health department of B ward have also been involved in this whole matter. Although, according to the hospital, they had got the illegal works done in the parking lot approved from BMC, but they have failed to show the documents of the same. On which BMC has now asked the hospital for all the documents on the basis of which this illegal construction was made legal and pathology and MRI centers were built on it. If reports are to be believed, a huge amount is charged from people in the MRI center and pathology lab. If patients are to be believed, they have to pay a charge of three and a half thousand to fifteen thousand for getting an MRI done.

In the same pathology lab, 1500 is charged for CBC and a huge amount is charged from people for doing other tests. This business of loot in the name of charity has been going on for many years. Which has now come to the notice of BMC. A huge amount is being charged from people by occupying the upper floor under the guise of general ward. Apart from this, fire systems and storage items have been kept in the entire building on the stairs, which is against government norms. The hospital also does not have the license of Bhabha Atomic Research Center, which is said to be necessary for X-ray. Now it remains to be seen how BMC puts a stop to this story of looting that has been going on for many years.

Continue Reading

Bollywood

Saif Ali Khan Stabbing Case: Bandra Court Sends Accused Shariful Islam To 14 Days Of Judicial Custody, Rejects Police Demand For 2-Day Extension

Published

on

Mumbai: In the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case, the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Bandra sent the accused, Shariful Islam, to judicial custody for 14 days.

The court has rejected the police’s demand for a two-day extension of custody.

The court advised the police to read the new BNS. It also stated that if new evidence emerges during the investigation, police custody can be sought again as per the new BNS laws.

The court said in the current situation, extending the accused’s police custody cannot be justified.

Continue Reading

Crime

Baba Siddique Murder Case: Mumbai Police Cite 3 Motives Behind Former NCP Leader’s Killing, Reveal Lawrence Bishnoi Gang’s Plot

Published

on

Mumbai: Mumbai Police have cited three key motives behind the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique: Anger against actor Salman Khan, Siddique’s proximity with Khan, and a desire on the part of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to establish terror and supremacy in the city.

About The Case

Siddique, 66, was killed on October 12 near his son Zeeshan’s office in Bandra (East). So far, the police have arrested 26 suspects in connection with the murder. Last month the police submitted a charge sheet against the 26 accused. Two motorcycle-borne men fired five rounds outside Khan’s Galaxy Apartments in the early hours of April 14, 2024. As per the charge sheet, Anmol Bishnoi, brother of Lawrence, was the key conspirator, who was in constant touch with the shooters.

Soon after the attack on Khan, the gang began to look for its second target. Sujit Singh alias Babbu, in his confession statement, has claimed that wanted accused Shubham Lonkar and Anmol Bishnoi contacted him in June 2024, asking him to arrange men who could recce the home of Siddique. Babbu claimed that he initially ignored their demands but later took them seriously. Babbu introduced Anmol Bishnoi to Dombivali resident Nitin Sapre, who was entrusted with the task of doing recce and making further arrangements.

Claim Made By Nitin Sapre In His Confession Statement

Sapre, in his confession statement, claimed that he was looking for work, and that Babbu introduced him to Anmol Bishnoi. Sapre claimed that when he contacted Anmol Bishnoi, the latter asked him if he had any police cases. Sapre replied that he was in prison for murder. After hearing this, Anmol Bishnoi said: “Prepare a team of boys as we have lot of work in Mumbai.”

The police has said that Anmol Bishnoi recruited several young people with whom he kept in regular touch through various social media accounts. The gang was trying to gain supremacy in the city, the police has claimed, even during the investigation into the firing outside Khan’s residence.

Continue Reading

Trending