Maharashtra
MMRDA Nears Completion Of Metro Line 5 Phase 1, Thane–Bhiwandi Services Set For December 2026 Launch
Thane, Feb 09: In a significant boost to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s connectivity, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has announced that the first phase of Metro Line 5 (Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan) is nearing completion. Civil work for the Kapurbawdi to Dhamankar Naka stretch is 95% complete, with operations expected to commence by December 2026.
Accelerated timeline for Phase 1
Originally projected for a later debut, the 12.20 km segment connecting Thane to Bhiwandi has been fast-tracked. Senior officials from MMRDA confirmed that the remaining civil infrastructure will be finalised by September, followed immediately by technical trials and the mandatory safety certification process.
Once operational, this will mark the third metro line serving the Thane district, providing much-needed relief to thousands of daily commuters currently reliant on congested road networks.
Project overview: Metro Line 5
The Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan Metro Line 5, also known as the Orange Line, is a major infrastructure project designed to bridge the industrial and residential hubs across these three key cities.
The entire corridor (encompassing Phase 1 and Phase 2) will span a total length of 24.9 km and is estimated to cost ₹8,416 crore, featuring a total of 17 stations.
Currently, the MMRDA is prioritising Phase 1, which stretches 12.20 km from Kapurbawdi to Dhamankar Naka. This initial phase includes seven stations and is targeted for operational service by December 2026.
Stations included in Phase 1:
● Kapurbawdi
● Balkum Naka
● Kasheli
● Kalher
● Purna
● Anjur Phata
● Dhamankar Naka
Wider metro expansion in MMR
Beyond Metro Line 5, the MMRDA is also pushing for the operationalisation of other critical corridors:
Metro Line 9: The Dahisar to Kashigaon stretch is expected to open shortly.
Metro Line 4 and 4A: The segment between Gaimukh and Cadbury Junction is slated to become operational between April and May.
The staggered opening of these lines is part of a larger strategy to integrate the satellite cities of Mumbai into a seamless, high-speed transit network, drastically reducing travel time across the metropolitan region.
Maharashtra
Traffic On Mumbai Lalbaug Flyover Disrupted After Tempo Overturns

Mumbai: Traffic movement on the Lalbaug flyover was affected on Saturday morning after a goods carrier tempo overturned on the bridge, causing brief disruption in the area. No injuries have been reported so far, while the exact cause of the accident remains unclear.
According to a post shared by Instagram user ‘theblinggirl_avril’, the incident took place around 8 am on May 9. Visuals from the spot showed the goods carrier lying overturned on the bridge as several people gathered around the vehicle to inspect the situation.
Police personnel were also seen at the location managing traffic and directing vehicles to ensure smooth movement on the busy stretch. Commuters were seen cautiously manoeuvring their vehicles past the overturned tempo while traffic continued to move slowly around the accident site.
The visuals further showed that no driver was present inside the vehicle, indicating that the driver had safely exited following the accident. However, no official confirmation regarding the driver’s condition or the circumstances leading to the incident has been released so far.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the accident. Further investigation into how the goods carrier overturned on the bridge is currently underway.
In a similar incident, heavy traffic congestion was reported on the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) near Vikhroli-Ghatkopar on Friday morning after a trailer truck met with an accident during peak office hours, severely affecting vehicular movement towards south Mumbai.
Visuals shared from the accident site by journalist Poonam Ahuja, showed the damaged trailer stationed on the side of the highway while a crane was deployed to remove the vehicle and restore normal traffic flow. Long queues of vehicles and slow-moving traffic were witnessed across the stretch during the morning rush hour.
According to the Mumbai Traffic Police, traffic movement slowed majorly near Ramabai Bridge in the Vikhroli south-bound stretch following the accident involving the trailer. “Traffic movement is slow at Ramabai Bridge (Vikroli) south bound due to trailer accident,” Mumbai Traffic Police posted on X earlier in the day.
Crime
NESCO Drug Overdose Case: Mumbai NDPS Court Denies Bail To Accused, Says ‘Greed For Money Turned Place Of Amusement Into Graveyard’

Mumbai: The special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court has rejected the bail pleas of NESCO staff and MBA students in the drug overdose deaths case. In its detailed order, the court observed that “greed for money turned a place of amusement into a graveyard for two persons”.
The court on Thursday refused bail to Raunak Khandelwal, a final-year MBA student, and Pratik Pandey, a second-year MBA student. Additionally, the court denied relief to Sunny Jain, a senior manager, and Balkrishnan Kurup, business head and vice president of live events and IP at NESCO.
The case pertains to an incident on April 11, where two MBA students died and several others were hospitalised following a suspected MDMA (ecstasy) overdose at a techno music concert held at NESCO Goregaon.
The court noted that the organiser allowed attendees to consume liquor despite being directed to ensure no narcotic drugs or alcohol were permitted at the event. The court described the incident as an example of poor management.
“It may be intentional, negligent and/or an act done under the greed of money. However, such an act has turned into a tragedy, ultimately the place of amusement becoming the graveyard of two persons. Thus, the organisers are primafacie responsible for negligence and mishap occurred in the event,” the court said.
Regarding the students, the court observed they are accused of bringing and distributing contraband among college friends. In the case of Khandelwal, the court stated that the supply of a yellow ecstasy tablet to a victim was sufficient to infer involvement in the crime, regardless of the specific weight found on his person. The court noted that investigators recovered 435gm of MDMA from Ayush Sahitya, making it hasty to categorise the recovery as a small quantity.
While denying bail to Pandey, the court remarked that the applicant tried to encash the chaotic conditions caused by mismanagement to sell contraband. The court further noted the submission of the prosecution that if released, the applicant might dissuade friends from disclosing facts to the investigating officer.
Maharashtra
Weather Alert, May 9: Hot & Humid Conditions Prevail In Mumbai, MMR; Thane Likely To Sizzle At 40°C Today

Mumbai: The city woke up to clear skies and hot weather, with the early-morning temperature recorded at 31°C at 9 am. This high temperature comes as hot and humid conditions are expected to continue in Mumbai and surrounding areas today.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, a yellow alert for hot and humid conditions has been issued for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad till May 10. According to an AccuWeather report, the maximum temperature in the city is expected to soar to 38°C.
Thane and Navi Mumbai also recorded hot weather in the morning, with temperatures recorded at 31°C. Not just this, residents of Thane are expected to witness severe heat conditions, as maximum temperatures are likely to soar up to 40°C, according to AccuWeather. The maximum temperature in Navi Mumbai is also expected to reach 37°C.
As high temperatures are expected today in Mumbai and MMR regions, citizens should take precautions by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and caffeinated drinks, as they can cause dehydration. Instead, opt for coconut water, buttermilk, or electrolyte drinks to stay hydrated. Try not to step outside between 12 pm and 4 pm, when the heat is strongest. If you need to go out, use sunscreen or wear a hat for protection. Opt for light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes and eat fresh fruits, salads, and light meals instead of heavy, oily, or spicy foods.
The overall air quality in Mumbai was recorded in the ‘good’ category, with an AQI of 50. The best AQI was recorded at Green Hills at 5, and Sion recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 127.
Not just this, several areas recorded moderate AQI, Sarvodaya Nagar Station 1 (100), Om Siddhivinayak Society (97), Sindi Society (78), Mirashi Nagar (77), Shivaji Nagar (72), Govandi West (68), Hiranandani Gardens Station 2 (65), Mhada Colony (60), Kurla (58), Raheja Vihar (58), Bhandup West (55), Borivali West (55), Mithchowki (55), Bandra East (53), Mulund West (53), Saki Naka (53).
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