Mumbai: A Porsche car, reportedly engaged in a high-speed race with a BMW, lost control and crashed into a divider on Mumbai’s Western Express Highway late Wednesday night. The luxury vehicle, a 718 Boxster, bearing the number plate DN 09Q 1777, sustained extensive damage on its right side due to the violent impact, while the driver suffered injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

According to preliminary reports, the Porsche was allegedly being driven recklessly when the driver lost control near a busy stretch of the highway. The force of the crash caused parts of the car’s front and side panels to crumble, scattering debris across the road. Visuals shared by news agency media show the wrecked sports car lying by the divider, its airbags deployed and police personnel inspecting the site.

While no casualties have been reported so far, authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the accident. Officials are also probing whether the Porsche and the BMW were involved in illegal street racing and if there was any violation of speed limits or other traffic regulations.

This crash comes just two days after another major accident in Mumbai, where a speeding car plunged into the Arabian Sea off the Coastal Road. On Monday night, a 29-year-old driver, identified as Frashogar Darayush Battiwala, lost control of his Ertiga vehicle while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. The car broke through the railing and fell nearly 30 feet into the water near Worli around 11 pm.

In a heroic rescue effort, Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) personnel Pandurang Kale and Vikas Rathod, along with a Byculla Police constable, jumped into the sea and pulled Battiwala to safety using a rope. He sustained minor injuries and was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Police later registered a case against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finalized developers for 15 out of 21 stalled slum rehabilitation schemes built on municipal land, bringing new hope to thousands of slum dwellers waiting for homes.

The civic body announced that developers offering at least 25 percent more than the land value would be selected, while some developers have offered premiums as high as 150 percent. For the remaining six schemes, the BMC plans to hold discussions with the top two bidders before finalizing the developer.

Out of the 228 stalled slum schemes across Mumbai, 78 were taken over by the BMC for redevelopment. The civic body had earlier invited letters of interest from developers for 63 of these projects and finally decided to implement 47 of them. A total of 96 developers came forward, but since 26 schemes received interest from only one developer, tenders will be reissued for those.

Under the finalized plans, developers must construct the rehabilitation buildings free of cost and provide slum dwellers with two years of advance rent, along with cheques for the following year. Only those who meet these conditions will be approved. The proposal will be sent to the Municipal Commissioner for final approval, said Umesh Bodkhe, Deputy Chief Engineer overseeing the project.

Some of the finalized projects include Shri Saibaba in Jogeshwari East by Saroj Landmark, Hariom in Vile Parle by Seth Nine Splendor LLP, and Mahavir Dham in Borivali West by Ruparel Infra and Realty. Other developers include Labdhi Lifestyle, Siroya Corp, DGS Township, and Skylark Buildcon.

Projects that will be finalized after discussions include schemes like Sahyog in Jogeshwari East, Ajit Nagar in Borivali West, Sai Adarsh in Wadala, and Panchsheel in Mulund West.

Mumbai: In a major boost to India’s urban transport infrastructure, the country’s operational metro rail network has now crossed the 1,000-kilometre mark, excluding the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). This achievement was made possible with the full opening of Mumbai Metro Line 3, also known as the Aqua Line, on 8 October 2025.

With the complete rollout of Metro Line 3, Mumbai’s total operational metro length has reached 80.43 km, making it the city with the third-longest metro network in the country. This development pushes Mumbai ahead of cities like Chennai and Hyderabad in terms of active metro corridors.

Mumbai is not slowing down. Several new lines are set for phased inaugurations by the end of 2025, including Line 2B, Line 4, and Line 9. Once operational, these additions are expected to take Mumbai to the second position nationally, just behind Delhi in terms of metro rail length.

India’s expanding metro rail network reflects a broader push towards modern, sustainable urban transport. Over the past decade, metro projects have gained momentum across various cities, with improved funding, streamlined approvals, and growing public support. Excluding the RRTS corridors, this 1,000 km milestone signifies a shift towards cleaner and more efficient city mobility.

With several cities including Pune, Bhopal, Indore, and Patna progressing rapidly on their metro phases, the national operational network is expected to cross 1,200 km in the coming year. As metro systems become integral to easing congestion and reducing pollution in India’s urban centres, the focus now shifts to timely execution, last-mile connectivity, and affordability.