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Maharashtra

Monsoon fury: Maha Assembly adjourned for the day; CM Fadnavis says govt on alert mode

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3 months ago

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The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was adjourned for the day on Monday following an official statement by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressing the catastrophic rainfall gripping Mumbai and surrounding districts. The severe weather conditions, which have forced widespread infrastructure closures, triggered an immediate suspension of the legislative proceedings to allow the government and administration to focus fully on disaster management and relief operations.

Making a statement on the floor of the House before the adjournment, CM Fadnavis detailed the staggering scale of the natural crisis. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), alongside Thane, Raigad, Palghar, and parts of Pune and Nashik, have been battered by continuous, extremely heavy rainfall well above seasonal averages. “The state government has put all emergency apparatus on the highest level of alert,” Chief Minister Fadnavis informed the Assembly.

He stated that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued absolute red alerts for multiple districts, tracking gusty wind speeds ranging between 70 and 90 km/hour that have already caused widespread destruction, including numerous tree collapses and severe structural damage.

In an unprecedented move to ensure public safety and streamline communication, the Chief Minister announced that the state’s automated systems are directly broadcasting emergency SMS alerts every three hours to residents trapped in the worst-hit zones.

“We are dealing with an intense and evolving natural emergency. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local civic bodies are deployed in full capacity. Our absolute priority right now is preventing loss of life and executing rescue operations,” said the Chief Minister.

CM Fadnavis provided a stark statistical contrast to underscore the severity of the current storm. “On average, Mumbai records about 800 tree-collapse incidents over the entire course of an annual monsoon season. However, yesterday alone, 350 trees fell in a single day. Today is turning out to be significantly more critical, which is why we have officially requested employers to grant Work From Home,” he added. The Chief Minister warned lawmakers and citizens that the metropolis is bracing for severe atmospheric conditions later in the day,” he said.

“Wind reaching speeds of 70 to 90 kilometres per hour is expected to lash the city after this afternoon. These powerful winds will pose an extreme threat to standing trees. It is absolutely vital that people remain highly alert and vigilant to this danger,” he stated.

Given the dual threat of continuous torrential downpours and high-velocity winds, the state government has issued a strict advisory to minimise vehicular and pedestrian movement on the streets. The Chief Minister outlined key safety instructions for residents. ”Citizens are strongly advised to cancel commutes and stay indoors unless an absolute emergency arises,” he said.

Directing a special appeal to the youth, the Chief Minister requested them to refrain from visiting beaches, promenades, and waterfalls. “Looking at the severity of the winds forecasted for today, I specifically urge the younger generation to completely avoid sightseeing and monsoon tourism,” he emphasised.

The state administration and civic bodies remain on high alert, with emergency response teams deployed across vulnerable pockets of the city to clear fallen trees and manage potential structural hazards as the storm peaks, he noted.

Before the House adjournment, the monsoon fury prompted political confrontation. Opposition MLAs staged a massive protest on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan, raising slogans against the ruling government over its failure to handle the season’s first major downpour.

Holding placards, opposition leaders shouted slogans mocking the administration’s infrastructure claims, chanting: “The government that leaves citizens to die in manholes deserves condemnation!” and “Lost, lost, the ‘Infra-man’ is lost!” to protest Mumbai’s widespread water logging and civic mismanagement.

Following torrential rains in Mumbai and across Maharashtra, the opposition demanded a high-level probe and strict action against negligent officials over multiple rain-related casualties.

Speaking on the floor of the House as the monsoon session commenced, the Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar highlighted the loss of innocent lives in the state capital. Over the last two days alone, Mumbai has recorded 12 fatalities due to various rain-induced incidents, including citizens falling into open manholes, tree collapses, and a structural collapse in Mankhurd. “These tragic incidents raise serious questions about the administration’s monsoon preparedness and disaster management efficiency,” Wadettiwar stated.

He argued that timely pre-monsoon surveys of dilapidated buildings, tree trimming, securing manholes, and clear drainage planning could have easily prevented these casualties.

Wadettiwar and other opposition members also raised serious concerns over the infrastructure breakdown on major transit routes. A massive landslide near the ‘Missing Link’ project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway brought traffic to a complete standstill. “This is the same project that recently faced criticism over severe potholes. Now, a major landslide has severely impacted traffic on the Expressway, the old Mumbai-Pune highway, and railway operations in the ghat sections, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for hours,” the Congress leader added.

The Opposition demanded that the state government immediately release an official statement outlining the ground reality, ongoing rescue operations, and future disaster mitigation plans. He insisted on a time-bound, high-level inquiry to fix administrative accountability and penalise negligent officers.

The CM and other ministers urged the opposition to cooperate during a humanitarian crisis rather than weaponising natural disasters for political leverage. Following the Chief Minister’s statement, the Speaker, Rahul Narwekar, announced that the House will be adjourned for the day, saying that the present situation can be handled collectively.

Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad targeted the ruling Mahayuti government, pointing out that newly inaugurated infrastructure projects — such as the multi-crore connecting road link — have quickly developed dangerous potholes and structural erosion within days of heavy rain.

Meanwhile, the scale of the disaster grew starker on Sunday night when a tragic three-story chawl collapse in Mumbai’s Mankhurd area claimed the lives of six individuals, including five children.

The relentless downpour has successfully paralysed the state’s primary economic arteries. Traffic on both the critical Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the old highway has been entirely suspended following a massive landslide near the Khopoli-Kusgaon ‘Missing Link’ project, where boulders partially buried the carriageway.

Local suburban rail networks and long-distance trains linking Mumbai to Pune have suffered major halts due to heavily flooded tracks in low-lying stations like Sion and Raigad sectors.

Educational institutions, including all government and private schools across Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, remained shut. Furthermore, the University of Mumbai postponed all examinations scheduled for July 6, citing the safety of commuting students.

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Maharashtra

Maha CM calls emerging technologies key to India’s youth

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8 hours ago

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October 17, 2026

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Wardha, Oct 17: Emphasising the transformative potential of modern higher education, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday delivered a compelling address at the 17th Ceremonial Convocation of the Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research (AIHER) in Sawangi (Meghe).

Speaking to a gathering of distinguished academicians, institutional leaders, and graduating students, CM Fadnavis outlined a vision for strengthening Maharashtra’s knowledge economy through multidisciplinary learning, strategic innovation, and targeted medical research.

CM Fadnavis highlighted key emerging technologies—specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI), Semiconductors, and Quantum Computing—as primary catalysts that will redefine every sphere of modern life. He stressed that institutions of higher learning must evolve continuously to keep pace with global technological advancements.

“Universities and educational institutions must fully embrace innovation until they become true hubs of cutting-edge research,” CM Fadnavis stated, calling for public-private partnerships to strengthen the state’s educational infrastructure and academic output.

Turning his attention to the healthcare sector, CM Fadnavis underscored the urgent need for medical research and innovation to combat the global rise of non-communicable diseases.

He made a strong case for targeted research on Cancer and Diabetes while focusing on the integration of advanced medical technologies and the cultivation of empathy and compassion in care.

He identified the surge in diabetes and cancer cases as a major public health challenge. While asserting that scientific breakthroughs are vital for developing effective cures, he reminded medical graduates that technical prowess must be complemented by empathy and human compassion in patient care.

Highlighting a milestone for the institution, CM Fadnavis praised the academic achievements of the graduating cohort, noting that female students secured nearly 80 per cent of the convocation medals.

Describing this accomplishment as noteworthy, he stated that women’s leadership and excellence will serve as a cornerstone in achieving the nation’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

The high-profile convocation marked a historic chapter for AIHER. During the ceremony, CM Fadnavis was formally conferred with an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree in recognition of his public service and governance.

CM Fadnavis commended AIHER for its legacy of extending high-quality education, medical research, and professional opportunities from rural Vidarbha to the national stage.

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Crime

Online betting: ED conducts searches at 20 premises in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad

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10 hours ago

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October 17, 2026

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Mumbai, Oct 17: In fresh action against an online betting/gaming and cyber fraud syndicate, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at 20 premises located in Mumbai, Pune, Mehsana, Surat and Hyderabad, ED officials said on Saturday.

During the search operations on October 13, the ED’s Mumbai Zone-2 seized various incriminating documents, digital devices and other material evidence relating to the layering and diversion of proceeds of crime, the official said in a statement.

In addition, multiple bank accounts of the concerned entities and persons have been ordered frozen under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the statement said.

In the case, the ED had earlier conducted searches at multiple places in Pune, Mumbai and Bengaluru and also arrested Ram U. Ramdhani, founder of Edsom Fintech Private Limited, who remains in judicial custody, it added.

The investigation stems from two predicate offences pertaining to the online gaming and betting platform “All Panel Exchange” (allpanelexch.com) and MGM91 wherein the complainants were induced to deposit funds and were subsequently cheated, the ED said.

The central agency’s investigation under PMLA established that funds collected from victims of both betting platforms were routed and ultimately received in the bank accounts of a Pune-based entity established by Ram U. Ramdhani.

“Edsom had developed and operated an in-house payment intermediary platform called “iPaisa”, through which it onboarded more than 200 shell/front entities — referred to internally as “merchants” — on behalf of online gaming, betting, and cyber fraud operators and their agents, referred to as “Channel Partners/Carry and Forward Agents”,” the ED said.

“Investigation revealed that funds collected from victims of online gaming/betting/cyber fraud platforms were routed through a vast network of mule bank accounts and the controllers of these betting platforms, along with the shell entities used for routing the proceeds of crime, have been identified,” the ED added.

It also emerged that a significant number of persons involved in operating these online betting/gaming platforms were being directed from Dubai based persons, the probe agency said.

The syndicate was further aided by certain cooperative banks, whose infrastructure was used to collect and further layer the illicit proceeds, it added.

“Investigation has also established that the proceeds of crime generated through online betting/gaming and cyber fraud activities were siphoned out through three principal routes: One, by way of remittances disguised as trade transactions through over invoicing; and other, by cash withdrawals from mule accounts opened under the guise of APMC units; and another, by conversion of funds into cryptocurrency for siphoning off the proceeds of crime outside India,” the ED said.

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Business

Japanese delegation visits MLFF tolling system near Delhi

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15 hours ago

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October 17, 2026

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A Japanese delegation visited the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system in Mundka-Bakkarwala on Friday on the sidelines of the 12th India–Japan Joint Working Group Meeting on Roads and Road Transportation.

The MLFF system provided insights into India’s technology-driven initiatives for seamless and efficient highway travel.

At the MLFFs, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) uses a combination of RFID-based FASTag electronic toll collection, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and AI analytics to allow vehicles to pass through charging points without stopping, slowing down or remaining in a designated lane.

MLFFs have already been installed at Choryasi in Gujarat, Mundka in Delhi, Gharaunda in Haryana and Daulatpura and Manoharpura in Rajasthan.

While 12 further locations have been awarded for conversion, tenders have also been launched covering an additional 104 toll plazas around the country.

The MLFF at Choryasi on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 was the first to become operational.

The one at Mundka on Delhi’s Urban Extension Road-II was the second.

The expansion plan represents a significant shift from India’s traditional barrier-based toll plazas.

Rather than moving immediately to satellite-based toll collection, the Indian government has opted to build on the country’s established FASTag system and combine it with ANPR and AI.

Expert committees had recommended further consideration of GPS-based barrier-free tolling because of security, privacy and operational control issues, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has indicated.

FASTag and ANPR/AI was thus selected as the technology for the current MLFF programme.

The session of the India–Japan Joint Working Group on Roads and Road Transportation Sector was successfully held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Discussions focused on advanced construction technologies, bridge and tunnel engineering, sustainable infrastructure and digital innovations, fostering the exchange of technical expertise and best practices.

“The meeting reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to safe, sustainable and technology-driven road infrastructure, aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” the Ministry said in a statement.

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