Navi Mumbai: In a significant milestone for India’s maritime industry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong jointly inaugurated the country’s largest container cargo terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Uran, Maharashtra.

The container cargo terminal, developed with an investment of $1.3 billion by the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA International), boasts a capacity of 4.8 million TEUs and features the longest wharf in the country at 2,000 meters.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his excitement, stating, “Today is a very historic day… Maharashtra will play an important role in the business of the world.” With this inauguration, Maharashtra has surpassed Gujarat’s capacity of 8.2 million TEU, reaching 10 million TEU and solidifying its position as the leading state in container handling capacity.

The terminal is expected to significantly enhance India’s trade efficiency and global connectivity. CM Fadnavis highlighted the importance of the Vadhavan Port, stating, “The port of Vadhavan will keep Maharashtra ahead of any other state by 20 years.”

Once completed, the Vadhavan Port will catapult Maharashtra to the forefront of maritime business globally, generating substantial employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth.

The development of the JNPA terminal and the Vadhavan Port project underscores Maharashtra’s commitment to becoming a trillion-dollar economy. The state government has emphasized sustainable development, with plans to double its power generation by 2030 while ensuring 52% comes from renewable sources.

In addition to the maritime sector, Maharashtra is also witnessing significant growth in other industries. The state has been at the forefront of tax collection since the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), with CM Fadnavis praising the GST Council’s second-generation reforms for reducing the tax burden on consumers and boosting economic growth.

“The Prime Minister has boldly given second-generation reforms to the country,” Fadnavis said, highlighting the positive impact on trade, demand, production, and employment.

Pune: In a major crackdown on illegal arms, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police have seized a large cache of firearms and sharp weapons while arresting several individuals involved in unlawful possession.

Between August 13 and September 2, police teams conducted special operations under the guidance of Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey. During the campaign, officers recovered 50 pistols, 79 live cartridges, 91 sickles, and 12 swords, along with other sharp-edged weapons.

Police said that 94 cases have been registered, including 40 cases of illegal firearm possession. A total of 45 persons were arrested with pistols and cartridges, while 66 accused were taken into custody in connection with sharp weapon possession.

In all, authorities confiscated 116 sharp weapons in addition to the firearms. Officials confirmed that strict action will continue against those carrying weapons illegally in order to curb rising crime in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said if sulking minister Chhagan Bhujbal thinks injustice has been done to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) by the state government through its decision on Maratha quota, then he should resign to protect his self-respect and on moral grounds.

Raut also accused Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of orchestrating the Maratha quota protest to create a challenge before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday called off his five-day-long hunger strike in Mumbai over the Maratha reservation issue after the government accepted most of his demands. The government also came out with a GR on the issuance of Kunbi (OBC) caste certificates to eligible Marathas.

Talking to reporters, Raut claimed that Bhujbal, a prominent OBC leader, has accepted that injustice has been done to his community and that he is still working under the chief minister who has done injustice.

“If he is leading a community and injustice has been done to it…If anyone feels genuinely about it, then he (Bhujbal) needs to resign from the cabinet. (Former Union minister) C D Deshmukh resigned after he had differences with (former Prime Minister Jawaharlal) Nehru,” he said.

“You (Bhujbal) are boycotting the cabinet meeting, which means you don’t trust the CM. In such a situation, he (Bhujbal) should resign on moral grounds and self-respect. You should submit your resignation and make clear the reasons behind it,” Raut added.

Bhujbal on Wednesday skipped a meeting of the state cabinet and later expressed displeasure over the government order on granting Kunbi status to eligible Marathas for quota, indicating that he would mount a legal challenge.

Jarange has expressed confidence about his community members getting quota benefits following Tuesday’s government resolution (GR) on issuance of Kunbi (OBC) caste certificates to them.

In a veiled attack on Deputy CM Shinde, Raut also alleged that some elements in the state government desired that Jarange should not withdraw his hunger strike and that Fadnavis government should land in trouble.

“What was Fadnavis’ political strategy in keeping (Deputy CM Eknath) Shinde away? Because Shinde’s name crops up in bringing protesters to Mumbai in large numbers. His (Shinde) main intention was not securing reservation but to create a challenge before Devendra Fadnavis,” Raut said.