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PM Modi to visit Maharashtra on Oct 8-9, inaugurate Navi Mumbai airport, host UK PM

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Mumbai, Oct 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Maharashtra for two days, from October 8 to 9. During this time, he will inaugurate Navi Mumbai International Airport, launch and dedicate various projects in Mumbai, and host UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The Prime Minister will reach Navi Mumbai on Wednesday, and at around 3 p.m., will undertake a walkthrough of the newly built Navi Mumbai International Airport. Thereafter, at around 3.30 p.m., he will inaugurate Navi Mumbai International Airport and also launch and dedicate various projects in Mumbai. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

PM Modi, on October 9, will host the UK Prime Minister in Mumbai. At around 1.40 p.m., the Prime Ministers of both countries will attend the CEO Forum at Jio World Centre, Mumbai. Thereafter, at around 2.45 p.m., both of them will attend the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest. They will also deliver keynote addresses at the Fest.

Phase 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which will be inaugurated by PM Modi, has been built at a cost of around Rs 19,650 crore in line with his vision of transforming India into a global aviation hub.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is India’s largest Greenfield airport project, developed under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP). As the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, NMIA will work in tandem with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to ease congestion and elevate Mumbai into the league of global multi-airport systems. The airport, designed to be among the most efficient in the world with 1160 Ha area, will eventually handle 90 million passengers annually (MPPA) and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo.

Among its unique offerings is an Automated People Mover (APM), a transit system planned to connect all four passenger terminals for smooth inter-terminal transfers, as well as a landside APM linking the city-side infrastructure. In line with sustainable practices, the airport will feature dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), solar power generation of approximately 47 MW, and EV bus services for public connectivity across the city. NMIA will also be the first airport in the country to be connected by Water Taxi.

PM Modi will inaugurate Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line-3, stretching from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade, constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 12,200 crore. With this, he will dedicate the entire Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) — to the nation, built at a total cost of over Rs 37,270 crore, marking a major milestone in the city’s urban transport transformation. As Mumbai’s first and only fully underground metro line, this project is set to redefine commuting across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), offering a faster, more efficient, and modern transit solution for millions of residents. The Mumbai Metro Line–3, spanning 33.5 km from Cuffe Parade to Aarey JVLR with 27 stations, will cater to 13 lakh passengers daily.

The final Phase 2B of the project will provide seamless connectivity to South Mumbai’s heritage and cultural districts, such as Fort, Kala Ghoda, and Marine Drive, along with direct access to key administrative and financial hubs, including the Bombay High Court, Mantralaya, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and Nariman Point. The Metro Line-3 has been designed to ensure efficient integration with other modes of transport, including railways, airports, other metro lines, and monorail services, thereby enhancing last-mile connectivity and reducing congestion across the metropolitan region.

PM Modi will also launch ‘Mumbai One’ – Integrated Common Mobility App for 11 Public transport Operators (PTO) across Metro, Monorail, Suburban railways and Bus PTOs. These include Mumbai Metro Line 2A & 7, Mumbai Metro Line 3, Mumbai Metro Line 1, Mumbai Monorail, Navi Mumbai Metro, Mumbai Suburban Railway, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), Thane Municipal Transport, Mira Bhayander Municipal Transport, Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Transport and Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport.

Mumbai One App offers commuters a range of benefits, including integrated mobile ticketing across multiple Public Transport Operators, elimination of queueing by promoting digital transactions, and seamless multimodal connectivity through a single dynamic ticket for trips involving multiple transport modes. It also provides real-time journey updates on delays, alternative routes, and estimated arrival times, along with map-based information on nearby stations, attractions, and points of interest, and an SOS feature to ensure commuter safety. Together, these features enhance convenience, efficiency, and security, transforming the public transportation experience across Mumbai.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Short-Term Employability Program (STEP), a pioneering initiative by the Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation in Maharashtra. The programme will be rolled out across 400 Government ITIs and 150 Government Technical High Schools, marking a major step in aligning skill development with industry requirements to enhance employability. STEP will establish 2,500 new training batches, including 364 exclusive batches for women and 408 batches in emerging technology courses such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Electric Vehicles (EV), Solar, and Additive Manufacturing.

On October 9, PM Modi will host UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. This will be Starmer’s first official visit to India.

During the visit, the two Prime Ministers will take stock of progress in diverse aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with ‘Vision 2035’, a focussed and time bound 10-year roadmap of programmes and initiatives in key pillars of trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education and people to people relations.

Both leaders will engage with businesses and industry leaders on opportunities presented by the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a central pillar of the future India-UK economic partnership. They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. The leaders will also engage with industry experts, policymakers and innovators.

Prime Minister Modi and UK PM Starmer will also participate in the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest at Jio World Centre, Mumbai and deliver keynote addresses on the occasion.

Global Fintech Fest 2025 will bring together innovators, policymakers, central bankers, regulators, investors, academicians, and industry leaders from around the world. The conference’s central theme, ‘Empowering Finance for a Better World’ – Powered by AI, Augmented Intelligence, Innovation, and Inclusion, highlights the convergence of technology and human insight in shaping an ethical and sustainable financial future.

This year’s edition is expected to attract a footfall of over 1,00,000 participants from more than 75 countries, making it one of the world’s largest fintech gatherings. The event will feature participation from around 7,500 companies, 800 speakers, 400 exhibitors, and 70 regulators representing both Indian and international jurisdictions.

Among the participating international institutions are renowned regulators such as the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Deutsche Bundesbank of Germany, Banque de France, and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). Their participation underscores GFF’s growing stature as a global forum for financial policy dialogue and cooperation.

Crime

Delhi Police bust illegal gambling den in Vikaspuri; four held, Rs 74,000 recovered

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New Delhi, July 9: Delhi Police busted an illegal gambling den operating from a two-storeyed jhuggi in Vikaspuri on Thursday, apprehending four alleged gamblers. The Police team also recovered Rs 74,070 in suspected stake money along with gambling-related material during the raid.

According to the police, the operation was carried out on July 7 after the Special Staff received specific and credible information about an illegal gambling racket being run from Indra Camp No. 4 in Vikaspuri.

Based on the tip-off, a raiding team was formed under the leadership of Inspector Rajesh Maurya and the ACP (Operations), under the overall supervision of senior officers.

The team immediately reached the identified location and conducted a raid. During the operation, four persons were allegedly found actively engaged in gambling, while 16 other individuals were also present at the premises.

Police recovered Rs 74,070, suspected to be gambling stake money, along with satta parchis, a chakri and number charts allegedly used for conducting illegal gambling activities.

During the investigation, police identified Shahid as the alleged kingpin behind the gambling racket. According to officials, Shahid has previously been involved in five gambling-related cases. His associate, Akram, was allegedly responsible for collecting the stake money from gamblers.

Both Shahid and Akram were absent during the raid. Police said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the duo and ascertain their complete role in the illegal gambling operation.

The four apprehended accused have been identified as Shekhar (24), a resident of Vikaspuri, who is allegedly involved in three previous criminal cases; Sachin (22), a resident of JJ Colony, who has two previous criminal cases against him; Md. Nadeem (31), a resident of Shiv Vihar, who is allegedly involved in one previous criminal case; and Sahil (19), a resident of Uttam Nagar, who also has one previous criminal case.

Police said the recovered items, including the cash, satta parchis, chakri and number charts, have been seized as evidence.

Further investigation is underway to identify other persons associated with the racket and to establish the full extent of the illegal gambling network operating in the area.

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Crime

Delhi Police solve cab carjacking case within 24 hours, three arrested

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New Delhi, July 9: The Delhi Police’s South District has solved a cab carjacking and robbery case within 24 hours of the incident, arresting three accused and recovering the robbed taxi, valuablesm and the weapon allegedly used in the crime.

According to police, the breakthrough was achieved by the staff of Police Station Fatehpur Beri after an intensive technical and field investigation launched on the complaint of a cab driver.

The operation was carried out by a team comprising Sub-Inspectors Nasib Singh, Vikas Yadav, and Ravi Raghav, Head Constables Chandram, Mukesh Kumar, and Pradeep Kumar under the leadership of SHO Inspector Rajesh Sharma and the overall supervision of the ACP, Mehrauli.

Police registered FIR No. 287/2026 under Sections 309(4), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Soon after the case was registered, investigators analysed CCTV footage, ride-booking details and other technical inputs while simultaneously conducting multiple raids at different locations.

During the investigation, sustained technical surveillance led to the identification of one of the accused, following which continuous field operations resulted in the arrest of all three accused within 24 hours. The police also recovered the robbed taxi, the complainant’s mobile phone, wallet, identity documents and the knife allegedly used during the offence.

According to the investigation, the accused targeted cab drivers during late-night hours by booking rides through a mobile application. After reaching an isolated location, they allegedly threatened the driver at knifepoint, assaulted him, and robbed the vehicle along with his valuables before fleeing from the spot.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mohd. Kaif, 25, a resident of Ghitorni village in Delhi and originally from Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, Junaid Ali, 22, also a resident of Ghitorni village and originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, and Mohd Kaif, 20, a resident of Islam Colony, Mehrauli, originally from Bihar’s Begusarai. Police said none of the three accused has any previous criminal involvement.

The recovered items include the Maruti Suzuki Dzire taxi, a knife, the complainant’s Vivo mobile phone, another mobile phone allegedly used to book the ride, a wallet containing cash, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, registration certificate, ATM cards and other important documents.

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Crime

Kolkata man arrested for allegedly raping daughter’s friend in Tiljala

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Kolkata, July 9: A man has been arrested for allegedly raping his daughter’s friend in the Tiljala area of east Kolkata, police said on Thursday.

The arrest was made on Wednesday night following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. The victim’s medical examination and statement are currently being recorded.

According to the police, the victim has been friends with the accused’s daughter for a long time and was familiar with the family.

She had reportedly been staying at her friend’s residence for a few days due to problems at her own home. During this period, the accused allegedly exploited opportunities when other family members were away and sexually assaulted her inside the house multiple times.

Initially, the young woman did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear and shame. It is alleged that the accused threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter.

Police also said the victim did not initially disclose the alleged assault due to fear and shame. The accused is also alleged to have threatened to kill her and subsequently subjected her to repeated sexual abuse. After her health deteriorated, she informed her family members and her friend about the incidents.

The young woman then filed a written complaint with Tiljala police station. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the accused on Wednesday. A case has been registered against him under multiple sections, including rape. The Tiljala police station is investigating the incident.

Police said all aspects of the case are being examined and the allegations will be verified through the victim’s statement and other evidence collected during the investigation. Officials added that no further details can be disclosed at this stage as the probe is ongoing and the matter is sensitive.

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