Mumbai: Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar visited the project site today (September 30, 2026) to inspect the flyover and subway project currently under construction by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation between the Nehru Science Centre and the Nehru Planetarium in Worli. During the visit, he reviewed the current status and progress of various works, as well as the future course of action. Bangar issued clear directives to accelerate the pace of work to ensure that the remaining project tasks are completed within the stipulated timeframe; specifically, he instructed that the flyover work be completed by January 31, 2027.

On the Nehru Science Centre (NSC) side, the work on 1,200 mm diameter main piles is 100% complete. Work on 17 out of the total 18 pile caps, piers, and pier caps has been finished. Similarly, on the Jijamata Nagar side, the 1,200 mm diameter main piling work is complete; all 17 pile caps, piers, and pier caps have been finished. Fabrication of portal beams and girders is underway at both the project site and the manufacturing unit. Work on all 14 portal beams is complete, and 17 out of the 18 girder spans have been finished. Work on the remaining girder spans is currently underway. The installation of portal beams and girder spans is progressing rapidly; out of a total of 14 portal beams, 13 have been installed, and work on 9 of the 18 girder spans has been completed. Furthermore, deck slab concreting has been finished for 7 of the 18 spans, with work ongoing on another 2.

The Nehru Science Centre flyover will save travel time for commuters. Currently, motorists using this route are forced to take a longer, alternative path via Worli Naka (Acharya Atre Chowk). The proposed flyover is expected to reduce travel time by approximately 15 minutes. It will provide a more convenient and direct route connecting E. Moses Road to Annie Besant Road and the Dharmveer Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road. Vehicles arriving from Lower Parel, Mahalaxmi, and Curry Road will also be able to use this flyover directly. Consequently, this will help alleviate traffic congestion in the Worli Naka area; the reduction in travel distance and traffic jams will also save fuel for vehicle owners.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar directed that proper planning regarding manpower, machinery, and resources be implemented to ensure the remaining project works are completed on schedule. He directed that the pace of work be accelerated and the project advanced through effective coordination among various departments. He also instructed that a traffic plan be formulated in collaboration with the traffic police.

Chief Engineer (Bridges) Rajesh Muley, along with other concerned officials and engineers, was also present on the occasion.

Mumbai, Sep 30: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that Maharashtra is India’s undeniable startup capital, both in sheer numbers and effective implementation.

At the prize distribution ceremony of the 4th edition of ‘The Governance Challenge’, he expressed confidence that youth-led research and innovation will soon position Maharashtra as a global innovation hub.

The prestigious governance competition was organised in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Samagra. Prominent dignitaries present included Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal, MITRA Governing Council Member Deepak Karanjikar and Gates Foundation Deputy Director Arnav Kapoor.

CM Fadnavis said that Maharashtra currently hosts over 18% of India’s total startups, exceeding 30,000 active ventures—the highest in the nation. He announced plans to construct a massive 300-acre Innovation City in Navi Mumbai, focusing primarily on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced deep-tech research.

Under the Maharashtra Artificial Intelligence Policy 2026, the state will establish dedicated AI incubators and train over 200,000 youth and working professionals. Additionally, ‘M-Hub’ is being built as the state’s first dedicated startup incubator, he informed. Powered by innovation, Maharashtra aims to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030 and expand to a $2 trillion economy by 2035, he said.

CM Fadnavis stated that the state is establishing an end-to-end innovation pipeline—bridging ideas from tier-2 and tier-3 regional centres (such as Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur, Nanded, and Amravati) directly into market-ready global enterprises. “This initiative goes beyond a mere competition—it is a platform to discover talent and ideas that will shape the future administrative setup of Maharashtra and India. Hackathons should not end with certificates; their true strength lies in real-world implementation,” he added.

Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal emphasised the synergy between government, corporate sectors, and market dynamics to foster self-sustaining innovations with minimal governmental friction.

Mumbai: A final decision has been reached to shut down the SMS company in the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar area by 2027; the facility had been polluting the air and posing a health risk to local residents for years. This development—achieved through a prolonged public struggle and persistent protests led by the Samajwadi Party—is being hailed as a major victory and a source of immense relief for the area’s inhabitants.

A special event was organized to celebrate this success, during which the history of the long struggle was revisited in the presence of the Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra State President and local MLA, Abu Asim Azmi. During the event, the hard work of party workers and the unparalleled cooperation of local citizens were acknowledged, with the history of the campaign displayed on an LED screen. Key actions were highlighted, including the extensive campaign against the company led by State President Abu Asim Azmi; the organization of large-scale sit-ins and protest marches; raising the issue prominently in the Legislative Assembly to pressure the government and administration to close or relocate the plant; and waging a legal battle to vigorously expose violations of pollution control standards. State President Abu Asim Azmi extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the residents of Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar on this achievement. He stated that this success is a testament to the patience and unwavering struggle of the local people, who never allowed their voices against pollution to be silenced. They also expressed gratitude to every citizen and party worker who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them throughout this entire struggle. It was further clarified that although a 2027 deadline has been set for the company’s closure, the campaign to secure a clean, healthy, and safe environment for Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar will not stop here; the Samajwadi Party’s struggle to protect the local environment and the health rights of residents will continue with full intensity in the days ahead.