Mumbai: A major infrastructure project in the Mumbai metropolitan region is making solid progress. The Ulwe Coastal Road, a six-lane, seven-kilometre corridor linking the iconic Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), has reached approximately 60 per cent physical completion, according to the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO).

The corridor consists of a 5.80 km stretch of coastal road and a 0.90 km link road to the airport, forming a direct connection between the harbour bridge and the upcoming airport.

CIDCO’s vice-chairman and managing director emphasised that once completed, the link will not only decongest key roads such as Palm Beach Road, Amra Marg and National Highway-348 but will also strengthen connectivity to major economic hubs like the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and the Navi Mumbai Special Economic Zone (NMSEZ).

From a commuter’s perspective this is a positive development. The new route is expected to slash travel time dramatically between South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, which in turn could reduce daily stress for thousands of motorists and help streamline logistics for businesses relying on port and airport access.

The road’s advanced engineering features include prefabricated vertical drains, stone column reinforcement and rock fill from the airport site, all aimed at long-term structural stability.

In addition to structural strength the project is focusing on safety and sustainability. The corridor will feature energy-efficient LED lighting, smart traffic management systems and anti-crash barriers, which reflect a modern approach to urban road design.

While 60 per cent completion is commendable, residents, commuters and businesses will be watching keenly for the announcement of full commissioning. The smooth integration of this link into the broader transport network promises tangible benefits for mobility, economic growth and regional quality of life once the project is fully operational.

Akola, Nov 8: NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday in his reaction on the Pune land deal row involving Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar, said that a probe should be conducted and the truth must come out.

The senior Pawar said that as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that “it a serious issue”, an enquiry must be conducted into the land transaction by Parth Pawar’s firm Amedea Enterprises LLP and the real picture should be presented before society.

Sharad Pawar gave his reaction a day after Dy CM Ajit Pawar on Friday evening made an announcement on the cancellation of a sale deed for the land transaction in Pune’s upscale Mundhwa-Koregaon Park.

Sharad Pawar said, “I cannot say anything about this. But the chief minister has claimed it a serious issue and therefore an enquiry must be conducted in this and the real picture should be presented before society.

“The state government has formed an enquiry committee on this. Therefore, we should see what issues come to light from the report of this committee.”

To a question on how does he view this matter as Ajit Pawar is his nephew, Pawar said, “There is a difference between administration, politics and family. If you ask me as the head of the family, we fought elections against each other. One of my grandsons stood against Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar’s wife stood against my daughter. We do not bring family into politics, but our ideology.”

When asked about a soft stand taken by Supriya Sule on Parth Pawar in connection with the Pune land deal controversy, Pawar said it may be her view.

To a question whether an attempt has been made to target Ajit Pawar in the Pune land deal row, Sharad Pawar said, “I cannot say anything.”

Sharad Pawar’s comment is important as Dy CM Ajit Pawar was forced to intervene amid a chorus from the Opposition for his resignation and registration of a case against his son Parth Pawar in connection with the land deal.

“Not a single paisa was given in the land deal. The land deal transaction documents have been cancelled. The six-member committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge has been formed to look into the alleged irregularities and submit a report. I expect the committee to function in a transparent manner,” said Ajit Pawar.

He reiterated that there has been no money transaction in the Pune land deal. Two FIRs have already been registered in this regard and the police will hold the probe with transparency.

Ajit Pawar further stated that he was not aware of the transaction with regard to the Pune land deal and the committee would see how the registration of the sale deed took place.

Meanwhile, on Bihar Assembly elections, Shard Pawar said people want a change although Bihar is poor but its citizens are politically alert. “I won’t be surprised if the ruling alliance loses Bihar.”

On the Opposition’s strategy for local body polls in Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar said, “The decision will be taken unanimously.”

Raipur, Nov 8: Targeting armed cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist), the National Investigation Agency has raided 12 locations linked to the deadly Aranpur IED blast of May 2023 that killed 10 DRG personnel and a civilian driver.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma lauded the NIA’s synchronised raids across 12 locations in Sukma and Dantewada districts, describing the operation as a “decisive blow” to Maoist financial networks and a “vital step toward lasting peace in Bastar”.

Speaking to reporters at his secretariat office, the Deputy CM said, the NIA’s action is not just investigative, it’s surgical.

“By hitting the economic spine of these extremists, we are choking their ability to wage war on the state and its people,” he said.

The deadly attack was executed by the Darbha Division Committee of Naxalites on April 26, 2023, near Pedka village in the Aranpur police station area of Dantewada district.

During the recent raids, the NIA recovered several critical and incriminating items, including cash, handwritten documents, and receipt books used by the Maoist organisation for levy collection.

Investigations have established that all the arrested individuals were directly linked to CPI (Maoist) cadres responsible for orchestrating the blast. The NIA continues its probe into the matter.

To date, two charge sheets have been filed in the case, and 27 people have been apprehended. With 27 arrests in the Aranpur case so far, more raids targeting urban sympathisers in Raipur and Bhilai.

Sharma said Bastar’s children deserve classrooms, not coffins.

“Today’s action is their future speaking louder than gunfire,” he said.

The raids began at 5 a.m. across remote villages like Konta, Chintagufa, and Errabor. In one instance at Gadiras, NIA sleuths – backed by CRPF CoBRA commandos – cordoned off a thatched safehouse, seizing a laptop allegedly used to coordinate levy demands from iron-ore transporters.

He linked the operation to the broader anti-Maoist strategy under ‘Mission Bastar 2026’, which aims to establish 48 new security camps and develop 12,000 km of all-weather roads by 2026.

The Aranpur blast, triggered by a 40-kg IED planted under a culvert on the Dantewada-Sukma highway, had exposed intelligence gaps. Friday’s recoveries include GPS coordinates matching the blast site, strengthening the probe. “This connects the dots from funding to execution,” Sharma said.