Mumbai, October 7: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar engaged in a candid conversation with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, applauding the state’s rapid infrastructure development. Sharing a personal experience, Akshay said with a laugh, “Four days ago, I travelled from Juhu to Colaba in just 35 minutes. Earlier, it used to take so long that I had to shave twice, once before leaving home and again after reaching the set,” he said jokingly, drawing smiles from the audience.

He went on to highlight how the city’s connectivity has transformed. “There was a time when we used to talk about South Bombay and North Bombay, but now, because of the infrastructure you’ve created, it feels like one Mumbai,” the actor remarked.

During the conversation, Akshay urged the Chief Minister to focus on improving Film City in Goregaon, which he described as the heart of India’s film industry.

Responding to Akshay’s appeal, CM Fadnavis acknowledged the issue and shared his long-standing vision for the project. “I’m glad you brought this up. During my tenure between 2014 and 2019, one regret I have is that I couldn’t execute the Film City redevelopment. We had planned and designed it to become a vibrant international ecosystem and had even spoken to the film fraternity,” he said.

The Chief Minister assured that under the current government, he intends to turn that vision into reality. “This time, I will ensure that Film City is developed into a world-class ecosystem—one that reflects Mumbai’s global creative strength,” he added.

The interview offered a blend of star power and state vision, underscoring how infrastructure and creativity together shape Mumbai’s identity as India’s commercial and cultural capital.

Navi Mumbai: A 19-year-old college student was allegedly molested at Vashi railway station on Saturday morning while she was talking on her phone. The shocking incident, which took place around 11:40 am, has once again raised concerns about women’s safety in public transport spaces.

According to the police, the young woman was standing on the platform waiting for her train when a man came and stood close to her. While she was still on the call, the accused reportedly touched her inappropriately. Shocked and disturbed, the girl immediately approached a woman Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel who was on duty at the station and informed her about what had happened.

Senior Inspector Kiran Undre of the Vashi GRP said, “The complainant was returning home from college at around 11.40 am when the accused came and stood next to her on the platform. As she was talking on call, the accused touched her inappropriately. The victim immediately informed an on-duty woman GRP personnel. In the meantime, the accused had escaped.

The GRP officers quickly reviewed CCTV footage from the station and managed to identify the accused. A manhunt was launched, and the suspect was arrested from his residence on Monday, just two days after the incident. Senior Inspector Undre confirmed, “The accused’s image was obtained from the CCTV and he was arrested from his residence on Monday.”

Police said the accused will face charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code related to molestation and outraging a woman’s modesty.

Earlier this year, Vashi GRP arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly sexually harassing a 17-year-old girl in the Panvel-CSMT bound train on July 1 night. Kiran Undre, senior inspector of Vashi GRP, said that the arrested accused was identified as Indrajit Mukhiya, who works at a sweet confectionery in Kharghar. Acting on a complaint by the victim, the accused Mukhiya was booked under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Pocso Act.

Mumbai: In a major push toward sustainable and affordable energy for low-income households, the Maharashtra government on Monday issued a Government Resolution (GR) announcing heavy subsidies ranging from 90 to 95 per cent for the installation of rooftop solar panels under the Swayampurna Maharashtra Residential Roof Top (SMART) Solar Scheme. The initiative aims to help Below Poverty Line (BPL), Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) consumers achieve ‘zero’ monthly electricity bills while promoting renewable energy adoption across the state.

According to the GR, households with monthly power consumption below 100 units will be eligible for the subsidy. The cost of installing a 1KW solar panel, capable of generating around 120 units of electricity per month, is estimated at Rs 50,000.

Of this, the Central government will provide Rs 30,000 as financial support. For BPL consumers, the state government will contribute an additional Rs 17,500, bringing the total subsidy to 95 per cent, with the consumer paying just Rs 2,500.

For SC and ST consumers with less than 100 units of monthly consumption, the subsidy will amount to Rs 45,000 (90%), requiring a contribution of Rs 5,000 from the consumer. Other economically weaker consumers who do not fall in these categories but consume less than 100 units monthly will receive a Rs 40,000 subsidy (80%), contributing Rs 10,000 themselves.

To ensure the smooth rollout of the scheme, the state government has allocated Rs 330 crore for the financial year 2025–26 and Rs 325 crore for 2026–27. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) will implement the project, with funds provided through the state’s budgetary grants.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier announced the plan in the state assembly, emphasising its goal to make electricity nearly free for the economically weaker sections. “It is finally being implemented, and with the low costs involved, electricity becomes almost free for these consumers,” said MSEDCL Managing Director Lokesh Chandra, as quoted by Times of India. He added that beneficiaries would also have the opportunity to earn additional income by selling surplus solar energy back to the grid.

As per state estimates, around five lakh domestic consumers are expected to benefit in the initial phase, comprising approximately 1.5 lakh BPL households and 3.5 lakh low-consumption consumers. The GR also mandates suppliers to maintain and repair the installed solar systems for five years, prioritizing implementation in remote and underdeveloped regions such as Melghat, Nandurbar and Gadchiroli.