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Maharashtra

Uttan-Virar Sea Link Gets Approval From Maharashtra Coastal Zone Authority; Project Affects 17.89 Hectares Of Mangroves & Forest Land

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has approved the Uttan-Virar sea link project, initiated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). This project, part of the BJP-led Mahayuti government’s agenda, aims to enhance connectivity to the Vadhavan port mega-project in Palghar.

The sea link proposal, featuring three connectors in Uttan, Vasai, and Virar, was submitted on April 9 and cleared on July 11. State Environment Secretary Jayashree Bhoj stated that the department will now seek approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

The project will impact forest land, including 15.39 hectares of mangroves, and 2.5 hectares of reserved forest within the eco-sensitive Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. MMRDA anticipates acquiring 208.6 hectares of private land, with documents indicating that 9,075 trees will be affected by the connectors: 1,868 will be cut down, 1,612 will be transplanted, and 5,595 will be retained. Mangroves will be particularly affected, with 8.71 hectares impacted by the Uttan connector and 6.68 hectares by the Virar connector, necessitating the diversion of existing utilities.

Originally, the Versova-Virar sea link was planned from Versova to Virar, but with BMC implementing alternative coastal routes, the effective connection will be from Uttan to Virar. The sea bridge will extend 24.25 km parallel to the coast, with three connectors: a 9.32 km Uttan connector linking to the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road, a 2.5 km Vasai connector, and an 18.95 km Virar connector connecting to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde recently reviewed a revised, economically viable plan for the Uttan-Virar Sea Link (UVSL). CM Fadnavis emphasised its connection to the Vadhavan Port and the Samruddhi Mahamarg, reinforcing its importance for regional economic development. MMRDA presented six cost variants, ultimately selecting a ₹52,652 crore option as it was deemed the most financially viable and efficient.

Key cost reductions stemmed from several optimisations like lane design adjustments, future integration planning, reduced land acquisition, structural improvements, and cuts in preliminary costs. The project will be crucial for linking Mumbai’s northern suburbs with Vadhavan Port and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, unlocking significant economic potential. CM Fadnavis also mandated the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to expedite project implementation and approvals. Senior officials attended the review meeting to facilitate the project’s progress.

Crime

Mumbai horror: 15-year-old girl gang-raped in Powai area; 6 held

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A 15-year-old minor girl was brutally gang-raped in Mumbai Powai area by six men, officials said on Saturday, adding that all accused have been arrested within 24 hours of the incident.

“Within just 24 hours of receiving the victim’s complaint, Mumbai Police teams conducted raids at various locations and apprehended all the accused,” officials said.

According to the police, the incident took place between October 27 and 28.

The main accused, along with four of his associates, lured the minor to an open, deserted plot located behind a bakery shop on Saki Vihar Road, where the accused allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, officials said in a statement.

Following the incident, the perpetrators threatened the victim, warning her that if she reported the matter to the police or her family, they would circulate her photographs on social media.

“In a separate, related incident, another accused intercepted the victim near a pipeline in Powai, where he molested and sexually harassed her,” officials said.

After facing the brutal assault, on the morning of October 29, the traumatised victim, with the help of her family, reached the Powai Police Station and recounted the ordeal, according to the officials.

“Recognising the gravity of the situation, the police immediately registered an FIR under Sections 64(1) and 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, charges under Sections 4, 8, and 12 of the POCSO Act have been invoked,” police said.

According to the investigators, none of the six arrested individuals has a prior criminal record.

Meanwhile, the victim has been sent to KEM Hospital in Mumbai for a medical examination.

“A thorough investigation into the case is currently underway under the supervision of senior police personnel,” officials said.

Further details are awaited.

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Maharashtra

Akhilesh Yadav is fighting to save the country and protect the Constitution: Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has congratulated SP President Akhilesh Yadav for his struggle to protect the nation and the Constitution. He stated that Akhilesh Yadav has the capacity to save the country, and the nation’s 1.4 billion citizens should recognize his efforts. Abu Asim Azmi emphasized that a strong alliance is essential to eradicate communalism and hatred from the country. He further added that the distribution of seats within such an alliance should be based on the strength of a party’s grassroots workers and its ability to secure the highest number of votes. Highlighting the political significance of Uttar Pradesh, he remarked that the path to Delhi runs through the state; therefore, a robust alliance must be formed to secure power in Uttar Pradesh and, in turn, halt those who propagate hatred.

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Maharashtra

Major operation by Mumbai MIDC Police: Two suspects arrested for selling ‘hydro-ganja’ (cannabis) and other narcotics; 1 kg 896 grams of cannabis seized.

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On October 29, Police Inspector Ranjit Gondkome of the Mumbai MIDC Police Station, along with the Anti-Narcotics Squad, was out on patrol as part of an operation targeting individuals involved in the consumption, purchase, and sale of narcotics. During this patrol, near the Industrial Estate on Paper Box Road, MIDC, Andheri (East), Mumbai, two individuals were observed moving about in a suspicious manner. Finding their behavior suspicious, Police Inspector Gondkome and his team moved to detain them. One of the individuals was carrying a red plastic bag. Both men attempted to flee the scene to evade the police, but they were successfully apprehended by the police team on the spot. When Police Inspector Gundkome questioned the two individuals regarding their presence at the location and their attempt to evade the police, they initially tried to mislead the officers. Upon further, more intensive questioning, ‘hydro-ganja’ (a potent form of cannabis) was discovered in their possession. Following the procedures mandated by the NDPS Act, 1985, a physical search of the individuals was conducted, along with a search of a red plastic bag held by Omkar Rajendra Pawar. This search yielded 1.896 kilograms of ‘hydro-ganja,’ with an estimated value of 6,636,000 rupees. The individuals—Omkar Rajendra Pawar (aged 28, resident of Bhakarwadi, Takoregaon, Satara District) and Piyush Madhukar Ghongde (aged 22, resident of Station area, Takoregaon, Satara District)—were found in possession of this substance, intended for sale, transport, and commercial purposes. Consequently, a case has been registered at the MIDC Police Station, Mumbai (Case No. 1244/2026), under Sections 8(c), 20(b), and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985.
Investigations have revealed that the arrested suspects had traveled from Satara District to Mumbai city with the intent to sell this ‘hydro-ganja.’ Further investigation into the aforementioned crime is underway. This operation was carried out under the leadership of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Sharma, Additional Police Commissioner Abhinav Deshmukh, DCP Datta Nalawade, and MIDC Senior Police Inspector Ghanshyam Nair.

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