Mumbai, Dec 10: Indian benchmark indices opened in green zone on Wednesday after two days of consecutive losses, amid mixed global cues and investor optimism of a US Fed rate cut.

As of 9.30 am, Sensex advanced 231 points, or 0.27 per cent at 84,898 and Nifty added 66 points, or 0.26 per cent to 25,906.

The broadcap indices performed in line with the benchmarks, with the Nifty Midcap 100 up 0.47 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 adding 0.50 per cent.

All the sectoral indices on NSE were trading in the green, with metal, power and realty being the major gainers, up around 0.5 per cent.

Analysts said that liquidity has kept valuations high, justifying selling in the broader markets. A major concern is the excessive delay in the finalisation of the US-India trade deal. US President Donald Trump’s statement on action against India for dumping rice in the US can hurt traders’ sentiments.

Traders expect a third consecutive Fed rate cut on Wednesday (US time) and will focus on the central bank’s latest dot plot, economic projections, and Chair Jerome Powell’s comments, according to reports.

Market fundamentals are turning in favour of India, while higher growth and corporate earnings are achievable in the quarters ahead. The fiscal and monetary stimulus provided this year have started producing results, they added.

The US markets ended mostly in the red zone overnight, as Nasdaq advanced 0.13 per cent, the S&P 500 dropped 0.09 per cent, and the Dow dipped 0.38 per cent.

Most of the Asian markets were trading lower amid investor caution ahead of US Federal Reserve interest rate decision following a weak session on the Wall Street. Further, China’s inflation data also influenced traders’ sentiments as consumer prices edged up 0.7 per cent from a year earlier, its highest level since February last year.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index dipped 0.72 per cent, and Shenzhen dropped 0.56 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei dipped 0.38 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 0.31 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi added 0.17 per cent.

On Tuesday, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 3,760 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of equities worth Rs 6,225 crore.

Mumbai: Mumbai woke up on Wednesday to a refreshingly cool winter morning, featuring clear blue skies, gentle breezes and a crisp nip in the air. While the weather initially offered a welcome break for residents, a thin blanket of haze lingered across the city, subtly muting visibility and showing the city’s ongoing struggle with deteriorating air quality.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted a pleasant day with clear skies, a minimum temperature of around 15°C and a maximum of 33°C. However, despite the favourable conditions, Mumbai’s air quality remained a cause for concern, largely due to escalating pollution levels tied to the city’s rapid and continuous construction boom.

Major government-led infrastructure projects, including new metro corridors, bridges and extensive road-widening initiatives, combined with a surge in private real estate development, have contributed to dust and particulate matter in the air.

By today morning, air quality monitoring platform AQI.in recorded Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 141, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. Though this number reflects an improvement from the more severe readings seen late last month and early December, the air remains far from safe.

Certain locations emerged as major pollution hotspots. The Wadala Truck Terminal registered a shocking AQI of 409, categorised as ‘hazardous’ and posing severe health risks. Deonar and Colaba also reported troubling figures, with AQI readings of 217 and 203, respectively, placing them within the ‘unhealthy’ range. Prominent residential and industrial zones such as Worli and Kurla were not far behind, recording AQI levels of 193, deemed ‘poor’.

Suburban areas showed relatively cleaner air but were still affected. Charkop (67), Kandivali East (68) and Jogeshwari East (78) fell within the ‘moderate’ range, indicating acceptable but still tainted air. Powai (80) and Chembur (82) also registered moderate AQI readings.

For context, AQI levels between 0–50 are considered Good, 51–100 Moderate, 101–150 Poor, 151–200 Unhealthy, and anything above 200 Hazardous.

Navi Mumbai: A case has been registered against two people in connection with the fire that broke out in Vashi’s Raheja Residency, which killed four residents, including a 6-year-old girl. The incident occurred on October 21 when the blaze, which started around 12.40 a.m. on the 10th floor, quickly spread to the 11th and 12th floors.

a case has been registered at Vashi Police station against Sanjay Ubale, Raheja Residency manager and Pradeep Patil of Life Save Fire Service. The report stated that the building had appointed Life Save Fire Service to carry out fire prevention measures, while Ubale, as the manager, failed to ensure that the work was being completed, leading to the tragic fire that claimed the lives of innocent residents.

The four deceased were identified as Vedika Sundar Balakrishnan (6), Kamla Hiralal Jain (84), Sundar Balakrishnan (44), and Pooja Rajan (39) — all residents of Raheja Residency. While several other residents were injured due to the fire.

Among the injured members were Manabendra (69), Malika (58), and Ritika Ghosh (39) from Room 1106; Bhavna (49), Mahavir (51), and Krish Jain (21) from Room 1005; Nirmal (53) and Mehul Jain (32) from Govind Complex; and Damayanti Agrawal (80) and Sumanti John Topno (18) from Room 1105.

The fire brigade official said the situation was brought under control after several hours of firefighting, followed by extensive cooling operations. According to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Fire Department, several fire engines from Vashi, Nerul, Airoli, and Koparkhairane stations were rushed to the spot.