On the second day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) sealed a historic deal, signing 12 memorandums of understanding worth a staggering $104.65 billion (₹9.52 lakh crore). The agreements, witnessed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, position the Mumbai region as a global co‑creation hub, blending capital, technology, research, healthcare and climate‑resilient planning. Background and Context The World Economic Forum (WEF) has long been a platform where public and private sectors converge to shape the future of cities. For Mumbai, a metropolis that houses over 20 million residents and is the financial nerve centre of India,…
Author: Lukman Isiaq
In a dramatic turn of events, tribal communities surrounding the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) staged a protest outside the park’s gates on Wednesday, demanding the withdrawal of a demolition notice issued by forest officials. The notice, which targets 350 structures in the park’s southern division and three in the northern sector, has ignited a heated debate over land rights, rehabilitation policies, and the legacy of encroachment in one of Mumbai’s most prized green lungs. Background and Context SGNP, sprawling over 1,200 hectares in the heart of Mumbai, has long been a sanctuary for biodiversity and a refuge for the…
Three minor girls vanished from a home in Thane’s Barave village on the morning of Monday, sparking a frantic police search and a case filed under Section 137 of the Bombay Prevention of Crime Act. The missing trio—two sisters aged 13 and 14 and their 13‑year‑old niece—disappeared around 5:30 am, leaving their family and the community in shock. Police have dispatched a team to Lucknow following a tip‑off, and the investigation is now underway. Background/Context Thane, a rapidly urbanising district in Maharashtra, has seen a rise in child abduction cases over the past decade. According to the Maharashtra Police’s 2025 annual report,…
A 38‑year‑old man has been arrested for stealing jewellery from the bags and purses of passengers on long‑distance trains, and authorities have recovered more than Rs 21 lakh in stolen gold and silver. The incident, which came to light after a complaint filed in June 2025, has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s rail network and raised concerns about passenger safety. Background and Context Train travel remains the lifeline of India’s vast population, with over 20,000 trains running daily across the country. In Maharashtra, the Kalyan railway police station in Thane district has long been a hotspot for petty thefts, especially during overnight journeys…
In a decisive move that has stunned the sporting fraternity, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to lift the stay on the selection of Maharashtra’s ice hockey team for the Khelo India Winter Games 2026. The court’s ruling, delivered by Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Abhay Mantri, upheld a January 17 stay that was originally granted to five players who challenged the selection process as being conducted on a roller‑skate floor rather than an ice rink. Background and Context India’s first-ever Khelo India Winter Games, slated to be held in Leh, Ladakh, have become a focal point for winter sports development. Maharashtra, a state with…
Mumbai’s Coastal Road project has officially reached a milestone as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) honored the officers and engineers who spearheaded the initiative with honorary certificates on Wednesday. The ceremony, held at the BMC headquarters, celebrated the successful completion of a 12‑kilometre stretch that promises to cut travel time, save fuel and curb air pollution for millions of commuters. Background/Context For years, Mumbai’s congested roads and erratic traffic patterns have frustrated residents, students and businesses alike. The city’s coastal belt, once a scenic corridor, had become a bottleneck due to inadequate infrastructure and frequent flooding. In 2023, the BMC…
In a landmark decision that underscores the importance of procedural timelines in criminal investigations, a Mumbai special court has granted default bail to fraud accused Jitendra Mahadev Yadav after police failed to file a chargesheet within the statutory 60‑day window. The ruling, delivered by Judge Vikram R. Jagdale, clarifies that detention is calculated from the day of arrest and that adding a more serious charge later does not reset the original deadline. Background/Context Yadav, a businessman from Mulund, was arrested on 12 July 2025 on allegations of siphoning ₹3.16 crore from a deposit scheme under the Maharashtra Protection of Interest…
Mumbai’s commuters may soon get a new shortcut as the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) has cleared Phase 1 of Metro Line 9 for opening in the first week of February, a move that could cut travel times and ease congestion across the city. Background / Context With a population exceeding 20 million, Mumbai’s traffic woes have long demanded a robust public‑transport solution. The city already operates four metro corridors: Line 2A and Line 7 serve the Dahisar–Gundavali–Andheri West stretch; Line 1 connects Versova, Andheri and Ghatkopar; and the Aqua Line (Line 3) links Aarey JVLR to Cuffe Parade. Yet, the western and northern suburbs remain…
In a landmark decision that underscores the strict timelines governing criminal investigations in India, a Mumbai special court has granted default bail to fraud accused Jitendra Mahadev Yadav after police failed to file a chargesheet within the statutory 60‑day window. The ruling, delivered by Judge Vikram R. Jagdale on Tuesday, clarifies that detention is calculated from the day of arrest and that adding a more serious charge later cannot retroactively extend the original deadline. Background and Context Yadav, a businessman from Mulund, was arrested on 12 July 2025 on allegations of siphoning ₹3.16 crore from a deposit‑taking scheme under the…
Phone snatched, 30‑year‑old man falls from moving train, loses leg, critical In a harrowing incident that unfolded on Sunday night near Ambernath station, a 30‑year‑old Badlapur resident, Ritesh Rakesh Yerunkar, was forced to leap from a moving train after a thief snatched his phone. The fall left him with a severed left leg, multiple head injuries, and a critical condition that has sent shockwaves through Mumbai’s commuter community. Background / Context India’s rail network, the lifeline of millions, has seen a disturbing rise in petty crimes, especially mobile phone theft. According to the Railway Police, there were 1,245 reported incidents…