All the hustle and bustle from Mumbai
What's the story
Ahead of the election season, Maharshtra's politics is on its way to see some break-ups and some new alliances. Bollywood music composers Sajid-Wajid joined the BJP as MNS leader Prakash Patankar joined Shiv Sena. Meanwhile, work has started on underground metro link between Colaba and Seepz. Road bridge connecting Mumbai with Navi Mumbai will soon be a reality. Tap in for more details.
Trans-Harbour link
Mumbai's Trans-Harbour link inaugurated by PM
Foundation stone of Mumbai's Trans-Harbour link, connecting Mumbai with Navi-Mumbai was laid down on 24 December by PM. A 16.5km sea bridge will now connect eastern suburbs with the mainland city of Mumbai. Starting from Sewri in eastern Mumbai, the 22.5km bridge will run up to Chirle village, near Nhava Sheva. It is expected to increase connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in the city.
Demonetization
Builders request MCGM to allow payments in installments
Hit hard by demonetization, builders in Mumbai have requested Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to allow payment of development charges and other fees in installments. In a first, builders have made this request because of the slump in the reality sector post demonetization. Increased charges by MCGM, which now come upto 20% of construction cost have also pushed builders to initiate this request.
Metro
Colaba-Seepz underground metro link to be operational by 2020
Work is in full swing on Metro-III project which will connect Colaba to Seepz. The 33.5km underground metro link will run through Bandra and airport. Work has started at Azad maidan where a station will be built and Oval maidan is also being readied for stocking of machinery. Ground is being tested before boring machines can be dug into them to start tunneling work.
IIT
Post-graduate students outnumber undergraduates in IITs
IITs which were known for housing the best undergraduate engineering talent in the country, now host a large number of graduate residents pursuing master's degree. 6,168 master's students passed out of seven IITs in 2015 against 6,002 undergraduate students. Availability of research and development facilities at IITs and a general slowdown in the global economy have pushed students to go for higher education.
Aarey crash
Borivali woman injured in Aarey crash, died on Saturday
Vrinda Modi, the woman who got injured when a chopper crashed at Aarey colony, passed away on December 24. She had suffered 70% burns and was likely to recover but she developed septicaemia after contracting an infection. Her husband had passed away on December 13 soon after the crash due to severe head injuries.
Politics
Snubbed by MNS, Patankar joins Shiv Sena
Prakash Patankar, MNS leader joined Shiv Sena on Sunday ahead of civil elections. Patankar along with 1700 party workers formally joined Sena in front of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence Matoshree. MNS had denied ticket to Patankar in 2012 civic polls. Patankar said that MNS liked people who do stunts to keep in public eye and disregarded hardworking people.
Bollywood
Music composers Sajid-Wajid join BJP
Bollywod music composer duo Sajid and Wajid joined the Bhartiya Janta Party on Sunday. At an event organized on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the composers joined the party in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis. They also supported PM's call for cashless transactions and said that youth should participate in this mission to build a corruption free nation.
Navi Mumbai
Six detained in Navi Mumbai's biggest seizure post demonetization
Rs.34,98,000 cash in new currency were seized by the police along with gold biscuits worth Rs.55,96,000 on Sunday. Police intercepted an Indica car carrying the cash and the gold at New Panvel after getting information that illegal exchange of money was going to take place. Six people of whom three are goldsmiths have been detained by police and further investigations are being carried out.