Mumbai water metro likely to roll out from December: Minister Nitesh Rane
Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai water metro project, which envisages introducing battery-powered ferries to ease traffic congestion in the metropolis and its adjoining areas, is expected to roll out from December in phases, Maharashtra Ports Minister Nitesh Rane said on Monday.
Talking to PTI here, Rane said a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on water metro in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is expected to be submitted by his department by February 28.
The state government has chalked out six to eight routes in the MMR to be connected through a network of electric-powered boats under the water taxi project which is estimated to cost Rs 1,200 crore, according to the minister.
He said after the DPR is submitted, discussions would be held with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on feasibility of routes and two of the finalized routes would be taken up first for implementation.
"We have decided to start with Mumbai city and then move to the wider MMR (which includes areas of adjoining districts)," Rane informed.
Water metro services within Mumbai city will focus around Nariman Point-Worli-Bandra-Juhu-Versova routes, said the minister, adding "We plan to take up two routes in the first phase."
"Once the Radio Club jetty near the Gateway of India in south Mumbai is ready, water metro will take just 40 minutes to ferry people to the Navi Mumbai International Airport," he noted.
Rane said formal announcement regarding the project, modelled on the Kochi water metro in Kerala, will be made by Fadnavis in the state budget to be presented on March 6.
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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
