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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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
