Mumbai's First Underground Metro Line Set To Begin Operations On July 24

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

This new metro line, which will run through Colaba, Bandra, and SEEPZ (Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone), will cover a distance of 33.5 kilometres

As per the information available on the website of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, under the project about 99.2 per cent of civil works have been completed

New Delhi, July 17: The financial capital of the country, Mumbai, is set to get its first underground metro (Aqua Line) July 24, Bharatiya Janata Party's general secretary Vinod Tawde said in a post on "X".

BJP Leader Tawde said in a post on social media "X", "Prime Minister @NarendraModi ji had given a guarantee to make the life of Mumbaikars easier and this is going to be fulfilled. Mumbai's first underground metro (Aqua Line) is starting from July 24, which will give new impetus to the speed of the city."

This new metro line will cover a distance of 33.5 kilometres. Mumbai's first underground metro line will run through Colaba, Bandra, and SEEPZ (Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone). Running a 33.5 km route from Aarey Colony to Cuffe Parade with 27 stops, it will transform urban transit, easing travel across Mumbai's streets and reducing traffic congestion.

The new metro line will have stations at Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate, Hutatma Chowk, CST Metro, Kalbadevi, Girgaon, Grant Road, Mumbai Central Metro, Mahalaxmi, Science Museum, Acharya Atre Chowk, Worli, Siddhivinayak, Dadar, Shitladevi, Dharavi, BKC, Vidyanagari, Santacruz, Domestic Airport, Sahar Road, International Airport, Marol Naka, MIDC, SEEPs and Aarey Depot.

Separately, in the last week of June this year, the government of Maharashtra decided to complete the Mumbai Metro 3 project by the end of December 2024.

The first phase of Mumbai Metro 3, will run between SEEPZ (Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone) and Bandra Kurla Complex. The project will be completed by the end of December 2024, which was initially scheduled to be completed by September 2024.

During the cabinet meeting, Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde gave its nod to giving the state government's share of Rs 1,163 crore directly to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, instead of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for the completion of the project.

According to the government, the project has achieved the completion of 98 per cent and its revised cost is Rs 37,275.50 crore. Line 3 (Aqua Line) of the Mumbai Metro is a rapid transit metro line in the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

As per the information available on the website of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, under the project about 99.2 per cent of civil works have been completed. About 97 per cent of the overall station construction has been completed. Under the project, tunnelling works have been fully completed, while 77.6 per cent of overall systems work, depot civil works 99.8 per cent and mainline track works have been completed almost 87 per cent.

The introduction of the metro transportation system has witnessed a significant response in the city as the daily ridership of the Mumbai Metro has witnessed a significant increase. On July 24, 2023, the ridership reached 212,490, followed by 218,635 July 25, 2023.

The highest recorded ridership was July 26, 2023, with 222,290 passengers. This surge in ridership has been observed specifically on the Metro 2A and 7 lines, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation said in a release.

(ANI)

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TN Fireworks Manufacturers Sell Rs 6,000 Crore Worth Of Fireworks For Diwali

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Chennai, Oct 31: The Tamil Nadu Fireworks Manufacturers Association has reported that firecracker factories in Sivakasi, located in the state's Virudhunagar district, have sold firecrackers worth Rs 6,000 crore across the country for the Diwali festival.

However, association leaders noted that the century-old fireworks industry in Sivakasi faced a significant decline in production this year. This decrease is primarily due to the Supreme Court’s reiteration of its ban on barium nitrate, a key ingredient in firecracker manufacturing, and additional restrictions on joined crackers - sets of individual firecrackers connected by a fuse, allowing them to ignite in succession when one cracker is lit.

Business owners in Sivakasi told IANS that production has dropped by at least 30 per cent due to the restrictions on joined crackers. According to fireworks manufacturers, over 300 factories in Sivakasi and neighbouring villages produce joined crackers.

A.P. Selvarajan from Kaliswari Fireworks said: "Sound crackers account for 40 per cent of the total production in Sivakasi. Of those sound products, around 20 per cent were joined crackers."

He added that many manufacturers of joined crackers have kept their factories closed for months, resulting in workers migrating to other factories.

Additionally, heavy rains in parts of Sivakasi further impacted production, reducing the output to about 75 per cent of the usual volume.

Approximately 4 lakh workers from 1,150 fireworks factories in Sivakasi were involved in producing Rs 6,000 crore worth of firecrackers this year.

Sivakasi is considered the hub of India’s firecracker industry, producing around 70 per cent of the country’s firecrackers.

However, it is also worth noting that several accidents have occurred during the manufacturing process, leading to loss of life. In 2024 alone, Sivakasi saw 17 accidents that resulted in 54 fatalities.

--IANS

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IPL 2025 Retentions: Netizens Welcome Dhoni After CSK Retain 'Thala'

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

New Delhi, Oct 31: Cricket fans on social media expressed their delight after MS Dhoni -- the 43-year-old legendary wicketkeeper-batter -- was retained for INR 4 crore by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Thursday.

For the records, barring 2016 and 2017 when he played for Rising Pune Supergiant when the Super Kings were going through a suspension period, Dhoni hasn’t moved from CSK.

“What a super Diwali for Dhoni fans. He will be there in IPL 2025. Great dedication to play,” one fan wrote. Another fan said, “Hero is back. Legend Dhoni will rule again."

Dhoni holds the record for playing most matches in the history of the IPL. In 264 matches since his debut back in 2008, Dhoni has scored 5243 runs at an average of 39.12 with a top score of 84 not out. Apart from the IPL, the veteran also led CSK to glory in the Champions League T20.

Earlier on Thursday, CSK decided to exercise the infamous 'uncapped player' rule to retain Dhoni as they also decided to keep hold of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja for 18 crores, Matheesha Pathirana for 13 and Shivam Dube for 12.

All the ten Indian Premier League franchises have announced their list of retained players ahead of the 2025 auction. Notably, three major captains Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will be entering the auction.

--IANS

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One Dead, Two Critical In Firecracker Explosion In Puri

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Puri, Oct 31: In what came as first fatal cracker mishap, a person was killed and two others sustained critical injuries in firecracker explosion in Puri district this evening.

The deceased has been identified as Bula Rout..

According to the information, firecrackers caught fire and exploded while three people were making crackers in ha house at Rout Sahi under the Puri Sadar police station. The three were rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital soon. However, they were later shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital because of their critical condition.