Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate has admitted irregularities in the implementation of the Re 1 crop insurance scheme for farmers, noting places of worship were shown as agricultural lands to claim benefits, reported news agency PTI. More than four lakh crop insurance applications, some filed even by those residing outside Maharashtra, have been rejected, Kokate on Tuesday said, adding a "bogus industry" has come to light which involves non-eligible people seeking benefits of the scheme. The minister, however, asserted that no money has been actually lost as funds were not transferred by the government into the bank accounts linked to bogus applications, reported PTI. Speaking to the media here, Kokate said instances of malpractice in the scheme have been identified in several aspects, including cases where mosques, temples and vacant lands were falsely declared as agricultural lands to claim benefits. "I have instructed district collectors to take immediate action," he said, reported PTI. The crop insurance scheme was introduced in the 2023 budget by the then deputy chief minister and finance minister Devendra Fadnavis. Under the scheme, farmers can get crop insurance for just Re 1. Before the scheme, farmers had to pay the company 2 per cent of the insurance premium. The agriculture department had received several complaints from farmers about the scheme's implementation, chiefly on grounds of non-payment of the insurance amount as well as mismatch of records. Agriculture Secretary Vikaschandra Rastogi later headed a committee which compiled the complaints and conducted a probed into them. Kokate said, "Over four lakh crop insurance applications were rejected across the state. Some of these applications were filed by people from outside Maharashtra. We have taken significant steps to address the irregularities. Farmers will be issued unique ID cards linked to Aadhaar to ensure transparency," reported PTI. An updated database of farmers is being prepared, the minister said, adding that significant reforms will be introduced in the scheme. Asked how the large-scale bogus claims could be made, Kokate attributed much of the malpractice to certain Common Service Centres (CSCs), where people involved in data entry of details of farmers are paid Rs 40 per application, reported PTI. "The operators of such centres filed bogus applications to earn more. We have ordered action against 96 such centres," he said. The minister, however, said not all farmers are to be blamed for the irregularities and asserted the scheme will remain in force. "This (detection of corruption) does not mean the scheme should be shut down. The flaws will be corrected to make the scheme more transparent," the NCP minister assured, reported PTI. He said actions were taken in recent days, and the issue will be discussed in the state cabinet. "If changes are needed in the scheme, we will study them and present the matter in the cabinet. Ultimately, all decisions regarding the scheme will be taken there," he opined, reported PTI. In response to assertions that only Beed district in central Maharashtra witnessed irregularities, Kokate dismissed them as politically motivated. "The government has saved funds by rejecting bogus applications, and no money was transferred into the accounts linked to these invalid applications," he said. Meanwhile, BJP leader and former state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said it would be incorrect to label the Re 1 crop insurance scheme as "flawed", reported PTI. "We have taken Rs 1,551 crore worth of insurance for farmers. If any company provides 80 per cent compensation for losses, our contribution decreases. Beyond 100 to 120 per cent losses, we bear the full burden. Today, the farm sector requires a mission akin to 'Mission Jai Kisan'. It is essential to focus seriously on this area," Mungantiwar said, reported PTI. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, talking about an alleged crop insurance scam in Beed district, claimed insurance for barren land was fraudulently claimed, resulting in irregularities to the tune of Rs 350 crore, reported PTI. He accused insurance companies and the Mahayuti government of being hand in glove to exploit funds meant for farmers. "While farmers have not received compensation, the insurance companies have profited significantly by looting their funds," Patole alleged, reported PTI. Cabinet Minister for Water Resources (Godavari and Krishna Valley Development Corp) Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil batted for continuation of the scheme. "The scheme was launched by Fadnavis and it has proved to be helpful to farmers. Some people are unnecessarily speculating on scrapping the scheme because of some allegations. No such plan or proposal is before the state government," he told reporters in Pune. (With inputs from PTI)
22 January,2025 12:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn 80-year-old woman, who went missing from her home in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district 30 years ago, has been reunited with her family due to efforts made by Thane Mental Hospital staff, an official said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI. According to an official, the woman's 13-year-old son tragically died due to an electric shock after climbing a tamarind tree, three decades ago. Thane Mental Hospital's superintendent Dr Netaji Mulik said that the woman, overcome with grief and unable to cope up with the loss, left her home in a distressed state and went missing. Upon reaching Nashik, she wandered in the Panchvati locality for years. Two years ago, the Nashik police found her in a deteriorated physical and mental condition, PTI stated. After realising that she had a memory loss, they shifted her to the Thane Mental Hospital for care and treatment, the official said. The medical team provided her comprehensive treatment at the hospital and as she started showing signs of improvement, the team began working to establish her identity and locate her family. Dr. Mulik stated that the process was challenging as the woman's recollections of her past were vague and fragmented. Despite not much success initially, the hospital staff gradually pieced together clues about her hometown, contacted the police in Ahmednagar, located about 250 km from Thane, and traced her relatives there, the official said. After receiving information, the woman's family members, including her daughter-in-law, cousins and nephews, visited the hospital here on January 17 and met her for the first time in 30 years. "We are deeply touched by the extraordinary care and dedication of the medical team," a family member said. The family has taken the woman back to Ahmednagar. "Seeing the family together again is our greatest reward," Dr Mulik said. Mumbai-Jaipur train firing: Court orders ex-RPF constable be referred to Thane mental hospital A court on Tuesday ordered former RPF constable Chetansinh Chaudhary, accused in the Mumbai-Jaipur train firing case, to be referred to the Thane mental hospital for medical examination after Akola prison authorities informed it that he was suffering from a mental disorder, reported the PTI. The court said that the accused would be lodged in Thane jail during his medical examination. Chetansinh Chaudhary is accused of shooting dead his senior colleague Assistant Sub-Inspector Tika Ram Meena and three passengers on board the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express near Palghar railway station on July 31, 2023. He is currently lodged in Akola jail, about 550 km from Mumbai. The Akola prison authorities had informed the court that Chetansinh Chaudhary was suffering from a mental disorder and needed to be shifted to a hospital in Nagpur in Maharashtra for further treatment, as per the PTI. (With inputs from PTI )
22 January,2025 12:11 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentActor Saif Ali Khan was seriously injured in a failed burglary at his home, prompting the Mumbai police to launch a massive 72-hour manhunt involving over 500 personnel. While the case was swiftly resolved, it raises concerns about the police’s inconsistent prioritisation, with many cases involving ordinary citizens remaining unsolved for years. These concerns have extended to Bollywood circles as well, with some celebrities expressing scepticism about whether the real attacker has actually been caught. The accused was eventually tracked down in Thane using a combination of technical tools and human intelligence. However, the incident raises critical questions about case prioritisation. While this high-profile case was resolved swiftly, many theft, robbery, and even murder cases involving ordinary citizens remain unsolved. Does the involvement of a celebrity ensure quicker police action? Some unsolved cases April 2012On April 11, 2012, two jewellers, Paras Parmar and Hemant Mehta, were fatally stabbed by four assailants on a crowded footbridge above Malad railway station during the evening rush hour. The attackers escaped with gold and cash despite the presence of numerous commuters. Witnesses reported that the victims resisted the robbery, prompting the assailants to inflict fatal wounds before fleeing in a hijacked autorickshaw. Authorities suspected the involvement of a gang targeting jewellers in the western suburbs, linking the incident to similar attacks in Santa Cruz and Vile Parle. Yet, as of January 2025, nearly 13 years later, this case remains unsolved. December 2023Similarly, a Dadar family filed an FIR for a theft at their posh home in December 2023. They had gone on a trip to Cambodia and learned about the theft two days later from the building staff. Upon returning, they discovered valuables worth R2.2 lakh missing. Interestingly, the safety door was intact, and the living room appeared undisturbed. Despite filing a complaint with the Matunga police, no progress has been reported in the case. January 2025In Vasai, two major robberies highlight similar lapses. Two weeks after a robbery at Mayank Jewellers in Kaul Heritage City, where 50 tolas of gold worth R40 lakh were looted, the case remains unsolved. On the night of the heist, shop owner Ratanlalji Sanghvi was injured by two masked robbers who threatened him with a gun and fled with jewellery boxes. Despite deploying six Crime Branch teams and analysing CCTV footage, the Vasai police have yet to make an arrest. Questions also surround the jeweller’s lack of a security guard and failure to lock the shop’s shutter properly. Another unsolved heist occurred on January 10, when motorcycle-borne robbers looted jewellery worth R80 lakh at gunpoint in Vasai. Investigators have struggled to trace the culprits due to dysfunctional CCTV cameras in the area. Despite monitoring scant footage and using traditional investigation methods, the case remains cold. 2011For 57-year-old Manik Anant Shinde, the wait for justice has stretched for 14 years. In 2011, her 10-tola gold chain was snatched in Vasai. “The cops did nothing to trace the accused. It’s been years. I’ve lost faith in the police,” she said. Her story echoes the sentiment of many victims who believe police act swiftly only when cases involve high-profile individuals or media attention. April 2014Similarly, on April 16, 2014, 70-year-old Laxmi Maruti Naik was found murdered in her Mulund West apartment, gagged and tied, with her gold ornaments missing. Despite investigations by Navghar police, the case remains unsolved, leaving her family and the community without closure even after more than a decade.
22 January,2025 12:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar Sharma | Shirish VaktaniaAs thousands of fans will be attending Coldplay's concert on January 25 and 26, the Western Railway (WR) will operate special trains between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. "For the convenience of passengers and with a view to meet the travel demand to clear extra rush of passengers, Western Railway has decided to run Superfast Special Train on Special Fare between Bandra Terminus and Ahmedabad stations," the WR said in a statement. WR will run Train Nos. 09461/62 Bandra Terminus - Ahmedabad Superfast Special to meet the travel demand created by #Coldplay concertgoers traveling to Ahmedabad and other passengers.The booking for Train Nos. 09461 and 09462 will open on 22.01.2025, tomorrow, at all PRS… pic.twitter.com/J550CokuVj — Western Railway (@WesternRly) January 21, 2025 According to a press release issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Vineet Abhishek, the details of the special trains are as under: • Train No. 09461/09462 Bandra Terminus – Ahmedabad Superfast Special (2 Trips) Train No. 09461 Bandra Terminus – Ahmedabad Superfast Special will depart from Bandra Terminus on Saturday 25th January, 2025 at 05:35 hrs and will reach Ahmedabad at 13:45 hrs the same day. Similarly, Train No. 09462 Ahmedabad – Bandra Terminus Superfast Special will depart from Ahmedabad on Friday, 24th January, 2025 at 20:00 hrs and arrive at Bandra Terminus at 04:20 hrs, the next day. "En route, this train will halt at Borivali, Dahanu Road, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna and Vadodara stations in both directions. This train comprises of AC 3-Tier, Sleeper Class and General Second Class Coaches," the CPRO said in the statement. The Booking for the trains will open from January 22 at all PRS Counters and on the IRCTC website. Coldplay's Ahmedabad concert will be live-streamed on an OTT platform. The grand performance will stream on Disney+ Hotstar, and the band themselves announced this happy news to their fans. At the upcoming 'Music of Spheres World Tour', the British band Coldplay will play their biggest-ever show at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on January 25 and 26. The India tour of the international band Coldplay will come to an end on January 26 with the Ahmedabad performance. Coldplay is renowned for its timeless hits like "Paradise" and “Viva La Vida” and boasts universal appeal. The Ahmedabad performance of Coldplay’s globally acclaimed Music of the Spheres World Tour is part of the band’s record-breaking journey that has reshaped the live music landscape. Recognised as the highest-grossing rock tour of all time, the tour is a celebration of music, sustainability, and creativity.
22 January,2025 12:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe expert committee of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) has suggested spraying water and planting grass at Shivaji Park to prevent dust pollution from the soil. The team also asked the BMC for a time extension to study the soil pattern of iconic ground. After receiving complaints from local residents, BMC’s G North ward decided to remove a nine-inch-thick layer of soil from the park. The BMC asked Prof. Virendra Sethi of IIT-B's Environmental Science and Engineering Department to conduct a study; recently, the experts submitted a report. The report states that spraying water twice a day, in the early morning and afternoon, would prevent fine soil particles from rising in the air. Also, developing greenery by planting grass on the ground would alleviate the dust problem, the report suggests. IIT-B report suggests that planting grass will alleviate the dust problem. File Pic/Ashish Raje Civic officials said that the planting of grass will be completed in the next six months in a phased manner. “We will start planting grass on patches and will cover the full ground step by step, while spraying water is an ongoing process,” a civic official added. Meanwhile, residents of Shivaji Park are not happy with the BMC’s decision. Prakash Belvade said that the civic body should consult the earth science expert of IIT-B. Earlier, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had asked the BMC to find remedies to the dust pollution issue in the area within 15 days, the deadline for which lapsed on Tuesday. “We are trying to meet MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam regarding the issue. Sprinkling water is not a solution for dust mitigation. BMC used to sprinkle water in the past, but that has not given results,” Belwade added. Shivaji Park is spread over 28 acres and 70 per cent of the ground is covered with soil and a 30 per cent green cover. In 2021, the BMC unloaded around 250 truckloads of soil on the ground for a beautification project. “The dust issue has been on the rise since 2021,” a resident said, adding that the problem starts after the monsoon season, after 10 am, and persists through the day. 28 acreTotal area of Shivaji Park
22 January,2025 12:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveThe ‘Expected in Minutes’ (EIM) panels on platform indicators of Central Railway in Mumbai have been non-functional for the past three years, despite repeated assurances that they are being tested and will be operational soon. As a result, commuters at railway stations have no way to know how long it will take for a train to arrive. Copy-paste replies by Senior Divisional Signalling and Telecom Engineer (Sr.DSTE) in 2023, 2024 and 2025, that testing is on While private and third-party mobile apps provide such information, the railway’s official system has yet to catch up. At most stations, the EIM panels are either blank or display “zero.” The delay stems from the ongoing process of linking and integrating the Train Management System software with these indicators, which has been in progress for the past three years. “Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, also minister for information technology, electronics and information & broadcasting was in Mumbai last week to announce a unified ticketing system ‘Mitra’ for seamless multimodal travel based on Open Network for Digital Commerce in Commuter Convenience (ONDCC), but the team at Central Railway in a city like Mumbai cannot fix their indicators since past three years,” Jayesh Ashteley, a commuter from Dadar said. “The indicators and ‘Expected in Minutes’ countdown work well on Western Railway trains but have not been functional here. It proves very helpful at one glance of the indicator. We need to check for the apps separately to get authentic data on the location and movement of the train. The railways should provide their own real-time data so there is no confusion,” another commuter said. “The problem also leads to safety issues. It is leading to crowding on foot overbridges at stations like in this instance Ghatkopar. People wait on the bridge for slow or fast trains and then run for whichever arrives. It may lead to accidents,” another commuter said. “I have continuously tweeted about this major issue but the Central Railway has no answers,” commuter advocate Rajesh N Kalote said. What is the problem? Sources said that the Train Management System (TMS) software was initially installed by one company, but it has since been taken over by another. As a result, there is no technical support, no electronic cards available, and no Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) in place. Finalising a new tender will take time, with the estimated cost ranging between R300-400 crore for implementation up to Kasara, Karjat, and the Harbour line. Official comment “The process to import the required equipment from abroad has begun and this year the EIM will be commissioned between CSMT to Kurla,” an official spokesperson said.
22 January,2025 12:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA senior official at the Tata Trusts has said efforts were being made to establish an advanced hospital in the Latur district in Maharashtra for cancer patients and reduce their challenges for travelling to Mumbai for treatment, PTI reported. Highlighting the need for cancer hospitals at the district-level which are affiliated with government medical colleges, Dr Kailash Sharma, medical director with Tata Charitable Trust told PTI that timely biopsy reports and affordable cancer treatment are critical for the common people. He also said that travelling to Mumbai for treatment is a major challenge for many cancer patients. The official said that in order to address this issue, they have already established modern cancer hospitals in Varanasi, Punjab, Visakhapatnam and Guwahati, PTI cited. To provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment facilities and to make faster biopsy reports for patients in Latur and Dharashiv districts, efforts are being made to establish an advanced cancer hospital, affiliated to the Vilasrao Deshmukh Government Medical College, he said. As per PTI, the initiative will be modelled on the cancer hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, said Dr Sharma, who visited Latur last week for an Onco-Pathology Hematology Conference. Citing recent reports, he expressed concerns over the rising global incidences of cancer. Currently, India has 13 to 14 lakh cancer patients, with 6 to 7 lakh deaths annually. By 2030, these numbers are projected to rise to 20 to 22 lakh, with nearly 12 lakh annual deaths anticipated, the official said, PTI reported. According to PTI, Dr. Sharma also discussed various types of cancers, their prevalence and underlying causes. He noted that breast cancer in women is less common in rural areas (20 per lakh) compared to urban areas (35 to 40 per lakh). Factors like late marriages, delayed childbirth, reduced breastfeeding, hormonal changes, sedentary lifestyles and obesity contribute to this trend, he said. Oral cancer among men is alarmingly high due to the consumption of tobacco and gutka, affecting 30 out of every one lakh men, PTI reported. Dr Sharma further highlighted the successful initiatives by the Tata Trusts in providing relief to children battling cancer and their families by offering free treatment as well as education, meals, medication and even special playrooms for their entertainment. "This initiative has given a humane and compassionate face to medical services at the Tata Cancer Hospital, making it a benchmark of success," he added, PTI cited. (With PTI inputs)
22 January,2025 11:58 AM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court on Tuesday imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on the Enforcement Directorate for initiating a money laundering probe against a realty developer without "proper application of mind", noting central agencies must conduct themselves within the framework of law, reported news agency PTI. While imposing the fine on the ED, a single bench of Justice Milind Jadhav observed that a "strong message" needs to be sent to the law enforcement agencies to ensure citizens are not harassed, reported PTI. The HC quashed the process (summons/notice) issued to a Mumbai-based real estate developer, Rakesh Jain, by a special court in August 2014 based on a prosecution complaint filed by the anti-money laundering agency. It was "high time that central agencies like the ED stopped taking the law in the own hands and harassing citizens", Justice Jadhav maintained. The ED had launched a money laundering probe against Jain based on a police complaint lodged against him at the suburban Vile Parle police station by a property purchaser alleging breach of agreement and cheating, reported PTI. Justice Jadhav, in his ruling, noted no case was made out against Jain and hence even the money laundering charges do not stand. The HC said the action of the complainant as well as the ED in putting the criminal system into motion against Jain is "clearly malafide and calls for the imposition of exemplary costs", reported PTI. "I am compelled to levy exemplary costs because a strong message needs to be sent to law enforcement agencies like ED that they should conduct themselves within the parameters of the law and that they cannot take the law into their own hands without application of mind and harass citizens," Justice Jadhav said, reported PTI. The court directed the ED to pay the Rs 1 lakh cost to the HC library within four weeks. The bench also imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on the original complainant (purchaser) in the case. This cost would be paid to the city-based Kirtikar Law Library. The HC pointed out that an offence of money laundering is committed by an individual with a deliberate design and a motive to enhance his gains, disregarding the interest of the nation and society as a whole. "It is seen that conspiracy of money laundering is hatched in secrecy and executed in darkness. The present case before me is a classic case of oppression in the garb of implementation of the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act)," the judgment noted, reported PTI. At the request of ED advocate Shriram Shirsat, the HC stayed its judgment for one week so that the agency could file an appeal in the Supreme Court. (With inputs from PTI)
22 January,2025 11:21 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFollowing the arrest of a Bangladeshi national in connection with the stabbing attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora has urged the Maharashtra government to deport Bangladeshis living illegally in the state "as soon as possible" to make "Mumbai safe." Speaking to ANI, Deora said on Tuesday, "I have written a letter to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and urged that wherever any Bangladeshi is living illegally, should be deported as soon as possible. The incident that happened at Saif Ali Khan's house is very worrying." The audit of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants living across the state is needed to "make Mumbai more safe," he told ANI. Earlier, the Rajya Sabha MP also posted the letter on his social media account 'X', urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to conduct a thorough "audit" of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the state stating that Maharashtra's safety and security must come first. He also demanded strict action against agencies that fail to verify documents before giving jobs to individuals. I have written to Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis Ji, urging a thorough audit of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the state. I’ve also recommended strict action against staffing agencies that fail to verify documents before placing individuals in jobs. The recent tragedy… pic.twitter.com/9ICQqDBpSc — Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) January 21, 2025 "I have written to Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis Ji, urging a thorough audit of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the state. I've also recommended strict action against staffing agencies that fail to verify documents before placing individuals in jobs. The recent tragedy involving #SaifAliKhan highlights the urgent need to address this issue. #Maharashtra's safety & security must come first," Deora said on X. Saif suffered stab wounds to his thoracic spine when an intruder, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, entered his home with the alleged intent of theft last week. The actor was immediately taken to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital for treatment after sustaining injuries. Khan on Tuesday returned home after being discharged from the hospital. Accused Mohammed Shariful Islam Shahzad was apprehended at Hiranandani Estate in Thane on Saturday while attempting to flee to his native village. It was further disclosed that the accused is a native of the Jhalokati district in Bangladesh. The Bandra Holiday Court remanded the accused to five days of police custody on Sunday. Following the attack, security has been tightened at Khan's Bandra residence. (With inputs from ANI)
22 January,2025 11:14 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA fire broke out at the office of a car dealer in Mumbai's Kalina area on Wednesday morning, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). No casualty was reported. The blaze erupted at 7.44 am on the first-floor office of Navnit Motors, a BMW car dealer, located on CST road in the Kalina area, the civic body said. The fire was confined to the materials kept in the Kalina car dealer's office and thick smoke emanated from there, the BMC said. Seven fire brigade vehicles were rushed to the spot. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the fire was extinguished at 9.51 am. "There is no report of injury to anyone," the civic body said. The cause of the fire is not yet known. Fire breaks out in Mumbai building Fire broke out on the third floor of a four-storey building in south Mumbai on Saturday, the civic officials said. The fire broke out in a house in the Patel Mansion building on Topiwala Lane in Grant Road area around 11 am, the officials said. It was a Level 1 fire and was doused at 12.55 pm, the officials said, adding nobody was injured in the blaze. BEST bus catches fire at depot; none hurt A bus in the fleet of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport caught fire at a depot in the western suburbs on Friday, an official said. There is no report of injury to anyone in the blaze that occurred at the Oshiwara bus depot, the official said. He said a fire tender was pressed into service, and the fire was doused in a few minutes. A spokesperson from the transport authority said the fire was triggered due to overheating when the bus was undergoing maintenance. The vehicle was taken on a wet lease from a private operator. The BEST has a fleet of around 3000 buses, including over 400 electric buses that ferry more than 30 lakh passengers. With this fleet of mostly single-decker buses, the BEST provides public bus service to Mumbai and neighbouring Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayander cities. (With inputs from Agencies)
22 January,2025 10:44 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn auto-rickshaw driver was injured after losing control and colliding with a container on Shilphata Road in Thane, according to the Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell. According to the Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell, the Thane accident occurred on Shilphata Road, opposite the Royal Hotel in Thane, at approximately 2:03 AM today. An Ashok Leyland Tusker Turbo container (MH 04 EL 8369) was parked on the roadside, heading from Mumbai to Panvel. An auto rickshaw (MH 43 CA 5867), driven by 32-year-old Ashok Kumar, a resident of Navi Mumbai, lost control and collided with the container from behind. The impact of the Thane accident trapped Kumar inside the rickshaw. Emergency services, including Daighar police, a private ambulance, fire brigade personnel, and an emergency tender vehicle, quickly arrived at the scene. Firefighters and police worked together to extricate the driver from the wreckage. Kumar was then transported to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment for his injuries. The accident caused a temporary traffic slowdown on the Mumbra to Panvel road for about 30 minutes. However, with the assistance of police personnel, the auto-rickshaw was cleared from the road, and traffic flow has since been restored. Further investigation into the accident is ongoing. Elderly woman dead, 6 injured as car rams into road divider on Samruddhi Expressway An elderly woman was killed and six others were injured after the car they were travelling in rammed into a road divider on the Samruddhi Expressway near Nagpur in the wee hours of Tuesday, police said. The inmates of the car were returning to Washim from Nagpur after attending a wedding ceremony, they said. "The car rammed into a road divider on the Samruddhi Expressway near Nagpur, leaving one woman dead and six others injured. The incident took place under Hingna police station's jurisdiction," an official said. The deceased was identified as Ashadevi Rameshchandra Lahoti (67), while the injured include driver Rohit Lahoti (36) and his wife Tilak (32), both residents of Washim; Roshan Lahoti (35), Vitthal Rathi (45) from Latur; and Dinesh Malani (38) with his wife Sunita from Akola. All are undergoing treatment at the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur, he said. The driver lost control over the vehicle near the Vena River Bridge roundabout, he said. A case has been registered in this connection and investigation into the case is on, the police said. (With inputs from Agencies)
22 January,2025 10:30 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
