PM Modi Mumbai Visit Highlights: PM says Shinde-Fadnavis duo will help realise people’s dreams in Mumbai, travels on newly-inaugurated Metro

For the convenience of passengers, additional stoppage is being provided at Borivali station to Vande Bharat Express train that runs between Mumbai Central – Gandhinagar, Gujarat starting from January 23.

Due to the additional halt at Borivali station, the timings of the train at a few stations also will be revised. Further, the days of operation of this train will be changed from ‘all days except Sundays’ to ‘all days except Wednesday with effect from May 30 as per the Western Railways which looks after the train operation and maintenance.

Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi how can he shun the responsibility from his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of corruption in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation as BJP shared power with Shiv Sena for 25 years.

"In a bid to target Shiv Sena and make allegations of corruption, PM Modi targeted his own BJP which was in power with the Sena for 25 years. It seems Modiji forgot that whatever has happened in Mumbai, the BJP is equally responsible," said Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole.

Patole said that all the projects for which foundation stone was laid were started during Maha Vikas Aghadi government and not in last six months. "Modiji says that his government gives free ration to 80 crore Indians. How come despite BJP rule, India is witnessing so much of poverty?" Asked Patole.

The Congress leader reminded that PM Modi shared stage with State governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari who has made 'objectionable' comments against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "Not a single BJP leader felt it was necessary to condemn him. It just shows the level of respect BJP has for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled in the newly-inaugurated Mumbai Metro train, from Gundavali to Mogra and back.

Actor Sheezan Khan, who is in jail for allegedly abetting the suicide of co-actor Tunisha Sharma, had not cooperated during custodial interrogation, had deleted some WhatsApp chats and was also in a position to threaten material witnesses if released on bail, a court in Maharashtra's Palghar has said.

The details of the Vasai court's January 13 order rejecting the bail plea of Khan was made available on Thursday. The order also said "just prior to the alleged incident, something is appeared to have been happened between them in the make-up room of applicant, which forced her to commit suicide". (PTI)

Motorists witnessed heavy traffic jams in parts of suburban Mumbai on Thursday afternoon due to curbs imposed on movement of vehicles and diversion of routes in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the metropolis.

Heavy traffic snarls were observed at BKC (Bandra-Kurla Complex), Santacruz, Vakola and Andheri areas in the western suburbs, an official said. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there is no pauncity of funds for the development of Mumbai, adding that the duo of CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis will help realise people's dreams in the city.

"Local governance is integral for bringing Mumbai transformation. Funds have to be utilized properly and that requires political will. Let us all together join hands for development of Mumbai," he said.

Stressing that Dharavi redevelopment is the state government's commitment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that
Mumbai will get a face lift in the coming days.

"Our emphasis will be on electric vehicles to curtail pollution. Through water treatment plants, rivers are being cleaned on massive scale," Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that while the world is reeling under economic crisis, India is providing subsidies.

Modi said that Mumbai Metro was running on just an 11 km stretch in 2014, but the Shinde-Fadnavis team has put infrastructure on fast track. 

"Double Engine government is committed to giving better amenities to poorest of the poor. Therefore, even railway stations are being developed on the lines of airport. CSMT, which is one the oldest railway stations, is being redeveloped. We are pushing for multi model connectivity," he said.

Hailing the projects launched from the MMRDA grounds in BKC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that for the first time, the world is taking note of India's work. "There is a lot of positivity about India world over. With its futuristic and modern approach, India is moving forward. Today, we are providing modern infrastructure for better connectivity and economic prosperity," Modi said.

While thanking BMC chief Iqbal Singh Chahal for transforming the city, CM Eknath Shinde said, "G20 presidency is a matter of pride for us. We got this chance because in the past few years, Modi has taken the economy of India to new heights. In next 3 years, we will complete the makeover of Mumbai."

Speaking on the upcoming BMC polls, Shinde said, "Our endeavor will be to convert the double engine into triple engine. Under PM's leadership, we will make a new Maharashtra. No matter how much we are criticised, Mumbaikars are wise and appreciate the work we do."

Speaking about his Davos visit, CM Eknath Shinde said, 'I went to Davos and saw that every one from all over the world only asked about Modi. I am happy to tell you that Modi's charisma is resonating worldwide, not just India. This is a matter of pride for us.'

'We have to transform the face of Mumbai. We have to fast track development. All those projects which were stuck in pipelines will be expeditiously taken up,' he said.

Talking about the road concretisation project, Shinde said, "We will make Mumbai potholes free through concrete roads. The roads of Mumbai are being concretised and work for 400 km roads will be inaugurated by Modi today. There are still some people who want to hinder our work. Let them hinder it, and we will continue our work."

"The 350 km Metro mega project was conceptualized and implemented by Devendra Fadnavis as CM in 2014. PM Modi had done its bhoomipujan in 2015. Today, he is dedicating the two Metro lines to Mumbaikars," Shinde further said.

Addressing crowds at BKC's MMRDA grounds, CM Eknath Shinde said his double engine government will bring major transformation in Mumbai. he said that the BJP-Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena government is working under the guidance of PM Modi, and hailed his decisions in the last six months.

"Everything we are doing is bothering others. They think that within six months if this government can do so much work, what all it will achieve in the next six months. We will respond to criticism with work. We will do ten times more work in comparison to criticism," Shinde said.

Addressing crowds at MMRDA ground in BKC, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that the double-engine government was chosen in 2019, but foul play led to a government ruling in the state for 2.5 years which the people did not want.

"But the true follower of Balasaheb Thackeray, Eknath Shinde showed courage and with your blessings, a government of the liking of the people came to Maharashtra once again. Maharashtra started walking rapidly on the path to development once again," Fadnavis said.

Real estate developers foresee good traction as two new Metro lines — 2A (Dahisar to DN Nagar) & 7 (Dahisar East to Andheri East) — are set to begin operations this month.

Keval Valambhia, chief operating officer of CREDAI-MCHI Mumbai, a real estate apex body of members from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), expressed hope that these two Metro lines will play a crucial role in decongesting Mumbai’s current public transportation system and foster a new real estate boom in the western suburbs.

Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on the stage at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex and was presented a traditional Marathi turban or 'pheta' by CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Ramdas Athavale and Bhagwat Karad are also on the stage. Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar and BJP (MP) Pooja Mahajan share dias with PM.

NCP (MP) Supriya Sule said her party welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mumbai but also feels sorry that he has to the running for the BJP. be it the BMC polls or the Lok Sabha polls.

"In the past, we have seen great leaders such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley. Unfortunately, BJP does not have leaders now. As a result, Modiji is burdened to do all running around in each and every poll," she said.

Marathi Singer Avdut Gupte sang the song 'Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha' at BKC's MMRDA grounds. The song has been proposed as the official state song by state cultural affairs minister Sudhir Mungantiwar.

Gupte has previously performed for BJP's Marathi Dandiya, and also sang at the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally. He also composed the theme song for the Shiv Sena, before the party split last year.

Satyajeet Tambe has been suspended from Congress for six years, after he threw in his hat as an Independent candidate in the Legislative Council’s Nashik graduate constituency.

Haji Arfat Shaikh, BJP leader and former president of the state minority commission, said, "The opposition is trying to paint a picture that BJP is creating a Hindu-Muslim divide. There are a large number of Muslims here who support Modi and the work he is doing for the country and our community.

Ambulances, fire engines and around 5,000 police personnel are deployed at the MMRDA grounds in BKC where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will shortly arrive to inaugurate projects and address a public rally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Mumbai on Thursday evening. He will be inaugurating several projects and two Mumbai Metro lines, before departing from the city around 7.15 pm.

Tweeting hours ahead of the inauguration of Mumbai Metro's lines 2A and 7, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said in a jibe at the erstwhile MVA government, "Don’t forget this is what some people kept away from you and delayed for decades."

Mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) in its mouthpiece 'Saamana' said that his coming to the city was just another "campaign for his party'.

"Modi is visiting Mumbai for a few hours and it is being said that in these few hours, he will lay the foundation for the bright future of Mumbai. But the question is since when did the BJP start worrying about Mumbai's future and fortune? This propaganda that the Prime Minister is incarnating for the bright future of Mumbai is false. He is campaigning for his party, but can the saffron of the Shiv Sena be removed from Mumbai?" the editorial argued.

It further said that Mumbai would be blessed only if no attempt is made to "loot" the labour of Maharashtrians.

The Nationalist Congress Party demanded the resignation of Wresting Federation of India president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexually exploiting women wrestlers for years, a charge vehemently rejected by the sports administrator.

Top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and many other grapplers are on a silent sit-in in New Delhi for the second day against WFI and its chief Singh. “Women wrestlers who have won laurels for our country are protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to seek justice for themselves for all the wrongdoings meted against them by the Wrestling Federation of India,” Clyde Crasto, NCP's national spokesperson, said in a statement. (PTI)

Mumbai Police detained actor Rakhi Sawant in connection with an FIR registered against her based on a complaint by another woman actor for allegedly circulating the latter's video links and photos on social media.

Following the actor's complaint, the Amboli police in Mumbai had registered an FIR against Sawant under Indian Penal Code Sections 354A (sexual harassment of the nature of unwelcome physical contact and advances or a demand or request for sexual favours showing pornography), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 504 (insult intended to provoke breach of peace) and provisions of the Information Technology Act, he said.

The Maharashtra government has given a fresh three-month extension to the Koregaon-Bhima Inquiry Commission, probing the violence that took place on January 1, 2018 on the outskirts of Pune city, after the panel sought more time to record statements of some witnesses. The earlier extension granted to the two-member commission was valid till December 31, 2022.

Entry of all heavy vehicles, including on the Western Express Highway and western suburbs, will be banned till 9 pm on Thursday, a Mumbai traffic police advisory said.

* Only 18.5 per cent of Class III students in Maharashtra government schools can do subtraction.

* Only 20.1 per cent of Class V and 38.1 per cent of Class VIII students can do division.

* Only 55.5 per cent of Class V students can read Class II-level books.

* Only 34 per cent of the schools have computers.

These are some of the findings mentioned in the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), 2022, which showed the impact of two years of Covid-19 pandemic on teaching and learning in government schools.

In the wake traffic restrictions in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) of Mumbai where Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take part in an event on Thursday evening, police have advised offices and establishments in the area to allow their employees to leave early.

The police have also asked the establishments in the area to report immediately about any suspicious activity by a person, suspicious e-mails, any other such cyber incident including hacking.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will land in Mumbai on Thursday at 4.14 pm and proceed to lay the foundation stones of a string of projects worth at MMRDA grounds in BKC, followed by inaugurating two metro lines.

Check his full schedule here

The massive cutouts of the Shiv Sena founder along the route Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take on his visit to Mumbai on Thursday have more than established that the BJP won't miss an opportunity to show its reverence to the late Bal Thackeray.

But there is another reason behind these posters which cannot be ignored. The Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has claimed it has upheld the political legacy of the late Bal Thackeray which was based on Hindutva and the welfare of the Marathi Manoos.

Read full story here

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole has said that the party is likely to take action against rebel party candidate Satyajeet Tambe today.

Tambe has filed nomination for the Legislative Council elections from Nasik division graduates' constituency despite the party giving ticket to his father and sitting MLC Sudhir Tambe. Sudhir has already been suspended for not filing his nomination.

The BJP and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena have resolved to use Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Mumbai on January 19 to showcase their combined political might and improve bonding at the grassroot-level ahead of upcoming city elections.

Highly placed sources in the BJP said, “Although CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis formed the coalition government in Maharashtra on June 30, this will be the first occasion the party workers of BJP and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena can display a united front. They will come together on the same platform to show their collective might at the PM’s rally.”

A senior BJP functionary said, “Deepak Kesarkar at the meeting exhorted both BJP and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena to leave no stone unturned to make this a grand rally. He also told party workers to realise that Aaditya Thackeray’s growing attack against CM Eknath Shinde was a sign of his frustration as Shiv Sena (UBT) is losing ground. They can sense their support base shrinking.” Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the new Mumbai Metro Lines 2A and 7 from Gundavali metro station on January 19, Thursday. While line 2A will be from Dahisar to DN Nagar in Andheri West, Line 7 will run from Dahisar East to Gundavali, Andheri East.

PM Modi will later take a ride on the new Metro line from Gundavali to Mogra before returning to Gundavali station.

The office of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted a map of the two lines of the Mumbai metro. Here's how it looks:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Karnataka’s northern districts of Yadgiri and Kalaburagi on Thursday to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate a bevvy of development projects valued at over Rs 10,800 crores. 

Addressing the crowd there, PM Modi said, "Our government is not for votebank politics, it is for development... Double engine government means double welfare. You can see how Karnataka is benefitting by this."

Follow live updates from PM's visit in Karnataka here. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took stock of the preparations at the BKC ground on Wednesday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a rally there on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Mumbai at around 4.15 pm, a program schedule states. He will arrive at the BKC ground by 5 pm, and address the crowd at 5.48 pm. He will inaugurate the two metro lines at around 6.30 pm. He will also travel by the metro later on.

Two thieves who had successfully managed to evade the Mumbai police even as they committed more than 50 robberies across the country ran out of luck after they gifted a stolen mobile phone to a friend on his birthday. It proved to be a costly mistake that subsequently led to their arrests in 2017. Read Sagar Rajput's report

The BMC authorities have said that a 'no parking' rule has been imposed on all roads within BKC premises in view of PM Modi's rally in the evening.

Earlier, the Mumbai traffic had said that slow movement of traffic on the southbound carriageway from 4.15 pm to 5.30 pm and the northbound carriageway of the Western Express Highway (WEH) from 5.30 pm to 6.45 pm was expected. No heavy vehicles will be allowed on all roads in the western suburbs including the Western Express Highway Thursday between 12 noon and 9 pm, officials had said.

Amid tight security, preparations are ongoing at BKC's MMRDA grounds in Mumbai. The stage is being set with seating for atleast 20 top leaders. The stage is surrounded by blue banners, which in Marathi read, 'Nirdhar Sarkarcha Kayapalat Mumbaicha' (Government resolute to give Mumbai a makeover) and 'Mumbaicha Ujjwal Bhavishya hi Payabharni' (Laying foundation of Mumbai's bright future).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate several important developmental projects for the benefit of citizens of Mumbai. The include:

- Mumbai Metro Lines 2A and 7
- 7 Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP)
- 52 medical clinics
- 3 special hospitals
- 400 kms of road concretisation work
- 1,000 new toilet facilities
- SWANIDDHI certificates for 1 lakh hawkers

While preparations have been made to seat 75,000 people at the BKC ground where PM Modi will be holding his rally, the BJP expects a turnout figure of 1,00,000. The ground can accomodate those many, authorities have said.

Short films of two-three minutes on the metro, municipal hospitals, CSMT train station and the Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) will be presented during the PM's program. This will be followed by addresses by CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, before PM Narendra Modi's address.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mumbai on Thursday is part of the BJP’s strategy to emphasise on ‘Mumbai Makeover’, to convey how the financial capital is integral for the country’s development, and to counter the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) attempts to portray the party as ‘anti-Mumbai’.

The rally at the MMRDA ground in Bandra-Kurla Complex is titled ‘Sankalp Sabha’ while the tag line is ‘Mumbai Awaits PM Modi’.

BJP’s larger concern is to counter the sympathy factor which has worked in favour of the Shiv Sena (UBT) since split in the party. Read more

The school education department has decided to stay the process of accommodating 555 surplus teachers in BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)–run civic schools. Even as the stay order does not mention any reason, the department was criticised for breaching the code of conduct ahead of teachers’ constituency elections. Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Mumbai by 4.40 pm.

At 5 pm, he will be in BKC, where he will launch projects worth over Rs 38,000 crore, and address a public rally.

At 6.30 pm, the PM will inaugurate Metro 2A and 7 lines at Gundavali in Andheri East. He's also expected to travel in the metro.

PM Modi will leave Mumbai at around 7.20 pm.

Leaders of the two constituents of the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) — the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) —held a meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday to sort out their differences. The meeting came even as the third MVA constituent — Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) — continues to delay announcing its support to Shubhangi Patil, an Independent candidate in Nashik Division Graduates’ constituency, against Satyajeet Tambe, an Independent candidate who has rebelled against the Congress. 

Sources in the MVA said all three parties will hold a press conference on Thursday morning to make a final announcement about the January 30 Legislative Council polls. Read more

At least nine people were killed and a child was injured when a speeding truck collided with their van on Mumbai-Goa highway in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on Thursday morning, police said. 

The accident took place at 4.45 am at Repoli village in Raigad, located more than 130 km from Mumbai. The victims, all relatives, were going in the van to Guhagar in Ratnagiri district, Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said. Read more

The BJP and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena have resolved to use Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Mumbai on January 19 to showcase their combined political might and improve bonding at the grassroot-level ahead of upcoming city elections. 

A joint meeting of the two alliance partners late on Sunday night went into the minute details of planning and coordination for the public rally at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex. 

Highly placed sources in the BJP said, “Although CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis formed the coalition government in Maharashtra on June 30, this will be the first occasion the party workers of BJP and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena can display a united front. They will come together on the same platform to show their collective might at the PM’s rally.” Read more

The city police commissionerate has issued an order banning the use of drone, paragliders, and remote control microlight aircraft flying activities in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Andheri, and Jogeshwari areas on the day for 24 hours.

“No drone, para-gliders, remote control microlight aircraft flying activities to be allowed in the jurisdiction of BKC police station, Andheri police station, Meghwadi police Station, and Jogeshwari police Station,” read the order. Read more

The Mumbai traffic police have issued traffic guidelines. An official said slow movement of traffic on the southbound carriageway from 4.15 pm to 5.30 pm and the northbound carriageway of the Western Express Highway (WEH) from 5.30 pm to 6.45 pm was expected owing to the planned public function in the BKC and Gundavali Metro station area Thursday. “Citizens are advised to plan their commute accordingly,” the official said.

The official further added that no heavy vehicles will be allowed on all roads in the western suburbs including the Western Express Highway Thursday between 12 noon and 9 pm. The official, however, added that ambulances, school and other buses have been exempted from the ban.

The Mumbai police will press into service around 5,000 cops in the western suburbs as part of security arrangements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city Thursday. The local police have planned security measures in coordination with the central agencies as per protocol in case of such visits. 

An officer said nearly 4,000 policemen along with 1,000 police officers will be present on the ground. In terms of senior officials, five deputy commissioners of police will be present in the area and they will be assisted by 27 assistant commissioners of police. Read more

Apart from inaugrating the two metro lines, PM Modi will launch MUMBAI 1 Mobile App and National Common Mobility Card (Mumbai 1). The app will facilitate ease of travel, can be shown at the entry gates of Metro stations and supports digital payment for tickets through UPI. 

The National Common Mobility Card (Mumbai 1) will initially be used in metro corridors and can be extended to other modes of mass public transit including local trains and buses. Commuters will not need to carry multiple cards or cash; the NCMC card will enable quick, contactless, digital transactions. 

PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone of seven sewage treatment plants, which will be built at a cost of around Rs 17,200 crores. These sewage treatment plants will be set up in Malad, Bhandup, Versova, Ghatkopar, Bandra, Dharavi and Worli. They will have a combined capacity of around 2,460 MLD. In an effort to strengthen health care infrastructure in Mumbai, the PM will inaugurate 20 Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhanas, which provide free essential medical services like health checkups, medicines, investigations and diagnostics. Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mumbai today and inaugurate or lay the foundation stone of projects worth nearly Rs 38,800 crore in the city. After visiting Karnataka today morning, PM Modi is likely to arrive in the city post lunch and at around 5 pm, he is slated to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives in Mumbai. 

At around 6.30 pm, he will inaugurate two lines of Mumbai Metro 2A and 7 from Gundavali Metro station in Andheri, and will also undertake a Metro ride from the station. The foundation stone of these lines was also laid by the Prime Minister in 2015. Read more