Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mumbai on May 1 to inaugurate India’s first global audio-visual and entertainment summit-- WAVES 2025, the officials said on Wednesday. The event being hosted by the Maharashtra government will be held at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. An official statement from the government said that the among the key dignitaries who will be attending the summit include Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Industries Minister Uday Samant, and Minister of Cultural Affairs and IT Adv. Ashish Shelar. The event is being held under the theme “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries”. "It is a four-day summit and it will position India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation," the officials said. The statement said that the WAVES 2025 aligns with PM Modi’s vision of combining creativity, technology, and talent. The WAVES 2025 will feature segments such as films, OTT platforms, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, and broadcasting technologies, the statement said. It further said that is seen as a platform to showcase India’s full potential in the media and entertainment sector, with expectations of opening a USD 50 billion market by 2029. It said that for the first time, the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) will also be held in Mumbai during the summit, with participation from ministers of 25 countries and it marks a major milestone in India’s international media engagement. The WAVES 2025 will be a global e-marketplace and was likely to also witness the participation of over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects, creating massive opportunities for business and networking at local and global levels, the statement said. PM Modi will also visit the Cryptosphere pavilion and interact with artists selected under the “Create in India” initiative, the officials said, adding that he will visit the India Pavilion and Maharashtra Pavilion. The event has already seen over one lakh registrations, they said. The summit will include 90+ countries, 10,000 delegates, 1,000 artists, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups. It will feature 42 keynote sessions, 39 special sessions, and 32 masterclasses, covering fields like broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, film, and digital media, the statement said.
30 April,2025 09:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Western Railway on Wednesday announced the change of terminal of Paschim Express train which will now halt at Bandra Terminus instead of Mumbai Central station. The Western Railway, in an official statement said that the infrastructural upgradation work pertaining to construction of additional pit lines at Bandra Terminus has been completed. Consequently, Western Railway has decided to shift back the terminal for origination/ termination of Train No. 12925/12926 Mumbai Central – Amritsar Paschim Express back to Bandra Terminus from Mumbai Central station. According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, details of the changes are as under: Change in Terminal and Timing of Train No. 12925/12926 Mumbai Central – Amritsar Paschim Express Train No. 12925 Mumbai Central – Amritsar Paschim Express will depart from Bandra Terminus at 11:30 hrs w.e.f.1st July, 2025. Similarly, Train No. 12926 Amritsar – Mumbai Central Paschim Express will terminate at Bandra Terminus at 14:30 hrs w.e.f. 3rd July, 2025. However, there will be no change in timings of halts at the intermediate stations. "For detailed information regarding the timings, halts and composition of the above trains, passengers may please visit the official Indian Railways website," the Western Railway said. Central Railway introduces QR Code system for train timetables at major stations The Central Railway’s Mumbai Division on Wednesday launched a QR code-based information system at four major Mumbai stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), and Panvel, an official statement said. The new system will allow the railway passengers to access important travel information by simply scanning a QR code displayed at the four stations in Maharashtra. The initiative aims to enhance the travel experience by enabling seamless access to real-time information through a simple scan, the Central Railway said. It also aims to offer travellers quick, contactless, and real-time access to essential details using their smartphones. Upon scanning the QR code, passengers can view: - PRS Rules (Passenger Reservation System) - Route Map - Official Central Railway Website - RailMadad Portal for grievance redressal and assistance "The information will be available in three languages including English, Hindi, Marathi for convenience of the passengers," the Central Railway said.
30 April,2025 09:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Konkan Housing and Area Development Board – a unit of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) –has initiated the online application process for the sale of 13,395 unsold flats under various housing schemes through a newly developed digital platform – https://bookmyhome.mhada.gov.in. The platform was formally launched on Wednesday by MHADA’s Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Jaiswal. Speaking on the occasion, Revati Gaikar, the Chief Officer of the Konkan Board, stated that under the earlier Integrated Land Management System (IHLMS) 2.0 system, applicants in the ‘First Come, First Serve (FCFS)’ process did not have the option to select a specific flat. However, with the introduction of the ‘Book My Home’ portal, applicants now have the option to view the available flats in real time and select a specific unit, including the floor and flat number, as per their eligibility and preference. This digital platform provides detailed scheme-level and flat-level information to enable applicants to make informed decisions. Flats from MHADA’s housing projects in Bolinj (Virar), Shirdhon (Panvel), and Gotheghar, Khoni, and Bhandarli (Thane district) have been made available on the portal. The process is fully automated and conducted through an online system without any manual intervention. Applicants are required to upload scanned copies of their Aadhaar card, PAN card, and self-declaration at the time of registration. Once the documents are uploaded, the system conducts digital verification without human interference, following which an applicant profile is created. Upon the completion of verification, eligible applicants can view the list of available flats by location, including flat and floor number, and proceed to reserve the flat of their choice. The selection is confirmed on a first come, first serve basis. Apart from the flats covered under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), the eligibility conditions for other flats have been relaxed. No income-related criteria have been prescribed. These flats have been made available for applicants from the General, Scheduled Caste, and Scheduled Tribe categories. 'MHADA to make 15 crore documents public; initiative to reduce need for RTI applications' MHADA will make around 15 crore official documents publicly accessible and the initiative will reduce need for Right To Information (RTI) applications, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of state housing body said on Monday. The announcement was made by Jaiswal during the launch of several citizen-friendly services at its headquarters in Bandra East area of Mumbai. Jaiswal inaugurated the Citizen Facilitation Centre (CFC), Visitor Management System (VMS), and Office Navigator, aimed at making MHADA more open, efficient, and easier for citizens to navigate, an official statement said. “The initiative will reduce the need for RTI applications and make access to information simple and hassle-free,” Jaiswal said. He said that scanned documents would be uploaded within a week to MHADA’s official website, although sensitive documents will remain protected.
30 April,2025 09:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced an innovative digital system to enhance healthcare services for the citizens of Mumbai. The implementation of the system will commence on May 2, 2025, the officials said on Wednesday. They said that under the initiative, the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS-2) — a modern digital platform — will be launched across all BMC-operated dispensaries to provide health services in a more advanced manner. The system aims to modernise public health services, improve efficiency, and accelerate service delivery. The municipal administration has appealed to the citizens of Mumbai to make the most of this facility, the officials said. Under the guidance of BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, the HMIS-2 system will be effectively implemented, an official said. "All dispensaries have been provided with the necessary computers, internet connectivity, and related equipment, and all concerned officers and staff have been thoroughly trained. Previously, patient records were maintained on paper. For the past six months, HMIS-2 has been implemented on a pilot basis. Starting from 2nd May 2025, this system will be operational in 177 dispensaries," said the official. He added that the system will be implemented in 217 "Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana" clinics by 30th May 2025. The HMIS-2 system is aligned with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Under this system, each patient will be assigned a unique identification number (ID). Using this ID, patients can be referred from dispensaries to hospitals and vice versa, and their treatment records can be tracked. This will enable patients to access all their treatment records in one place on their mobile devices. Through HMIS-2, digital records will be maintained for patient registration, medical officer consultations, and medicine distribution. The system will also be useful for managing medicine inventories, generating patient service reports, conducting statistical analyses, and supporting policy decision-making. In the next phase, HMIS-2 will be extended to maternity homes, suburban hospitals, and medical colleges.
30 April,2025 08:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarThe Central Railway’s Mumbai Division on Wednesday launched a QR code-based information system at four major Mumbai stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), and Panvel, an official statement said. The new system will allow the railway passengers to access important travel information by simply scanning a QR code displayed at the four stations in Maharashtra. The initiative aims to enhance the travel experience by enabling seamless access to real-time information through a simple scan, the Central Railway said. It also aims to offer travellers quick, contactless, and real-time access to essential details using their smartphones. Upon scanning the QR code, passengers can view: - PRS Rules (Passenger Reservation System) - Route Map - Official Central Railway Website - RailMadad Portal for grievance redressal and assistance "The information will be available in three languages including English, Hindi, Marathi for convenience of the passengers," the Central Railway said.
30 April,2025 08:25 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMaharashtra has become the first state in India to form a trust, 'Maha InVit', for major infrastructure development projects in the state, the officials said. They said that in a major step to ensure long-term funding for major infrastructure development projects in the state including bridges and roads, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved a dedicated investment trust platform Maharashtra Infrastructure Investment Trust (‘Maha InVit'). Following the approval at the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday in Mumbai, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis shared the details of the decision on X. He wrote, "Maharashtra has become the first state in India to form 'Maha InVit', a trust for infrastructure projects." CM Fadnavis further wrote that Maha InVit will streamline and accelerate the development of fundamental infrastructure projects by attracting public and private investments through a structured system and a special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be appointed to operationalise the trust structure. मंत्रिमंडळ निर्णय : सार्वजनिक बांधकाम विभाग@Dev_Fadnavis#Maharashtra #DevendraFadnavis #मंत्रिमंडळनिर्णय #CabinetDecision pic.twitter.com/KAUgXQvX4C — CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) April 29, 2025 He stated that it will serve as a return investment model, offering public sector investors a stable channel to invest in infrastructure. Meanwhile, in an another decision, the Maharashtra cabinet approved a new policy of shipbuilding, shipbreaking, and ship repair, which will help boost the economy and generate employment. The Maharashtra government also announced a toll waiver for all electric four-wheeler passenger vehicles and electric buses on some of the state's major expressways. The state on Tuesday decided that the electric vehicles will not have to pay tolls on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link), Samruddhi Mahamarg (Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Expressway), the officials said. They said that a 50 per cent toll discount will be offered to electric vehicles on other state and national highways under the Public Works Department (PWD) of Maharashtra. "The decision is aimed to encourage the use of electric vehicles and reducing pollution by promoting clean and sustainable transport in the state," an official said. The state cabinet also gave its approval to Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy, 2025. Under the policy, aimed to push for green mobility and encourage usage of electric vehicles, the state government besides announcing toll waiver-concession, has decided that all electric vehicles sold and registered in Maharashtra would be exempted from motor vehicle tax and registration certificate or renewal fees and discounts would also be given on purchase of vehicles till 2030. As per the statement issued by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis' office, "10 per cent discount will be given on the original price of electric two-wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers (non transport), buses of state transport undertaking and private, state/urban transport undertakings."
30 April,2025 07:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, took to social media and said that their daughter, Divija, had passed her 10th board examinations with an impressive score of 92.60 per cent. In her message, she mentioned that a puja was performed at Varsha, the official residence of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, to mark the auspicious day. Adding to the celebratory spirit, Amruta Fadnavis expressed her joy and pride as a mother, revealing that their daughter, Divija, had passed her boardexaminations. सर्वांना अक्षय तृतीयेनिमित्त हार्दिक शुभेच्छा.आजच्या शुभमुहूर्तावर वर्षा या निवासस्थानी आम्ही छोटीशी पूजा संपन्न करीत गृहप्रवेश केला.आजच्या दिवशीची आणखी एक अत्यंत आनंदाची बातमी आपल्या सर्वांना सांगताना मन खुशीने भरून गेलंय, आमची सुकन्या दिविजा ही १०वी च्या बोर्ड परीक्षेत ९२.६०… pic.twitter.com/l03aLKE2Ak — AMRUTA FADNAVIS (@fadnavis_amruta) April 30, 2025 Akshaya Tritiya, celebrated across India, is believed to bring good fortune and lasting prosperity. It is traditionally marked by starting new ventures, purchasing gold, or conducting housewarming ceremonies and pujas. CISCE board results for Classes 10, 12 declared Results for the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) exams for Classes 10 and 12 have been declared, chief executive Joseph Emmanuel said on Wednesday. "Candidates and stakeholders can check the results using the CISCE website or the CAREERS portal of the board. The results can also be accessed through Digilocker," Emmanuel said. The improvement exams for Class 10 (ICSE) and Class 12 (ISC) will be conducted in July. CISCE board results: Girls outshine boys in class 10, 12 by small margin Girls outshone boys yet again in the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) class 10 and 12 exams results declared on Wednesday. In class 10 exams, the pass percentage of girls stood at 99.45 per cent while that of boys was marginally lower at 98.64 per cent. Similarly, girls performed better than boys in class 12 too, with girls' pass percentage at 99.45 per cent and boys' pass percentage at 98.64 per cent. The ICSE examination (Class 10) was conducted in 67 written subjects, of which 20 were Indian languages and 14 were foreign languages and 1 was a classical language. The ISC examination (Class 12) was conducted in 47 written subjects, 12 of them Indian languages, four foreign languages and two classical languages. "Candidates and stakeholders can check the results using the CISCE website or the CAREERS portal of the board. The results can also be accessed through Digilocker," chief executive Joseph Emmanuel said. The improvement exams for Class 10 (ICSE) and Class 12 (ISC) will be conducted in July.
30 April,2025 07:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday moved into 'Varsha', his official residence in south Mumbai nearly five months after taking oath as the state chief minister. It is after a gap of nearly five-and-a-half years that CM Fadnavis will be residing at the same place, which was his official home during his first stint as the chief minister from 2014 to 2019. Fadnavis had vacated the official residence in November 2019 after his second tenure as the chief minister lasted only 80 hours. After becoming the Leader of Opposition during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray, CM Fadnavis moved to 'Sagar' where he continued to reside as the state's deputy CM. Despite taking oath as the CM on December 5, 2024, CM Fadnavis stayed at 'Sagar' bunglow till now. In February, Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut had claimed that horns of buffaloes sacrificed in Guwahati during Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's visit to the Kamakhya temple were buried on the premises of 'Varsha' so that the CM's post should not go to anybody else other than Ekanth Shinde. Dismissing Sanjay Raut's claims, CM Fadnavis had said at that time, "I will move into 'Varsha' bungalow once Eknath Shinde vacates it. Some minor repairs are also being carried out. In the meantime, my daughter, who is in Class 10, requested that we shift only after her exams. That is the reason I have not moved in yet." In a post on X, Fadnavis' wife Amruta on Wednesday said a small puja was performed on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya, an auspicious day. Following the puja "griha pravesh" was done at Varsha. सर्वांना अक्षय तृतीयेनिमित्त हार्दिक शुभेच्छा.आजच्या शुभमुहूर्तावर वर्षा या निवासस्थानी आम्ही छोटीशी पूजा संपन्न करीत गृहप्रवेश केला.आजच्या दिवशीची आणखी एक अत्यंत आनंदाची बातमी आपल्या सर्वांना सांगताना मन खुशीने भरून गेलंय, आमची सुकन्या दिविजा ही १०वी च्या बोर्ड परीक्षेत ९२.६०… pic.twitter.com/l03aLKE2Ak — AMRUTA FADNAVIS (@fadnavis_amruta) April 30, 2025 CM Fadnavis' daughter Divija passed her class X exams with 92.60 per cent results which were declared on Wednesday, Amruta Fadnavis further wrote on X. Results for the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) exams for Classes 10 and 12 have been declared, chief executive Joseph Emmanuel said on Wednesday. In Class 10 exams, the pass percentage of girls stood at 99.45, while that of boys was marginally lower at 98.64. In Class 12, girls' pass percentage was 99.45 against boys' pass percentage of 98.64. (with PTI inputs)
30 April,2025 05:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday launched 'One Stop Crisis Centre', an initiative to support women and children facing sexual harassment and violence in Mumbai, an official statement said. It said that the 'One Stop Crisis Centre' has been launched to offer all-round support to women and children facing sexual harassment and violence. The initiative has been jointly launched by the BMC and the Savitribai Phule Women’s Resource Centre, the statement said. The statement said that to provide comprehensive support to women and children in cases of sexual abuse, the BMC and the Savitribai Phule Women’s Resource Centre have jointly established the 'One Stop Crisis Centre'. "Under the Responsible Netism initiative, a Cyber Wellness Centre has also been started to promote cyber safety for women and children. It aims to provide services such as counselling, legal aid, and technical help in cases of online abuse and harassment," the official statement said. It said that the inauguration ceremony was held at the Savitribai Phule Women's Resource Centre in Parel. Actor Sonali Kulkarni attended the event and honoured individuals for their exceptional contribution to fight sexual harassment. Speaking at the event, Kulkarni said, “Women today are achieving success across all fields, which is a matter of great pride. We must remain alert to prevent workplace harassment, and we must raise our voices against any form of abuse – this is not just a responsibility but a duty.” At the event, Chanda Jadhav, Deputy Commissioner (Special) and Chairperson of the Women’s Resource Committee at BMC, shared details about the new centres. She said, "the Cyber Wellness Centre will work with schools, underprivileged communities, and municipal staff to raise awareness about cyber safety. The centre will also offer free legal and counselling services related to cyber crimes." The statement said that the BMC has been actively working against sexual harassment since 1997 and has formed 92 internal committees across departments. The committees conduct awareness programs and training sessions. The BMC was the first municipal body in India to adopt the Vishakha Guidelines issued by the Supreme Court on preventing workplace sexual harassment. In 2003, the corporation also created a dedicated policy for a harassment-free workplace.
30 April,2025 05:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWater supply in some parts of Thane district in Maharashtra will be affected on May 2 and May 3 due to maintenance work, the civic officials said on Wednesday. According to the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), a planned water supply shutdown will be undertaken due to maintenance work by the Shahad-Temghar (STEM) authority. The water supply shutdown will begin on Friday, May 2 at 9 am and will continue until Saturday, May 3 at 9 am. "To reduce inconvenience to the people, the civic body has arranged for a one-time water supply during this period instead of a full 24-hour cut-off," the officials said. Areas in Thane which would be affected during the maintenance work- From 9 am to 9 pm on May 2 (Friday): Water supply will be affected in areas including Ghodbunder Road, Patlipada, Balkum, Brahmand, Pawar Nagar, Kothari Compound, Dongripada, and Waghbil. From 9 pm May 2, (Friday) to 9 am on May 3, (Saturday): Water supply will be stopped in Samata Nagar, Rutu Park, Siddheshwar, Eternity, Johnson, Jail, Saket, Uthalsar, Retibandar, Kalwa, and parts of Mumbra. "Once the water supply resumes to normal, the residents may experience low water pressure for the next 1 to 2 days," TMC said, adding that the citizens are advised to store water in advance and use it judiciously during the water supply disruptions. Earlier, the TMC had announced a 24-hour water cut due to maintenance work on April 24. It had said that a 24-hour water cut was planned due to the maintenance work at the Jambhul Water Purification Plant, operated by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), it said. The repair and maintenance activities were carried out from 12 am on Thursday, April 24 to 12 am on Friday, April 25. The areas then affected were: Diva, Mumbra (excluding parts of Ward No. 26 and 31), Kalwa Ward– all areas, under Vartak Nagar Ward-- Rupadevi Pada, Kisan Nagar No. 2, Nehru Nagar, Majiwada and under Manpada Ward-- Kolseet Khalsa Gaon. The Thane Municipal Corporation had stated that the water pressure may remain low for some days after the work was completed.
30 April,2025 04:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDeven Bharti has been appointed as the new Mumbai Police Commissioner, taking over the role as Vivek Phansalkar is set to retire today after serving the force for 35 years. Bharti, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, previously held the position of Special Commissioner of Mumbai Police starting in January 2023. The post of Mumbai Police Commissioner, originally intended for the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) rank, has now been restored to its original level. While the post had been upgraded to the Director General (DG) rank in recent years, with officers such as Dattatray Padsalgikar, Subodh Jaiswal, and Param Bir Singh taking charge at this level, the state home department has issued an order downgrading the position back to the ADGP rank. An official confirmed that Bharti will assume the role at this level, marking a return to the previous structure. Rakesh Maria was the last officer to serve as Mumbai Police Commissioner at the ADGP rank in 2014 before the post was upgraded. Since then, several senior officers have taken the helm, including Sanjay Barve, Hemant Nagrale, and Sanjay Pandey, who held the DG rank during their tenures. Today marks the last day of Vivek Phansalkar as Mumbai Police Commissioner, and Bharti will take charge of Mumbai police commissioner at 4pm today. Phansalkar is retiring on Wednesday after serving the police force for 35 years. A 1994-batch IPS (Indian Police Service) officer, Bharti is currently the special commissioner of the Mumbai police. Before that, he had served the 50,000-strong police force in the metropolis in various capacities, including as joint commissioner of police (law and order), additional commissioner of police (crime), and deputy commissioner of police (crime). In his long career, he has also headed the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS), besides serving as the inspector general of police (law and order ) in the state police headquarters. Before being assigned to the Mumbai police, Bharti had also served on central deputation. Known for his investigative skills, Bharti has been a part of many high-profile cases, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in which 166 people were killed.
30 April,2025 01:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanADVERTISEMENT
