BEST employees continued their strike in Mumbai for a second day, causing significant disruption to public transport despite appeals from the Maharashtra Transport Minister and the invocation of MESMA. Commuters were forced to rely on alternative, overcrowded transport options, while the striking unions maintained their demands for budget merger, improved pay, and absorption of contractual workers.
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking arranged special bus services for students appearing in the NEET re-examination in Mumbai, deploying 60 buses on 24 routes for approximately 180 trips, despite an ongoing strike by its employees that has paralysed public transport.
Despite BEST employees calling off their indefinite strike, Mumbai's bus services remained significantly below normal on Monday morning, with only 57% of the scheduled fleet operational. Commuters experienced long waits, leading many to seek alternative transport. The strike ended after an agreement with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, which included interim pay hikes and commitments for future improvements and clearing dues.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has written to Mumbai authorities, urging them to stop the offering of namaz on public roads, claiming it causes traffic disruption and inconvenience. Trinamool Congress leader Majeed Memon agreed that namaz on roads should not be allowed due to inconvenience but attributed it to a lack of mosque space.
Employees of Mumbai's BEST undertaking have launched an indefinite strike, severely impacting public transport and electricity services. The strike, called by a joint action committee, demands budget merger with BMC, settlement of dues, and implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, among other issues. Despite court orders and MESMA invocation, the strike continues, causing widespread inconvenience to millions of commuters and electricity consumers.
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve administration has implemented a dusk-to-dawn ban on vehicular traffic on the Dudhwa-Gauriphanta road to protect wildlife, following a Supreme Court mandate. Emergency vehicles are exempt, and an alternative route is available.
The Delhi government has advised private companies and organisations to adopt a two-day work-from-home policy, make changes to office timings, and urge employees to avail car pooling and public transport to support the fuel-saving efforts amid global uncertainties.
A 57-year-old man and his two sons were arrested for allegedly beating up a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable at Kalyan station in Thane district after he intervened in a dispute.
Chandigarh observed its first 'no car day' with officials using electric buses and bicycles, following the governor's appeal to cut fuel consumption and promote eco-friendly transportation.
CBSE exams and unemployment are divergent concerns for the middle class and the poor, and the idioms of protest don't speak to all of India's young people, points out Kanika Datta.
Delhi Police has intensified security across the city, especially at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and border points, in anticipation of a protest called by the digital outfit Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Over 1,000 personnel have been deployed, and senior officers have reviewed arrangements to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya joined a cycling event in Ahmedabad to mark the 75th edition of 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' and Commonwealth Games Day, encouraging citizens to embrace cycling for fitness and short commutes. The event saw participation from athletes, celebrities, and citizens across India.
Preparations are complete in Bengaluru for the swearing-in ceremony of D K Shivakumar as Karnataka's Chief Minister. Security and traffic arrangements are in place to manage the event.
A complaint has been filed against a woman who confronted Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan over a traffic jam caused by a BJP rally in Mumbai, police said.
A Delhi court has upheld the conviction of a man for sexually harassing a woman on the Delhi Metro, emphasising the need for enhanced safety measures for women on public transport.
India is conducting a special audit of 101 cities to assess ease of living from the citizen's perspective, Comptroller and Auditor General K Sanjay Murthy said.
Residents of Chhatarpur, Delhi, protest the murder of a 17-year-old, demanding justice and stricter punishment for the accused, including trying a juvenile as an adult.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India K Sanjay Murthy highlighted the need for stronger accountability systems to support India's urban transformation and sustainable mobility push at the BRICS Supreme Audit Institutions Leaders' Summit in Bengaluru.
In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for austerity, political leaders are reducing convoys and promoting public transport to conserve fuel.
NPCI BHIM Services Ltd is expanding the BHIM app to feature phones to increase financial inclusion and diversify revenue through financial product distribution. The app aims to double its market share and is focusing on partnerships with banks and new features like UPI Circle.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges Indians to travel less, rising fuel prices are already changing driving habits.
A viral video of a woman confronting a Maharashtra minister over traffic jams caused by a BJP rally has sparked a backlash, forcing the ruling party to defend its actions and prompting apologies for the inconvenience caused to commuters.
Police in Thane have arrested the driver of a cement mixer truck involved in a collision with an overcrowded van, resulting in 11 fatalities. Authorities are urging the public to avoid travelling in unauthorised vehicles.
A Central Railway probe concluded that a commuter's protruding backpack caused a train accident in Thane district in June, leading to the death of five people. The probe ruled out other causes such as technical fault or sabotage.
An irate woman confronted Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan during a BJP demonstration in Mumbai, blaming him for the traffic chaos caused by the protest over the women's reservation bill. The incident, captured on video, has sparked criticism of the BJP's protest tactics.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway missing link is now fully operational, reducing travel time between the two cities. The Mumbai-bound carriageway opened after a delay due to dismantling of inauguration infrastructure and cleaning work. The project, dubbed an 'engineering marvel', includes tunnels, viaducts and a cable-stayed bridge.
The CBI has registered an FIR in the alleged murder of Chandranath Rath, an aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, taking over the investigation from the state police following a request from the state government.
The CBI is investigating the murder of Suvendu Adhikari's aide, Chandranath Rath, suspecting it was a meticulously planned contract killing. The investigation involves forensic analysis and examination of potential interstate criminal links.
PhonePe has launched the 'RuPay On-The-Go' Card, a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) aimed at digitising transit payments across India. The card enables quick, tap-and-pay transactions on NCMC-enabled services like metros, buses, and trains, even without internet connectivity.
Mumbai police have registered a case against the organisers of a BJP rally after a woman's outburst over the resulting traffic jam went viral. The rally, held to celebrate the women's reservation bill, allegedly violated norms, leading to the police action.
'All this diversity that our country provides brings in a lot of learnings.' 'That is what I really end up sharing with the whole community.' 'But it all comes through making my shoes dirty.'
Protests by factory workers in Noida, India, demanding wage increases turned violent, resulting in arson, vandalism, and stone-pelting in Phase-2 and Sector 60 areas. Police have been deployed to control the situation and maintain order.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will wear their green jerseys in their home game against Delhi Capitals as part of their 'Green Initiative', highlighting their commitment to sustainability.
Five young men were arrested in Hyderabad for performing dangerous motorcycle stunts and riding with multiple passengers without helmets, after a video of their actions went viral on social media.
Maharashtra's Chief Minister inaugurated the 'Missing Link' project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, designed to bypass a steep mountain pass, reduce travel time, and boost economic activity.
Mumbai's metro network has expanded with the inauguration of the first phases of Metro Line 9 and Line 2B, promising improved connectivity and reduced travel times for commuters.
US-Iran talks in Islamabad collapsed after 21 hours, exposing deep divisions over nuclear ambitions and sanctions.
Central Railway authorities are investigating an employee agitation that disrupted train services and led to commuter deaths. Unions protested an FIR against engineers in a previous accident, while commuters demand accountability for the disruption and resulting chaos.
Private bus operators in Sri Lanka warn of potential service disruptions and a nationwide strike due to significant fuel price increases, impacting public transport and raising concerns about inflation.
Calling such reports baseless, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said there was no such move under consideration.
