Page 4 - Mumbai

hBits announces Rs 54.66 cr Grade A investment in MMR's growing BFSI demand

hBits' latest Grade A commercial asset is located at Ashar IT Park, Wagle Estate, Thane

Zepto expands cafe service to major cities; eyes Rs 1k cr revenue run-rate

Quick commerce platform Zepto on Monday said announced the rollout of its cafe service in major cities and said it targets a revenue run-rate of Rs 1,000 crore by 2026. It will serve through over 120 Cafes at stores across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and soon in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune, a company statement said. "We have cracked 10-minute delivery with high-quality food preparation processes, which is why we are seeing strong customer love. Over the past year, our team has meticulously researched and sourced state-of-the-art equipment for our cafes, including coffee machines that employ handcrafted brewing techniques," Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha said. Serving the concept of a quick meal for today's fast-paced urban lifestyle, the online cafe features a diverse menu with over 148 items, including freshly brewed chai, coffee, all-day breakfast, pastries, and savoury snacks, promising a 10-minute delivery service, it added. Zepto Cafe was launched in April 2022 as a division of Zepto,

Javed Akhtar acquitted in RSS remarks case after complainant withdraws

A Mumbai court has acquitted veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar in a defamation case against him over his alleged objectionable remarks on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the complainant has withdrawn the case. Judicial Magistrate (First Class), Mulund, S D Chakkar, on November 8 disposed of the case as withdrawn. A copy of the order was made available on Monday. Advocate Santosh Dubey, who claims to be an RSS supporter, filed a complaint against Akhtar before the magistrate court in October 2021 for the offences under sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code. He had alleged that Akhtar in a television interview unnecessarily dragged the name of the RSS and defamed the Nagpur-based organisation in a "calculated and well planned move". As per the complaint, Akhtar, in the TV interview, had allegedly drawn parallels between the Taliban and Hindu extremists in the backdrop of the radical outfit seizing power in Afghanistan. However,

Thick smog blankets Mumbai, Worli's AQI touches 225 with poor air quality

The air quality worsened in Delhi on Monday morning and a thick blanket of smog engulfed several parts. The air quality level plunged to 'severe plus' levels. According to the CPCB, the Air Quality

Baba Siddique murder case: Court sends 2 more accused to police custody

Salman Vohra has been accused of being the financing the murder, while Akashdeep Singh was another accused

Mumbai enveloped in fog and haze as AQI hits 179, visibility drops

The AQI for Chembur was recorded at 55, WTP Bhandup Complex at 114, IMD Colada at 200, Fire Station Malad at 276, Bapista Garden Mazagaon at 176, BMC Shastri Garden Worli at 250

Maharashtra polls: Bollywood hopes for reforms for daily wagers, tax cuts

As Maharashtra gears up for the state assembly elections on November 20, the Hindi film industry in Mumbai hopes the new government will bring critical reforms for daily wage workers and policies to reduce financial burdens on the sector. In five days, the state will witness an electoral battle between the ruling Mahayuti, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi led by the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). Actor Suresh Oberoi emphasised the importance of voting, referring to it as a national festival. Voting is a national festival, and it is your duty to exercise your voting rights and strengthen the foundation of democracy, the veteran actor told PTI. Talking to PTI, actor Gulshan Devaiah said, Elections are a hallmark of a good democracy, and it is the people's right. No matter what problems we may have with each other, electorally and ideologically, we can hold free and fair elections, so that's quite amazing." Film producer Boney Kapoo

Poll merchandise retailers hit as parties prefer wholesalers in Maharashtra

The retail market for election campaign materials in Maharashtra is experiencing a significant slowdown, with many long-standing shops struggling to stay afloat. The shift in procurement practices by political parties, which now source materials directly from wholesalers in Surat and Ahmedabad, has left many retailers grappling with reduced demand and shrinking profit margins. "Political parties now procure campaign materials in bulk, well in advance for elections, directly from wholesalers in Gujarat, and distribute them to candidates. This has led to a significant decline in retail demand," said Yogesh Parekh of Parekh Brothers who runs a shop in Lalbaug area of Mumbai. Parekh brothers have been operating the shop selling poll merchandise in Mumbai's Lalbaug over the last 75 years. He explained that the landscape of the business has changed drastically in the past 5-6 years. Campaign materials such as flags, scarves, caps, wristbands, and turbansonce popular among political work

Awfis to design, manage 165K sq ft office space for NSE in Mumbai

Awfis Space Solutions Limited on Tuesday said it will design and manage 1.65 lakh square feet of office space in Mumbai for the National Stock Exchange. In a statement, the company said it has "signed service agreement for two floors, spanning approximately 1.65 lakh sq ft, to the National Stock Exchange (NSE) at Adani Inspire in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai." Awfis will also design, build and manage the space for NSE. This partnership demonstrates the company's capability to deliver high-quality workspace solutions tailored to clients' business needs and employee well-being, it said. Awfis already operates a co-working centre in the 10-storey commercial building 'Adani Inspire'. With this new deal, the company expands its footprint with additional two centres. Amit Ramani, its Chairman and Managing Director, said: "We are proud to welcome NSE as our clientthis collaborationreaffirms our leadership in the flex space sector and strengthens our commitment to meeting the unique

July 2023 train firing: Trial begins as court records testimony of witness

Fifteen months after four persons were gunned down on a Mumbai-bound train allegedly by a RPF constable, the case trial has commenced with a city court recording the testimony of the first witness, who identified the weapon used in the crime. RPF constable Chetansinh Chaudhary, the lone accused in the case who was later dismissed from service, is accused of fatally shooting his superior officer Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Tika Ram Meena and three passengers on board the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express when the train was on the city's outskirts on July 31, 2023. The first witness, also a dismissed Railway Protection Force (RPF) staffer, was with Chaudhary at the time of the shooting. He is also the complainant in the case. On the opening day of the trial on Monday, the evidence presented by the complainant was recorded before Additional Sessions Judge M L More. During the examination-in-chief, the witness identified the weapon used in the crime (examination-in-chief refers

After Siddique's murder, Pune leader also targeted by Bishnoi Gang: Police

The Crime Branch has not disclosed the name of the leader

Rising infiltration could reduce Hindu population in Mumbai: Kirit Somaiya

Somaiya claimed that if this trend continues, the Hindu population in the city could shrink to just 54 per cent

Maharashtra polls: Paid leave for employees in Mumbai to increase turnout

The Mumbai district election officer has said all establishments, businesses and other workplaces within the Brihanmumbai limits are mandated to grant leave to their employees for voting in the Maharashtra assembly polls on November 20. Violations to this directive by employers will result in action under the Election Commission's guidelines, district election officer and Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said in a release issued on Wednesday. Aiming to enable all eligible voters in Mumbai Suburban and Mumbai City districts to exercise their voting rights, Gagrani has implemented various initiatives to boost the voter turnout here. The release said employers must grant leave to their employees for voting on November 20 in their constituencies and the rule applies to all industrial sectors, corporations, companies and other establishments, ensuring that no wage deductions occur due to this leave. In cases where a full-day leave is not feasible due to exceptional ..

Mumbai property registration up 22% annually in Oct to 12,960 units

Registration of properties in the Mumbai municipal region rose 22 per cent last month to 12,960 units on higher demand during the festival period, according to Knight Frank. There were 10,607 properties registered during October 2023. Citing Maharashtra government data, real estate consultant Knight Frank India said the Mumbai city (area under BMC jurisdiction) saw higher registration of properties during October this year on the back of two major festivals -- Dussehra and Diwali. "The festive period, beginning with Navratri and Diwali, are considered auspicious for property purchases, and played a role in this rise in registrations," the consultant said. Additionally, Knight Frank said, the surge in year-on-year terms can be partly attributed to the base effect. "In October 2023, first 14 days were influenced by the Shradh period, during which buyers generally avoid big ticket investments, whereas this year, Shradh ended on October 2nd, impacting only the first two days of the ..

Ajit Pawar backs Dhangar community, to continue 'Ladki Bahini' scheme

Additionally, Pawar mentioned various schemes implemented for the benefit of Muslim communities and the Dhangar community, including the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana

BJP seeks Rahul's apology for remarks on reservation, Veer Savarkar

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to lead the opposition's election campaign in Maharashtra starting November 6

Registration of properties in Mumbai rises in Diwali month: Anarock

Registration of properties in Mumbai so far this month has crossed 12,500 units because of Dussehra and Diwali festivals, according to Anarock. On Wednesday, real estate consultant Anarock said that 12,513 properties were registered in Mumbai in October (till 30th) against 9,736 in November 2023. This is a 29 per cent jump this Diwali over last year, it added. Last year, Diwali was celebrated in the month of November. Anarock Chairman Anuj Puri said, "Considering that housing sales remained tepid in the third quarter of 2024 across Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) including Mumbai, the city's sales in just the first month of the festive quarter is notable." "A major reason for the rise in property registrations this October could also be that both Dussehra and Diwali are being celebrated in the same month," Puri said. Last year, Dussehra was in October and Diwali in November. "Both these festivals are considered the most auspicious for property buying and many buyers time their

Penalty if passenger's luggage beyond permissible limit: Western Railway

Days after a stampede at the Bandra Terminus here, the Western Railway has said a penalty will be imposed if the luggage of passengers exceeds the permissible limit for their respective travel class and urged people not to overcrowd stations. Each passenger is permitted to carry a certain amount of luggage without charge, but items such as scooters and bicycles, as well as consignments exceeding dimensions of 100 cm x 100 cm x 70 cm do not qualify for the free allowance, the WR said in a release on Tuesday. "Western Railway urges all passengers to avoid overcrowding at stations and to enter premises only as necessary, in accordance with train schedules, while adhering to the established luggage limits," the release stated. The step has taken to reduce congestion on platforms and facilitate smoother movement for passengers within the station premises, it said. The Western Railway has appealed to all passengers to follow the rules pertaining to carrying the maximum limit of free ...

Realty firm House of Hiranandani plans to invest Rs 12,500 cr in Mumbai

Realty firm House of Hiranandani on Tuesday said it will invest Rs 12,500 crore over the next two years to develop multiple projects in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). In a statement, the company said it will develop five projects in MMR with an investment of Rs 12,500 crore. The investments, to be met through equity and internal accruals, will be made in the total development of these five projects including land acquisition, construction, and other costs. House of Hiranandani Chairman and Managing Director Surendra Hiranandani, said, "Mumbai's infrastructure development and growing demand for world-class spaces presents a tremendous opportunity for us in MMR. With this investment we are set to redefine the MMR realty market through our meticulously designed and planned luxury projects." The company will develop a 25-acre land parcel in Hiranandani Estate, Thane. It is already developing some premium luxury towers such as Castalia', located in Kandivali, Belicia' in Panch Pakhad

Delhi, Mumbai record poor AQI levels in Oct; Kolkata remains an outlier

India's major cities face severe air quality issues, with Delhi's AQI exceeding 300 for two days; Kolkata is the only city below 100