The storage systems will play a critical role in supporting three major demand drivers emerging across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Mumbai: Tata Power is set to invest Rs 300 crore in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) as part of a wider push to strengthen Mumbai’s power infrastructure and support the city’s rapidly growing electricity demand.The company plans to deploy 100 MW/200 MWh of battery storage capacity across generation, grid-level and consumer-end applications. The initiative is aimed at enhancing grid reliability, improving demand-side flexibility, and optimising power procurement costs while enabling a more resilient power network, said Nilesh Kane, Chief – Transmission and Mumbai Distribution, Tata Power.The storage systems will play a critical role in supporting three major demand drivers emerging across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. These include the rapid expansion of data centres requiring high-reliability extra-high-voltage connections, the growing Metro rail network across the city and suburbs, and large-scale urban redevelopment projects that are driving a surge in high-rise residential developments.To address increasing load density in land-constrained urban areas, Tata Power is also focusing on space-efficient infrastructure solutions. These include vertical substations with reduced footprints, high-rise consumer substations, underground submersible substations and tower-mounted substations.A senior company official said Tata Power’s Mumbai distribution network currently serves more than 8 lakh consumers through a network spanning 5,911 km and is expected to cross the 9-lakh consumer mark in the coming years.As part of its expansion roadmap, the utility plans to increase the number of distribution substations in Mumbai from 37 to 50. Consumer substations are projected to rise from 1,227 to 1,507, while the high-tension cable network will expand from 3,040 circuit km to 3,590 circuit km. The low-tension cable network is also slated to grow from 2,872 circuit km to 3,472 circuit km.The battery storage deployment forms part of Tata Power’s broader infrastructure expansion programme, described as the most extensive in its Mumbai operations history. Over the next five years, the company will scale up transmission and distribution assets to meet rising urban demand and support a projected peak load of 2,000 MW on its Mumbai network. The expansion is aligned with estimates that Mumbai’s overall power demand could touch 6,500 MW by 2031, underscoring the need for future-ready and resilient grid infrastructure.

Mumbai: India’s international university experiment is gathering speed. After 13 foreign campuses began operations in the 2026-27 academic year, another set of institutions is preparing to enter the country, including Coventry University, Flinders University, Istituto Europeo di Design, La Trobe University, Lancaster University, the University of Surrey and Western Sydney University.But for students and parents trying to make sense of this rapidly expanding landscape, the choices may be multiplying faster than the answers.There is still little clarity on admissions and enrolment at the 13 campuses that have already opened. A new report, Landscape of International University Campuses in India 2026, says that choosing among them remains far from straightforward.“The sector is still evolving rapidly, there are no standardised parameters to evaluate these campuses, and much of the information available is incomplete, inconsistent or influenced by competing interests,” the report said.Some of the questions that matter most to students cannot yet be answered with confidence. Faculty quality, campus life, the learning environment and the depth of academic support remain difficult to assess because most campuses are still in their infancy. Placement outcomes are similarly untested, and the absence of uniform reporting standards is likely to make comparisons even more difficult.The report was prepared by international education expert Rahul Choudaha. “So far, at least 20 universities ranked among the world’s top 500 have signalled an interest in establishing campuses in India, of which 13 are admitting students for the 2026-27 academic cycle,” he said.Together, the campuses offer 91 programmes, with an estimated annual intake of 2,730 students. Initial projections suggest that only around half of these seats may be filled as some of the campuses only received UGC approvals in June and July, offering little time for students to make decisions. The median annual tuition fee is Rs 13.86 lakh for undergraduate programmes and Rs 16.75 lakh for postgraduate courses.The academic choices also reveal a cautious beginning. Universities have largely concentrated on subjects with established student demand and visible employment prospects. Academic analysis by Choudaha reveals that at the undergraduate level, business and management dominate, with programmes offered by 10 universities. Computing and computer science follow at eight, while data science and artificial intelligence also feature prominently.Beyond these commercially popular disciplines, though, the menu becomes much thinner. Liverpool is the only university offering biomedical sciences, while cyber security and creative or design-related programmes are available at only a handful of campuses. The same pattern is visible at the postgraduate level: a cluster of familiar, marketable courses, surrounded by few specialised choices.

Pic used for representation purpse

Mumbai: The MSRTC has set in motion an ambitious plan to redevelop nearly 1,485 hectares of its land through the public-private partnership (PPP) model, with a focus on generating sustainable revenue and improving the financial health of the state-run transport undertaking. MSRTC has been incurring annual losses of around Rs 591 crore in 2025-26 and the corporation’s staggering accumulated deficit is nearly Rs 12,000 crore.A detailed presentation on the redevelopment plan was made before chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday by senior MSRTC officials. The proposal covers strategically located lands attached to MSRTC bus depots, bus stations, workshops and warehouses across urban, semi-urban and rural areas of the state.Reviewing the proposal, Fadnavis directed officials to adopt a depot-specific approach while undertaking redevelopment. “Separate planning should be carried out considering the commercial potential of each depot,” he said. The chief minister also instructed that revenues generated from commercially viable projects be deposited in an escrow account and subsequently utilised for the redevelopment of less profitable projects and other infrastructure initiatives undertaken by the corporation.MSRTC suffered significant losses in April and May this year. The decline during these two months—traditionally the highest revenue-generating period—was a serious concern in which 21 out of the state’s 31 divisions of the bus corporation were running in losses, sources said.The govt has clarified that ownership of the land being redeveloped will continue to remain with MSRTC. Officials said redevelopment is being examined through a 49-plus-49-year lease model, enabling commercial value addition without transferring ownership of the assets. Fadnavis also directed officials to examine legal aspects relating to possible stamp duty exemptions for such projects and to place proposals regarding incentives and concessions for private developers before the state cabinet for approval.The redevelopment initiative is part of the govt’s broader strategy to create new sources of income for the cash-strapped corporation, an official said. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik had earlier indicated that commercial development of ST-owned lands was under consideration, given the extensive land bank available with the corporation at key locations across Maharashtra.According to officials, the proposed framework envisages redevelopment through three packages, covering bus stands and depots across the state. Properties are proposed to be classified into A, B and C categories based on location, commercial viability and development potential. Different categories of properties will be bundled together in integrated packages to make projects attractive for private investment while ensuring balanced development.“Monetising these underutilised assets through PPP projects can help strengthen MSRTC’s finances, modernise transport infrastructure and reduce its dependence on govt support in the long run,” the official added.

A video of the heated argument over language use had gone viral on social media.

MUMBAI: A preliminary inquiry into the altercation between a passenger and a ticket checker aboard an air-conditioned Mumbai suburban train has found that the railway employee acted in accordance with the law and prescribed procedures, Western Railway said on Monday.The clarification comes two days after a video of a heated argument between the passenger and the ticket checker over the use of Marathi during ticket checking went viral on social media.In a statement, Western Railway said the inquiry found no misconduct or procedural lapse on the part of the ticket checking staff, news agency PTI reported.“The preliminary inquiry has found that the railway employee had acted in accordance with the law and prescribed procedures. At no stage was any misconduct or deviation from the prescribed procedure found on the part of the staff,” the statement said.It added that the ticket checker discharged his duties in accordance with the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989, as amended through the Jan Vishwas Act, 2026, and the rules governing ticket inspections.According to the Railways, the ticket checking staff boarded the Virar-Churchgate AC local train at Virar around 2. 06pm on Saturday and was carrying out a routine ticket inspection when the passenger was asked to produce a valid travel ticket.Officials said the passenger insisted that the ticket be demanded in Marathi.The ticket checker subsequently addressed him in Marathi, but the passenger allegedly continued arguing with the staff, disrupting the ticket checking process and interfering with official duties.The passenger was later deboarded at Andheri station and taken to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) office for legal action to prevent further disruption, the Railways said. He was briefly detained before being released later.The incident first came to light after videos of the confrontation inside the train surfaced online.In the footage, the passenger is seen recording the interaction and alleging that railway staff refused to speak to him in Marathi.The ticket checker also begins recording the exchange on his mobile phone as the argument escalates.Following the incident, both the passenger and the ticket checker approached the Andheri Government Railway Police (GRP), seeking action.Railway authorities had then initiated a preliminary inquiry after the videos went viral.The passenger’s brief detention by the RPF triggered protests outside the Andheri RPF office by members of the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, who alleged that he was harassed for insisting on speaking in Marathi.Western Railway, however, reiterated that while it respects India’s linguistic and cultural diversity and encourages its staff to communicate courteously with passengers in regional languages wherever possible, railway employees cannot be obstructed from carrying out their lawful duties.The inquiry is expected to continue, and the Railways said further action, if required, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.(With agency inputs)

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday extended support to the ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, backing climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke over their demands related to alleged examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak controversy.Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike entered Day 16 on Monday as the protest at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak controversy continued. According to news agency ANI, Thackeray said the issue was not political but concerned the future of the country’s youth. He urged people and political parties to unite and raise their voices on the matter. “We need to stay awake. Sleeping won’t work. The situation in the country is very strange. This is not a political issue. This is about the country. The country needs to wake up. That is why all political parties should come together for this,” Thackeray said.Extending his support to Wangchuk, who joined the CJP protesters at Jantar Mantar and began an indefinite hunger strike, Thackeray said the government was “insensitive” to genuine concerns. “Today, during this press conference, I am giving my full support to Sonam Wangchuk. Sonam Wangchuk’s health is also not well. We need people like him,” he said.Thackeray said he had earlier urged Wangchuk not to go on a hunger strike, alleging that the government was ignoring public concerns. “Sonam Wangchuk had come to meet me. That person was labelled a traitor. I requested Sonam ji not to go on a hunger strike. This government doesn’t care about anything,” he said. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also referred to past protests related to environmental issues, saying some people had sacrificed their lives while fighting for causes such as the protection of the Ganga. “Some people had gone on a hunger strike for Mother Ganga, and they even died,” he said.Speaking on the NEET paper leak controversy, Thackeray alleged that Maharashtra had become the epicentre of the irregularities and questioned the lack of action against those responsible. “Maharashtra has done tremendous work for the country. But even our roads have potholes. The issue I have raised today has been going on for a month. Abhijit Dipake has claimed that some people will send goons to disrupt their protest on the 20th,” he said. “What is the harm in removing Dharmendra Pradhan, because of whom the future of lakhs of students is being ruined? Maharashtra became the centre for the NEET paper leak. No one cares about what is happening in the country,” he added.Thackeray also announced that his party would continue to support Wangchuk and Dipke, who have been raising concerns over alleged examination irregularities.He said he would not compel everyone to join the proposed march to Parliament on July 20, but urged citizens to stand in solidarity with the protesting youth. “I will not say that everyone should participate in the march on the 20th. Wherever I am, from there itself, we should support these youth. These youth are moving forward without any flag,” Thackeray said. He added that he would also participate and appealed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others to join the cause. “I will also go. Rahul Gandhi ji should also go. All those who have faith in the country’s youth should go. People across the entire country should come out on the streets and support them,” he said. Thackeray further said that his party MPs would raise the issue during the Parliament session. “Our MPs will also raise this issue strongly in the Parliament session,” he said.He also claimed that Abhijeet Dipke had raised the NEET paper leak issue internationally, but the response within the country remained limited. “Abhijit Dipake raised his voice about the NEET exam paper leak even in America, but no one in our country raised their voice,” Thackeray said. “I had sent Arvind Sawant to speak with Sonam Wangchuk. Now the time has come for people in the country to set aside their party agendas and speak up on this issue. Today, I openly declare my support for Sonam Wangchuk and Abhijit Dipake. I request all my MPs to also extend their support,” he added.The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, particularly the NEET paper leak controversy. The group has also announced a march to Parliament on July 20.Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protesters at Jantar Mantar and began an indefinite hunger strike, drawing support from several political leaders and public figures.Opposition parties have also been demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG controversy and issues related to the National Testing Agency (NTA).Meanwhile, a Delhi court recently extended the judicial custody of 13 accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case till July 24.(With agency inputs)