Sharp-weapon attack in the early hours leaves local residents shocked, police teams launch hunt for unidentified attacker.

The Murder

A 19-year-old youth was allegedly murdered at Vashi’s Mini Seashore in the early hours of Saturday, leaving residents and visitors shocked.

The deceased, identified as Sujalkumar Mahato, was a resident of Koparkhairane and worked at a Chinese restaurant. According to the police, the incident took place at around 4 a.m., when an unidentified person allegedly attacked Mahato with a sharp weapon.

Mahato suffered multiple serious injuries to his head and died at the spot. The attacker fled from the area before the police arrived. After receiving information about the incident, police teams, Crime Branch officials and forensic experts reached the Mini Seashore and began collecting evidence from the scene.

Investigators are now examining CCTV footage from the area and questioning people who knew the victim in an attempt to identify the accused. Several police teams have reportedly been formed to trace the attacker.

The motive behind the killing remains unclear. Police are investigating different possibilities, including a personal dispute or other reasons that may have led to the attack. The use of a sharp weapon has also raised questions about a possible connection with the so-called “koyta gang”. However, police have not confirmed any involvement of an organised gang at this stage.

The incident has once again raised concerns about safety in public spaces during the early hours. Police officials said the investigation is underway and the exact motive will be established as more evidence comes to light.

Commuters raise concerns over poor maintenance, cleanliness and missing facilities at one of Navi Mumbai’s busiest railway stations.

The Station

Seawoods railway station, once seen as a modern and well-developed transport hub, is now facing criticism from commuters and residents over its poor maintenance and lack of basic passenger facilities.

According to local residents, issues such as garbage, stagnant water, muddy patches, paan stains, graffiti and water leakage have become common at the station. Despite repeated complaints over the past one-and-a-half years, commuters say several problems remain unresolved.

The Seawoods Citizen Welfare Association has urged the authorities to take immediate action and conduct a detailed inspection of the station. The association has highlighted concerns related to cleanliness, toilets, footpaths, water leakage, ticket facilities and accessibility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Residents have also demanded a properly illuminated station name board on the eastern side, a ticket counter near the eastern entrance and electronic train information boards to make commuting easier.

The station involves multiple agencies, including Central Railway, CIDCO, L&T and NMMC, which has reportedly made it difficult to determine responsibility for certain maintenance issues. A joint inspection has already been carried out, with officials assuring residents that further inspections and corrective measures will follow.

For daily commuters, however, the expectation is simple a railway station should be clean, safe and convenient. They now want action on the ground rather than more assurances.

Local residents seek urgent repairs as damaged stretch could make idol transportation risky

The Potholes

With Ganeshotsav approaching, the poor condition of the Hamrapur-Pen road has become a growing concern for Ganesh idol makers and local residents. The road, an important route connecting Uran and Pen, is dotted with potholes, making travel difficult and raising questions over the safe transportation of idols.

During the festival season, hundreds of Ganesh idols are transported through this route. Idol makers fear that the uneven and damaged road could cause vehicles carrying large idols to lose balance, potentially damaging the idols or leading to accidents.

For those working hard to prepare the idols ahead of the festival, even a small mishap during transportation can result in significant losses. Residents say the problem is also affecting everyday commuters, with motorists being forced to slow down or manoeuvre around potholes.

Traffic on the route is expected to increase during Ganeshotsav, making timely repairs even more important. Local residents and Ganesh idol makers have therefore urged the concerned authorities to fill the potholes and repair the damaged sections before the festival. They have appealed for the work to be completed on priority so that Ganesh idols can reach their destinations safely and devotees can celebrate the festival without unnecessary disruption.

Residents hope the authorities will act before the festive rush begins rather than wait until the damaged road becomes a bigger safety concern.