37-year-old worker loses his life after being trapped under a stack of rice sacks, police register accidental death case and begin investigation.

The Death

A 37-year-old labourer died after a stack of rice sacks collapsed on him at the APMC Grain Market in Vashi on Tuesday evening (November 3).

The deceased, identified as Ramraj Lotu, was working at Shri Ram Kalyanji Agro shop in the M/3 section of the grain market. Originally from Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh, he was residing in the Turbhe Stores area. According to reports, the incident occurred when a tall stack of heavy rice sacks suddenly collapsed while he was working inside the shop. He was trapped underneath the sacks. Other workers immediately rushed to the spot, removed the sacks and rescued him.

Ramraj sustained serious injuries and was unconscious when he was taken to P.K.C. Hospital in Vashi. However, doctors declared him dead at 5.36 pm. Following the incident, concerns have been raised over safety measures and the storage of heavy goods in the APMC Grain Market.

The deceased’s brother, Rajkumar Lotu, informed the APMC Police Station about the incident. Police registered an accidental death case and inspected the site. A forensic team also examined the location and conducted a panchnama. Assistant Police Inspector Sunil Mohite is investigating the case.

PIT-NDPS Act and MCOCA invoked against alleged repeat offenders operating in Turbhe, Digha, Nerul and Panvel.

The Women Drug Peddlers

Navi Mumbai Police have intensified their crackdown on drug trafficking by taking strict legal action against four women allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade across different parts of the city.

The action has been initiated under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to prevent repeat offenders from continuing their activities. Among those detained is Naseem Bano also known as Lali Gani Shaikh from Turbhe, against whom five drug-related cases have been registered. She has been detained under the PIT-NDPS Act and sent to Pune Central Jail.

Shantabai Karandekar from Digha, who allegedly operated a drug network in the area for seven to eight years, faces eight cases. Police have invoked MCOCA against her, and she has been sent to Adharwadi Jail. Similarly, Sitabai Ingle from Nerul has been detained under the PIT-NDPS Act and sent to Nashik Jail. Rani Joseph from Panvel has also been placed under preventive detention and sent to Taloja Jail.

The operation was carried out by the Anti-Narcotics Unit under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigade, along with officers from Turbhe Police Station. Police officials said the action aims to prevent habitual offenders from returning to illegal activities and strengthen the campaign against drug trafficking in Navi Mumbai.

Route No. 38 will improve connectivity to 14 newly incorporated villages, offering daily transport services via Mahape at a fare of Rs 21.

The Launch

Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) has launched a new direct bus service connecting Ghansoli-Gharonda to Uttarshiv village via Mahape, improving public transport connectivity to 14 villages recently brought under the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). The new general bus route No. 38 was inaugurated at Uttarshiv by Navi Mumbai Mayor Sujata Patil. Transport Committee Chairman Vikas Zanjad, Ward Committee Chairman Bharat Bhoir, corporators Shashikant Bhoir and Pratiksha Patil, Chief Transport Officer Sunil Salunkhe and other civic officials were present.

Uttarshiv and its surrounding areas have several industrial and educational establishments, resulting in regular travel by employees and students between the villages and Navi Mumbai. The new service is expected to make daily commuting easier, particularly for residents travelling to Ghansoli and Gharonda. The service will operate throughout the week with three regular buses. The journey will take approximately 40–45 minutes, with a ticket fare of Rs 21.

The route will cover Ghansoli-Gharonda, Ghansoli railway station, Rajendra Ashram, Terna College, MBP Mahape, Shilphata, Kalyan Phata, Gotheghar, MHADA Buildings 6A-B and Uttarshiv village. The first bus will depart from Ghansoli-Gharonda at 5.43 am and reach Uttarshiv at 6.30 am. The evening service will leave at 7.55 pm and reach its destination at 8.50 pm. NMMT has appealed to commuters to make use of the new bus service.