The Agri community, along with like-minded associations, has convened a special meeting to reinforce their demand for naming the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport after social activist D.B. Patil.

The meeting, organized by the All Party Action Committee and Akhil Agri Samaj Parishad, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Navi Mumbai Sports Association.

“This meeting aims to reiterate the long-standing demand of the local residents. D.B. Patil was a revered leader who fought for farmers’ rights, particularly during the government’s land acquisitions in the 1970s,” said an official.

The demand to name the airport after D.B. Patil has received widespread support. A resolution proposing the name D.B. Patil International Airport was previously passed and submitted to the Union government. While the Centre has approved the proposal, a formal notification is still awaited.

The meeting will focus on strategies to expedite the official announcement and ensure that the resolution is implemented without further delay.

The Agri community and supporting organizations remain firm in their stance, emphasizing that the airport should honor the legacy of a leader who championed the cause of local farmers.

A 52-year-old director of a Thane-based private company lost Rs60 lakh to a fraudster who impersonated another director by using his photograph as a WhatsApp display picture (DP).

According to the police, the complainant, a Navi Mumbai resident, is one of the three directors of the company. On February 5, he received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number, with the sender claiming to be another director, who was in Dubai, and stating that it was his new number.

The next day, the fraudster inquired about the company’s account balance. Believing he was communicating with his colleague—whose photo appeared as the WhatsApp DP—the complainant provided the details. The fraudster then requested an urgent transfer of Rs60 lakh, citing funding needs for a project.

Without suspecting foul play, the complainant instructed the company’s accountant to transfer the amount to the account provided by the fraudster. However, after the transaction, the real director in Dubai contacted him, inquiring about the large sum. Shocked, the complainant realized he had been duped through WhatsApp DP fraud.

The police have registered a case and are investigating the matter. Officials have warned the public to verify fund transfer requests and avoid relying solely on WhatsApp display pictures for identity confirmation.

The Navi Mumbai Traffic Police have announced traffic restrictions on Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link – MTHL) due to a marathon organized by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Sunday, February 16.

The marathon will take place between 4 a.m. and 12 p.m., covering the route from Sewri (Mumbai) to Chirle (Navi Mumbai). To ensure a smooth event and prevent congestion, vehicular movement on Atal Setu will be restricted from 11 p.m. on February 15 to 1 p.m. on February 16, as per an order issued by Assistant Police Commissioner (Traffic) and Additional In-charge Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Navi Mumbai, Vitthal Kubde.

The restrictions apply to all vehicles except those essential for the marathon, affecting commuters traveling between Mumbai, Pune, Uran, and JNPT. Authorities have advised motorists to use alternative routes, including Gavan Phata, Uran Phata, and Vashi for those traveling from Uran, while Pune-Mumbai traffic can use the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway via Belapur and Vashi. Vehicles from Konkan and Panvel will also be diverted through Uran Phata and Vashi.

Exemptions have been granted to police vehicles, fire brigades, ambulances, and emergency services, as well as vehicles directly involved in the marathon.

The traffic police have urged commuters to plan their journeys in advance to avoid inconvenience.