Local Round-up: Mumbai's First Underground Metro, Asia's Longest Flyover in Nagpur & More!

Local Round-up brings to you what's happening across the country in travel, food, infrastructure, sports, and herein, we have curated the updates from the weekend and the initial of this week for you. So, read these out below. 

Mumbai's first underground Metro to commence journey from today 

Two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Metro 3 or Aqua Line, Mumbaikars are all set to travel in the first underground metro of the city from Monday. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL) is scheduled to open for business on Monday from 11 AM to 10.30 PM, and on Tuesday from 6.30 AM to 10.30 PM.

New Secunderabad-Vasco-Da-Gama Express connecting Goa and Telangana flags off

Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy gave a green signal to the Secunderabad-Vasco Da Gama Express at the Secunderabad railway station on Sunday. There was a long-standing demand for a direct train from Hyderabad to Goa which has been fulfilled by the inauguration of this train. 

Vantara displayed art installations in Mumbai to raise awareness about the plastic threat 

Vantara, founded by Anant Bhai Ambani, unveiled a new public art initiative designed to raise awareness about the broader environmental consequences of modern life, from pollution to habitat destruction. Three art wildlife-inspired sculptors portraying challenges faced by animals due to humans were displayed across Mumbai's prime locations. 

Students of a school in Rajasthan chant 'Aigiri Nandini' as Navratri begin 

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A post shared by Prince Education Hub, Sikar- IIT JEE, NEET, NDA, School, Academy (@prince_eduhub_)

A video of students performing the Hindu mantra 'Aigiri Nandini' has gone viral on the internet gaining 41 million views so far. In the video, students of Prince Eduhub, a school in Rajasthan are seen reciting the mantra, which is dedicated to Goddess Durga as the festival of Navratri begins. 

Adani starts India's biggest hydrogen blending in natural gas programme

In order to reduce emissions and achieve net-zero goals, the Adani Group has started blending renewable hydrogen into natural gas that is provided to homes in certain areas of Ahmedabad for cooking. Adani Total Gas Ltd, the group's city gas joint venture with French energy giant TotalEnergies, has started blending 2.2-2.3 per cent of green hydrogen in piped natural gas supplies in Shantigram in Ahmedabad, the firm said in a post on LinkedIn.

PM Modi launches the MetroConnect3 app to enhance Mumbai Metro travel

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled MetroConnect3, a mobile application that improves commuters' travel experiences. The app offers comprehensive details about station amenities, including accessibility choices and neighbouring services in Marathi, Hindi and English. It also provides easy last-mile connectivity planning, grievance management for handling issues, and instantaneous missing item reporting.

Nagpur gets Asia’s longest flyover

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari opened the longest double-decker flyover in Asia in Nagpur, which has a novel four-tier design. A road, a railway track, a flyover, and a Metro line are all integrated into the 5.6-kilometer flyover. It aims to significantly reduce travel time and establish new standards for Metro construction costs and creativity, all while being completed in the face of formidable hurdles.