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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Palm Beach Road may get flyovers

Navi Mumbai: The arterial Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai could see the construction of flyovers at key junctions to ease persistent traffic congestion, with Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailash Shinde agreeing to explore the proposal for creating signal-free movement for through traffic. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Dr Shinde and representatives of Climate Action Now (CAN) for MMR, a platform of NatConnect Foundation, and Palm Beach Greens on Friday evening....

Palm Beach Road may get flyovers

Navi Mumbai: The arterial Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai could see the construction of flyovers at key junctions to ease persistent traffic congestion, with Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailash Shinde agreeing to explore the proposal for creating signal-free movement for through traffic. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Dr Shinde and representatives of Climate Action Now (CAN) for MMR, a platform of NatConnect Foundation, and Palm Beach Greens on Friday evening. The initiative follows representations made by the BJP legislator Adv Niranjan Davkhare and CAN seeking measures to address growing traffic snarls on the important north-south corridor. NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar and Palm Beach Greens convenor D Shrikant Patki explained that strategically placed flyovers could allow through traffic to bypass several signals, reducing waiting time at intersections and preventing the cascading build-up of vehicles along the corridor. Dr Shinde, while acknowledging the representations from Davkhare and CAN by NatConnect, assured the delegation that he would definitely explore the flyover option. NMMC is already in touch with IIT-Bombay on the Palm Beach Road traffic issue and may also seek its inputs on the proposal. Kumar and Patki had earlier met Davkhare, who represents the Konkan Graduates’ constituency spread across Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Thane and Palghar districts, to discuss various environmental issues. Davkhare subsequently took up the Palm Beach Road traffic issue with the NMMC Commissioner. The road carries substantial inter-city traffic, with thousands of vehicles heading towards Pune, Alibaug and Goa using Palm Beach Road after diverting from the Sion-Panvel Highway at Vashi. Such traffic adds considerably to the pressure on the corridor, particularly because vehicles have to negotiate multiple signals along the route. The environmental groups proposed a system in which through traffic could move without stopping at major junctions while local traffic continues to use the existing road network. They said such an arrangement could reduce congestion, fuel wastage and vehicular emissions besides improving travel time and road safety. Kumar pointed to worsening congestion on Palm Beach Road and identified Moraj Junction between Vashi and Nerul as a major bottleneck. The representation also highlighted traffic problems at Nerul, T S Chanakya, Akshar and NRI Seawoods junctions. According to the representation, the Moraj Junction bottleneck results in long delays, fuel wastage and inconvenience to thousands of daily commuters. It proposed straight flyovers carrying through traffic in both northbound and southbound directions, enabling vehicles to bypass signals and junction-level congestion.

A beacon of hope for rural athletes

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

How Akash Shinde transformed from a shy village boy to a prominent kabaddi player

beacon of hope

Mumbai: In the heart of Nashik's Adgaon village, a young boy Akash Shinde dared to dream big. Little did he know that his journey from playing in the muddy grounds of his town to becoming a PKL winner would inspire a generation of aspiring athletes.


“Initially, when I used to play, I would come home with bruises because Kabaddi was played in the mud,” Akash recalls as he enters his fourth season with the Puneri Paltan. And despite his family's initial concerns, his passion for kabaddi burned bright, fuelled by the unwavering support of his early mentors Sagar Malwade and Vinod Labde.


His path to success was far from smooth. He faced numerous setbacks, failing to make the cut in his first attempts at various levels. “I fell short in my first attempts at all levels. I went for my senior camp for Maharashtra and fell short there too!”


But instead of letting these failures discourage him, Akash used them as stepping stones. “These setbacks kept me determined, and I knew I needed to try harder and with renewed energy to show the world what I could do and achieve.”


His breakthrough came in 2019 at a seniors’ trial in Nashik. This performance opened doors, leading him to play in the Junior Nationals and eventually catching the eye of Yuva Paltan, which is the Puneri Paltan’s academy.


The turning point in Akash’s career came when he represented his college in Beed, earning his first chance to play for Maharashtra. Under the guidance of Anil Jagdale and Kailas Jagdale, his skills flourished. His journey accelerated as he moved from Mahindra & Mahindra to Yuva Paltan, where mentors like Sangram and Ashok helped refine his game.


Akash’s PKL debut with Puneri Paltan in Season 8 was a moment of immense pride, not just for him but for his entire village. “No player from the Nashik region had made it to PKL or even the Maharashtra team, so it was a shock, a pleasant one, for everyone. The entire Nashik district was very happy. It felt really good,” he reminisces.


But it was in Season 9 that he truly announced his arrival, becoming a formidable force on the mat. In the 22 matches that Akash played on the way to his first PKL final, he scored 139 raid points, averaging 6.32 raid point per match.


His performances caught the eye of the national selectors, earning him a spot on the Indian team for the Asian Games. “I received my Team India kit on the 27th of October. I still remember it,” he says.


The crowning glory came in PKL Season 10 when Akash, along with his Puneri Paltan teammates, lifted the coveted trophy. Albeit playing a diminished role, he managed an impressive 56 raid points in the 13 matches he played. “There was only one target then... we had made up our minds that we had to win the title this season, whatever it took,” he shared, reflecting on the team’s collective determination. Now, Akash stands as a beacon of hope for young athletes from rural India. His message to them is clear: “Keep believing in yourselves and your dedication and efforts.” He emphasizes the importance of loyalty, urging young players to stay true to the clubs that nurture them.


As he prepares for PKL Season 11, his journey from the muddy grounds of Adgaon to the bright lights of Pro Kabaddi serves as a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and unwavering support.

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