Mumbai Gets Major Infrastructure Boost with New Airport and Metro Line
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, inaugurated the first phase of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and the final phase of Mumbai's first fully underground Metro 3 corridor. The NMIA project, built at an approximate cost of ā¹19,650 crore, is spread over 1,160 hectares and is expected to significantly enhance India's aviation capacity while easing the burden on the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The new Metro Line-3, also known as the Aqua Line, is a 33.5-km corridor connecting Aarey in the north to Colaba in the south, aiming to alleviate congestion on suburban trains and roads. During the event, PM Modi also launched 'Mumbai One', India's first integrated public transport app, designed to streamline commuting experiences in the metropolis. These inaugurations underscore the government's commitment to modern infrastructure development and the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'.
Cough Syrup Tragedy: Death Toll Rises, Strict Testing Mandated
A severe public health crisis deepened with reports of a rising death toll linked to contaminated cough syrup. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) sounded an alarm after 20 children died from contaminated Coldrif syrup, urging all states and Union Territories (UTs) to enforce stricter drug testing protocols. Separately, the death toll from a similar cough syrup tragedy in Madhya Pradesh reportedly mounted to 20, with two more children dying in the past 24 hours. In Darjeeling, West Bengal, 21 deaths were confirmed due to floods, with reports also linking some casualties to consumption of contaminated medicines. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has issued a directive emphasizing that manufacturers must comply with the Drugs Rules, conduct thorough batch testing of both raw materials and finished products, and source ingredients only from approved vendors.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Arrives in India for Trade Talks
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer commenced a two-day official visit to India on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. He leads a 125-member delegation, including top business leaders, with the primary objective of strengthening economic ties between the two nations. This visit follows months after India and the UK signed a landmark free trade agreement. While Starmer aims to boost trade, he has ruled out expanding visa access for Indian professionals, stating it is not part of the current plan. The visit seeks to build on the existing trade deal and navigate geopolitical shifts, including their respective trading relationships with the U.S..
Other Important Developments:
- The 93rd Indian Air Force Day was celebrated on October 8, 2025, with the theme "Beyond Boundaries: Guardians of the Sky," focusing on modernization and operational readiness.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved four major railway multitracking projects worth ā¹24,634 crore across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh, adding 894 route km to the Indian Railways network.
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned actor-producer Dulquer Salmaan in connection with a luxury car smuggling probe, following the seizure of high-end pre-owned SUVs.
- Heavy rainfall triggered deadly landslides in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, killing at least 15 people after a bus was struck, and also contributed to 21 deaths in Darjeeling, West Bengal, due to floods.
- The Education Ministry has made Zoho Office mandatory for official use to promote indigenous digital tools and 'Made in India' solutions in schools and universities.