June News Roundup, Mumbai | "India’s most unaffordable city", Apple's new store announced & more

From Mumbai topping the list of India's most unaffordable cities to the 160-year celebration of Bandra Station, June has been packed with major headlines. Take a look at this roundup, covering the most important updates that made news across Mumbai this month.

In a first for Indo-EU defence ties, two EU naval warships from Spain and Italy docked in Mumbai from May 26 to June 1 as part of Operation Atalanta. The visit included expert drills, strategic talks, and marked the start of a joint maritime exercise with the Indian Navy, strengthening cooperation on maritime security and anti-piracy efforts.

The Maharashtra government is set to launch electric water taxis between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, cutting travel time to 40 minutes and easing road congestion. Aimed at sustainable commuting, the service will connect the Gateway of India to Navi Mumbai Airport. Plans include phased terminal construction and integration with the upcoming Mumbai Water Metro.

Mumbai’s 200-year-old Bandra Talao is set for a ₹20 crore revival, with the BMC launching a dewatering and desludging project to remove 70,000 cubic meters of polluted water. Funded by the 15th Finance Commission, the effort aims to restore aquatic life and tackle years of sewage, garbage, and neglect at this historic 7.5-acre lake.

In a green mobility boost, MMMOCL and Honda Power Pack Energy India have launched battery swapping stations at 25 Mumbai Metro and 6 Monorail stations. EV users can swap batteries in under two minutes, easing range anxiety. Already live at Dahisar East, the initiative aims to cut emissions, support EV adoption, and generate ₹30 lakh in non-fare revenue.

In a move towards inclusivity, IIT Bombay’s SJMSOM will now accept three-year bachelor’s degree holders for its MBA program starting 2025–26. The policy shift, driven by recruiter feedback, aims to boost academic and gender diversity by welcoming applicants from arts, commerce, and science backgrounds, aligning SJMSOM with IIMs and other IITs.

Maharashtra’s 701-km Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway is now fully operational with the final stretch from Igatpuri to Amane inaugurated on June 5. The ₹55,000-crore project halves travel time to 8 hours and features India’s longest road tunnel. Spanning 10 districts, it aims to boost trade, tourism, and connectivity across Maharashtra.

Twenty-five rare paintings by M.F. Husain from his Our Planet Called Earth series were auctioned on June 12 at Hamilton House, Mumbai, after nearly two decades in a bank vault. Valued at ₹25 crore, the artworks, featuring themes from war to space were last seen publicly in Dubai and Paris. This marked their first public display in India.

After a five-year break, Mumbai’s International Chess Tournament returned from June 16–24 at the World Trade Centre. Featuring a ₹25 lakh Grandmaster Open and a record ₹15 lakh Under-13 Junior Tournament, the event drew players from 19 countries. Notably, WIM Oshini and six Indian national champions will compete across age-group categories.

Apple is planning to open a new retail store in Borivali (East), Mumbai, its second in the city and fourth in India. Spanning over 12,600 sq ft in Oberoi Sky City Mall, the move reflects Apple’s push into high-footfall suburbs. This comes amid record iPhone sales in India, now Apple’s fourth-largest market globally.

Mumbai Metro Line 1 (Blue Line) marked 11 years of transforming city travel since its 2014 launch. Spanning 11.4 km from Versova to Ghatkopar, it has served over 111 crore commuters with 99.99% punctuality. Built under India’s first metro PPP, it remains one of the world’s busiest lines, easing east-west Mumbai travel.

The World Pickleball League will return to Mumbai for Season 2 from Jan 24–Feb 8, 2026, after a star-studded debut. Expect elite global players, celebrity-owned teams, Hawk-Eye tech, and a high-energy 15-minute match format. WPBL promises a bigger, bolder spectacle as it aims to make pickleball India’s next sportainment sensation.

Mumbai Metro Line 3 commuters can now use the RuPay-powered National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for seamless travel, launched by MMRC in partnership with NPCI and SBI. Usable across Metro Lines 1, 2A, 7, and BEST buses, the card is free but requires a minimum balance of ₹7,100–₹72,000 for activation.

The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a sharp hike in excise duties on liquor, its first since 2011, to generate ₹14,000 crore annually. IMFL duties rise by over 50%, pushing retail prices up 60%. Country liquor and premium alcohol will also cost more. Beer and wine are exempt to support affordability and promote local viticulture.

Western Railway will convert one luggage compartment in each of its 110 non-AC local trains into a senior citizens’ coach, doubling reserved seating from 14 to 28 seats. The ₹5.4 crore initiative, following a Bombay High Court directive, aims to ease travel for 50,000 elderly commuters. Rollout will happen in phases over the next year.

Mumbai Airport Customs will soon launch CAPIT, an AI-powered system to halve international passenger clearance time from 10 to 5 minutes. Replacing manual checks with smart profiling and digital baggage tagging, the system aims to streamline clearance. Announced at a recent aviation meet, the move addresses rising air traffic while ensuring speed and security.

Bandra Railway Station turns 160, and Western Railway is celebrating with a month-long Station Mahotsav starting June 20. Highlights include a commemorative stamp, cultural shows, art contests, a nostalgia drive, and a light-and-sound show on July 5–6. The finale on July 27 features a prize ceremony. Register via WR’s social handles before June 30.

Mumbai is set to welcome a new Bombay High Court complex in Bandra East, designed by renowned architect Hafeez Contractor. Spread across 30 acres, the state-of-the-art hub will feature 75 courtrooms, housing, and modern facilities. The project replaces the cramped Fort complex and marks a major upgrade in the city's judicial infrastructure.

Mumbai is set to ease traffic with 11 high-speed electric ferries by JalVimana, including Candela P-12s hydrofoiling vessels that cut drag and emissions. Priced at ₹16.5 crore each, they’ll reduce travel from Gateway of India to Alibaug and Elephanta to under 30 minutes. This marks the world’s largest electric ferry order and boosts green transit.

Mumbai Metro’s Aqua Line (Line 3) is now live on ONDC, allowing QR code-based ticket booking via seven partner apps like EaseMyTrip, RedBus, and Tummoc. As Mumbai’s first fully underground metro, Line 3 joins Lines 1, 2A, and 7 in offering smoother, digital ticketing. Navi Mumbai Metro has also launched QR-based paper tickets.

Myntra has expanded its 30-minute express delivery service, M-Now, to Mumbai and Delhi-NCR, after success in Bengaluru. Powered by 40+ dark stores, it offers 90,000+ styles from 600+ brands. Catering to the rising demand for instant fashion, M-Now reflects Myntra’s focus on speed-driven shopping and premium customer experience.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has introduced new guidelines mandating pet dog registration under Section 191B. Pet owners must leash dogs publicly and clean up after them. Housing societies cannot ban pets or restrict feeding strays, though they can designate feeding areas. Animal feeders must feed hygienically in low-traffic zones during early/late hours while supporting sterilisation efforts. Harassing feeders or animal cruelty is punishable.

Royal Jordanian Airlines returns to India after 13 years with direct Mumbai-Amman flights, operating four times a week. The year-round service on Airbus A320neo offers modern comforts like Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment. With visa-free entry for Indian tourists and curated packages via MakeMyTrip and Thomas Cook, Jordan is now closer, easier, and more inviting than ever.

To boost passenger safety, Western Railway is upgrading Mumbai locals with CCTV cameras, voice recorders, and AI-enabled systems. Existing trains will also be retrofitted with automatic doors. The Crew Voice and Video Recording System (CVVRS), now on 51 rakes, monitors crew behaviour, detects drowsiness, and enables real-time alerts, aiming to prevent incidents and aid investigations.

Buying a home in Mumbai is now out of reach even for the top 5% earners, who’d need 109 years of savings to afford an average ₹3.5 crore flat, says a new report. Ranked India’s least affordable city, Mumbai trails behind Delhi and Gurgaon. With rising prices and slowing sales, buyers are eyeing suburbs like Panvel and Pune.

With BMC’s July 8 deadline nearing, only 48 of 356 coal- or wood-fired bakeries in Mumbai have switched to cleaner fuels like PNG or electric options. Non-compliant bakeries face closure per Bombay HC orders. Similar notices were issued to 440 eateries, while some await relief as the Charcoal Merchant’s Association moves court.

Khar Road Station is now Mumbai’s first fully redeveloped station under the ₹950 crore MUTP-3A project. Upgraded at ₹85 crore by MRVC, it features a 270m platform, the Western Railway’s largest elevated deck, lifts, escalators, skywalk, and modern amenities for 1.6 lakh daily commuters. Seventeen more stations are set for similar transformation.

In just 35 days, Mumbai Airport officials seized over 380 smuggled animals, including tarantulas, iguanas, vipers, turtles, and rare sunbirds. Of these, 120 were found alive. Rescued wildlife is sent to zoos or sanctuaries, while smugglers face action under Customs and Wildlife Protection Acts. Non-native species are repatriated if fit for travel.

Global pop star Enrique Iglesias is returning to India after 13 years, and his Mumbai concert on October 30 sold out within hours. In response, a second show has been added on October 29 at MMRDA Grounds, BKC. With over 50,000 fans expected, this back-to-back musical event is set to be one of the year’s biggest.

Iconic Parsi eatery Jimmy Boy in Fort has shut down due to severe structural issues in its building. A joint inspection found major cracks and corrosion, prompting BMC to issue a demolition notice under Section 354. The housing society has seven days to act or face civic-led demolition and legal consequences.

The Maharashtra government has launched a state-wide initiative to support street children through 'Mobile Squads', vans staffed with counsellors, teachers, and caretakers. These child-friendly units will identify, counsel, and connect vulnerable children to healthcare and education in 27 cities. After a successful pilot, 31 vans will now be deployed, with ₹8.06 crore sanctioned for expansion.