Maharashtra

Mumbai: As the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) gears up for the upcoming mayoral elections, the civic body has made elaborate arrangements for vehicles for the city’s top leaders. The newly elected Mayor will be provided with a Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid worth ₹30–35 lakh. In addition, the Deputy Mayor, Leader of the House, Leader of the Opposition, and committee chairpersons will be allotted Mahindra Scorpio N vehicles, featuring saffron stripes for easy identification. Election Timeline and Vehicle AllocationThe elections for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions are scheduled for 11 February. Following this, elections will be held for the Standing Committee, Education Committee, Improvement Committee, BEST Committee chairpersons, and 18 ward committees, including special committe...

Mumbai: In a deeply disturbing case from Mumbai’s Colaba Parade area, a 20-year-old deaf-mute woman was allegedly raped and became pregnant. Following DNA testing, her father was identified as the biological parent of the fetus and was arrested by the police. Authorities initially collected DNA samples from 17 suspects to confirm the identity of the perpetrator. The investigation revealed that the assault occurred between March and September 21, 2025. How the Case Unfolded The case came to light last September when the woman complained to her grandmother about severe stomach discomfort, indicating, through hand gestures, a crawling sensation. She was admitted to Mumbai’s KEM & Albless Hospital, where medical examination confirmed she was five months pregnant. The hospital imme...

Mumbai: The Mumbai-Pune Expressway came to a standstill for nearly 32 hours following a tanker accident in the Bhor Ghat section of Raigad district, causing severe disruption for thousands of commuters. Traffic was finally restored after authorities removed a highly flammable propylene gas tanker from near the Adoshi Tunnel. The accident occurred when the tanker carrying propylene gas overturned, triggering an immediate safety alert. Both directions of the expressway were closed, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded, including small children, elderly passengers, and patients traveling to Mumbai for medical treatment. Public transport was heavily affected, with 139 MSRTC bus services canceled and additional pressure on private buses and railway services, resulting in unusual crowds alon...

Mumbai: For residents dreaming of owning a home in Mumbai, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has announced a golden opportunity. A total of 120 flats across prime locations in the city are now available under a “first-come, first-served” scheme, with prices ranging from ₹38 lakh to ₹8 crore. Locations and Prices:The flats are spread across key Mumbai neighborhoods, including Kandivali, Charkop, Wadala, Powai, Taardeo, Juhu, and Andheri. The most expensive units are located in South Mumbai’s Taardeo area, priced above ₹8 crore, while the most affordable flats start at ₹38 lakh. These flats were initially part of a lottery but remained unsold, prompting MHADA to open them for first-come, first-served sales. How to Apply:Registration for the scheme began on ...

Pune: A shocking discovery in Pune district has revealed that male beneficiaries were availing benefits under Maharashtra’s Ladki Bahin Yojana, prompting authorities to order a large-scale verification of the scheme. The verification will cover approximately 2.25 lakh women and will be conducted by Anganwadi workers. The Ladki Bahin Yojana provides a subsidy of ₹1,500 to eligible women. However, an initial audit found that 1,201 male beneficiaries had been incorrectly receiving the benefits, with the highest number coming from Haveli taluka. Authorities now plan to verify the gender and eligibility of all beneficiaries who completed e-KYC, ensuring only genuinely eligible women receive the subsidy. Re-verification Orders:Many women have been deprived of the ₹1,500 subsidy due to disc...

Mumbai: With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor election scheduled for 11 February 2026, political activity in the city has intensified. Both the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT) have issued strict directives to their corporators, instructing them not to leave Mumbai until the conclusion of the Mayor and committee elections. Background:The nomination process for the Mayor election begins on 7 February, and key standing and statutory committees are yet to be decided within the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. To ensure smooth proceedings, party leadership has issued a whip directing corporators to remain in the city. Any corporator leaving Mumbai without permission could face disciplinary action. Reason for the Order:The directive also takes into account the weekend (7–8 February) and t...

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has decided to enhance the security of the state’s new Deputy Chief Minister, Sunetra Pawar, by granting her Z+ category protection. The Home Department has been issued the necessary instructions to implement this upgraded security arrangement. Previously, Sunetra Pawar, while serving as a Rajya Sabha MP, was provided X-category security. However, after taking charge as Deputy Chief Minister on 31 January 2026, and being assigned three key ministries along with the guardianship of politically significant districts Pune and Beed, additional security measures were deemed necessary. The office previously used by the late Ajit Pawar has also been allocated to her. Home Department Instructions:The government has clarified that Sunetra Pawar will now rece...

Mumbai/Pune: The massive traffic jam on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, caused by a gas tanker overturn near Khandala Ghat, left hundreds of vehicles stranded for over 30 hours. Commuters faced severe hardships with no access to food, water, or sanitation facilities as the jam stretched 20–22 kilometers. Among those trapped was industrialist and Pinnacle Group Chairman Dr. Sudhir Mehta, who was traveling to Pune. After being stuck for nearly eight hours, Dr. Mehta was safely airlifted by helicopter. Sharing his experience on social media platform X, Dr. Mehta highlighted the urgent need for better emergency planning on the expressway. He wrote that millions of people have been stuck due to the gas tanker incident over the past 18 hours and suggested creating multiple exit points along the h...

Pune/Baramati: In the wake of Ajit Pawar’s untimely death in a plane crash, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is navigating a challenging political and familial period. On Wednesday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar visited Ajit Pawar’s residence, now home to his daughter-in-law and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, to pay his respects to his late nephew. The private visit saw Sharad Pawar offer a heartfelt tribute to Ajit Pawar in the presence of Sunetra Pawar, Ajit’s sons Parth and Jai Pawar, and close family members. Following this, Sharad Pawar also held a closed-door meeting at the Vidya Pratishthan in Baramati with Ajit Pawar’s sons and other party leaders, which reportedly lasted around 90 minutes. Sources suggest the discussions focused on a potential merger between the two NCP fact...

Mumbai/Pune: Chaos ensued on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway after a chemical-laden gas tanker overturned, causing a massive traffic jam. Authorities have now brought the situation largely under control, opening one lane for Mumbai-bound vehicles and diverting others to alternate routes. The incident occurred on February 3, 2026, around 5:00 PM near kilometer 41/200, close to the Adoshi Tunnel on the Borghat section. The tanker, carrying highly flammable propylene gas, overturned while traveling from Pune to Mumbai. Damage to three valves on the tanker led to gas leakage, creating a potentially hazardous situation for commuters. By February 4, a team of chemical experts managed to completely stop the leaks at two locations and significantly control the third. The transfer of gas from the ...