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The upcoming Coastal Road tunnel between Orange Gate and Marine Drive in south Mumbai will save thousands of hours for thousands of people, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday. The tunnel, with both ducts together spanning 9.25 km, will be an engineering feat. It will run beneath the Central Railway and Western Railway tracks, and even 50 metres below the underground Metro 3 line, he said. Thousands of hours for thousands of people will be saved, Fadnavis said at the site, where the tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the project was launched in the morning. The tunnel will be constructed under 700 structures, including many heritage properties, said the CM. As per the current plan, the Orange Gate-Marine Drive underground tunnel is expected to be completed by 2028, but they are striving to finish the project six months before the deadline, said Fadnavis. The tunnel will provide an alternative route to the residents of south Mumbai and those living in the ..
Maharashtra is looking to undertake a phased equity listing of state-owned energy utilities starting with the transmission company in 2026, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday. He said it is essential to undertake the process to make the entities more efficient and agile. "It is the right time to start the listing process for government entities and corporations. We have decided that we will certainly list the electricity transmission company at first," Fadnavis said at an event here. Later, he shared that the government expects the listing of Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company in 2026. The transmission company's listing will be followed with generation company's listing in second phase and the distribution company's in the next, the chief minister said without giving a timeline.
With tensions simmering between allies BJP and Shiv Sena in Sindhudurg ahead of the local bodies polls, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he supports everyone who "behaves well". Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said the ongoing episode between brothers, Nilesh Rane of the Shiv Sena and BJP Minister Nitesh Rane, is "not good" and the parties will have to introspect about this after the elections. The Sindhudurg police on Saturday registered an FIR against Nilesh Rane, an MLA of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, for "trespassing" into a BJP supporter's house. The Shiv Sena leader had 'raided' the BJP supporter's home and claimed to have found bags of cash meant for distribution to voters ahead of civic polls. His brother and BJP minister Nitesh Rane later rejected the allegations, arguing that many political workers had legitimate business income and keeping cash at home should not be construed otherwise. He also said that Shiv Sena workers campaigning for a rival Shiv
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said his government will not only continue the Ladki Bahin scheme for women, but also aims to create one crore "Lakhpati Didis" in the next two years. Fadnavis was addressing a rally to campaign for the Mahayuti's candidates of the Ahmedpur, Udgir, Renapur and other civic body polls. Elections to various municipal councils and other local bodies are set to be held on December 2. Under the government's flagship Ladki Bahin scheme, eligible women are provided a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500. Fadnavis said, "The government will not stop just with the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme now and has the target of making one crore 'Lakhpati Didi'. Half of the target will be completed this year. We will complete the remaining target in the next two years." "People should take care of our candidates on December 2, and we will take care of you for the next five years," he added. On the government's development plans for cities, the CM noted that
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said had India taken an Operation Sindoor-like action after the November 2008 Mumbai terror attack, no one would have dared to target the country again. Speaking at an event at the Gateway of India to mark the coming 17th anniversary of the 26/11 attack, Fadnavis said it was not merely an attack on Taj and Trident hotels. Mumbai is the economic capital of India, and an attack on the city was an attack on the sovereignty of the country, he said. "Had we understood this and showed the courage to conduct an 'Operation Sindoor' then, nobody would have dared to attack us again," he said. India carried out military action under Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025. The Mumbai terror attack, during which Pakistani terrorists entered the city by sea route on November 26, 2008, and caused mayhem, claimed at least 166 lives. Though 17 years have pass
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday countered the criticism targeted at the NDA after its landslide victory in Bihar, by asserting that the one who wins becomes the emperor, and asked the Opposition to accept defeat, identify mistakes and introspect. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising two main constituents -- BJP and JD(U) --decimated the Mahagathbandhan, an alliance of Congress, RJD and other parties, in Bihar on Friday to retain power. Speaking in Baramati on Saturday, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar wondered how the Election Commission allowed distribution of funds during the poll process in Bihar. He was referring to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, which distributes money to a woman member of each family for setting up a business. "The Election Commission should think if the money distribution (by the Bihar government) was correct," he said, raising concerns over the possible implementation of the Bihar template in future ...
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday that action in the Pune land deal case, involving a company linked to Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's son Parth Pawar, is being taken as per the law and there is no question of saving anybody. "FIRs have been filed against signatories and vendors, and those found guilty in the probe will be booked. Action is being taken as per the law," Fadnavis told reporters in Gadchiroli. The controversy pertains to the alleged illegal sale of 40 acres of government land in Pune's Mundhwa area, reportedly worth around Rs 1,800 crore, which Opposition leaders claim was purchased by a company linked to Parth Pawar for Rs 300 crore with a stamp duty waiver. On Friday evening, Ajit Pawar informed about the cancellation of the deal and stated that Parth was unaware that the land belonged to the government. The 7 per cent stamp duty for the Rs 300 crore deal comes to Rs 21 crore. After Ajit Pawar's announcement, it has emerged that Amadea Enterpris
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the suicide of a woman doctor in Satara district last week, an official said on Friday. The doctor, hailing from Beed district of central Maharashtra, was found hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan on October 23. In a suicide note written on her palm, she alleged that sub inspector Gopal Badane raped her on multiple occasions, while Prashant Bankar, a software engineer, mentally harassed her. Both have been arrested. The CM, who holds the Home portfolio, has directed the state Director General of Police to constitute the SIT under a woman IPS officer immediately, the official added. The move comes amid pressure from citizens and political parties seeking justice for the deceased's kin. The victim's family had also appealed for an SIT investigation to ensure stern punishment for the culprits. Meanwhile, BJP leader Chitra Wagh thanked Fadnavis for the decision to set .
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Mumbai, should announce assistance for farmers who faced losses due to the recent floods in Maharashtra. Speaking to reporters here, Raut said the Central government should have declared a relief package for farmers. Earlier this week, Fadnavis said that rains and floods had damaged 60 lakh hectares of land in Maharashtra, as per the initial estimate, and the government has decided to extend all benefits and measures usually provided during drought to the affected people. He, however, didn't declare a wet drought as demanded by the Opposition, saying no such provision exists in the official manual. Raut said, "A relief package for farmers should have been announced from Delhi. The prime minister should announce assistance for flood-affected farmers during his visit to Mumbai." He further slammed Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam over his claims about a delay in the announcement of party .
Rains and floods have damaged 60 lakh hectares of land in Maharashtra, as per the initial estimate, and the government has decided to extend all benefits and measures usually provided during drought to the affected people, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday. He, however, didn't declare a "wet drought" as demanded by the Opposition, saying no such provision exists in the official manual. The CM informed the damage assessment will be completed in the next two to three days, and a comprehensive policy will be announced in the next week. "After all assessment is completed, a memorandum will be sent to the Centre for a relief package. In the meantime, the state will provide all necessary assistance. The Central fund will be like reimbursement. The government would declare a relief package for losses (caused by heavy rains and floods) next week," Fadnavis told reporters after chairing a weekly cabinet meeting. He noted the disbursal of Rs 2,215 crore aid covering crop loss
The Maharashtra government has allotted Rs 1,500 crore for disbursal of aid to farmers, who suffered crop losses due to heavy rains between May and August this year in the Marathwada region of the state, a senior official said. Notably, most parts of the Marathwada region, comprising eight districts, witnessed torrential rains and flooding recently, and the work of assessing crop losses is currently underway. "The state government has disbursed Rs 1,500 crore to provide compensation to the farmers who faced crop losses from May to August in Marathwada. The process to pay the amount has begun and the money will directly go into the accounts of the affected farmers," Divisional Commissioner Jitendra Papalkar told PTI on Friday. Instructions have been given to the officials to upload the lists (of affected farmers) immediately, he said. Heavy rains and swollen rivers have caused large-scale damage in Marathwada since September 20, claiming at least nine lives. Flooding destroyed ...
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday virtually laid the foundation stone for Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centre here, which is part of the company's USD 8.3 billion investment in the state. The virtual ground-breaking ceremony was held at the Chief Minister's official residence, Varsha. AWS has begun the first phase of its USD 8.3 billion investment in Maharashtra, following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, Fadnavis said in a release. "Maharashtra has emerged as the country's most attractive destination for investment, bringing in the highest commitments even at Davos. We are ensuring ease of doing business by reducing approval timelines, simplifying processes and providing real-time updates on proposals through a dedicated war room," the release quoted the CM as saying. Fadnavis also flagged off India's first 'Think Big Mobile Van' under the Amazon Mobile STEM Lab initiative, to provide student
Amid the quota tussle in Maharashtra, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should take the lead in resolving the bitterness among various communities. Speaking to reporters here, Pawar claimed an atmosphere of conflict between Marathas and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was being deliberately created. On September 2, the state government issued a resolution (GR) on the Hyderabad Gazette, and announced the formation of a committee to facilitate the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to the Maratha community members who are able to produce documentary evidence recognising them as Kunbis in the past. The government's decision came after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange staged a hunger strike for five days in Mumbai. There has been growing restlessness among OBCs after the state social justice and special assistance department issued the GR. Asked about the quota issue and the growing rift between Marathas and OBCs in the state, Pawar said
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the second phase of Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms will accelerate India's economic growth. The second-generation GST reforms commencing on September 22 will not only boost India's economy but will also directly benefit common citizens. These reforms will further strengthen India's path towards becoming aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India), Fadnavis told reporters here. He was speaking at the musical programme 'Mera Desh Pehle The Untold Story of Shri Narendra Modi', conceptualised by lyricist and poet Manoj Muntashir, at the Nita Ambani Cultural Centre in Bandra-Kurla Complex. Fadnavis said the country is fortunate to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has shaped the vision of a New India. He added that Modi's leadership has given a new direction to the economy and development over the past 11 years and has fought a decisive battle against poverty. The CM said the programme portrayed lesser-known aspects o
The Maharashtra government won't stop the popular Ladki Bahin' programme and instead is committed to creating one crore Lakhpati Didis', who will earn Rs 1 lakh every year, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. The government will also provide employment opportunities to women by setting up women-led credit societies in villages, he said after launching the statewide Mukhyamantri Samruddha Panchayat Raj Abhiyan' at Kingaon in Phulambri taluka in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The campaign aims to ensure that every village receives the benefits of the central and state schemes. Maharashtra will not prosper unless villages in the state register progress, he said. It is not possible until the poor, labourers, and villages prosper, he said. The CM asserted that the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana', under which eligible women beneficiaries receive monthly assistance of Rs 1,500, won't be discontinued. Some people claimed that the Ladki Bahin scheme will be scrapped. Our siste