Page 43 - Maharashtra

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority's container traffic rises 12% in 2024

Government-owned container handling port Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) saw an 11.99 per cent year-on-year rise in container traffic at 7.05 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in 2024. The port handled 6.35 million TEUs of containers in 2023, JNPA said in a statement. The facility also handled the highest-ever cargo throughput at 90.27 million tonnes in the just-concluded year, which was 4.25 per cent more than the figure recorded in the preceding year ended December 2023, it said. According to the port, two of its terminals -- BMCTPL and APMT -- crossed the milestone of 2-million TEUs in container handling last year. BMCTPL handled 2.12 million TEUs, which is the highest-ever container handling by any terminal in a calendar year. JNPA has five container terminals -- Nahava Sheva FreePort Terminal (NSFT), Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT), Nahava Sheva India Gateway Terminal (NSIGT), Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal (BMCT), and GTI-APM Terminal (APM).

Munde shouldn't hold portfolio until chargesheet filed, says BJP MLA

BJP MLA Suresh Dhas on Friday said NCP leader Dhananjay Munde should remain in the Maharashtra cabinet as a minister without portfolio till a chargesheet is filed in the murder case of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The opposition parties have been demanding that Munde, whose close associate Walmik Karad has been arrested in an extortion case related to the murder, be removed from the cabinet. However, Munde, who holds the food and civil supplies portfolio, on Thursday clarified that there would be no influence from his side as a minister in the probe into these cases. Addressing a press conference in Beed, Dhas questioned the inclusion of some members in the special investigation team (SIT) probing the murder and extortion cases. "There is a member who was transferred from Gadchiroli by one of the accused, Walmik Karad. This person should not show devotion to his 'master'. Some people have connections with him (Karad). I have no objection to senior officials, but I have issues with ..

Maharashtra received Rs 1.13 trn FDI in just 6 months in 2024-25: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that the state received Rs 1.13 lakh crore FDI in just six months in 2024-25, which is almost what it has received annually over the last four years. In a post on X, the chief minister said the state received Rs 1,13,236 crore in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first two quarters of the financial year ending in September 2024. In 2020-21, the state received Rs 1,19,734 crore FDI, followed by Rs 1,14,964 crore in 2021-22, Rs 1,18,422 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 1,25,101 in 2023-24. "This means the state received 94.71 per cent of the FDI in six months as to what it received annually on an average in the last four years," Fadnavis wrote in his post. The chief minister said he, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and his cabinet colleagues, would ensure this march continues. The sharing of FDI figures comes after an aggressive state election campaign late last year, where the opposition parties

Savitribai Phule Jayanti 2025: Know everything about Women's Education Day

Every year on January 3, people celebrate Savitribai Phule Jayanti. In honour of her great work towards women's education, the day is observed as Women's Education Day

Rajasthan Guv hails NEP, says old education system sought to produce clerks

The National Education Policy prioritises the country's interests as well as skill based-learning and has replaced the one introduced by British administrator Lord Macaulay, which aimed to uproot Indian culture and produce clerks, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade said on Thursday. Speaking after inaugurating the 59th Devgiri Regional Conference of the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad here, Bagade also said students must become self-reliant, develop their intellectual and physical abilities and inculcate the spirit of service. "The education system introduced by Thomas Macaulay aimed to uproot Indian culture and produce clerks. This outdated system has been replaced by the NEP, which has been crafted by 1,400 experts. It prioritises national interests and skill based learning. It ensures those with talent will not go hungry," Bagade said. Macaulay's 'Minute on Indian Education' was primarily responsible for the introduction of Western institutional education in the

PM Modi lauds Maha govt's efforts for development in Maoist-affected areas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded the Maharashtra government's efforts to ensure all-round development in the state's remote and Maoist-affected areas. The prime minister's comments came a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Gadchiroli, a district affected by left wing extremism, and asserted that the dominance of Naxalites in remote areas of the district was ending. A number of Naxal cadres laid down their arms during his visit, with Fadnavis also unveiling several development initiatives. Modi said on X, "I laud the Maharashtra Government's efforts to ensure all-round development in remote and Maoist-affected areas. This will certainly boost 'Ease of Living' and pave the way for even more progress. A special congratulations to my sisters and brothers of Gadchiroli and the surrounding areas!" He was responding to a post by Fadnavis on his government's efforts to eliminate the violent movement from the region.

Maharashtra sees 12.32% rise in new vehicle registrations in 2024

More than 28 lakh new vehicles were registered in Maharashtra in 2024, a 12.32 per cent increase from 25.63 lakh registrations in 2023, as per official data. Overall, 28.79 lakh vehicles were registered, including 20.50 lakh two-wheelers and around 4.50 lakh cars, a 12.32 per cent jump from 25.63 lakh vehicles registered in 2023. Other vehicles include more than 1.20 lakh trucks, over 9,800 public service buses, 87,300 three-wheelers, and 84,500 tractors. At 3.02 lakh, the highest number of vehicles were registered at the Pune RTO (Regional Transport Office), followed by 1.26 lakh at Thane RTO and 1.19 lakh at Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO. Pune RTO saw a 3.23 per cent rise in registrations compared to 2.92 lakh in 2023, while Thane and Pimpri-Chinchwad recorded an increase of 12.62 per cent and 7.77 per cent, respectively. Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar told PTI that they have to frequently open new vehicle registration series at Pune RTO due to high registrations. "A

Naxalism near its end, says Maha CM as 11 Maoists surrender in Gadchiroli

A total of 11 Naxalites, including senior cadre Vimla Chandra Sidam alias Tarakka, surrendered on Wednesday before Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Gadchiroli. These Maoists, carrying a collective bounty of Rs 1.03 crore, were involved in launching attacks on security personnel. Most prominent among the surrendered Maoists is Dandkaranya Zonal Committee Member Vimla Chandra Sidam alias Tarakka who had been involved in the Naxalism movement for the last 38 years. Fadnavis also felicitated C-60 commandos and officers for bravery in anti-Naxal operations. He said Maharashtra will soon become free of Naxal menace given the rise in the number of Maoists laying down their arms and the movement failing to attract recruits. "Gadchiroli Police almost eradicated Naxal activities in Gadchiroli district. North Gadchiroli is now free of Maoist activities, and south Gadchiroli will soon become free from Naxals," he said. The chief minister also said that many dreaded Naxals were

Maharashtra govt to draft its AI policy soon, says minister Shelar

Maharashtra will soon draft its independent Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to position the state as a major player in the sector and a leader in technological advancements, a minister has said. State Information and Technology Minister Ashish Shelar gave the direction to authorities during a meeting with IT Department officials at the Sahyadri Guest House on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by IT Department Secretary Parrag Jaiin Nainutia, MahaIT Managing Director Jayshree Bhoj, and senior officials from the departments concerned. During the meeting, Shelar stressed the importance of leveraging AI to boost industries, attract businesses, create employment opportunities, and establish Maharashtra as a major player in the AI sector, an official statement said. He said the AI era has begun and that the state must seize this opportunity. "By adopting AI, we can drive economic growth, generate jobs for the youth, and strengthen our position in the global AI landscape," he said.

Beed sarpanch murder: Villagers stage 'jal samadhi' for accused arrest

Several people at a village in Maharashtra's Beed started a 'jal samadhi' agitation on Wednesday, demanding arrest of the absconding accused in the case of brutal murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The protest comes a day after Maharashtra NCP minister Dhananjay Munde's close associate Walmik Karad, wanted in an extortion case linked to the sarpanch's murder, surrendered before police in Pune. He was subsequently remanded in 14-day police custody. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) is conducting the probe into the murder and extortion cases. Santosh Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog village in Kej tehsil of Beed district, was abducted last month and brutally killed on December 9, allegedly for opposing an extortion bid by some persons who had demanded money from a windmill company. Police have so far arrested three persons in connection with the murder case while three other accused are at large. Karad and one more person have been arrested in the extortion case. On Wednesday

Recognition given by 'Ladki Bahin' beneficiaries biggest honour: Shinde

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said "Ladki Bahin" (women) in the state recognising him as their "dear brother" is the biggest honour for him. Notably, the Ladki Bahin scheme for financial assistance to women, started during the previous Mahayuti government when Shinde was the CM, is widely credited to have contributed to the BJP-led coalition's big win the state assembly polls in November 2024. The Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP, registered a landslide win in the polls. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was subsequently sworn in as the chief minister, with Shinde and Pawar as his deputies. Shinde on Monday night attended the Diva Festival in Thane district where a speaker remarked about his transition from chief minister to deputy CM after the state elections. Responding to it, Shinde said, "I am proud and happy that 2.40 crore Ladki Bahin have recognised me as a Ladka Bhau (beloved brother)." "This recognition is my greate

Maharashtra ATS arrests 9 Bangladeshis for illegal stay, 43 held in a month

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested nine Bangladeshi nationals for illegally entering India and staying in the country without proper documents, officials said. With this, the ATS has arrested 43 Bangladeshi nationals in 19 cases last month as part of a special drive, an official said on Tuesday. The latest action was taken with the help of local police in Mumbai, Nashik, Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in the last four days. Nine Bangladeshi nationals -- eight males and one female -- were arrested, he said. The accused got Aadhaar cards made using forged documents, the official said. Police have registered five cases against them under the Foreigners Act and other relevant legal provisions, he added.

Sarpanch murder: Dhananjay, Pankaja should resign, says activist Damania

Social activist Anjali Damania has demanded that Maharashtra ministers Pankaja Munde and Dhananjay Munde resign till a probe is underway into the brutal murder of a village sarpanch in Beed district. Talking to a news channel on Monday, Damania claimed that Munde cousins very well know Walmik Karad, an accused in an extortion case linked to the sarpanch's murder. BJP leader Pankaja Munde is the state environment and climate change minister, while her cousin Dhananjay Munde, a leader of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), holds charge of the food, civil supplies and consumer protection department. According to police, Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh was abducted and killed on December 9 allegedly for opposing an extortion bid by some individuals who had demanded money from a windmill company in Beed district. Four persons have been arrested so far in connection with the murder. Opposition parties and a BJP MLA have accused Dhananjay Munde of having clos

CM Fadnavis asks transport department to use AI for road safety measures

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the state transport department officials to increase the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to minimise road accidents. Fadnavis also directed them to enforce policies for scrapping all vehicles above 15 years of age, a release issued by the Chief Minister's Office on Monday said. The Maharashtra government has signed an agreement with Google, it said, adding the CM asked the transport department to increase the use of AI to strengthen the sector's security and sustainability, using the agreement. The CM reviewed the next 100-day action plans for the transport, ports and the state airport authority departments in a meeting at the Sahyadri guest house. He emphasised the need for scrapping all vehicles older than 15 years, both public and private. As per the release, more than 13,000 outdated government vehicles will be scrapped, and the state transport corporation's buses older than 15 years will be replaced or ...

The time when 'carpenter' Carter helped build 100 houses near Lonavala

For 100 low-income families near Lonavala, around 80 km from Mumbai, Jimmy Carter was a godsend as he had helped build their houses in 2006. For a week in October that year, the former US President and his wife Rosalynn worked alongside the families and about 2,000 international and local volunteers to build homes at Patan village near Lonavala, a popular hill station. The volunteers included Hollywood actor Brad Pitt and Bollywood actor John Abraham. The houses were built under the aegis of NGO Habitat for Humanity. Carter volunteered his carpentry skills and raised money to boost the organization's profile. Since 1984, Carter donated one week of his time and his building skills every year to the organization. Carter, who left the White House in 1980 at the end of his first and only term as US President, had said in an interview that his mother Lillian joined the Peace Corps when she was 67 and worked in a leper colony near Mumbai. "She was very near Bombay in a little village

Bhujbal's exclusion from Maharashtra cabinet NCP's issue: Shiv Sena leader

Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Bharat Gogawale has said Chhagan Bhujbal's exclusion from the cabinet is an internal issue of the NCP and not of the ruling Mahayuti coalition. It is the discretion of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to pick ministers, like the allies Shiv Sena and BJP, Gogawale told reporters on Sunday. "Others can't comment on this issue. The exclusion of Bhujbal from the council of ministers is the issue of the NCP and not of the Mahayuti coalition," he said. Bhujbal has blamed NCP president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for not inducting him in the expanded cabinet of the BJP-led government. The former minister claimed CM Devendra Fadnavis had favoured his induction into the state cabinet. A total of 39 legislators took oath as ministers on December 15, including 33 as cabinet ministers and the rest as ministers of state.

Massive fire breaks out in two chemical units in Boisar MIDC in Maharashtra

A massive fire broke out on Sunday in a chemical factory in Boisar-Tarapur MIDC in Palghar district of Maharashtra, officials said. The raging blaze at UK Aromatic and Chemical Company also engulfed an adjacent chemical unit in the Salwad Shivaji Nagar area. A firefighting operation is underway to douse the blaze, the officials said, adding that no report has been received so far about any injuries. A major disaster was averted as workers rushed out of the premises of the fire-ravaged UK Aromatic and Chemicals Factory, officials added. The cause of the blaze cannot be known immediately. Visuals showed thick plumes of black smoke emanating from the burning industrial unit. The Palghar fire control room received a call about the incident around 6:20 PM, following which a fire-fighting operation was launched immediately. Several fire engines and water tankers were dispatched to the spot to douse the blaze which is yet to be brought under control even after almost two hours.

Dharavi Redevelopment Project changes name to Navbharat Mega Developers

Company says it is to avoid being mistaken for the government authority in the same space, which is Dharavi Redevelopment Authority (DRA)

Beed sarpanch murder: CM Fadnavis asks CID to seize properties of accused

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the police's Crime Investigation Department (CID) to confiscate properties of the accused in the murder case of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. A Home department official on Saturday also said Fadnavis has asked the authorities to cancel the arms licenses of people whose pictures or videos showing them firing in the air or flaunting guns in public have circulated on social media. Fadnavis, who took over as CM on December 5 following the BJP-led coalition's election victory and who holds the Home portfolio, is facing heat from the opposition over the brutal murder of the sarpanch in Beed district earlier this month. The Maharashtra police's CID has taken over the probe into the murder case. "Chief Minister Fadnavis has asked the CID to confiscate properties of the accused in the murder case," the official said. Meanwhile, participants of a huge protest rally in Beed on Saturday, attended by MLAs and local leaders of opposit

Maharashtra RTOs to deploy radar-equipped vehicles for enhanced e-challan

The Maharashtra motor vehicles department (MMVD) will procure interceptor vehicles equipped with radar systems capable of detecting multiple traffic violations simultaneously, officials said on Friday. The deployment of such radar-mounted interceptor vehicles, which will be the first for any state in the country, is expected to significantly increase the number of e-challans issued by flying squads of Regional Transport Offices (RTO), in turn improving enforcement efficiency, they said. The radar-based system will be installed on 96 interceptor vehicles, the majority of which arrived about a month ago and are awaiting fitment, and will then be handed over to RTO flying squads, the officials said. While 69 Mahindra-made interceptor vehicles have been delivered and are awaiting installation of the new system, procurement of 27 more is in process. This procurement comes after MMVD introduced 187 AI-powered laser speed gun mounted interceptor vehicles earlier this year using road ...