In a major relief for Mumbaikars facing domestic gas supply issues, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a circular to simplify and accelerate the process of getting PNG (Piped Natural Gas) connections through Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL). According to the circular, citizens can now apply for new PNG connections without the need for formal trenching permissions. Only prior intimation to the civic body will suffice, making the entire process faster and more citizen-friendly. The move comes in view of the current gas shortage situation in the city. Residents looking to switch from LPG cylinders to the more convenient and safer PNG supply are being encouraged to take immediate advantage of this facility. Local corporator and former Municipal Councillor Asif Zakaria shared the details on social media, urging citizens in Bandra, Khar, Santacruz and other western suburbs to apply for PNG connections without delay. He tagged the H-West Ward office and called it a welcome facility for Mumbai households. In view of the current gas situation, @mybmc has issued a circular to fast-track PNG connections by @mahanagargas Mahanagar Gas Limited.No trenching permissions required, only prior intimation needed.Citizens looking for gas connections should take advantage of this सुविधा.… pic.twitter.com/sBIMJ0FQD5 — Asif Zakaria (@Asif_Zakaria) April 1, 2026 Key highlights of the circular -No separate trenching permission needed from BMC-Only prior intimation to the ward office is required-Mahanagar Gas Limited will handle the connection process on a fast-track basis-Aimed at increasing PNG adoption and reducing dependence on LPG cylinders. This initiative is expected to benefit thousands of households, especially in areas where pipeline infrastructure is already available. The simplified procedure is likely to significantly boost the number of new PNG connections in the coming weeks. Citizens interested in applying can contact their nearest Mahanagar Gas office or visit the MGL website for the application process. They are advised to inform their respective BMC ward office before any digging or installation work begins.
01 April,2026 11:43 PM IST | MumbaiMumbai Traffic Police have issued a temporary traffic notification restricting vehicular movement at Khar Subway on Thursday, April 2, in view of the religious procession being taken out on the occasion of Hanuman Janmotsav. According to the order issued by Dr Dipali Dhate, deputy commissioner of police (HQ and Central), traffic, Mumbai, Khar Subway will be closed to all types of vehicular traffic from 6 pm to 10 pm. The restriction has been imposed following a similar notification issued by the western suburbs traffic police for the procession falling under the Vakola Traffic Division jurisdiction. The measure aims to ensure smooth passage of the procession and prevent any danger, obstruction or inconvenience to the public. Alternate route advised for commuters Commuters travelling from Church Avenue Road towards Santacruz East via Khar Subway are advised to use the following diversion: SV Road - Kheera Nagar Junction - Milan Nagar Subway -Santacruz East The police have appealed to motorists to plan their journeys in advance and follow the directions of traffic police personnel on duty to avoid congestion in the Bandra-Khar-Santacruz area during the evening hours. This temporary arrangement will remain in force only for four hours on April 2 and normal traffic movement is expected to resume after 10 pm. The police have urged motorists to cooperate and use public transport wherever possible during the restricted period. Mumbai: No-parking zone declared on Vikhroli station road to ease traffic congestion In a bid to address persistent traffic congestion and enhance pedestrian safety, Mumbai Traffic Police have declared a strict no-parking zone along the busy Vikhroli Station Road stretch, from Narayan Bodhe Chowk to Vikhroli Railway Station (East). The decision comes following repeated complaints from local residents and commuters about severe traffic snarls caused by vehicles parked on both sides of the road. The stretch serves as a crucial access route for daily commuters, making it particularly vulnerable to congestion during peak hours. According to officials from the Vikhroli Traffic Division, the continuous parking along the road has significantly reduced carriageway space, leading to bottlenecks and delays. Citizens have raised concerns over the inconvenience caused, especially to senior citizens and pedestrians who struggle to navigate the encroached pathways. Authorities also highlighted that illegal parking poses a serious risk during emergencies. Blocked roads can hinder the swift movement of essential services such as ambulances and fire brigade vehicles, potentially endangering lives in critical situations.
01 April,2026 11:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 45-year-old man died after a tree branch fell on him in the Maharashtra Police headquarters compound, early evening Wednesday. According to colleagues and relatives of the deceased, Anil Bhagoji Gore, he was a PWD employee assigned as a wireman at the DGP office. A resident of Ghatkopar East, Gore is survived by his Wife and two minor daughters. The man was declared dead at St George Hospital after a tree branch fell near Maharashtra Police Headquarters in Colaba. The incident also damaged multiple vehicles An unfortunate incident was reported on Tuesday late evening after a tree branch fell near the Maharashtra Police Headquarters in Colaba, resulting in one fatality and damage to multiple vehicles. According to officials, the incident occurred around 7 pm at Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg. A large branch of a Gulmohar tree suddenly snapped and fell onto four vehicles parked inside the compound. The impact caused significant damage to the vehicles and injured a male individual who was present at the spot. Emergency response teams, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade, police personnel, and local ward staff, were immediately mobilised to manage the situation and clear the debris. The injured man was rushed to St. George Hospital in a police vehicle for urgent medical attention. However, hospital authorities later confirmed that the victim, identified as 45-year-old Anil Bhagoji Gore, was declared dead upon arrival. The confirmation was provided by Dr Kamlesh Pasi, Chief Medical Officer.
01 April,2026 10:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar | Sarthak MehtaWestern Railway (WR) reported robust growth across freight loading, infrastructure development, safety, passenger services, and revenue generation in the financial year 2025–26. The zone entered the 100 million tonnes club for the fourth consecutive year, recording freight loading of around 106 million tonnes. It remained the leading contributor in container, fertiliser and mineral oil loading on Indian Railways. Container loading stood at 35.33 million tonnes (38 per cent share), fertiliser at 19.49 million tonnes (29 per cent), and mineral oil at 11.71 million tonnes (23 per cent). Three new Gati Shakti Cargo terminals were commissioned in Mumbai Central, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad divisions. Infrastructure and safety Western Railway completed 252 km of new lines, gauge conversion and doubling works, and achieved 206 route kilometres of electrification, resulting in 100 per cent electrification of its broad gauge network. In a safety milestone, the zone installed KAVACH (version 4.0) on 660 route kilometres. It also constructed 162 road overbridges/road under bridges — the highest on Indian Railways — and 20 foot over bridges, while eliminating 100 manned level crossing gates. The zone recorded around 96 per cent punctuality in Mail/Express trains and removed 19 permanent speed restrictions. India’s first 9,000 HP electric locomotive was rolled out from the Dahod workshop. WR also commissioned India’s first 2x25 kV traction sub-station under Mission Raftaar on the Khachrod–Nagda section. Passenger services Seventeen new trains were introduced, including Mail/Express, passenger and DEMU/MEMU services. In the revised timetable from January 1, 2026, 116 trains were speeded up by 3 to 105 minutes. Over 11,000 trips of holiday special trains were operated. In suburban services, total services increased from 1,406 to 1,414, while 15-car services rose to 227. As many as 27 suburban rakes had luggage compartments converted into senior citizen compartments. AC services increased to 133, while the emergency talk-back system was installed in 411 ladies’ coaches. A total of 42 escalators and lifts were commissioned. Revenue performance Western Railway recorded passenger revenue of around Rs 8,490 crore and freight revenue of Rs 14,257 crore. Ticket-checking revenue touched Rs 209 crore. The zone ranked second in non-fare revenue, earning Rs 133.26 crore, including over Rs 2 crore from film shooting. Catering revenue reached Rs 200 crore, while ‘Eat Right’ certification was awarded to 80 stations and 19 campuses. Western Railway generated around Rs 654 crore from scrap sale, surpassing the Railway Board target by 40 per cent and recording the highest among all zones. Digital initiatives and staff welfare Western Railway developed SUGAM RAIL, a digital application for asset logging, maintenance monitoring and tracking of lifts and escalators. Digital lounges and co-working spaces were opened at Mumbai Central, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad stations. A QR-based refund portal, SARAL, was launched in Mumbai Central division. Under the Staff Benefit Fund, Rs 7.96 crore was disbursed towards welfare schemes, including women empowerment and scholarships. Western Railway also recorded its highest capital expenditure utilisation at Rs 22,282 crore, a 17.06 per cent increase year-on-year, and crossed Rs 1,350 crore in sundry earnings.
01 April,2026 09:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway on Wednesday announced special traffic and power blocks to facilitate the dismantling of panels of the Elphinstone Road Road Over Bridge (ROB). The dismantling work by the authorities will be carried out between Parel railway station and Currey Road railway station. As per the official statement, the blocks will be carried out over two consecutive nights, April 2/3 and April 3/4, primarily during midnight hours to minimise disruption to suburban services. The block will be implemented on the section between Byculla railway station (excluding crossovers) and Dadar railway station (excluding platforms). Midnight on April 3 (Thursday/Friday), services on the Up slow line and both Up and Down fast lines will be affected from 12:30 am to 4:30 am. On the following night, April 3/4 (Friday/Saturday), the block will be imposed on the Up Fast line during the same time window. Several trains to be diverted Due to the block, several long-distance trains will be diverted. Officials said that train number 11020 Konark Express will be diverted between Matunga and Byculla on both nights and will halt twice at Dadar station. Additionally, on the night of April 3/4, 12810 Howrah-CSMT Mail and 12134 Mangaluru-CSMT Express will also be diverted on the same route with a double halt at Dadar. Railway officials further stated that these blocks are essential for infrastructure maintenance and safety upgrades. Central Railway also urged the commuters to plan their journeys accordingly during the period.
01 April,2026 09:33 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarChief of the Naval Staff, Dinesh K Tripathi, on Wednesday conferred prestigious gallantry and distinguished service awards on Indian Naval personnel at the Naval Investiture Ceremony 2026 in Mumbai. As per an official statement, the awards were presented on behalf of the President of India to honour acts of exceptional bravery, leadership, professional excellence, and distinguished service by naval personnel and units. The individual honours included two Yudh Seva Medals, 12 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), eight Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), and 18 Vishisht Seva Medals, recognising outstanding contributions across operational and service domains. Award ceremony In a poignant moment, the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak was awarded posthumously to the spouse of the late Deepak Kumar, Petty Officer Marine Engineering, for acts of exceptional courage. The Chief of the Naval Staff also presented the Capt Ravi Dhir Memorial Gold Medal for promoting flight safety and the Lt VK Jain Memorial Medal for excellence in applied research. Unit citations were awarded to several operational afloat units and shore establishments for exemplary service over the past year. Additionally, the CNS Rolling Trophy for Best Green Practices was conferred in both industrial and non-industrial categories, highlighting the Navy’s focus on sustainability. Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, senior officers, sailors, and families of the awardees were present at the felicitation ceremony, marking a proud and solemn occasion celebrating the dedication and valour of the Indian Navy.
01 April,2026 08:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonThe Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), a unit of the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), successfully organised the 1st International Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Summit as part of OTCAN REHAB 2026 at its Kharghar campus. This initiative marks a major step towards advancing multidisciplinary cancer care. The summit, inaugurated by Navin Khattry, Deputy Director, CRC-ACTREC, brought together leading experts, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to deliberate on comprehensive rehabilitation strategies for breast cancer patients. Delegates across India addressed the summit In his welcome address, Jagmohan Lal Meena, Organising Secretary and In-charge of the Department of Occupational Therapy at ACTREC, emphasised the need for a holistic and collaborative approach in improving patient outcomes. The event was further enriched by insights from John Boyages, Senior Oncologist and Founding Director of ALERT, Australia, who highlighted global best practices in breast cancer rehabilitation. The hybrid-format summit witnessed participation from 238 delegates across India and countries including the UAE, UK, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Attendees comprised oncologists, clinical pharmacologists, occupational therapists, faculty, and students engaged in cancer rehabilitation. Experts at the summit discussed the importance of multidisciplinary teams in enhancing functional recovery and quality of life for breast cancer survivors. The scientific programme featured eminent national and international faculty, including Dileep R. Hoysal and Anbarasan Sekar, and specialists from the United States such as Manisha Agarwal, Shaloo Choudhary, and Geeta Santosh Nath. The in-house faculty from Tata Memorial Centre, including Savita Goswami, Sarika Mahajan, and Mohua Chatterjee, also contributed significantly, alongside distinguished occupational therapy experts like Sunita Koutarapu and Shailaja Jayavant. First international summit in Asia exclusively for breast cancer awareness Being among the first international summits in Asia dedicated exclusively to breast cancer rehabilitation, the event provided a vital platform for knowledge exchange and showcased emerging innovations in patient care. Participants lauded the initiative, noting its role in strengthening rehabilitation services and improving long-term outcomes for patients. The organisers expressed gratitude to Sudeep Gupta, Pankaj Chaturvedi, and other senior leadership for their continued support in making the summit a success.
01 April,2026 08:32 PM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonIn a significant boost to railway finances and resource optimisation, the Central Railway has earned a record Rs 459.52 crore from the sale of scrap materials during the financial year 2025–26. This marks the highest revenue from scrap disposal in the last two years and surpasses the Railway Board’s target of Rs 450 crore. The zone said the achievement aligns with its “Zero Scrap Mission”, aimed at converting idle and waste materials into revenue-generating assets while promoting efficient resource utilisation and environmental sustainability. As on March 31, the zone achieved this figure through systematic identification, collection, and disposal of various categories of scrap and unserviceable materials. Major contributors Rail permanent-way scrap: 47,502 metric tonnesFerrous scrap: 31,298 metric tonnesNon-ferrous scrap: 3,616 metric tonnesSleepers: 2,65,625 unitsRolling stock: 50 locomotives, 78 coaches, and 137 wagons The stores department conducted coordinated scrap disposal drives across locations, including Kurla Cutting Yard, Traction Machine Workshop (Nashik), Parel Workshop, Manmad Workshop, and all five divisions. These efforts led to an improvement in overall sales performance. Division-wise performance Bhusawal Division emerged as the top performer with Rs 105.39 crore in scrap sale revenue. It was followed by: Matunga Workshop: Rs 68.39 croreNagpur Division: Rs 64.02 croreMumbai Division: Rs 55.49 crorePune Division: Rs 50 crore Other divisions and production units also contributed to the total revenue. Meanwhile, Central Railway avoided scrapping a serviceable Rotatek Printing Machine. The machine, which was lying unused but in working condition, was transferred to the Nashik Printing Press at a value of Rs 8.75 crore. Central Railway said the initiative not only generates non-fare revenue but also supports operational efficiency and sustainable practices by clearing unused assets. It added that it will continue to focus on unlocking value from underutilised assets.
01 April,2026 08:31 PM IST | MumbaiThe Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has achieved its highest-ever property tax collection, raking in a record Rs 876 crore in the financial year 2025–26, marking a major milestone since its inception. Civic officials attributed the surge to a combination of citizen participation, strategic planning, and the success of the Abhay Yojana implemented between March 10 and March 31, 2026. The scheme offered a 50 per cent waiver on penalty for lump sum payment of arrears, encouraging thousands of defaulters to clear dues. Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde credited the achievement to a “transparent, tech-driven and citizen-friendly approach,” while thanking taxpayers for their cooperation. Under his leadership, the civic body emphasised digital adoption, streamlined processes and consistent follow-ups to boost compliance. Nerul tops collection charts Among administrative wards, Nerul emerged as the top contributor with Rs 182.09 crore in collections. It was followed by Koparkhairane (Rs 163.40 crore) and Ghansoli (Rs 150.11 crore), indicating strong recovery across key nodes. Tech and data-driven recovery Officials said the property tax department leveraged data analytics to identify defaulters and plan targeted recovery drives. SMS alerts, WhatsApp messages, RCS communication and physical follow-ups were extensively used. In a first, the civic body also deployed AI-based calling systems to reach out to defaulters, nudging them to pay pending dues. Digital payments dominate A significant behavioural shift was observed among taxpayers, with nearly 61 per cent opting for online payment modes. Of the total 2.25 lakh property owners who paid tax this year, the majority preferred digital platforms, while 39 per cent paid offline at civic collection centres. To further ease payments, NMMC kept tax collection centres operational even on weekends and public holidays in March, ensuring last-mile convenience. March rush boosts numbers The final month of the financial year saw a major spike, with over 28,800 property owners contributing around Rs 192.81 crore alone, underlining the impact of deadline-driven compliance and incentives. Municipal Commissioner Shinde said, "The record-breaking figures reflect growing tax discipline and improved trust between the administration and citizens." NMMC Mayor Sujata Patil and senior officials also congratulated the property tax department for the achievement.
01 April,2026 07:34 PM IST | Navi Mumbai | Abhitash SinghIn a move aimed at improving daily travel for millions, Central Railway has announced the extension of its collaboration with the Yatri App, strengthening access to real-time train information across Mumbai’s suburban rail network. The five-year-old partnership has played a key role in providing accurate and timely updates to commuters. Initially formalised through a five-year tender awarded in April 2021, the agreement has now been extended until March 2031, reflecting the success and reliability of the collaboration. As part of the arrangement, the Yatri app contributes an annual licence fee revenue of Rs 22.05 lakh to Central Railway, making it both a service-oriented and revenue-generating initiative. Mumbai’s suburban railway is among the busiest urban transit systems globally, serving millions of passengers every day. Through this partnership, commuters benefit from crucial features such as live train tracking, delay alerts, and platform information. The app utilises GPS-enabled data from local trains to deliver precise, real-time updates, assisting over 2.5 million users daily. Officials from the Central Railway further noted that the integration of real-time train data has significantly improved commuter convenience, enabling better travel planning and smoother coordination with other public transport systems, including city buses and the metro network. Moreover, the continued collaboration underscores Central Railway’s commitment to leveraging digital solutions to enhance passenger services. Railway and Yatri App expected to strengthen the suburban rail network By supporting digital platforms like the Yatri App, the railway aims to make travel information more transparent, accessible, and reliable for everyday commuters. With the partnership now secured through 2031, both Central Railway and the Yatri App are expected to further strengthen Mumbai’s suburban rail experience, making it more efficient and commuter-friendly.
01 April,2026 07:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarIn a significant step towards education welfare, the Maharashtra State Cabinet has approved an increase in scholarship amounts for thousands of differently-abled students across the state, offering long-awaited financial relief. The decision was cleared during a recent cabinet meeting and will benefit students from Class 8 to Class 12. Furthermore, this marks the first revision in scholarship amounts in over twelve years, addressing a long-pending demand from students and parents. This is the first increase in scholarship amounts in 12 years, bringing major relief to students in Classes 8 to 12. Over 93,000 scholarship applications await verification in Maharashtra More than 93,000 scholarship applications from students seeking higher education are currently pending verification in Maharashtra, the state government informed the legislative council on Tuesday, reported the PTI. In a written reply, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said that 93,326 applications were awaiting verification on the MahaDBT Portal as of February 27. Patil explained that the verification process is often delayed because applicants fail to upload required documents, submit incorrect files, or do not provide hard copies of their applications to colleges. These issues slow down the scrutiny process carried out by the concerned authorities.
01 April,2026 05:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarADVERTISEMENT
