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Mumbai civic body cracks down on tax defaulters; 6,922 properties attached

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is taking stringent action against property tax defaulters for financial year 2025–26. So far, 6,922 properties have been attached, 483 properties have been seized, and auction proceedings have been proposed for 210 properties. Following the enforcement actions, 2,888 property owners immediately cleared their dues. BMC has urged all remaining defaulters to pay property tax by March 31, 2026, to avoid punitive action. Speaking at a review meeting at BMC headquarters on Wednesday, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi said, “While 82.05 per cent of property tax has been collected so far, we expect 100 per cent compliance by March 31. Property tax is the responsibility of all owners, and timely payment ensures smooth administration and civic services.” The meeting, attended by Deputy Commissioner (Assessment & Collection) Vishwas Shankarwar, Assistant Commissioner Dr Gajanan Bellale, divisional sub-commissioners, and officials from all administrative wards, reviewed tax collection and pending dues across the city. As on Tuesday, March 10, the Mumbai civic body has recovered Rs 6,024 crore, which is 82.05 per cent of total property tax collections. Of the 6,922 properties attached, the total outstanding tax is Rs 6,089 crore. Following attachment notices, 2,888 owners paid Rs 784.32 crore. Auction proceedings proposed for 210 properties, says Mumbai civic body  Meanwhile, 483 properties have been seized, with outstanding dues of Rs 485.62 crore. Of these, 293 owners have paid Rs 68.74 crore. Auction proceedings have been proposed for 210 properties, with outstanding dues of Rs 884.24 crore. Long-term notices have been served for 34 properties, and five owners have cleared Rs 10.45 crore. Dr Joshi also directed authorities to ensure proper security at seized properties and warned that if seized properties are reoccupied without payment, police complaints will be filed against the defaulters. BMC has appealed to all property owners with pending dues, as well as those yet to pay the current year’s tax, to comply by March 31, 2026, to avoid penalties.

11 March,2026 10:07 PM IST | Mumbai
Churchgate Metro station, part of the Aqua Line-3 corridor. FILE PIC/RAJENDRA AKLEKAR

Police declare 27 Mumbai Metro Aqua Line-3 station gates as ‘no parking zones’

Mumbai Police on Wednesday issued an official order, declaring all 27 Mumbai Metro Aqua Line-3 station entry and exit gates as a 'no parking zone'. In an official traffic notification, Mumbai Police said Metro Line-3 (Aqua Line) is fully functional and operational between Cuffe Parade to Aarey colony spanning 33.5 km. It has 27 underground stations and each of it has entry/exit gates at ground level and it has been observed that motor vehicles are parked near these gates causing traffic congestion and obstruction to the commuters and public.  In an official traffic notification, Mumbai Police stated that Metro Line-3 (Aqua Line) is fully functional and operational between Cuffe Parade and Aarey Colony, spanning 33.5 km with 27 underground stations. Each station has entry/exit gates at ground level, and it has been observed that motor vehicles parked near these gates are causing traffic congestion and obstruction to commuters and the public. "In order to prevent danger, obstructions and inconveniences to the public an official 'no parking order's was being issued," the notification said. The notification was issued by Dr Priyanka Narnaware, IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Mumbai Police. List of stations It said that a permanent 24-hour no-parking zone was being declared within a 30-metre stretch of the entry/exit gates of the following Metro-3 (Aqua Line) stations- Cuffe Parade  Vidhan Bhavan  Shitala Devi Temple Churchgate  Dharavi Hutatma Chowk  Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) CSMT Dadar Bandra Colony Kalbadevi  Santacruz Girgaon  CSMIA Airport - T1 Grant Road  Sahar Jagannath Shankar Sheth (Mumbai Central) CSMIA Airport -T2 Mahalaxmi  Marol Naka Science Museum  MIDC Andheri Aarey Acharya Atre Chowk  SEEPZ Worli   Siddhivinayak. The police said that to ensure smooth movement of traffic and proper management of traffic, there will be restrictions on parking of vehicles on roads within 30 meters of the entry/exit gates of the above mentioned metro stations.

11 March,2026 09:05 PM IST | Mumbai | Asif Rizvi
Minister Prakash Abitkar holds a meeting with stakeholders in Mantralaya on Wednesday. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Policyholders must remain at the centre of services: Maharashtra Health Minister

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Tuesday directed health insurance companies and hospitals to keep policyholders at the centre of their services, while assuring that the state government will examine complaints received from insured patients. He was speaking at a joint meeting held at Mantralaya in Mumbai with representatives of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), private insurance companies, and private hospitals to discuss issues related to delays in claim approvals and allegedly excessive medical billing by hospitals. Abitkar said the government had received several complaints from policyholders regarding difficulties in obtaining claim approvals from insurance companies and the high medical bills charged by private hospitals. The meeting was convened to establish a standard mechanism to address these concerns and ensure smoother coordination between insurers and hospitals. Representatives from major insurance companies, including Reliance, Tata, SBI, Star Health, HDFC and AIG attended the meeting, along with representatives from leading hospitals such as Vockhardt, Lilavati, Jaslok and Reliance. “Even though insurance companies and hospitals operate on commercial lines, the patient must remain the central focus,” the minister said. Representatives from insurance firms, private hospitals, IRDAI, and the state health department discussed the possibility of evolving a standard operating framework to safeguard patient welfare. Abitkar noted that the number of people opting for health insurance is steadily increasing, and providing satisfactory services to policyholders is the responsibility of both hospitals and insurance companies. He warned that if irregularities are found, the government will initiate appropriate action. Maharashtra minister calls for time-bound claim approvals, transparency in hospital billing Highlighting Maharashtra’s potential for medical tourism, Abitkar said cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur offer advanced medical facilities, specialist doctors and robust healthcare infrastructure. He urged hospitals to improve services and enhance public trust in the healthcare system. The minister also directed hospitals across the state to register on the IRDAI portal and keep their information updated. He stressed the need to fix a definite time limit for approving insurance claims, noting that lack of coordination between hospitals and insurance companies often leads to mental and financial stress for patients. “The government will take necessary decisions to ensure that patients receive timely treatment and that the claim process becomes more transparent and easier,” he said. At present, around 7,000 to 8,000 hospitals in the state provide insurance-linked medical services. The government has received complaints of irregularities in some cases, and Abitkar said action will be taken under the Bombay Nursing Act wherever necessary. He also emphasised the need to make it mandatory for major hospitals to display clear rate charts for treatments. With different hospitals charging varying rates for the same illness, the meeting discussed the need to develop standard treatment protocols. The minister further said the government is considering the creation of a common empanelment mechanism for insurance companies and hospitals. Hospitals and insurers were also asked to regularly submit data on approved and rejected claims, along with details of complaints, to the health department. Complaints received from Maharashtra will be shared by IRDAI for study and corrective measures, and the state is likely to become the first in the country to initiate such a process. Abitkar said improving trust in the medical profession remains a priority for the government and reiterated that no patient should face difficulties in receiving treatment or insurance claim benefits. Health Services Commissioner Dr Kadambari Balkawade, Director of Health Services Dr Nitin Ambadekar, Joint Director Dr Sunita Golhait, and other senior officials of the public health department were also present at the meeting.

11 March,2026 08:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Strict cleanliness rules to be enforced at Cooper Hospital: Mumbai Deputy Mayor

Mumbai Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi has directed the administration of the Dr. R. N. Cooper Municipal General Hospital to strictly enforce public cleanliness regulations and prioritise sanitation within the hospital premises. He also instructed officials to take action as per rules against littering in public areas and the consumption of tobacco products inside the hospital campus. Deputy Mayor inspects hospital departments The directions were issued during Ghadi’s visit to the hospital on Wednesday. He emphasised that strict security arrangements should be deployed to ensure effective implementation of cleanliness regulations and to prevent prohibited activities within the premises. As part of the visit, the Deputy Mayor inspected multiple departments, including the accident ward, intensive care unit (ICU), and the paediatric ward. He also interacted with patients to understand their experience regarding medical facilities and cleanliness standards. Ghadi appreciated the efforts of the hospital administration for continuing to provide medical services despite the current pressures on the system. Meeting to address staff shortage During the visit, Ghadi said that a meeting of senior administrative officials will soon be convened under the chairmanship of Ritu Tawde to address the shortage of staff across various positions at the hospital. He noted that suburban municipal hospitals are witnessing a heavy patient load, with Cooper Hospital facing significant pressure. In this context, he emphasised the need to expand capacity and develop super-speciality services at the hospital. He added that filling vacancies in sanctioned posts is essential to ensure efficient delivery of healthcare services and reiterated that the issue will be discussed in the upcoming administrative meeting. Corporators and hospital officials present Several dignitaries were present during the inspection, including corporators Deepak Kotekar, Anish Makwana, and Sudha Singh, along with Dr. Dev Shetty, Acting Dean of Cooper Hospital. Strict action against littering and tobacco use Highlighting the importance of maintaining cleanliness, Ghadi said that relatives accompanying patients must cooperate with hospital authorities. He directed security personnel to strictly prevent the entry of tobacco products into the hospital premises and instructed officials to impose penalties effectively to maintain cleanliness in public areas. Awareness campaigns to promote hygiene He further urged the hospital administration to conduct awareness campaigns on cleanliness rules within the premises so that strict action against those violating hygiene norms acts as a deterrent.

11 March,2026 08:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Mumbai weather update: Vikhroli hottest at 36.9 degrees Celsius as city heats up

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday reported that Mumbai recorded maximum temperatures of 34.0 degrees Celsius at Colaba and 34.2 degrees Celsius at Santacruz, with no rainfall recorded at either observatory during the day. According to IMD Mumbai, several automatic weather stations across the city recorded slightly higher temperatures in certain pockets. Vikhroli registered the highest maximum temperature at 36.9 degrees Celsius, followed by Ram Mandir at 36.2 degrees Celsius and Vidyavihar at 34.5 degrees Celsius. Other areas reported comparatively moderate readings, including Byculla at 34.1 degrees Celsius, Tata Power in Chembur at 33.4 degrees Celsius, and Dahisar at 33 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists said the city is currently experiencing warm and humid conditions, typical for early March, with daytime temperatures hovering in the mid-30s across several locations. No rainfall was reported across Mumbai on Tuesday. The IMD has indicated that temperatures are likely to remain on the higher side over the next few days, with hazy sunshine and rising heat levels expected across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Residents have been advised to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during peak afternoon hours. IMD issues yellow alert The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar, predicting hot and humid weather conditions at isolated places. In a weather bulletin, the IMD stated that Mumbai was likely to witness mainly clear sky in the city and its suburbs. Hot and humid conditions were very likely to prevail in the suburbs on March 11. It said that the maximum and minimum temperatures would likely to be around 36 degrees Celsius and 24 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. The weather department had earlier this week predicted heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in isolated pockets of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and several other parts of Maharashtra. Temperature recorded 40 degrees Celsius On Tuesday, the maximum temperature recorded by the IMD Santacruz observatory was 40 degrees Celsius, which was 7.6 degrees Celsius above normal, while the IMD Colaba observatory recorded 35.4 degrees Celsius, which was 4.3 degrees Celsius above normal. The IMD on Tuesday afternoon issued an orange alert for Mumbai and the entire MMR, including, Thane and Palghar, predicting heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in isolated pockets.

11 March,2026 06:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Marine Drive Police have filed an FIR against the man under Section 226 (attempt to commit suicide) of BNS. FILE PIC

Upset over removal of Lord Vishwakarma statue, 38-year-old attempts suicide

A 38-year-old man, reportedly upset over the removal of a statue of Lord Vishwakarma in his hometown in Maharashtra, has been booked after attempting suicide in south Mumbai on Wednesday, PTI reported, quoting police. The incident occurred at Usha Mehta Chowk in the Nariman Point area. According to an officer from the Marine Drive Police Station, the man is a resident of Takli village in Solapur district. Locals immediately rushed to stop him and he was later taken to the police station, the officer said. Police stated that the man was upset because a statue of Lord Vishwakarma, which had been illegally placed on land belonging to the Lohar Samaj in his village, was removed by local authorities a few days earlier.  A first information report (FIR) has been registered against him under Section 226 (attempt to commit suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the officer added. 24-year-old woman found dead in Wadala; boyfriend held for abetment to suicide Mumbai Police have arrested a man for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 24-year-old woman from Wadala, who was found dead at her home on March 8. Officers from the Antop Hill Police Station said a case has been registered against the accused under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following a complaint filed by the woman’s family.  According to police, the woman was found unresponsive in her room by her parents on the morning of March 8. She was rushed to Sion Hospital, where doctors declared her dead before admission.  In the complaint, the woman’s father alleged that the accused had been in a relationship with his daughter and had subjected her to verbal abuse and humiliation.  The family claimed that the suspect allegedly made derogatory remarks about her character, causing severe emotional distress.  Police have recovered a six-page handwritten letter from the woman’s room.  According to officers, the note indicates that the woman had been in a relationship with the accused for more than a year and was deeply affected by developments in the relationship.  In the note, she apologised to her family for the pain her decision would cause and wrote that she felt overwhelmed and unable to cope with the situation.  The accused was produced before a court and remanded in one-day police custody. (With PTI inputs)

11 March,2026 06:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic

Devendra Fadnavis says Maharashtra nearing trillion-dollar economy milestone

Maharashtra is on course to become India’s first trillion-dollar sub-national economy in the coming years, driven by sustained industrial expansion, infrastructure development and increased adoption of emerging technologies, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. Fadnavis made the remarks during an on-stage conversation with actor Aamir Khan at the ‘Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards 2026’ organised by Lokmat Media Group at the Gateway of India. Maharashtra among largest regional economies Highlighting the state’s economic progress, Fadnavis said Maharashtra already holds the position of India’s largest sub-national economy and continues to strengthen its global economic footprint, reported PTI. “If Maharashtra were an independent country, it would rank among the world’s top 30 economies. With sustained growth momentum, Maharashtra is on track to become India’s first trillion-dollar sub-national economy in the coming years,” the chief minister said, reported PTI. He attributed the state’s growth trajectory to industrial development, large-scale infrastructure projects and technological innovation across multiple sectors. No plan to ban social media for under-16 users Fadnavis also addressed concerns regarding the growing influence of social media on younger users, stating that although the issue is being closely monitored, the government currently has no plans to introduce a law banning social media usage for individuals under the age of 16, reported PTI. He noted that the rapid growth of social media platforms has created new governance challenges, particularly due to algorithm-driven systems designed to maximise user engagement. “Most social media platforms rely heavily on AI-driven algorithms designed to maximise engagement, which has significantly reduced attention spans, especially among children. Protecting young minds from this challenge is important,” he said, reported PTI. The chief minister added that while no legal restrictions are currently being considered, the government is studying the issue and may introduce appropriate measures if necessary. AI revolution brings opportunities and challenges Speaking about technological advancements, Fadnavis said the rise of artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and challenges for governance, public administration and economic growth. “The wave of AI is unstoppable, and we must proactively prepare ourselves for it,” he said, reported PTI. As an example, he highlighted the Mahavistaar platform, an AI-enabled application that provides real-time agricultural insights to farmers in regional languages. According to the chief minister, nearly three million farmers are currently using the platform to access information related to crop management and agricultural practices. Focus on climate resilience and renewable energy Fadnavis also emphasised the state government’s commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience. He said Maharashtra has set an ambitious target of planting three billion trees over the next seven years as part of environmental conservation efforts. Additionally, the government plans to provide 16,000 megawatts of solar power to farmers to support agricultural activities while promoting renewable energy adoption. (With inputs from PTI)

11 March,2026 06:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Central Railway recovers Rs 227 crore in ticketless travel penalties

Central Railway has intensified its drive against ticketless and unauthorised travel, recovering more than Rs 227 crore in penalties from nearly 38 lakh offenders during the financial year 2025–26 (April 2025 to February 2026), according to an official statement issued on Wednesday. Railway officials said the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to ensure a safe, smooth and comfortable travel experience for passengers while discouraging violations across its network. Nearly 38 lakh ticketless travellers caught During the period from April 2025 to February 2026, Central Railway’s ticket checking teams apprehended 37.99 lakh passengers travelling without valid tickets or with improper travel authority. This represents an increase of nearly 10 per cent compared to the 34.60 lakh passengers caught during the corresponding period of the previous financial year. In terms of penalties, the railway recovered a record Rs 227.03 crore, compared to Rs 185.62 crore during the same period last year, marking a rise of more than 22 per cent. February 2026 also records sharp rise in penalties Central Railway said the enforcement drives also saw significant results in February 2026, when 3.65 lakh passengers were caught travelling without valid tickets. The figure is higher than the 3.32 lakh offenders detected in February 2025, indicating an increase of nearly 10 per cent. During the month, ticket checking teams collected Rs 23.27 crore in penalties, up from Rs 18 crore in February last year, reflecting a rise of nearly 30 per cent. Mumbai and Bhusaval divisions lead penalty collections Division-wise data for April 2025 to February 2026 shows that the Mumbai division recorded the highest number of cases, while Bhusaval division recorded the highest penalty collection. Mumbai division recovered Rs 71.32 crore from 16.16 lakh cases. Bhusaval division collected Rs 75.29 crore from 8.94 lakh cases. Pune division reported Rs 27.14 crore in penalties from 4.31 lakh cases, while Nagpur division recovered Rs 24.93 crore from 4 lakh cases. Solapur division recorded Rs 10.53 crore in penalties from 2.30 lakh cases, while the headquarters recorded Rs 17.82 crore from 2.28 lakh cases. Multi-pronged enforcement strategy Central Railway said it adopts a multi-pronged strategy to detect unauthorised travel, including station checks, ambush checks, fortress checks, intensive drives and mega ticket checking operations. These drives are conducted across Mail and Express trains, passenger trains, special trains, and suburban services in the Mumbai and Pune divisions. Passengers urged to travel with valid tickets The railway administration has appealed to passengers to travel only with valid tickets purchased through authorised booking counters, authorised vendors, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), or online through the IRCTC website and the RailOne mobile application. Central Railway also warned passengers against using fraudulent methods to generate or obtain fake tickets, stating that such offences are punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, 2023, with penalties including fines and imprisonment of up to seven years, or both. The railway reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards ticketless travel and urged passengers to travel safely, responsibly and with dignity.

11 March,2026 05:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Mumbai passenger reservation system to shut for maintenance on March 13

The Passenger Reservation System (PRS) in Mumbai will remain temporarily unavailable for several hours late Thursday night and early Friday morning due to scheduled maintenance work, the Central Railway said on Wednesday. According to the Central Railway, the Mumbai PRS will be shut down from 11:45 pm on March 12 to 3:15 am on March 13, 2026 to carry out disk de-fragmentation work as part of routine system maintenance. Reservation and related services to be affected During the shutdown period, several PRS-related services will remain unavailable. These include the Passenger Reservation System, coaching refund services, charting activities, train firing, IVRS services, current reservation, chart display systems, touch screen facilities, refund counters and coaching refund terminals. Railway officials said passengers will not be able to book tickets for trains under the Mumbai PRS network through the internet during the maintenance window. TDR facility to remain available The Central Railway clarified that Ticket Deposit Receipts (TDR) for refunds will continue to be issued as per the existing refund rules even during the system downtime. Passengers and rail users have been requested to cooperate with the railway administration during the scheduled maintenance work. Central Railway intensifies crackdown on ticketless commuters Meanwhile, Central Railway has intensified its drive against ticketless and unauthorised travel, recovering more than Rs 227 crore in penalties from nearly 38 lakh offenders during the financial year 2025–26 (April 2025 to February 2026), according to an official statement issued on Wednesday. Railway officials said the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to ensure a safe, smooth and comfortable travel experience for passengers while discouraging violations across its network. During the period April 2025 to February 2026, Central Railway’s ticket checking teams apprehended 37.99 lakh passengers travelling without valid tickets or with improper travel authority. This marks an increase of nearly 10% compared to 34.60 lakh passengers caught during the corresponding period of the previous financial year. In terms of penalties, the railway recovered a record ₹227.03 crore, compared to Rs 185.62 crore during the same period last year, reflecting a rise of more than 22 per cent.

11 March,2026 05:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Mumbai issued over 20 lakh traffic challans in 2025, says Devendra Fadnavis

More than 20 lakh traffic violations were recorded in Mumbai city and suburbs in 2025, with illegal parking accounting for nearly half of the offences, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Wednesday. Responding to a question raised by MLC Manisha Kayande during the ongoing Budget Session, Fadnavis said the Mumbai Traffic Police and Regional Transport Office (RTO) are taking action against motorists violating traffic rules under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. Over 20 lakh violations in 2025 According to the Chief Minister, the Mumbai Traffic Police issued 20,38,440 e-challans in 2025 for various traffic offences across the city and its suburbs. Of these, illegal parking was the most common violation, with 10,46,819 cases recorded, followed by 4,91,714 cases of riding without helmets and 4,34,491 instances of signal jumping. Authorities also took action against 65,416 vehicles for using illegal or fancy number plates. Action against fancy number plates In a written reply to a question in the legislative council, Fadnavis also said the Regional Transport Office inspected 18,368 vehicles between April 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026 for issues such as fancy or missing number plates. Penalties were imposed on 200 vehicles found violating the rules. He added that the Transport Commissioner has currently granted an extension for vehicles without High Security Registration Plates (HSRP). Steps to address footpath parking and abandoned vehicles The Chief Minister said that 1,636 vehicles parked on footpaths were penalised in 2025. He added that abandoned vehicles occupying footpaths are also removed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at the ward level. Increase in traffic personnel To improve traffic regulation and reduce road accidents, the government added 452 personnel to the traffic police force in 2025, Fadnavis said. With this addition, the total strength of traffic police personnel in Mumbai now stands at 3,835. The Chief Minister also rejected the allegation that traffic police were not taking adequate action against violations in the city. The CM said 64,416 motorists were issued challans for wrong registration number plates. The Regional Transport Office in Mumbai city and suburbs took action against 18,368 vehicles with fancy number plates from April 1, 2024, to January 31, 2026.

11 March,2026 05:23 PM IST | Mumbai | Ronak Mastakar
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Western Railway targets Rs 239 crore non-fare revenue in FY27

In line with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) directive to significantly enhance non-ticket revenue streams for Indian Railways, Western Railway (WR) has set an ambitious target to double its Non-Fare Revenue (NFR) in the coming financial year. The decision was discussed during a high-level brainstorming meeting chaired by Western Railway's Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM) Tarun Jain, who held discussions with Senior Divisional Commercial Managers (Sr. DCMs) from across the zone to chart out strategies for achieving the goal. PMO push to double Indian Railways' non-fare revenue The initiative follows a national mandate to increase Indian Railways' Non-Fare Revenue from Rs 750 crore to Rs 1,500 crore through innovative commercial strategies and better utilisation of railway assets. Western Railway has already reported strong performance in this segment, earning Rs 117 crore in NFR as of February 2026 in the current financial year. Building on this momentum, the zone has set a target of Rs 239.24 crore for FY 2026–27. Officials said the focus will be on leveraging innovative commercial models and expanding revenue streams beyond traditional advertising formats. Successful station innovation models highlighted During the meeting, Tarun Jain highlighted several successful initiatives across WR stations that have gained public appreciation and demonstrated the potential of commercial innovation within railway premises. These include the Digital Lounge at Mumbai Central, which has upgraded the passenger waiting experience with modern amenities and digital facilities, and Ratlam’s Mini Mall, which provides organised retail outlets and daily essentials within the station premises. Another notable example is the AC-cum-Digital Lounge at Ahmedabad, which combines premium comfort with technology-driven services for passengers. According to railway officials, these projects showcase how stations can evolve from simple transit points into modern service hubs for travellers. Focus on asset monetisation and digital advertising To achieve the ambitious revenue target, Western Railway plans to adopt a multi-pronged strategy that goes beyond conventional advertising models. The railway zone will focus on identifying underutilised spaces within station premises for branded kiosks, experience zones, and retail outlets, enabling better asset monetisation. Additionally, WR plans to expand Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising at high-footfall stations to attract advertisers and generate additional revenue streams. Officials also emphasised the transformation of railway stations into lifestyle and commercial hubs, offering passengers modern services and improved facilities. Aim to provide modern services to passengers Speaking during the meeting, Tarun Jain said the goal is not just to increase revenue but also to improve passenger experience through value-added services. "We want to give value services to our users. The success of our Digital Lounges and Mini Malls proves that passengers want modern, tech-driven and quality services," he said. He added that by doubling non-fare revenue earnings, Western Railway aims to transform how commercial assets across the zone are utilised and unlock new revenue potential within the railway ecosystem.

11 March,2026 05:22 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
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