Maharashtra's transport department has initiated a statewide drive to assess taxi and autorickshaw drivers' working knowledge of Marathi, issuing notices to 1,268 drivers on the first day. Those who fail the initial 16-question test will receive a one-month notice to learn Marathi, with subsequent failure leading to a three-month badge suspension.
Sanjay Dutt's confession about his inability to learn Marathi, even after six years in Yerwada jail, has inadvertently sparked controversy and put Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik in an awkward position, given Sarnaik's stringent policy on Marathi proficiency for auto and taxi drivers.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that autorickshaw and taxi drivers will be given an opportunity to learn Marathi before any action is taken against them for non-compliance with the language requirement. This move softens the state's earlier stance, which had evoked mixed reactions and concerns about livelihoods.
The Maharashtra government has proposed amendments to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, making 'working knowledge of Marathi language' mandatory for cab drivers, with non-compliance potentially leading to suspension or revocation of driving licences.
Maharashtra's Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a drive against auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers lacking a 'working knowledge' of Marathi, with penalties ranging from licence suspension to cancellation, sparking fears among non-Marathi speaking drivers.
The Maharashtra government has extended the deadline for autorickshaw and taxi drivers to acquire working knowledge of Marathi by one year, a decision welcomed by unions who say it removes the immediate threat to their livelihoods.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a one-year grace period for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to learn functional Marathi. This decision comes after the Transport Department issued notices to drivers who failed a Marathi test, prompting driver organisations to request more time due to varying age groups and educational backgrounds. During this period, no action will be taken, and Marathi classes and study materials will be provided.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's decision to grant a one-year extension to autorickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi, alleging it was due to 'pressure from Delhi' and a message to BJP's ally Shiv Sena.
The Maharashtra government has issued a circular directing authorities to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against individuals, gangs, and organisations repeatedly involved in cattle smuggling.
Maharashtra excise department seized Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) manufactured in Goa, valued at Rs 1.43 crore, in Thane city and arrested two persons.
Maharashtra plans new policy to make domicile certificate mandatory for driving licence from August 2026, alongside efforts to regulate bike taxi services for revenue and job creation.
The Maharashtra excise department has arrested over 210 people and registered 313 cases in a five-day crackdown on illicit liquor manufacturing and sales in Thane, Palghar, and Raigad districts. This intensified action follows the Pune hooch tragedy, which claimed at least 15 lives, leading to the seizure of property worth Rs 1.58 crore and the suspension of 22 police and excise personnel.
The Maharashtra excise department has arrested over 210 people and registered 313 cases in a five-day crackdown on illicit liquor manufacturing and sales in Thane, Palghar, and Raigad districts. This intensified action follows the Pune hooch tragedy, which claimed at least 15 lives, leading to the seizure of property worth Rs 1.58 crore and the suspension of 22 police and excise personnel.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed his determination to blacklist contractors and suspend officials responsible for delays and shoddy execution of infrastructure projects. He plans to personally inspect the delayed Mumbai-Goa Highway in October and urged the Goa government to develop roadside amenities and promote green initiatives along the route. Gadkari also highlighted the importance of infrastructure for economic growth and sustainable development.
BEST employees continued their strike in Mumbai for a second day, causing significant disruption to public transport despite appeals from the Maharashtra Transport Minister and the invocation of MESMA. Commuters were forced to rely on alternative, overcrowded transport options, while the striking unions maintained their demands for budget merger, improved pay, and absorption of contractual workers.
Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has urged consumers to avoid buying loose or unsealed edible oil due to safety concerns, announcing a compliance order for the entire edible oil sector after detecting widespread violations, including adulteration and improper packaging.
Employees of Mumbai's BEST undertaking have launched an indefinite strike, severely impacting public transport and electricity services. The strike, called by a joint action committee, demands budget merger with BMC, settlement of dues, and implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, among other issues. Despite court orders and MESMA invocation, the strike continues, causing widespread inconvenience to millions of commuters and electricity consumers.
Police in Thane, Maharashtra, seized 25,000 litres of diesel worth Rs 24.5 lakh from a tanker transporting the fuel illegally. A case has been registered against eight people, including the tanker owner and driver.
The Gujarat government has imposed a state-wide ban on the production, transportation, and sale of unstandardised analogue paneer, cheese, and butter. Citing public health concerns and the need to protect consumers and the dairy sector, the decision follows detections of substandard artificial dairy products during inspections. Legal action will be taken against violators.
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking arranged special bus services for students appearing in the NEET re-examination in Mumbai, deploying 60 buses on 24 routes for approximately 180 trips, despite an ongoing strike by its employees that has paralysed public transport.
Transporters across Maharashtra have announced a statewide strike to protest against e-challans and other issues, potentially disrupting transport services including school buses and commercial vehicles.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has issued a show-cause notice to actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their advertisement for Vimal Elaichi, claiming it prima facie amounts to "indirect or surrogate" promotion of prohibited pan masala and tobacco-related products.
The southwest monsoon has intensified across India, bringing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and prompting red alerts for several states, alongside concerns over landslides and urban flooding.
Maharashtra BJP MLC Pravin Darekar announced the launch of 'Devabhau' and 'Chhava' cooperative taxi services in Mumbai, aiming to counter private aggregators and benefit drivers directly, but the scheme has drawn sharp criticism from social activist Anjali Damania and the Opposition Congress over the proposed use of Mumbai Bank funds and its political branding.
'I've seen a lot of meetings over the years, but this was the first time I've seen the deputy chief minister and the industries minister sit through something like this with 200 to 300 industrialists, local residents and politicians from both the ruling side and Opposition, all in the same room.'
Mumbai and its metropolitan region are experiencing severe monsoon rains, leading to widespread waterlogging, transport disruptions, and the closure of schools and colleges. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'extremely heavy rainfall' alert, with some areas receiving nearly 200 mm of rain in 12 hours, prompting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to urge residents to avoid non-essential travel.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall and gusty winds over the weekend. The city has already experienced over 100 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, leading to delays in local train services, though public transport remains operational.
Authorities in Nanded, Maharashtra, conducted a joint operation against illegal sand mining along the Godavari river, seizing and destroying equipment worth Rs 30 lakh. The raid, led by the Nanded collector, also resulted in the confiscation of 125 brass of illegally mined sand and the apprehension of four individuals involved in illegal transport.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of six restaurants and eateries in Mumbai, including a posh establishment in Nariman Point. The action followed raids that uncovered unhygienic kitchens, expired stock, misbranded products, and pest infestations. The FDA also seized banned food items and made arrests during a wider statewide enforcement drive, vowing continued strict action.
A man from Beed, Maharashtra, has been arrested for allegedly posing as a government official and defrauding women by promising them benefits under various government schemes. The accused used the money to fund his alcohol addiction.
With the southwest monsoon stalled over southern Maharashtra, India is facing a nationwide rainfall deficit of 41 percent between June 4 and June 18, according to the latest India meteorological department (IMD) data.
Mumbai and Pune are grappling with severe monsoon weather, triggering an 'orange' alert, widespread disruptions, school closures, and tragic fatalities from landslides and wall collapses.
Monsoon rains have unleashed widespread destruction across India, claiming seven lives in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka due to landslides and floods, while heavy downpours have disrupted normal life and triggered red alerts in Maharashtra and other regions.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a 'red' alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, and warnings include potential flash floods, structural damage, and disruptions to essential services. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has also urged caution and deployed officials to monitor the situation.
Heavy monsoon rains have severely impacted Mumbai and its surrounding areas, leading to landslides, suspension of train services, and at least 13 fatalities over the past few days. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway was also shut due to a concrete pillar collapse and waterlogging.
An irate woman confronted Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan during a BJP demonstration in Mumbai, blaming him for the traffic chaos caused by the protest over the women's reservation bill. The incident, captured on video, has sparked criticism of the BJP's protest tactics.
A viral video of a woman confronting a Maharashtra minister over traffic jams caused by a BJP rally has sparked a backlash, forcing the ruling party to defend its actions and prompting apologies for the inconvenience caused to commuters.
A Rapido bike taxi rider was arrested in Kalyan, Thane, for allegedly molesting a 26-year-old woman passenger and stealing Rs 1000 from her. The incident has also raised concerns about unauthorized bike taxi services and violations of transport regulations.
The Maharashtra Highway Traffic Police have advised motorists to avoid the Mumbai-Pune Expressway until regular traffic movement is restored.
The 63-seater open-top bus, manufactured by Ashok Leyland's arm Switch Mobility, was gifted to the city's tourism department as a corporate social responsibility initiative.
