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Aaditya Thackeray urges Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to upgrade Pune, Nashik airports

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Mumbai: Former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray wrote a letter to Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, requesting him to consider developing new airports in Palghar district and Fardapur near Ajanta Caves. He also urged Scindia to look into development of Pune and Nashik airports. Aaditya Thackeray saying, “I have written to the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia, placing on record requests for development of new airports in Palghar Dist. and Fardapur, and clarity for airports of Pune and Nashik.” The Shiv Seva [UBT] leader added, “I hope he takes up the development of these 4 airports, as it will help give a boost to development and support passenger connectivity, industry, agriculture and tourism.”

Aaditya Thackeray writes letter to Jyotiraditya Scindia

In his letter dated March 3, Thackeray scion invoked that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during Budget speech this year had said that 50 airports, helipads, ports will be developed or upgraded in India. He urged Scindia to put Maharashtra in priority area of development for Civil Aviation department. “During the presentation of the “Budget 2023″ presented by Hon’ble Finance Minister, we heard a mention of 50 airports/helipads/ ports to be developed/ upgraded in India. We were delighted to hear of this announcement, as it would surely usher in progress. However, the absence of details has led to hope and confusion, at the same time. I write to you, urging you to put Maharashtra in the priority area of development for the Civil Aviation department,” he wrote. He said that while he was a minister in Maharashtra government, he pushed ahead several key projects including Palghar Airport and developing airfield in Fardapur. He said that Mumbai will need a third airport over the next 10 years and one must be built in Palghar district. He said this airport will cater to Mumbai’s needs, support growing urban population in the district and the industrial belt.

Thackeray scion on Palghar airport, Fardapur airfield

“It will be a source of revenue earner for the State of Maharashtra, if this airport turns to be a cargo hub, passenger airport as well as parking opportunities for planes,” he wrote in the letter on Palghar airport. Elaborating on having an airfield in Fardapur, he wrote, “An airfield in Fardapur, another project that the MVA Government was exploring, could help us boost the local connectivity and bring this site on the global map of Buddhism. We were exploring to work on this project with the Tourism & Culture Department of the Govt of Maharashtra, and, also have countries that are a part of the global Buddhist cultural heritage, support this project.”

Seeks development of Maharashtra’s civil aviation

Apart from the aforementioned projects, he requested the minister to look into expansion of Pune airport and development of Nashik airport. “Sir, all these issues, I bring to your notice as a citizen of Maharashtra, wanting the state to prosper and further propel the growth of our great nation, India. I have only mentioned a few of Maharashtra’s multiple points of potential and roadblocks in the sector of civil aviation, directly linking it to industry, agriculture, tourism growth. I hope you will take cognizance of my humble requests and give justice to Maharashtra’s civil aviation needs,” he wrote in his letter.

General

Thane Tragedy: Environmentalist-Lawyer Sarita Khanchandani Dies By Suicide In Ulhasnagar, Family Alleges Harassment By Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader

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Thane: In connection with the death of environmentalist-activist-lawyer Sarita Khanchandani, who allegedly died by suicide on Thursday after jumping from the seventh floor of Roma Building where she lived in Ulhasnagar, her husband Purshottam Khanchandani has leveled serious allegations against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and his associate accusing them of harassing his wife and trying to implicate her in a fabricated case.

He claimed that the harassment drove her to suicide and demanded that the case be probed by a senior officer under judicial supervision.

Purshottam, along with other family members, addressed a press conference to present his side of the story. He said Sarita had been helping Jiya Goplani, a woman whose domestic case she was handling. After being ousted by her in-laws, Goplani had no shelter, and Sarita allowed her to live in one of her homes for six years, providing food and support.

Although the court awarded Goplani a monthly maintenance of Rs 15,000, Sarita eventually asked her to vacate the house. Goplani assured her that she was looking for a house in Badlapur and would leave within two months.

According to Purshottam, on Wednesday, Goplani called Sarita claiming she was unwell. When Sarita went to meet her around 11:45 p.m., she found nearly 20 people present. Purshottam alleged that this was a conspiracy to trap Sarita, and a video of the incident later surfaced on the social media.

Although the police were called to the spot, both Sarita and Goplani told officers they had no complaints, after which Sarita returned home.

However, Purshottam alleged that later the same night, Goplani, along with a politician and others, went to the police station and registered a case against Sarita. Shocked by the development, Sarita went to the police station on Thursday but later returned home and jumped to her death from the terrace.

He also accused the Vithalwadi police station of facilitating the conspiracy to falsely implicate her. He clarified that Goplani was not a tenant but was staying at their residence purely on humanitarian grounds.

Purshottam linked the incident to an earlier dispute, alleging that the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and his associate had encroached upon a government toilet block. Sarita had filed a petition in the High Court against the encroachment, after which the Shiv Sena Shakha on the premises was shut down and the property handed back to the municipal corporation.

In response to Purshottam’s allegations, Jiya Gopalani refused all allegations and stated that she was his wife’s tenant and that Sarita forced her to work according to her instructions; otherwise, she would not fight her domestic case in court.

“On Wednesday, Sarita came to my home because I was not picking up her call. Sarita arrived at my home and assaulted me badly, after which I visited the police station and filed a case against her.”

DCP Sachin Gore of Ulhasnagar said “Based on Jiya Goplani’s complaint, we filed a case of trespass and assault against Sarita. In Sarita’s suicide matter, no note was found. So far, we have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) . We will record the statements of witnesses. Further investigation is underway, and if anyone’s role emerges, action will take accordingly.”

Sarita Khanchandani, a practicing lawyer, was known for her environmental activism and had played a significant role in getting DJs banned in Maharashtra.

She also ran the Heerali Foundation, an organization dedicated to cleaning up the Ulhas and Waldhuni rivers that flow through Ulhasnagar. She was a prominent figure in pollution activism in the city, petitioning police to act against violators and raising awareness of environmental issues affecting the rivers.

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Crime

Maloney arrested with 7.2 million worth of ganja and pistol, five others

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Mumbai Maloni Police has claimed to have arrested five accused including ganja worth Rs 72 lakhs and a country-made pistol and live cartridges. In Maloni, the police had arrested Ashiq Hussain Khan with 1 kg 60 grams of ganja. He said that he buys this drug from Nashik. After that, Santosh More of Nashik was arrested. After that, a total of four accused were arrested in this case and a case was registered against them under the NDPS Act. A car was searched in Maloni Madh in which a country-made pistol and ganja were recovered. This operation was carried out by DCP Sandeep Jadhav on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti. The police is investigating the matter further.

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Maharashtra

The application date for Mumbai students’ education scholarship should be extended till September 1: Abu Asim Azmi

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Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has written a letter to the state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Minister of Minority Affairs demanding extension of the application date for scholarship 2025-26 for students pursuing higher education abroad through the Minority Department and Ministry of Minority Affairs. The last date is August 28, 2025. Azmi has demanded an extension till September 1. He said that there is a three-day holiday in Maharashtra in view of Ganpati festival and other festivals, so students will have difficulty in submitting applications. Therefore, keeping in mind the convenience of the students, the date for submission of applications should be extended till September 1 and the government should take a positive decision on this.

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