Mumbai: The black market and shortage of fuel and gas cylinders have now become common in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. The people are worried about the critical condition of fuel due to the Iran-Israel-America war. In the Legislative Assembly, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Chhagan Bhujbal made it clear that there is no need to worry about the gas crisis and shortage because the Central Government has claimed that it has gas and fuel stocks available with it, so no one needs to stand in queues or buy fuel or gas from black marketing. The government is strict on the black market of gas and action is also underway. The state is currently facing fuel shortage, there is a shortage of cylinders. Speaking in this context, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal gave important information in the legislature. Gas supply is a central issue, and the Center has said that they have sufficient stocks of LPG and PNG. Therefore, there is no reason to worry. Therefore, there is no reason to be worried, do not stand in queues anywhere and do not black market gas. Committees of each district collector, SP and other officers have been appointed. 2129 checks have been done so far. 1208 gas cylinders have been seized through these operations so far. Goods worth Rs 33,66,411 have been seized so far. A total of 23 cases have been registered in this matter and 18 people have been arrested. Bhujbal said that last month the price of a gas cylinder was Rs 852.50. Now it has increased to Rs 912.50. Commercial cylinders have increased from Rs 1720.50 to Rs 1835. This morning I spoke to representatives of major gas distribution companies, DPCL, HPCL, IOCL, some of which are big companies. They said that the daily production of LPG has been increased from 9,000 metric tons to 11,000 metric tons. If there is any problem, work is also underway to remove them. Companies have orders from the central government, and some institutions have been given priority for gas supply, in which hospitals have been given 100 percent priority.

Educational institutions and public services have also been given 100 percent priority. Bhujbal has said that 70 percent priority has been given to gift shops related to railways, aviation and defense sectors, and if gas remains, 50 percent gas will be provided to the pharmaceutical industry and 50 percent to seed processing. Meanwhile, the state is currently facing gas shortage, and the government has now decided on a way to resolve it. As an alternative to gas cylinders and fuel, Bhujbal said that one way is kerosene. We have kerosene reserves available. A few years ago, the Nagpur High Court had said that if you have the Ujjala Gas Scheme, you will not need kerosene. Therefore, despite having kerosene, we were not providing it. But now we have told the High Court that the current situation is difficult, so it is necessary to provide kerosene for public consumption. This kerosene will now be provided to kerosene dealers for distribution. We will also provide kerosene at the pumps of IOCL, BPCL, HPCL companies.

Mira Bhayandar: A shocking and infuriating incident has come to light at the Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Hospital in Mira Bhayandar, where an elderly woman in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was reportedly bitten by a rat. The incident has raised serious questions regarding the lack of hygiene and security within the hospital’s most critical department.

The victim, 89-year-old Suhasini Mathekar, was admitted to the hospital on March 12 following health complaints. Due to her critical condition, she was placed on a ventilator in the ICU located on the fourth floor of the facility.

On the morning of March 13, family members visiting the ICU were horrified to discover that a rat had bitten the elderly woman’s hand. According to the family, the rodent scurried away only after they intervened.

The victim’s family has leveled serious allegations against the hospital staff. They have questioned how the doctors and nurses on night duty failed to notice the presence of a rat or the distress of a patient in such a sensitive environment.

“It is shocking that such an incident could occur in a supposedly sterile and highly monitored zone like the ICU,” a family member stated. Public outrage is mounting over the perceived administrative apathy, with many calling for a high-level inquiry into the hospital’s management.

The presence of rodents in an ICU points to a complete breakdown of sanitation and safety protocols. Such lapses not only affect individual patients but also pose a significant infection risk to everyone in the ward.

The family has officially demanded A thorough investigation into the conduct of the staff on duty. An immediate audit of the hospital’s cleanliness and pest control measures. And Strict action against those responsible for the lapse to ensure such a traumatic event never recurs.

A significant milestone in Mumbai’s large scale housing redevelopment effort was achieved as 864 families received keys to their new homes at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar BDD Sankul in Naigaon. The handover forms part of the ongoing BDD Chawl Redevelopment Project aimed at providing modern housing and improved living conditions to long time residents of the city’s historic chawl settlements.

The moment marked a major step forward for families who have been waiting for upgraded housing through the redevelopment initiative.

The newly constructed homes are part of the Naigaon BDD Chawl redevelopment project and are intended to offer residents a more dignified and secure living environment. The housing complex has been designed with improved infrastructure and facilities to enhance the quality of life for the families moving into the new flats.

Officials stated that the redevelopment project reflects a broader effort to transform ageing residential structures in Mumbai into modern housing spaces while preserving community ties.

The redevelopment of the BDD Chawls has progressed in phases with the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority playing a key role in executing the project. The first phase of the initiative in Worli has already been completed, and the handover in Naigaon marks another important stage in the wider plan.

Authorities aim to provide new homes to all eligible residents under the BDD Chawl Redevelopment Project by the year 2029.

Alongside the BDD project, large scale redevelopment activities are underway across Mumbai. Nearly 1000 acres of redevelopment work is currently in progress in different parts of the city as authorities work to upgrade ageing neighbourhoods and provide better housing infrastructure.

The Naigaon milestone reflects the broader push to reshape residential areas across Mumbai with modern housing, improved facilities and better living conditions for thousands of residents.