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Maharashtra Budget 2025: State Govt To Fund Modern Ferry Boats On Gateway-Mandwa-Elephanta Route Near Mumbai For Safer Travel

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra government introduced a new policy in its 2025-26 budget to provide financial assistance for the purchase of modern ferry boats on the Gateway of India-Mandwa-Elephanta Island ferry route. This move is intended to enhance passenger safety, particularly as ferry traffic to these popular tourist destinations surges on weekends. The initiative addresses long-standing demands from ferry operators to replace aging wooden boats, which are costly to maintain and pose significant safety risks.

State Govt’s Decision Comes After Gateway Tragedy

Currently, numerous passenger ferries operate on this route, many of which are aging wooden vessels. Ferry boat associations have repeatedly called for financial aid to modernise the fleet, citing safety concerns and high operational costs.

The government’s decision follows the tragic ferry accident near Gateway of India on December 18, 2024, where 15 people lost their lives after a speedboat operated by Navy personnel collided with a wooden ferry. The incident shed light on the vulnerabilities of older boats and fueled demands for a safer fleet.

Using Wooden Boats For Water Travel Poses High Risk

Reports citing experts have highlighted that wooden boats are more susceptible to structural damage in accidents compared to modern vessels. Unlike road transport, where the Motor Vehicles Act imposes a 15-year operational limit on vehicles, the Inland Vessels Act does not specify an age cap for boats. Instead, wooden boat licences are renewed annually after retrofitting, which involves replacing old parts and wood to keep them functional. However, safety concerns remain, prompting the push for modern vessels.

Despite the introduction of catamarans on the route, the transition to a fully modern fleet has been slow due to high costs. According to report, Sardar Mirza Jamalundin Mahdakar, President of the Gateway Elephanta Jal Vahatuk Sahakari Sanstha stated that the cost of a single catamaran is approximately Rs 7-8 crore, making it difficult for operators to afford without government support. Unlike road transport, water transport in Maharashtra has historically lacked subsidies, further delaying the adoption of safer, more advanced boats.

Massive Funding For Improving Maharashtra’s Coastline Region

In addition to this new policy, the state budget has also allocated funds for key maritime infrastructure projects. A floating jetty will be constructed at Kashid in Raigad district to facilitate better coastal connectivity. Additionally, the government has announced a large-scale infrastructure initiative worth Rs 8,400 crore, backed by external funding, to improve facilities in Maharashtra’s coastal districts.

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LG Electronics India gets notice to pay up Rs 153.58 crore as customs duty

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New Delhi, Sep 25: LG Electronics India Ltd has received a show cause notice from the Customs authorities for the recovery of Rs 153.58 crore as customs duty for allegedly not including royalty payments in the assessable value of certain imported goods, the company has stated in a stock exchange filing.

The show cause notice has been issued following an investigation carried out by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), alleging non-inclusion of royalty payments in the assessable value of certain imported goods.

The notice, dated September 22, was issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Nhava Sheva Port in Navi Mumbai, and was received by the company on September 24.

Meanwhile, LG Electronics, along with arch rival and compatriot Samsung, are also facing an investigation for alleged wrong ⁠claims of concessional 5 per cent customs duty on imported OLED glass screens. The DRI authorities have expressed the view that the concessional rate is meant for the older LCD and LEDs used in products sold in the mass market. For OLED parts, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is of the opinion that both Samsung and LG should have paid a 15 per cent customs duty, according to a Reuters report.

LG Electronics is reported to have sent responses to written questions by the authorities on its OLED imports and has voluntarily deposited the money to pay for the difference in customs duty as estimated by officials.

Meanwhile, LG Electronics India reported a 27.2 per cent year-on-year surge in net profit to Rs 653 crore for the first quarter of financial year 2026-27compared with the corresponding figure of Rs 513 crore in the same quarter of 2025-26, driven by strong summer demand and premium product sales.

The company’s revenue rose 15.5 per cent during the April-June quarter to Rs 7,233 crore compared with the corresponding figure of Rs 6,262 crore in the same quarter of the previous financial year.

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Sensex, Nifty open with marginal gains amid mixed global cues

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Mumbai, Sep 25: The Indian equity markets opened with marginal gains early on Friday, amid rising US Treasury yields and continued geopolitical uncertainty weighing on overall sentiment.

As of 9.24 am, Sensex was up 96 points, or 0.13 per cent, to reach 73,676 and Nifty was up 20 points, or 0.09 per cent to reach 23,084.

Main broad-cap indices performed in line with the benchmark indices, as the Nifty Midcap 100 inched up 0.03 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 added 0.06 per cent.

Sectoral indices on NSE traded mixed with IT, FMCG, consumer durables and healthcare posting losses. Nifty IT was the top loser, down 1.37 per cent. Nifty realty was the top gainer, up 0.59 per cent.

The US 10-year Treasury yield has moved above the 5.20 per cent mark and remains close to multi-year highs, increasing pressure on global financial conditions and reducing the relative attractiveness of emerging market equities. The rise in global yields, combined with a stronger dollar, has also added pressure on the Indian rupee, analysts said.

On the geopolitical front, uncertainty remains elevated as diplomatic progress between the US and Iran remains unclear. Renewed tensions and continued risks around energy supply routes are keeping global investors cautious, with any further escalation capable of pushing crude prices higher again.

In the previous session, Nifty closed at 23,063, down 1.64 per cent. Immediate support is placed at 22,800–23,000, while resistance is seen at 23,250–23,300.

Bank Nifty closed at 55,438, down 1.96 per cent. Immediate support is placed at 55,000–55,200, while resistance is seen at 55,800–56,000.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index shed 1.04 per cent, and Shenzhen lost 2.34 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei added 1.23 per cent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 1.77 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi added 0.9 per cent.

US markets ended largely in red overnight, even as Nasdaq added 0.01 per cent. The S&P 500 lost 0.02 per cent, and the Dow Jones shed 0.31 per cent.

On September 24, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) net sold equities worth Rs 5,027 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities worth Rs 4,301 crore.

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Adani Group Chairman in Kolkata to meet CM Adhikari today

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Kolkata, Sep 24: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani will meet West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata on Thursday.

Gautam Adani arrived in the city on Wednesday night and on Thursday morning visited the iconic Goddess Kali Temple at Kalighat in South Kolkata and offered prayers.

Later in the day, he will be at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Adani Arogya Mandir, a proposed 2,000-bed hospital in New Town. The Chief Minister is scheduled to join the ceremony.

The proposed hospital is seen as a part of the state government’s efforts to attract investment in the healthcare sector and also the beginning of a broader investment push by the Adani Group in West Bengal.

The Adani Group Chairman is likely to have a meeting with CM Adhikari and senior cabinet members, focusing on the Group’s future investments in the state.

After the change of regime in West Bengal, the BJP-led state government is pushing for investments in the state.

CM Adhikari has promised to create more jobs and set up industries. Famous industrialists are coming forward to make investments in the state. The state government expects the Adani Group to invest in multiple sectors in the state.

State secretariat insiders said that the Adani Group has plans to invest in multiple sectors in the state. The Group has already been a part of the restoration of the Writers’ Buildings, the old state secretariat at B.B.D. Bag in Central Kolkata.

Besides that, the Adani Group will be associated with the forthcoming Durga Puja festival. The Group will select the eight best community Durga Pujas and will donate Rs 25 lakh to each.

A special visit programme has also been organised for eminent personalities from home and abroad to showcase the art and tradition of Durga Puja to the world. This special Puja preview tour will be held for three days on October 10, 11 and 12.

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