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Friday,13-March-2026
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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Budget 2026: CM Devendra Fadnavis Bets Big On Gaming & Animation, Eyes 4 Lakh Jobs In Mumbai & Pune

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a sweeping push for the state’s animation and gaming sector in the Maharashtra Budget, targeting the creation of 4 lakh highly skilled jobs and positioning Mumbai and Pune as a $50 billion economic hub.

Presenting the budget, Fadnavis said the state government aims to make Maharashtra the global leader in animation and gaming, with plans to establish more than 295 gaming studios across the state.

Mumbai and Pune are central to this vision. The twin-city corridor has been earmarked as the primary engine of this $50 billion ambition, leveraging existing infrastructure, talent pipelines, and the creative economy already thriving in both metros. Pune, in particular, is fast cementing its status as India’s most preferred destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in the tech and creative sectors, Fadnavis says, a trend the budget seeks to accelerate.

The government also announced that priority will be given to setting up over 250 studios, building on momentum from recent industry events. The previously held WAVES Conference and the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology – backed by the Centre – were cited as foundational steps that this budget now seeks to build upon.

For Mumbai, the announcement carries significant weight. The city’s film and media ecosystem, long dominated by Bollywood, is increasingly seen as a launchpad for animation and interactive entertainment – sectors with far higher export potential and employment multipliers than traditional filmmaking.

Industry watchers noted that the 4 lakh jobs target is among the most ambitious in any single sectoral push seen in a state budget, and will hinge on how swiftly the studio infrastructure and skilling pipelines are put in place.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Pay outstanding water bill before March 31, 2026, otherwise water connection will be disconnected: Municipal Corporation

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Mumbai: The Municipal Corporation is providing regular water supply to the citizens and the Municipal Corporation administration is appealing to all water connection holders to pay the pending water bills before March 31, 2026. It has also been warned that if the pending water bill is not paid within the stipulated time, the water connection will be disconnected. The Water Engineering Department of the Municipal Corporation has launched a comprehensive campaign for the recovery of outstanding water bills. Keeping this in mind, facilities have been provided at the civic amenities center at the nearest department office. In addition, water bills can be paid on the Municipal Corporation website https://aquaptax.mcgm.gov.in. By visiting this website, citizens can view their water bill information and make payments by logging in to the water department. Apart from this, the facility of paying water bills through digital channels like NEFT, online payment, mobile app is also available. If the pending water bill is not paid within the stipulated time i.e. before 31st March 2026, then action can be taken to disconnect the concerned water connection under Section 279 (1) (a) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. Water connection holders who have not received their water bills should contact their administrative department office (ward office). The Municipal Corporation is also providing information that citizens can obtain a copy of the water bill from the Municipal Corporation’s Aqua website or from the office of the concerned Assistant Engineer (Water Works).

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Maharashtra

Palghar Administration Dismisses Rumours Of LPG Shortage, Warns Against Panic Booking And Hoarding

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Palghar, Maharashtra: Amid rumours circulating in some areas about a possible shortage of domestic LPG due to the prevailing war-like situation at the global level, the district administration has clarified that the supply of household cooking gas in Palghar district remains smooth and there is no shortage.

District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhar said that the supply of domestic LPG cylinders across the district is continuing without disruption and citizens should not believe in rumours being spread about a shortage.

The district administration has appealed to residents not to panic or rush to stockpile LPG cylinders unnecessarily. It has also warned that domestic LPG cylinders are meant strictly for household use, and any commercial or unauthorised use of such cylinders will invite strict action against the concerned individuals or establishments.

According to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, and the rules of oil marketing companies such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, a minimum gap of 25 days between two cylinder bookings has been made mandatory to prevent hoarding and black marketing. As per the rules, the next cylinder can be booked only after 25 days from the delivery of the previous one.

Meanwhile, all LPG distributors in the district have been instructed to ensure that cylinders are delivered to consumers as early as possible after booking, in accordance with the prescribed norms. Citizens have been advised to contact their respective gas agencies in case of booking-related issues or any technical difficulties.

For grievance redressal, the district administration has also provided two contact numbers — 02525-297474 and 8983456347 (WhatsApp) — where citizens can report their problems through calls or messages.

The administration further stated that the supply of commercial LPG cylinders to essential services such as ashram schools, hospitals, and the mid-day meal scheme will continue without interruption. Action will be taken against distributors if any disruption occurs in supplying gas to these institutions.

Reiterating that there is no shortage of domestic LPG in the district, Dr. Jakhar urged citizens to remain calm, use LPG in a regular manner, and cooperate with the administration.

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Maharashtra

Fish-Laden Truck Overturns On Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Traffic Disrupted For 45 Minutes Near Amrutanjan Bridge

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Navi Mumbai: A truck transporting fish overturned on the Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway near Amrutanjan Bridge at around 2:30 a.m. on Friday, briefly disrupting traffic before authorities cleared the road within 45 minutes.

Following the accident, teams from IRB patrolling, the Highway Traffic Police (Borghat unit), the Delta Force of the Maharashtra Security Force, and the Mrityunjay Devdoot rescue team rushed to the spot and initiated relief operations. Working in coordination, officials used a crane to shift the overturned truck to a safer location.

To avoid congestion during the operation, traffic was temporarily diverted via Lonavala onto the old Mumbai–Pune Highway, preventing a major traffic jam.

Two persons travelling in the truck sustained minor injuries and were shifted to the Khopoli Municipal Hospital for treatment.

After the truck was removed, traffic on the expressway was restored and is currently moving smoothly. Meanwhile, the Khopoli Police Station has initiated the procedure to register an FIR in connection with the accident, said Police Inspector Sachin Hire from Khopoli police station.

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