Mumbai: A 50 kg per hour cremation system (Aatsh Kada) for the cremation of small animals and birds has been set up at the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Tata Trusts Animal Hospital and is now ready for operation. The facility will enable safe and eco-friendly disposal of animal carcasses, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr (Summit) Ashwini Joshi said on Tuesday. Assistant Commissioner (South) Swapna Kashirsagar, Head of Veterinary Health Department Dr Kalimpasha Pathan, Director of the Hospital Mehrnoosh Kapadia, Head of Hospital Administration and Services Maj Gen Pramod Batra and others were present on the occasion. Various initiatives are being implemented by the Veterinary Health Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation to enhance animal welfare services. For this purpose, a small animal hospital is being run by Tata Trusts in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation in Mahalaxmi. The four-storey hospital has four well-equipped operating theatres, a separate surgery department with expert veterinary surgeons, a treatment capacity of about 200 animals, general ward, ICU and high dependency unit, state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities like MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasonography, ED labology and ED lab. It also has special treatment facilities like blood bank, dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology, endoscopy, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy for animals. Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwani Joshi said on the occasion that it is the leading hospital in the country with multi-purpose service facilities, state-of-the-art diagnostic and small animal treatment facilities under one roof. Such state-of-the-art veterinary facilities have given a big boost to the veterinary healthcare system in Mumbai. Standard facilities for the treatment of pets and small animals have been provided. The hospital has also made arrangements for the scientific disposal of animal carcasses and bio-medical waste. An incinerator system with a capacity of 50 kg per hour has been set up for the cremation of small animals and birds and is now ready for operation. This facility will enable safe and environmentally friendly disposal of animal carcasses. He added that it will also have significant public health benefits.

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).

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.