Maharashtra
Maharashtra Govt To Fund 50% Of 268 New AC Rakes For Mumbai Suburban Rail Services, Skips Loan Route
Mumbai: In a major development, the state has decided to exclude the component of purchasing new AC rakes for Mumbai Suburban Services from the Mumbai Urban Transport Project III and III-A. Instead of availing a loan, the state will bear 50 per cent of the cost, amounting to Rs 2413 crore, for purchasing 268 new AC rakes by disbursing the amount from its annual budget.
Earlier, while signing the agreement for the implementation of the MUTP III and 3A with the central government, the state was supposed to raise the required funds through a loan. For the MUTP III, the state and the centre have raised Rs 3500 crore through a loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which will be repaid on a 50:50 sharing basis. For the MUTP III-A, Rs 33,690 crore needed to be raised equally by the centre and the state.
Now, the state has, in consultation with the central government, decided to exclude the part of procuring new AC rakes by availing loans and instead will bear 50 per cent of the total cost of the 268 AC rakes, sources in the know of the developments. The state can make the required provision in its annual budget for the coming years, as the new ranks will take some time, sources said.
Approval Given
On Tuesday, the cabinet committee on infrastructure gave its approval, and the proposal was forwarded to the central government for necessary approval. It might take a few months, and the central government will also make available its share, added the sources. The total cost of the MUTP III-A, approved by the state government in 2018, is huge considering the gamut of the projects, which includes development of new stations, new rakes, 3rd and 4th line between Kalyan and Badlapur, 5th and 6th line between Borivali and Virar, 4th lane between Kalyan and Asangaon, extending the harbour line between Goregaon and Borivali, remodelling of Kalyan Junction to separate the main line and the suburban line etc.
The cost of the MUTP III-A is expected to be shared by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, CIDCO and MMRDA as well. The project has achieved just 6 per cent physical progress to date. On the other hand, the MUTP III has achieved 42 per cent, and the MUTP II has achieved 87 per cent physical progress.
Maharashtra
FDA conducts major raid on cosmetics store in Jogeshwari, seizes unlabeled toilet soap

Mumbai, July 16: A team of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Greater Mumbai Division conducted a major raid at M/s JK Soap Bazaar, 10/11, Qadir Ismail Estate, Near Momin Colony, Patel Estate Road, Jogeshwari (West), Mumbai – 400102. During the operation conducted on July 14, 2026, it was observed that unlabeled toilet soap was being stored and offered for sale in the establishment. The seized soap lacked statutory information like batch/lot number, date of manufacture, ‘first use’ date, manufacturing license number, and name and address of the manufacturer. Selling cosmetics without such mandatory labelling is a violation of the law. During this operation, toilet soap worth about Rs 10,93,692 was seized, and two samples were collected for analysis as part of the ongoing investigation. The accused in this case is Nabiullah and necessary legal action is being initiated against him. “The Food and Drug Administration gives top priority to the protection of the health of citizens. Making any cosmetic product available for sale in the market without labelling as per the law is a very serious matter. It becomes difficult to verify the source, quality and safety of such products. Therefore, strict legal action will be taken against the violating manufacturers, distributors and sellers.” This warning was given by Takaram Mandhe, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra State.
Maharashtra
AIMIM Govindi corporator’s husband Atiq Khan banished from city for a year, makes emotional appeal to public on social media and apologizes

Mumbai: Maharashtra AIMIM leader and husband of a corporator from Govindpura, Atiq Khan, has been banned from the city for one year by the Mumbai Police. In an emotional message on social media, Atiq Khan said that he has been banned from Mumbai city and suburbs for one year, so he will be unable to do pending work or visit the area. If the public or students face educational difficulties due to his absence in the area for one year, he apologizes for it. The police had registered a case against Atiq Khan for violence and rioting, and accordingly, he has been banned, so a complete ban has been imposed on his entry into the area for one year. The ban on this ban will come into effect today. Therefore, Atiq Khan has made a very emotional video and apologized to the public on social media and has also expressed his passion for public service and said that he will continue to serve the public.
Maharashtra
Major hurdle in completion of expansion project in Mumbai railway network, several projects are facing delays due to encroachment on railway lands, RTI reveals

Mumbai: Encroachments on railway land are a major reason for delays in railway projects in Mumbai city. Due to delay in its acquisition, projects have been delayed and their estimates have also increased, this has been revealed in an RTI information filed by RTI activist Anil Gilgali. RTI has revealed that 1,574 encroachments have been identified for two major MRVC rail projects, occupying about 17,000 square meters of land. Information sought by RTI activist Anil Gilgali under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 has revealed that a total of 1,574 encroachments were identified during the acquisition of land for two major rail projects of the Mumbai Rail Development Corporation (MRDC). Out of these, 998 encroachments have been removed so far, while encroachments were found on about 17,068 square meters of land. According to information provided by MRVC to RTI activist Anil Gilgali on July 14, 2026, this information relates to the Kalyan-Badlapur 3rd and 4th rail line projects and the Airoli-Kola elevated corridor project.
Kalyan-Badlapur 3rd and 4th rail line project
According to MRVC, 706 encroachments were identified during the acquisition of land for the 3rd and 4th railway lines of the Central Railway between Kalyan and Badlapur. These include hutments and other structures located on railway land and newly acquired land. Out of these, 620 encroachments have been removed, while encroachments were found on about 9668 square meters of land. MRVC also said that each encroachment occurred in different years, hence it is not possible to identify a specific year. The encroachments identified for the project are located between Kalyan and Badlapur railway stations.
Airoli – Kalwa Elevated Corridor Project.
During land acquisition for the Airoli – Kalwa Elevated Corridor Project, 868 encroachments were identified. These included constructions on railway land and newly acquired land. So far, 378 encroachments have been removed while about 7400 sq m of land was found to be occupied. These encroachments are located between Digha village and Kalwa station. The MRVC also clarified that all the encroachments occurred in different years.
Information on re-encroachments not available
The RTI application also asked in how many areas encroachments were re-established after the encroachments were removed. The MRVC replied that the relevant information was not available.
Anil Gilgali raised important questions.
RTI activist Anil Gilgali said that encroachments have become a serious challenge in railway projects in Mumbai. Encroachments are a major reason for project delays, cost overruns and additional burden on public funds, he said. Mere removal of encroachments is not enough. Railways and MRVC should ensure that no encroachments are created again in the removed areas. Regular monitoring, safeguards and accountability are essential to achieve this.
Gilgali also demanded that information on land acquisition, encroachments, rehabilitation and progress in removal of encroachments for all rail projects be made available on a public portal from time to time, to enhance transparency and provide real-time information to citizens.
He said that availability of land is very important for Mumbai’s rapidly developing rail network. If encroachments are not effectively controlled, many public transport projects in the future may be affected. Therefore, the government, railways and local administration should come together to find a permanent solution.
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