Mumbai: The B-4 entry/exit gate of the Vidhan Bhavan Metro Station on the Mumbai Metro 3 (Aqua Line) has been reopened to passengers, while Gate B-5 continues to remain closed as per instructions issued by the Mumbai Police. The update was shared by Mumbai Metro Line 3 authorities on the social media platform X on Wednesday. Commuters have been advised to plan their travel accordingly.

The B-4 and B-5 gates were temporarily shut from February 23 to February 25 following directives from the Mumbai Police due to heightened security measures around the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly’s Budget Session. Both gates provide direct access to the Vidhan Bhavan complex, where proceedings of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council are currently underway.

Given the presence of several senior political leaders and ministers in the vicinity during the session, authorities had tightened access points around the complex as a precautionary measure.

At present, Gate B-4 has resumed operations for public use, while Gate B-5 remains inaccessible until further notice. In addition to B-4, commuters can use alternate entry and exit points, including A1, A2, A3, B1, B2 and B3 gates of the Vidhan Bhavan Metro Station.

Officials have urged passengers to factor in possible movement restrictions and minor delays while planning their commute through the station during the session period.

The Maharashtra Budget session commenced on Monday, 23rd of February, with the traditional joint sitting of both Houses, addressed by Acharya Devvrat. His address began after the House resonated with Vande Mataram, the National Anthem and the State anthem Jai Jai Maharashtra Maza.

The state budget for 2026 is scheduled to be presented on March 6 by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Notably, this session marks a rare instance in the state’s legislative history, with the post of Leader of Opposition lying vacant in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.

Mumbai: In a major move toward strengthening the city’s primary and secondary schooling infrastructure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday officially tabled its education budget for the fiscal year 2026-27.

Presented by Additional Municipal Commissioner Avinash Dhakne, the Budget Estimate ‘E’ (Fund Code – 30) outlines a total expenditure of Rs 4,248.08 crore, marking a robust upward trend in the city’s investment in its students.

The new budget represents a substantial increase over the previous year’s figures. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, while the initial estimates were higher, the Revised Estimates eventually stood at Rs 3,674.10 crore. The jump to over Rs 4,248 crore for the upcoming year reflects the civic body’s commitment to meeting rising operational costs and expanding educational services across the metropolis.

The budget is bifurcated into Revenue and Capital accounts, ensuring both daily operations and long-term infrastructure projects are funded. The lion’s share of the funds, totalling Rs 3,758.08 crore, is allocated to Revenue Expenditure.

This covers recurring costs such as teacher salaries, school maintenance and administrative expenses. This is an increase from the Rs 3,287.32 crore recorded in the 2025-26 Revised Estimates.

BMC students will undergo cyber literacy training in civic schools, with a budget allocation of Rs 11.08 crore each for the primary and secondary sections. Students who complete the program will earn academic credits. By next month, 57 civic school buildings which are under repairs, under construction, redevelopment and new construction are expected to be completed.

Focused on the future, the BMC proposed Rs 490.00 crore for Capital Expenditure. These funds are typically utilised for the construction of new school buildings, major structural repairs and the procurement of high-value equipment like digital classrooms and laboratory tech.

Mumbai: In a fresh crackdown on illegal immigration, Mumbai Police arrested 25 Bangladeshi nationals from the Yuri Nagar area of Andheri West.

The operation was conducted by the Versova division of the Mumbai Police in coordination with the Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC), following specific intelligence inputs.

Police sources said the team carried out a targeted operation in the locality, leading to the detention of the 25 individuals for allegedly residing in the city without valid documents.

Further investigations are underway to trace others who may be part of the network and to identify those who allegedly facilitated their illegal entry and stay in Mumbai, the police said.

The action comes amid an intensified drive against undocumented foreign nationals in the city. Earlier this week, a Bangladeshi woman was arrested in Vile Parle. It was later discovered that the same woman was deported to Bangladesh 6 months ago when she was discovered living illegally in Mira Bhayandar for 25 Years. Authorities have initiated fresh deportation proceedings against her.

Police indicated that porous border security and alleged collusion by certain personnel along the West Bengal border remain key concerns contributing to illegal infiltration.

Data shared by the police highlights the scale of the issue. Over the past three years, 1,758 Bangladeshi nationals have been detained in Mumbai for allegedly residing without valid documentation. Of these, 1,238 have already been deported, while the remaining cases are at various stages of legal processing.

As part of the ongoing crackdown, between January 1 and February 20, 2026, the police detained 113 Bangladeshi nationals. So far, 27 have been deported, and legal formalities are underway for the others.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan Chaudhary stated that in 2025 alone, 1,100 Bangladeshi nationals were deported. During the year, 150 cases were registered involving 224 accused. All cases are currently pending before the court and deportation proceedings will be completed after obtaining the necessary judicial orders.

Police have reiterated that the drive will continue in the coming weeks.