Maharashtra
Omicron enters Maharashtra via Delhi as Thane man tests positive
Confirming the state’s worst fears, the first case of the Covid-19 variant Omicron has been detected in Maharashtra after a 33-year-old man — who flew down from South Africa to Mumbai via Dubai and New Delhi — tested positive, an official said here on Saturday.
The passenger who is exhibiting mild symptoms, is currently under treatment at a Covid centre in Kalyan-Dombivali.
The infectee reached here from Cape Town on November 24 and then complained of low fever but has not exhibited any other symptoms, said the official.
Moving swiftly, the Thane health authorities launched a drive and traced 12 of his high-risk contacts and 23 low-risk contacts, but all have tested negative.
Another 25 passengers who arrived by the same New Delhi-Mumbai flight on November 24 have also tested negative and more of their contacts are currently being traced, according to the official.
As the state went into a high-alert mode, a 60-year-old male passenger who arrived here from Zambia recently, has been detected positive for a sub-lineage of the Covid-19 Delta variant as per a report of the NIV, Pune.
With this, Maharashtra becomes the third state – after Karnataka and Gujarat – to come on the country’s ‘Omicron map’, during this week.
Till Saturday morning, the state health authorities said they have tested 3,839 passengers arriving from the ‘high-risk’ or ‘at risk’ Omicron afflicted nations, landing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
Besides, another 344 out of 17,107 passengers arriving to Mumbai from other countries have also been subjected to random testing.
In the past four days (since December 1), 8 passengers have tested positive for Covid-19 and their samples sent for genomic sequencing as a precaution.
Simultaneously, an intensive field surveillance of all international passengers who landed at CSMIA Mumbai since November 1 is currently underway.
The state has appealed to all people that all those who have had international travel history in the past one month, or those who have completed their vaccination must get their doses on priority.
Allaying apprehensions, the health department said that genetic changes/mutations in viruses is a natural phenomenon and they should not panic, but strictly follow all Covid appropriate behaviour and adhere to all protocols.
Unwilling to take any risks, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner I.S. Chahal on Saturday clamped stringent home isolation norms for all international passengers from the afflicted countries.
Crime
Thane Rural Police Arrest Titwala Man For Brutal Murder Of Missing Ola Driver

Mumbai: Thane Rural Police have arrested Adarsh Chandrakant Bhalerao from Titwala for the murder of missing Ola driver Nasir Ahmed.
Ahmed’s body was found in the jurisdiction of Otur Police Station near Malshej Ghat, while his blood-stained car was discovered in a forest near Govili village on the Kalyan–Murbad road.
Police traced the accused through CCTV footage and technical analysis, and the motive behind the murder is still under investigation.
The dead body with multiple wounds of a Ola driver Nasir Ahmed was found 90 km from Titwala in one of the forest, he was missing since last four days, his car was found in a pool of blood at abondoned place near Govali village, Kalyan Taluka police (Thane Rural) doing the further probe.
Maharashtra
Mahayoti’s big gift to the people of Mumbai… Now there is no tax for houses up to 500 square feet, the Municipal Corporation has increased this limit to 700 square feet.

Mumbai: Mahayoti has taken a big decision in the BMC (BMC) i.e. Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the property tax exemption limit for houses in Mumbai (Mumbai) has been increased. According to the new resolution, the proposal to increase the property tax exemption limit from 500 square feet to 700 square feet was unanimously approved. This decision was taken unanimously in the Municipal Corporation hall on Friday. Therefore, the people of Mumbai have received a big gift from the new Mahayoti and the new Mayor in the Municipal Corporation. Interestingly, earlier during the municipal election campaign, the Shiv Sena-MNS alliance had also promised to give a property tax exemption of up to 700 square feet in its manifesto. Earlier, residents of Mumbai did not have to pay any tax for houses up to 500 square feet.
However, now the Municipal Corporation has approved increasing this limit to 700 square feet. Due to this new property tax exemption, the municipality will have to bear a revenue and tax loss of about Rs 700 crore. Middle-class families living in slums and chals in Mumbai get flats free of cost from private developers under the Slum and Chal Rehabilitation and Group Redevelopment Scheme, however, given the financial condition of middle-class families, they are not even able to pay property tax for 500 sq ft flats. The rising expenses of raising a family, medicine, children’s education and property tax and maintenance of the flat cannot be borne, the middle class has no option but to sell their flats and move out of Mumbai so that the real Mumbaikars stay in Mumbai and they do not have to migrate or relocate from Mumbai. It is absolutely necessary to increase the property tax exemption limit. It is strongly felt that property tax on residential flats up to 700 sq ft in Mumbai area should be waived. In this resolution, in paragraph 1 above, the Mayor should be requested to make a suitable representation to the State Government as per the views expressed. Phanse gave this advice in the House. Now the proposal will be sent to the departmental officers for further administrative process. After this, it will go to the Law and Regulations Department. After completing all the legal verifications, the proposal will be presented to the Municipal Commissioner for final approval. After the Commissioner’s signature, a formal circular will be issued and the property tax exemption will be applicable to houses between 500 and 700 sq ft. This decision is likely to provide direct financial relief to thousands of families in Mumbai.
Maharashtra
International Women’s Day 2026: Maha CM Fadnavis, Shinde Share Messages Celebrating Women’s Courage & Achievements

Maharashtra: On the occasion of International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, several political leaders from Maharashtra took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to extend greetings and recognise the strength, resilience and contributions of women in shaping society.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared a video highlighting the important role women have played in India’s progress across sectors such as education, science, politics, administration, arts and industry. The video also showcased initiatives introduced by the state government to support women, including the Mahila Sanman Yojana and Lakhpati Didi Yojana, aimed at strengthening economic empowerment and opportunities for women in Maharashtra. Sharing the video, Fadnavis wrote, “Happy International Women’s Day! Celebrating the strength, resilience, and leadership of women, today and every day.
”Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also marked the occasion by sharing a message honouring women. Posting an image carrying the words, “From whose womb the entire world is born, that world power’s name is woman,” Shinde extended heartfelt wishes to women across the state.
Sunetra Pawar shared a video message praising women as the foundation and strength of society. She highlighted the courage, patience and determination with which women overcome daily challenges and inspire others. Referring to historic figures such as Jijabai, Ahilyadevi Holkar and Savitribai Phule, Pawar said their ideals continue to guide the journey towards women’s empowerment. She also described it as an honour to serve as a woman leader in Maharashtra’s government and reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening opportunities for women, concluding her message with the words, “Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra.”
National Congress Party (SP) Leader Sharad Pawar also shared a message emphasising the transformative role women have played across fields including politics, education, culture, sports, administration and space exploration. He noted that despite facing discrimination and restrictive social traditions in the past, women have achieved remarkable success when given opportunities. Pawar urged society to oppose regressive mindsets and uphold the progressive legacy of Shiv, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, as well as the ideals of inspiring figures like Rajmata Jijau, Savitribai Phule, and Ahilyabai Holkar.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde paid tribute to historic women leaders through a video shared on the occasion. In the caption accompanying the video, Tawde highlighted the contributions of figures such as Jijabai, Savitribai Phule, Rani Lakshmibai and Anandibai Joshi, stating that their courage, intellect and struggles laid the foundation for the rights and progress women enjoy today. She added that carrying forward their ideals would be the true tribute to their sacrifices while extending greetings to women on International Women’s Day.
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