Mumbai, July 9: Around 3,000 LPG cylinders were swept away by floodwaters after a protective wall at the HPCL Patalganga LPG Bottling Plant in Maharashtra’s Raigad district collapsed following heavy rainfall.

Videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of gas cylinders floating in the swollen Patalganga River, drawing large crowds of onlookers who recorded the unusual sight from a nearby bridge.

According to officials, relentless rainfall caused the plant’s protective boundary wall to give way, allowing floodwaters to enter the facility. The powerful current carried away thousands of LPG cylinders, which were washed into the Patalganga River and Kharpada Creek.

The district administration said some of the cylinders may still contain LPG, prompting authorities to issue a public safety advisory. Amazed citizens were seen recording visuals of the floating cylinders from a bridge.

Raigad Collector Kishan Javle urged residents not to touch, collect, or attempt to use any cylinders found floating in the river or washed ashore. He appealed to citizens to immediately inform the authorities or hand over the cylinders to designated collection points.

Residents can deposit the recovered cylinders directly at the HPCL plant, any nearby HPCL dealer, the Tehsildar Office in Khalapur, the Tehsildar Office in the concerned area, or the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO).

The administration has advised people against storing the cylinders in their homes or handling them without proper safety measures.

“There is no guarantee whether the cylinders washed into the river contain gas or whether they are in a safe condition. Picking them up, opening them, or taking them home out of curiosity or for use could be extremely dangerous,” the collector said.

Heavy rainfall has continued to batter several parts of Maharashtra over the past week, triggering floods, waterlogging, and overflowing rivers. Raigad remains among the worst-hit districts, with widespread flooding affecting normal life and prompting authorities to remain on high alert.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has passed an amendment aimed at strengthening the legal framework governing dance bars across the state. The move seeks to address regulatory gaps that authorities believe have been used by some establishments to operate under different categories of entertainment licences instead of obtaining licences specifically meant for dance bars.

According to the government, the amendment is intended to ensure that all establishments offering dance performances or similar entertainment activities are regulated under a single legal framework. The revised provisions are expected to enhance transparency in the licensing process and improve enforcement by the concerned authorities.

The government stated that the amendment is designed to prevent misuse of orchestra or live performance permissions for activities that fall within the scope of the dance bar law. Officials said the changes will help create uniform standards for licensing, monitoring and compliance across hotels, restaurants and bar rooms where such performances are conducted.

During the Assembly proceedings, the government maintained that the legislation aims to uphold the law while safeguarding public order and ensuring that entertainment venues function within the prescribed legal framework. It also emphasized that the amendment seeks to protect the dignity and rights of women working in the sector while discouraging illegal practices.

The amended legislation will come into effect after completing the required legislative and legal formalities. The state government is expected to issue detailed implementation guidelines for licensing authorities and enforcement agencies in the coming weeks.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi, opposing the FDA’s action against milk vendors and milk sellers and the ban on the sale of unpasteurized milk, today held a banner on the steps outside the Assembly and protested against it, saying that the FDA’s action is commendable, but the way in which the order to stop the sale of unpasteurized milk by banning the sale of unpasteurized milk has been issued is unfair to these milk sellers, which has increased unemployment. Azmi held a banner in his hands that read: Millions of unemployed, failed government, stop injustice with Tabila people. Addressing reporters, Azmi said that Tabila milk is better than one and a half and closed milk. In our house, milk is provided from Aarey Colony, which is better than dairy milk, while buffaloes and animals are raised for Tabila milk and its pure milk is sold. If open milk is to be banned, guidelines should be issued regarding this. Along with this, action should be taken if there is adulteration in milk. However, the government should consider this by suddenly banning Tabila milk. Unemployment will increase due to this. Azmi said that action against adulterators is necessary because adulteration is now common in everything from vegetables to milk, but along with this, milk dairies should be given a six-month time and allowed to supply milk as per the guidelines, Azmi demanded. He said that the FDA’s ban on open milk has created a livelihood problem for dairies owners and their associates.