Mumbai: Authorities in Mumbai have busted a gas cylinder black-marketing racket in Worli and seized several LPG cylinders during an operation, Mumbai Police said. The action comes at a time when concerns over cooking gas availability have triggered panic bookings in parts of the country.

During the raid, officials recovered six filled and 58 empty HP Gas cylinders along with several other cylinders from the location. Police said the stock was being illegally stored inside residential premises. The seized cylinders have been handed over to Worli Police Station, where further legal action is being initiated against those involved in the illegal storage and distribution.

Officials stated that storing and selling LPG cylinders outside authorised channels poses serious safety risks, especially in residential areas where such stockpiling can lead to fire hazards and other emergencies. Authorities are now investigating the source of the cylinders and the possible distribution network linked to the racket.

The development comes amid heightened demand for LPG across the country, the Union government on Friday said it is ensuring uninterrupted supply of cooking gas to households despite a surge in panic bookings. Consumers have been advised not to rush to dealerships or place unnecessary refill orders.

At a media briefing on Friday, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said fears of a shortage have led to a sudden spike in LPG cylinder bookings in recent days, even though supplies remain adequate across the country. She emphasised that LPG distributors currently have sufficient stocks and that supply chains are functioning normally.

The government has also advised nearly 60 lakh households located near piped natural gas (PNG) networks to consider switching to piped connections for convenience. Sharma warned that strict action will be taken against hoarders and black marketers attempting to exploit the crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

While LPG supply to households, hospitals, and educational institutions continues to be prioritised, supplies to commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants have been curtailed due to disruptions in energy sourcing linked to the geopolitical tensions in the region.

To stabilise supply, the Centre has increased domestic production by 30 per cent since March 5 by diverting refinery streams to maximise cooking gas output. Additionally, around 20 per cent of commercial LPG supplies have been placed with state governments and Union Territories, allowing local administrations to decide priority allocation based on regional requirements.

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).