New Delhi, Jan 30: Fertiliser movement from the Centre to the states on Indian Railways, during the first nine months (April-December) of the financial year 2025-26, reached an all-time high with total supplies crossing 530.16 lakh metric tons to surpass the 500 lakh metric ton mark for the first time during this period, an official statement said on Friday.

This represents a 12.2 per cent increase over the corresponding period of FY 2024–25 and is 8.5 per cent higher than the previous record of FY 2023–24, it said.

The Centre has ensured sufficient availability of all major fertilisers across states, including the supply of 350.45 lakh metric tons of urea, against a requirement of 312.40 lakh metric tons in the first nine months (April-December) of the financial year 2025-26. Similarly, in the case of major P&K (phosphorous and potassium) fertilizers including DAP, MOP & NPKS, the total supply reached 287.69 lakh metric tonnes against the requirement of 252.81 lakh metric tonnes, consistently exceeding the assessed requirement and ensuring uninterrupted availability, the statement said.

Faster and smoother movement of fertiliser rakes enabled timely supplies to states, ensuring that farmers did not face any shortages during the critical stages of cultivation. Department of Fertilisers worked in close cooperation with the Ministry of Railways and stated that such coordinated efforts have helped ensure adequate availability of fertilisers across the country, the statement added.

During this period, average rake loading on Indian Railways increased to 72 rakes per day in July 2025, rose to 78 rakes per day in August 2025 and reached 80 rakes per day in September 2025, according to the official figures.

Urea rake movement rose to 10,841 rakes, registering an 8 per cent increase over last year, while P&K fertilisers recorded 8,806 rakes, marking an 18 per cent growth. Enhanced coordination with the Ministry of Railways, ports, state governments, and fertiliser companies ensured seamless and timely supply to states during peak agricultural seasons, the statement said.

Ensuring the timely availability of fertilisers to farmers has remained one of the government’s highest priorities. In this direction, the improved coordination between the Ministry of Railways and the Department of Fertilisers during Kharif 2025 and the ongoing Rabi season was clearly visible at the ground level. The states also took concerted measures to ensure last-mile availability to farmers, the statement added.

Thane: Sharmila Rohit Pimpolkar of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) is set to be appointed as the Mayor of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), while Krishna Dadu Patil of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will assume charge as the Deputy Mayor. Both leaders were elected unopposed after filing their nominations on the final day for submitting nomination papers for the mayoral posts.

Pimpolkar filed her nomination for the Mayor’s post, while Patil submitted his papers for the Deputy Mayor’s position. No other candidates entered the fray for either post, clearing the way for their unopposed election. The official announcement confirming their appointments is scheduled to be made on February 3.

A meeting related to the mayoral election process was held at the Thane Municipal Corporation headquarters in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Several senior leaders attended the meeting, including Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Thane MP Naresh Mhaske, BJP MLA Niranjan Davkhare, Ravindra Phatak and other party functionaries.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that the Shinde Sena has categorically refused the BJP’s demand to rotate the Mayor’s post for two years in Thane. In the recently concluded Thane Municipal Corporation elections, the Shinde Sena emerged as the dominant force with 75 seats, while the BJP secured 28 seats. Citing its clear numerical strength, the Shiv Sena has reportedly conveyed at the local level that it will not hand over the Mayor’s post to the BJP even for a year.

Following the refusal, BJP leaders are said to have staked claim to key power centres within the civic body, including the Standing Committee, Transport Committee, various subject committees, ward committees and the Education Board. Shinde Sena reportedly proposed that the BJP accept the Deputy Mayor’s post, while committees and ward panels could be shared between the two parties for fixed tenures of three and two years respectively.

Mumbai: Around 200 unauthorised hawkers and additional structures on footpaths in Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg (Arla Marg) area of ​​Andheri (West) in Mumbai were evicted by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘K-West’ department yesterday (January 29, 2026). The operation, as per the instructions of Municipal Corporation Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-4) Bhagya Shri Kapse, and Assistant Commissioner (K-West Division) Chakrapani Ale. Unauthorised additional structures were found on footpaths connecting Swami Vivekananda Marg and Gulmohar Marg in Andheri (West) and on Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg (Arla Marg) adjacent to the entrance of Dr. No. Cooper Hospital. It was also observed that unauthorised hawkers have set up shops in this area. It was creating obstacles for ambulances bringing patients to Cooper Hospital in case of emergency and for pedestrians to walk on the footpaths.

In this context, an eviction drive was launched by the ‘K-West’ administrative department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Under this, around 200 unauthorized hawkers and unauthorized additional structures established on the footpaths in this area were evicted.

The eviction was carried out with the help of 04 encroachment removal vehicles, 03 JCBs and other equipment. During this operation, an adequate police force including 100 officers and employees of the Municipal Corporation were deployed. Local representatives and citizens are expressing satisfaction over this action. The Municipal Corporation administration has made it clear that regular evictions against unauthorized structures will continue in the future.