Author: Deshwale Editorial Desk

Mumbai’s iconic BEST bus depots are set for a major transformation as the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has approved a ₹28,000-crore redevelopment plan for 22 depots across the city. The project aims to modernise ageing infrastructure while creating new facilities for commuters, employees and residents. The redevelopment plan, called “Kayapalat” (transformation), will focus on converting existing depot spaces into modern urban hubs through a public-private partnership model. The 132 acres of depot land will continue to serve transport needs while also being used for mixed-use development. Under the plan, Mumbai could see upgraded bus facilities, electric vehicle…

The Indian government has introduced incentives for city gas distribution companies to increase domestic piped natural gas (PNG) connections across cities. The move aims to reduce dependence on imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and encourage more households to shift to piped cooking gas. The announcement comes at a time when global fuel shipments have been affected due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict, leading to higher import costs. India, one of the world’s largest LPG importers, is now looking to strengthen its domestic gas distribution network and reduce pressure on imports and subsidies. Under the new incentive scheme, city gas distributors…

When a family rushes to a hospital, the first question is rarely about money. Someone is ill, an accident has happened or a loved one needs urgent treatment. In that moment, getting medical help comes first. The worry about the bill often comes later. Maharashtra’s new healthcare Bill is trying to change at least one part of that experience. The Maharashtra Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2026 seeks to bring clinical establishments under a common regulatory framework. It proposes registration, minimum standards, inspections and stronger attention to patient rights. One important provision is simple: patients should be able to…

Mumbai University has introduced new examination guidelines for students appearing for exams from the 2026-27 academic year. As per the revised rules, students will need an APAAR ID to download their examination hall tickets and will have to reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. The university has made submission of the APAAR ID mandatory for generating hall tickets. Students who fail to provide the required details may not be able to access their hall tickets and could face difficulties during the examination process. APAAR, or Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is a 12-digit…

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar has praised R Madhavan’s latest film GDN and called it “the need of the hour” after watching a special screening of the biographical drama in Chennai. He said the film carries an important message for today’s youth and encouraged students across Tamil Nadu to watch it and take inspiration from the life of legendary inventor and industrialist GD Naidu. The special private screening was held at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) in Chennai and was attended by several dignitaries, including JCD Prabhakar, Loyola Mani, Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services…

The Maharashtra transport department will begin video-recording Marathi language tests for new auto-rickshaw, taxi and aggregator cab drivers as part of stricter enforcement of the state’s language rule. The new system will come into effect from August 20. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said applicants seeking new permits and badges will have to demonstrate their practical Marathi-speaking skills through direct interaction with Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials. Badges will only be issued after officials verify that the applicant has a working knowledge of the language. The Marathi language requirement has been in place since 1989, but the state will now enforce…

What if the most powerful thing in your phone is not the camera, but the ability to freeze a moment? A child’s first smile. A crowded railway platform. Rain falling on an empty street. A grandmother looking through an old album. We take photographs every day, often without thinking twice. But every photograph does something extraordinary: it tells time to stop for a moment. That is what makes World Photography Day, celebrated every year on August 19, more than just a day for photographers, cameras and Instagram posts. A Day That Began With a Photograph The date goes back to…

There are places in Mumbai that you visit, and then there are places that become a part of your routine. Marine Drive is that one spot where Mumbai slows down for a few minutes. For a city that never stops running, Marine Drive offers a rare pause. The sound of waves hitting the rocks, the cool sea breeze, the golden sky during sunset, and the endless view of the Arabian Sea make it one of Mumbai’s most loved spots. But Marine Drive was not always the city’s favourite sunset destination. Built during the 1920s and 1930s as part of the…

Mumbai, August 2026: More than 200 members of the SVKM community came together for KARUNA, the annual blood donation drive organised by Kshamata, the Social Responsibility Forum of SVKM’s NMIMS Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM), in collaboration with the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Blood Centre. The initiative highlighted the importance of extending education beyond academic learning and encouraging students and members of the wider institutional community to participate in activities that contribute to society. Held at the school foyer, the blood donation drive witnessed active participation from students, faculty and staff. KARUNA provided an…

The Maharashtra government has approved major transport infrastructure projects worth ₹28,227 crore, including the much-awaited Metro 13 corridor connecting Mira-Bhayandar with Vasai-Virar and the eastern extension of the Pune Ring Road. The decisions were taken by the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The projects aim to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and strengthen transportation networks across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune. Metro 13 to link Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar The ₹17,724.99 crore Metro 13 corridor will be developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The 25.03-km metro line will connect key areas including…