Latest news with #GovernmentofMaharashtra
Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- Indian Express
How a village broke mindsets to win unique water challenge
'Paani ka problem aisa hai ki aadmi ko ek din mein pata nahi chalta; dhire-dhire pata chalta hai toh time nikal jata hai. (The problem with water crisis is that a person doesn't realise it immediately. We become aware of it gradually and, by then, it is too late),' says Sunil Namdev Garad, the sarpanch of Khed village in Dharashiv. Khed, like the other villages of Dharashiv, falls in the rain shadow area of Maharashtra. The graphs for groundwater and rain here are worryingly low. In the past few years, however, Khed has increased its groundwater level, wells that would dry up in November or December now have water till April or May and the farmers, who used to grow only soyabean and chana, have now ventured into sugarcane. The turnaround has thrust Khed into the limelight, thanks to a unique village-level Dharashiv Water Competition 2025. It is a water management competition organised by the Water Supply and Sanitation Department of the Government of Maharashtra, Dharashiv Zila Parishad, the District Agriculture Department, the Water Supply Department, Jal Jeevan Mission, Water Conservation, Health and Sanitation (Swachh Bharat Mission), District level Groundwater Survey and Development Agency, India Climate Collaborative, IndusInd Bank Ltd, and Pune-based Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR), which is involved in solving problems of rural poverty and the ecosystems. Khed won the first prize, trumping 254 other villages of Dharashiv. Each participating village in the competition was graded on 100 marks on parameters mentioned in the Water Governance Standard and Certification System, which is 'a set of predefined criteria that puts forward good governance practices, relevant for local water governance in agrarian communities. These include how a village panchayat implements water budgeting, make rules for the cultivation of low water required crops, and control groundwater extraction. There was also a look into ecosystems that are crucial in the villages – if the village has taken into account water for livestock or for women's needs in the water distribution. The villages were judged on past efforts and initiatives, ie work that has been going on for the last 5-10 years, rather than those starting now motivated by the competition. 'The purpose of the competition at district level was to motivate water management at and appreciate the villages that were performing well in water management. The competition is not limited to the awards. All villages that have participated into the competition will be provided with an action plan to improve their water management. This will be based on the assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of each village. Some villages are very good in building the structures for water harvesting and maintaining them, so they got high scores on these points, but scores low in water use efficiency, water budgeting or micro irrigation,' says Dr Eshwer Kale, who specialises in water governance at WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies, a research centre of WOTR. 'This framework is applicable and relevant at the national level, and I believe Maharashtra is the first state to adopt and promote such an important initiative to motivate and inspire villagers to adopt better water management practices,' Sanjay Khandare, Principal Secretary of the state Water Supply and Sanitation Department, said at the ceremony. Khed won because they showed all-around achievements. The village had worked with the local administration to create structures, such as drains and embankments, to hold the rainwater. Drip irrigation and sprinkler systems were used in the fields. 'Where we needed 10 litres of water, we could make do with only three litres now. The village worked with the government to build 30-35 ponds. This way, we not only stored water but also saved it. If we had not worked according to the guidelines given to us, the water would have drained away and been lost,' says Garad. The yield in the fields increased from 10 quintal per hectare to 13-14 quintal per hectare. 'We were taken by surprise when our name was announced as the winner of the competition. Bahut khushi hui,' says Garad. He adds that the biggest problem was changing the mindsets of many of the 1,500 farmers of the village. 'Farmers find it difficult to accept any new practice. They prefer to work according to experience and tradition. We had to explain to them that water harvesting would not damage their fields, on the contrary, it would benefit them,' says Garad. 'Ek do jagah kaam karke dikhaya toh phir woh maan leta hai (Once, we demonstrated the results in a couple or places, the famers were convinced),' he adds. According to Dr Kale, the competition has made available 'a huge data set on water management of 255 villages' for the district administration to strategically plan interventions. He adds that the competition in Dharashiv was a part of a larger picture. With the success in Dharashiv, the competition will now be implemented at state levels. 'WOTR had signed an MOU with the Water Supply and Sanitation Department of the Government of Maharashtra. The initial idea was to have a competition at the state level to test different government schemes and programmes related to water. The Secretary and the Department suggested that we first hold a competition at the district level, at Dharashiv, and, after gaining experience and learning, adopt it at the state level,' he says. Dipanita Nath is interested in the climate crisis and sustainability. She has written extensively on social trends, heritage, theatre and startups. She has worked with major news organizations such as Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Mint. ... Read More
News18
5 days ago
- General
- News18
Mumbai University UG Admission: Third Merit List Out At mu.ac.in, Check Details
Last Updated: Mumbai University UG Admission: Students who meet the criteria for the third merit list can submit their documents for online verification by June 10. Mumbai University has released the third merit list for various undergraduate courses. Applicants who were not selected in the first or second merit lists can check the third list by visiting the official websites at or or Students can also visit the individual college websites to check the merit lists. Students who qualify in the third merit list need to submit their documents for online verification. Selected candidates must complete the document verification process at their respective colleges to secure their seats. This process must be finished by June 10, up to 3 pm. Step 1- Visit the official website of the university, Step 2- On the homepage, check the latest announcements and find ' Undergraduate admission link'. Step 3- Select the link. Step 4- A new page will open where the third merit list of all the colleges affiliated with the Mumbai University will be shown. Step 5- Proceed the process after finding the requisite college and complete the process of online verification. — Hard copy of the admission/application form of the university. — Class 12th official mark sheet and certificate. — Passport size photo. Students should have at least four pictures in hand. — One self- attested photocopy of class 10th mark sheet and passing certificate. — Migration certificate. — Category certificate (if applicable). As per the official notification, 'All Admissions to the First Year of Degree Programs and their Academic activities will be as per the provisions and guidelines of NEP 2020 issued by University of Mumbai, Government of Maharashtra and U.G. C. from time to time." The online admission portal, which was launched on May 8, 2025, received an overwhelming response with 2,53,370 students registering and submitting 8,11,643 applications for various courses. The first merit list was released on May 27. First Published: June 05, 2025, 17:52 IST
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Maharashtra's Big Transport Shift: EV Push, Port-Linked Growth and Vadhawan as an Economic Catalyst
As India accelerates its shift toward cleaner mobility, smarter urbanization, and strategic maritime infrastructure, Maharashtra is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation. From recalibrating its electric vehicle policy to launching one of the country's most ambitious port-led development projects at Vadhawan , the state is pushing forward a multidimensional agenda—combining sustainability, technology, and regional economic growth. In this wide-ranging conversation with Puja Banerjee and Ashutosh Mishra of ETGovernment, Sanjay Sethi , Additional Chief Secretary, Transport and Ports, Government of Maharashtra, speaks with ETGovernment about the state's evolving policy landscape—from building an integrated EV ecosystem and redefining urban transport planning to catalyzing shipbuilding and port-centric industrialization. With a sharp focus on implementation, public-private partnerships, and data-driven governance, Sethi lays out how Maharashtra aims to balance environmental imperatives, investor interests, and infrastructure demands in the coming decade. Edited Excerpts: Maharashtra's EV policy has been in focus in the past few days. What are some of the key priorities under it? Through the Maharashtra EV Policy 2025, the thrust is on increasing penetration by working on both demand and supply. We're offering subsidies across all vehicle categories and have also waived motor vehicle tax. Two and three wheelers initially picked up, but we're now pushing for four wheelers, commercial fleets, trucks, trailers, and utility vehicles like garbage contractors to come under the policy's ambit. These categories were earlier left out of benefits, and that's changing now. Apart from that, charging is a central pillar under the policy. We've identified specific pockets - Pune, for example, has exceeded targets already. Mumbai, on the other hand, lagged behind because of multiple reasons. So we're dealing with both the physical and regulatory bottlenecks. New rules now push for setting up charging stations in bus depots, fuel stations, and all new residential and commercial buildings. We aim to have one station every 25 km on the highways. The power regulator has also been roped in to ensure load management and pricing. So, we're building a robust charging ecosystem to eliminate both supply and financial hurdles. Another big development in the port and maritime area is the Vadhawan port. What is the vision behind Vadhawan Port? Why is it being positioned as a key growth zone? Vadhawan is not just a port, it's an anchor for regional economic transformation. The idea is to not let ports function in isolation. Globally, successful models like Singapore show how a port area becomes an engine of commercial activity. We're planning for the entire Vadhawan zone to be developed as an economic and employment hub - with logistics, manufacturing, services, and housing all integrated. This is the first central government port project with state equity. Decisions are being taken jointly so that both central and state objectives are aligned. There is also a plan to promote shipbuilding and repair in Maharashtra. What's the proposal? India has begun promoting shipbuilding more actively, and the Centre has created a Maritime India fund that offers capital support. We're working on a model where Maharashtra will develop basic shipbuilding infrastructure, similar to plug and play industrial parks, and offer it to private players. They bring in the machinery, manpower and operations. We'll provide ready space, connectivity, and utilities. It's being framed under PPP models, with room for leasehold or revenue sharing agreements. Are you seeing investor interest in such a shipbuilding ecosystem? The response from stakeholders has been positive. There's a strong case for ship repair and mid-sized shipbuilding yards along the coast. Our job is to reduce entry barriers - by ensuring land availability, regulatory ease, and backend logistics. We're currently ironing out the capital and policy components so these projects can move forward. Something like viability gap funding is also under consideration. Switching to urban issues, what is the thinking around the state's parking policy and congestion control? The number of vehicles in cities has reached a point where PM 2.5 levels are far above standards. If this continues, people won't be able to commute at all, and that affects everything from work to leisure. So we need stronger parking regulations. One of the proposals is proof of parking for vehicle purchase, not as a ban, but as a way to check unregulated growth. But we also need to expand public parking to avoid making it punitive for today's generation. This must come from local urban bodies, via zoning, DC rules, and developer mandates. Does this also involve a rethink of urban design and carrying capacity? Urban transport can't be solved in silos anymore. We have to assess how much traffic an area can realistically bear. If road capacity is saturated, we must regulate fresh inflow. At the same time, robust public transport and parking options must exist. We've had extensive discussions with stakeholders, and a multidisciplinary policy is in the works. But it has to be phased, equitable, and practically implementable. There has been news about a possible consideration of regulating cab prices in Maharashtra. What is going on in that area? We have received concerns around excessive fluctuations in cab pricing from citizens for quite some time now. So we have decided to come up with a framework that will define pricing slabs for aggregators. The idea is not to fix prices, but to create a band, say, a minimum and a maximum fare. It gives some leeway but prevents exploitation. The concern is both from commuters, who find surge pricing arbitrary, and from driver partners, who feel the commission structures are not transparent. So the policy will cover both. We're studying different models and consultations with stakeholders are happening for now. How is the transport department using technology like AI and IoT in its operations? AI is deeply embedded already. We operate around 18,000 buses, and GPS based geofencing helps monitor routes and performance. Cameras and radar-based devices are used for speed enforcement, alert systems, and data analysis. From informing passengers about bus arrivals to detecting route deviations, technology is improving safety and efficiency. But we must use AI intelligently - not just for automation, but for insight and preventive decision-making. What's your policy approach when facing competing needs and limited resources? The idea is to not just respond to individual complaints but to solve systemic problems. For instance, a local traffic jam may point to flawed planning or coordination. So if we're drafting a policy, it should address root causes - not just be a patch. Each solution should be a stepping stone to something larger, not just a fix for one constituency.
News18
01-06-2025
- General
- News18
Mumbai University Admissions: Second Merit List Released At mu.ac.in, Check Details
Last Updated: Mumbai University Admissions: Candidates who have been selected will have to complete the document verification process at the respective college to reserve their seats. The Mumbai University has released the second merit for the registered candidates for various undergraduate courses. Those who applied for the admissions and were not selected in the first merit list can check the second list by visiting the official website at or can visit individual college websites for the same. Students who meet the criteria for the first merit list can submit their documents for online verification. Selected candidates must complete the document verification process at their respective colleges to reserve their seats. This process needs to be completed by June 4. Step 1- Visit the official website of the university, Step 2- On the homepage, check the latest announcements and find ' Undergraduate admission link'. Step 3- Select the link. Step 4- A new page will open where the first merit list of all the colleges affiliated with the Mumbai University will be shown. Candidates have to thoroughly check their marks and colleges and other factors. Step 5- Proceed the process after finding the requisite college and complete the process of online verification. -Hard copy of the pre-enrollment form during registration of the university -Passport size photo. Students should have at least 4 pictures in hand. -One self- attested photocopy of class 10th marksheet and passing certificate. -Migration certificate As per the official notification by Mumbai University, the third merit list will be released on June 5 at 7 pm. 'All Admissions to the First Year of Degree Programs and their Academic activities will be as per the provisions and guidelines of NEP 2020 issued by University of Mumbai, Government of Maharashtra and U.G. C. from time to time," reads the official notice. The online admission portal, launched on May 8, 2025, saw a tremendous response with 2,53,370 students registering and submitting an impressive 8,11,643 applications for various courses. The first merit list was issued on May 27. First Published: June 01, 2025, 09:35 IST
News18
30-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Mumbai Metro Connectivity To Bigger Houses: The Dharavi Redevelopment Project Explained
Last Updated: 'Dharavi is an economic hub and a unique industrial cluster whose original character must be original resident should be provided with a home,' said CM Fadnavis The Maharashtra government on Wednesday approved the master plan for the ambitious Rs 95,790-crore Dharavi redevelopment project at a review meeting attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior officials. 'Dharavi is a major economic hub and a unique industrial cluster whose original character must be preserved in the redevelopment. Every original resident of Dharavi should be provided with a home," said CM Devendra Fadnavis on X. The master plan will now be presented in Cabinet for approval. Dharavi Redevelopment to Move Ahead Without Losing Its Soul!🏙️Chaired a review meeting regarding Dharavi redevelopment project at Sahyadri Guest House, Mumbai, today. Issued important directions to all concerned departments with a strong emphasis on sensitive, inclusive, and… — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) May 28, 2025 The Navbharat Mega Developers Private Ltd (NMDPL) is executing the mega project as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) between the Government of Maharashtra — through the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and the Adani Group. In January 2024, NMDPL appointed renowned architect Hafeez Contractor to lead the redevelopment. WHAT WILL RESIDENTS GET? Each eligible resident of Dharavi will receive one rehabilitation unit, regardless of the number of tenements they own. These units will be 350 sq. ft. in size—an upgrade from the 300 sq. ft. units provided in other slum redevelopment projects, according to reports. The projects aims for rehabilitation of 72,000 units — 49,832 residential and 12,458 industrial/commercial. It is expected to benefit nearly 6 lakh people. 📍 #मुंबई |मुंबईतील सर्वात मोठी झोपडपट्टी अशी ओळख असलेल्या धारावीच्या पुनर्वसन प्रकल्पाच्या मास्टर प्लॅनचे आज सादरीकरण करण्यात आले. यावेळी या पुनर्वसन प्रकल्पाची वैशिष्ट्ये आणि त्यातील अडचणीही जाणून घेतल्या. सुमारे १ लाख कोटींचा या प्रकल्पाद्वारे धारावीमध्ये राहणाऱ्या सुमारे… — Eknath Shinde – एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) May 28, 2025 THE CONNECTIVITY A key highlight of the project is the construction of a multi-modal transit hub, with direct connectivity to Metro Line 11. A total of 108.99 hectares will undergo development. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde also noted that a committee headed by a former Chief Justice has been set up to oversee the rehabilitation of 296 religious structures. All decisions, he said, will be taken in consultation with Dharavi residents and in accordance with legal norms. THE FIVE CLUSTERS 'Through this project, costing approximately 1 lakh crore, around 6 lakh people residing in Dharavi will be rehabilitated. To rehabilitate the various industries in Dharavi, five different clusters will be created, through which industries such as pottery, leather, food, clothing, and waste recycling will be rehabilitated. Additionally, there will be excellent connectivity through metro, roads, bus routes, and railway lines. The project is set to be completed in seven years, with the aim of providing a better lifestyle for all stakeholders," said Shinde. WHAT CM FADNAVIS SAID Dharavi is a transformative economic zone capable of reshaping the nation's urban and economic landscape. The redevelopment must include every Dharavikar. No one should be left behind. Rehabilitation of local businesses must be done respectfully at their original locations, maintaining their traditional character. Trust-building, coordination, and empathy are essential components of the redevelopment process. Issued clear directives to ensure the voices and aspirations of all citizens are integrated into the plan, maintain the socio-cultural identity of Dharavi throughout the redevelopment, and enable a harmonious balance between progress and preservation. This historic project, while protecting the essence of Dharavi, is expected to accelerate with renewed momentum, unlocking new possibilities for the community and the city at large. THE OPPOSITION The project, however, has also seen opposition from several small-scale units and residents who have been living illegally. tags : Dharavi dharavi slums news18 specials Location : Mumbai, India, India First Published: May 30, 2025, 13:44 IST News explainers Mumbai Metro Connectivity To Bigger Houses: The Dharavi Redevelopment Project Explained
