In a major boost to regional mobility and driver empowerment, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis officially launched ‘Bharat Taxi’ India’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).

Unlike traditional private aggregators, Bharat Taxi operates on a driver-centric cooperative model where drivers (referred to as Sarathis) act as co-owners and shareholders rather than gig workers. Under this zero-commission structure, drivers retain 100% of their fare earnings and share in platform dividends. Passengers benefit from a fixed fare structure charging Rs 31 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 21 for every kilometer thereafter with no surge pricing or hidden fees even during peak hours or heavy downpours.

The single mobile app offers bikes, autorickshaws, and cabs, providing a seamless multi-modal option for commuters. Additionally, an agreement with the Late D.B. Patil Cooperative Transport Association will assist around 3,000 to 4,000 project-affected local youths with bank credit to purchase vehicles and join the platform.

Flagging off the initial fleet of 600 cabs, Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted that the initiative directly connects passengers with drivers through a transparent, affordable, and safe ecosystem while strengthening Maharashtra’s cooperative mobility sector.

Daily commuters passing through Kharghar railway station are facing severe hardships this monsoon season as heavy rains continue to expose critical infrastructure flaws across the station premises.

The downpours have led to widespread waterlogging along the station’s entry points, subways, and nearby approach roads, making access difficult for both pedestrians and local traffic. Inside, passengers waiting on platforms are forced to deal with continuous water seepage from damaged roof sheds and ceilings. Slippery, poorly maintained floor tiles and wet staircases on foot overbridges have further heightened safety concerns, raising the risk of slips and falls during peak travel hours.

Commuters have expressed frustration over the lack of timely maintenance ahead of the monsoon season. “Navigating the station during heavy rain is becoming increasingly hazardous. The leaking sheds and flooded pathways leave us with nowhere dry to stand,” shared a frequent traveler.

Local residents and regular commuters are now urging railway authorities and CIDCO to take immediate action. Their demands include urgent repairs to leaky platform roofs, clearing clogged drainage channels, and improving overall station maintenance to ensure safe transit throughout the rainy season.

Centuries-old eco-friendly idol workshops in Raigad face severe financial stress due to soaring prices of shadu clay, natural colors, and skilled labor.

Financial Stress

Traditional Ganesh idol artisans in Uran are appealing to the Maharashtra government for urgent financial assistance to cope with escalating production expenses ahead of the upcoming festival season.

For over a century, workshops across villages like Chirner, Kumbharpada, and Jasai have specialized in crafting eco-friendly idols made from shadu (clay). These handcrafted idols supply major markets across Uran, Panvel, Navi Mumbai, and Mumbai. However, artisans report that a sharp spike in raw material prices including an increase of roughly Rs 15 per unit for shadu clay alongside pricier natural dyes and a Rs 2,000 rise in labor wages have forced them to raise idol prices.

Despite continuous demands from local artisan communities, no government subsidies or financial relief packages have been announced yet. Local craftsmen highlight that state-level financial backing is vital to easing mounting financial burdens and ensuring the survival of this traditional, environmentally friendly heritage craft.