Thousands of devotees bid an emotional farewell to Bappa as civic teams ensured smooth and safe immersion arrangements.

The Visarjans

Navi Mumbai witnessed a grand and emotional conclusion to the 10-day Ganeshotsav as 8,573 Ganesh idols were immersed across the city on Anant Chaturdashi.

The immersion process continued through the night and was completed at around 5:30 a.m., with devotees turning up in large numbers to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha. Despite the crowds, the arrangements helped the process continue smoothly.

According to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), the idols were immersed at 189 designated locations. These included 22 natural immersion sites and 156 artificial ponds. Of the total idols, 8,125 were household Ganesh idols, while 448 belonged to public Ganesh mandals. The civic body deployed lifeguards, volunteers, fire brigade personnel, medical teams and other staff at various locations. CCTV cameras, barricades, lighting, drinking water and first-aid facilities were also arranged to assist devotees.

The celebrations also saw citizens opting for more environmentally friendly practices. Around 1,420 Shadu clay idols were immersed, while artificial ponds helped reduce pressure on natural water bodies. NMMC workers also collected around 10.95 tonnes of nirmalya, including flowers and other offerings. The collected material was sent for composting instead of being dumped.

The peaceful conclusion of the immersion was made possible through the cooperation of devotees, volunteers and civic workers, bringing this year’s Ganeshotsav to a heartfelt close across Navi Mumbai.

New centres in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Nagpur aim to make property registration quicker and more convenient.

The Launch

Property registration in Maharashtra is set to become more convenient with the launch of three new Model Sub-Registrar Offices (SROs) in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Nagpur.

The new centres have been opened at BKC in Mumbai, Mahape in Navi Mumbai and North Ambazari Road in Nagpur. The initiative is aimed at reducing waiting time and making the registration process smoother through greater use of digital services.

Citizens can complete Public Data Entry (PDE) online, make payments through the government portal and book appointments through the e-Step In system. The offices will handle common property-related documents, including sale deeds, lease deeds, gift deeds, powers of attorney and wills.

The new facilities are designed to offer a more comfortable experience for citizens. They include air-conditioned waiting areas, Wi-Fi, drinking water and trained staff to assist applicants during the registration process. However, the Model SROs will operate as an optional service alongside existing government registration offices. Citizens choosing the new service will have to pay an additional service fee of Rs 5,500, while regular SROs will continue to provide registration services without this fee.

The state government plans to expand the initiative by establishing 60 Model SROs across Maharashtra in phases. For property buyers, sellers and families handling property documents, the new centres are expected to provide a more organised and technology-driven registration experience.

CM Fadnavis says a Government Resolution will soon outline assistance for farmers affected by drought-like conditions and crop damage.

The Relief Measure

Farmers across several parts of Maharashtra facing heavy crop losses may soon receive relief from the state government. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government is preparing a Government Resolution (GR) outlining measures to support farmers affected by drought-like conditions.

Speaking at a Mathadi workers’ gathering at the APMC in Vashi, Fadnavis said many farmers had suffered significant losses and were unlikely to earn adequate income from their fields this season. The government is assessing the extent of crop damage and identifying areas that require assistance. Crops such as soybean, maize and cotton have reportedly been affected in several regions, while paddy cultivation in parts of Konkan has also faced difficulties.

Fadnavis said the government’s response would not be limited to immediate financial assistance. Measures to improve water availability, strengthen water conservation and manage available resources more effectively are also being considered.

For farmers already struggling with damaged crops and uncertain earnings, the announcement of relief measures is expected to provide some support. The upcoming GR is likely to clarify the nature of assistance and the areas that will be covered. The government is also looking at longer-term measures to reduce the impact of drought and water shortages on agriculture in the future.