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.

In a major crackdown on interstate train burglaries, the Panvel Railway Police arrested a serial offender targeting high-value passengers in air-conditioned (AC) coaches and recovered stolen gold and silver jewelry worth Rs 26.31 lakh.

The accused, identified as 41-year-old Raghu Suman Khosla, a resident of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, was intercepted on July 17 at Panvel station after alighting hurriedly from the Mangala Lakshadweep Express. During a bag search, officers found a large stash of ornaments. Suspicion grew when Khosla claimed the jewelry belonged to his wife following a domestic dispute, but police noticed mismatched pairs including a single earring.

Subsequent interrogation revealed Khosla’s extensive criminal history, with 39 railway theft cases registered against him across India, including 10 in Goa alone. His modus operandi involved targeting wealthy passengers sleeping in AC compartments, stealing bags placed nearby, changing SIM cards after every crime, and fleeing to cities like Hyderabad and UP via flights from Mumbai or Navi Mumbai airports.

The recovered valuables were linked to a recent theft on the Netravati Express, where a passenger’s bag containing jewelry and an iPhone was stolen near Margao. Following court orders, Khosla has been handed over to the Goa Railway Police for further investigation. Security has since been intensified across mail and local train routes under the Panvel jurisdiction.