Maharashtra Politics & Governance

Union Budget announces SHE Marts and women’s hostels in every district

1 February 2026

The Union Budget announced SHE Marts to help rural women move beyond credit-based livelihoods and establish businesses, extending the Lakhpati Didi initiative. It also announced women’s hostels in every district for women pursuing careers away from home. The measures were welcomed by women entrepreneurs in Nagpur.

Key Facts

• Lakhpati Didi supports women in self-help groups to start micro-enterprises and earn at least ₹1 lakh in sustainable annual income.
• Lakhpati Didi provides skills training ranging from tailoring and plumbing to LED-bulb production and drone operation.

Budget proposes high-speed rail links between Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad

1 February 2026

The Union Budget proposed seven high-speed rail corridors as growth connectors, including routes linking Mumbai with Pune and Pune with Hyderabad. These were proposals; the announcement did not establish construction status or a completion schedule for the Maharashtra routes.

Key Facts

• The Budget described the proposed high-speed rail corridors as growth connectors intended to promote environmentally sustainable passenger transport.

Kalyan Ring Road section opens as work continues on remaining phases

1 February 2026

The Kalyan Ring Road was reported to be about 95% complete, with five of its eight phases finished. The Mothagaon–Govindwadi section, identified as phase three, had been completed and opened to traffic.

Work continued on the remaining three phases. Land acquisition was under way for the Hedutane–Shil Road section, while acquisition obstacles and redesign work affected the Shil Road–Mothagaon Bridge section.

Maharashtra offers mini-tractor subsidy to eligible self-help groups

1 February 2026

Maharashtra’s Social Justice Department invited eligible Scheduled Caste and Neo-Buddhist self-help groups to apply for assistance to buy mini-tractors and implements. The scheme offers a subsidy of up to 90% of the cost, capped at ₹3.15 lakh for purchases costing up to ₹3.5 lakh; the group must contribute the balance.

Applications were due at the district social welfare office by 13 February 2026. If applications exceeded a district’s allocation, beneficiaries could be selected by lottery.

Key Facts

• Eligible self-help groups must have at least 80% Scheduled Caste or Neo-Buddhist members.

Mumbai brings heavy-vehicle movement restrictions into force

1 February 2026

Mumbai’s restrictions on heavy vehicles took effect on 1 February to manage traffic. In most of the city, heavy vehicles were barred from 8–11 a.m. and 5–9 p.m.; in south Mumbai, restrictions applied from 7 a.m. to midnight.

Heavy vehicles were barred from the Eastern Freeway around the clock, subject to exemptions that included certain essential supplies. Outside restricted hours, other heavy vehicles could enter the city from midnight to 7 a.m.

Mumbai civic body seeks additional anti-rabies vaccine supplies

2 February 2026

Mumbai’s civic body reported reduced supplies of anti-rabies vaccine to municipal hospitals and said it had sent the Maharashtra government a proposal for additional doses. The source gives no duration or quantified extent of the reduced supply.

Key Facts

• Post-exposure rabies vaccination, sometimes with rabies immunoglobulin, can prevent disease if given before symptoms begin.

ASI says Savarkar Sadan does not meet threshold for central heritage status

2 February 2026

The Archaeological Survey of India told the Bombay High Court in an affidavit that Savarkar Sadan in Mumbai’s Dadar area did not meet the 100-year age threshold it cited for central heritage status. It said the Maharashtra government or Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation could include the building on their own protected-heritage lists; the court had directed that no changes be made to the building until the next hearing.

Key Facts

• The Archaeological Survey of India researches, conserves and preserves India’s cultural and historical monuments.

Maharashtra issues transfer orders for four officers

2 February 2026

Maharashtra issued transfer orders for four officers on 2 February. Shridhar Dubey was appointed Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Satyajit Bade Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in Pune, and Rahul Kulkarni Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Marketing Federation; the source also names Dr Sunil Bhokare in an appointment involving the Maharashtra AIDS Control Society and urban health in Mumbai.

Ravi Landge elected unopposed as Pimpri-Chinchwad mayor

2 February 2026

BJP candidate Ravi Landge was elected unopposed as mayor of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation after the Nationalist Congress Party did not field ...