The Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, sanctioned the renaming of Sawantwadi Railway Station to “Lokmanya Madhu Dandavate Railway Terminus.” Madhu Dandavate, the late former Union Minister, played a pivotal role in establishing the Konkan Railway. The decision to rename the station came after persistent demands from the people of Konkan, acknowledging Dandavate’s significant contributions to the railway sector.
Approval has been granted to forward the renaming proposal to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Railways. This move fulfills a longstanding request from the Konkan region residents. Additionally, the Cabinet extended the deadline for general transfers of state government employees for 2026 due to the ongoing Census 2027.
In light of the census activities, the government will now be able to conduct transfers until June 30, 2026, after amending the Maharashtra Government Servants Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duties Act, 2005. The first phase of Census 2027, involving house listing and housing census, is scheduled between May 16, 2026, and June 14, 2026. Employees engaged in census duties are exempt from transfers as per Central Government directives.
Furthermore, the Cabinet approved an ordinance to extend the deadline for the general transfers of government employees involved in census work. The government also waived stamp duty and registration fees for land transactions related to the New Nagpur and New Outer Ring Road projects. These projects are aimed at regional development and will include the construction of an International Business and Finance Centre in New Nagpur.
The Cabinet also decided to regularize encroachments and allocate land to the Shri Pimpleshwar Devasthandir Trust in the Dombivli industrial area. The Trust’s request for land for social work at a nominal rate was approved based on recommendations and government policy. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation will oversee the transfer of land to the Trust and formulate a policy for addressing encroachments on its acquired land.
