Current Affairs - State

Maharashtra launched Bharat Taxi as a cooperative taxi service on July 23, 2026, at Navi Mumbai International Airport. The initiative was inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol. Inspired by the vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi”, the service aims to provide affordable, transparent, and reliable transportation while empowering drivers as cooperative members and owners. Unlike conventional ride-hailing platforms, Bharat Taxi follows a fixed service charge model with no surge pricing or hidden fees, allowing drivers to share profits and ensuring better earnings, improved passenger experience, and stronger cooperative-based employment opportunities.

Chhattisgarh became the first Indian state to enact the Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, introducing a comprehensive trust-based and risk-based business permission framework. The Act classifies businesses according to risk levels, allowing low-risk enterprises to obtain approvals through self-certification or certification by licensed professionals. It also introduces an auto-approval mechanism when departments fail to act within prescribed timelines, removes annual renewal requirements for certain licenses, and initially covers 43 services across eight departments. The reform is expected to reduce compliance costs and simplify business operations for nearly 1.5 million MSMEs in the state.

Maharashtra is set to establish India's first AI-powered bird sanctuary at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary through a ₹45-crore Eco-Nature Park project. The sanctuary will feature AI-based cameras and monitoring systems capable of identifying bird species, tracking migratory movements, and collecting valuable ecological data for research. Located near Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, the sanctuary is an important wetland along the Central Asian Flyway and attracts thousands of migratory birds every year. The initiative aims to strengthen wildlife conservation, promote scientific research, improve visitor experiences through interactive AI displays, and encourage sustainable eco-tourism while preserving the fragile wetland ecosystem.

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Goa on 17 July 2026 to develop and implement infrastructure projects in the state. Under the agreement, RVNL will serve as the primary executing agency for identified projects, while both parties will jointly identify and undertake infrastructure initiatives based on mutually agreed terms. In addition to this partnership, RVNL also secured a ₹967.93 crore contract from East Coast Railway for the construction of a railway bridge. Established in 2003, RVNL functions under the Ministry of Railways and is headquartered in New Delhi.

Madhya Pradesh approved a financial outlay of ₹776.13 crore on 21 July 2026 to strengthen healthcare infrastructure by upgrading and expanding 73 health institutions across the state. The plan includes converting sub-health centres into Primary Health Centres, expanding PHCs into Community Health Centres, upgrading CHCs into 50-bed civil hospitals, and developing selected institutions into 100-bed hospitals. The Cabinet also approved ₹122.83 crore annually for operation and maintenance, created 1,600 regular posts along with contractual and outsourced positions, and focused on improving healthcare access and bed capacity in rural and semi-urban areas.