Maharashtra News LIVE Updates: Cabinet approves Metro line 3 escalated cost of Rs 10,000 crore

Various parts of Maharashtra witnessed heavy rains on Wednesday, prompting two universities to suspend or cancel exams.

Maharashtra's capital Mumbai witnessed moderate rains along with strong winds since Tuesday and more showers are predicted over the next 24 hours, officials said.

Asked about rains along coastal Maharashtra and the Western Ghat regions, IMD Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said the low pressure area attracted strong winds from the Arabian sea which brought heavy rainfall over the region.The intensity will come down from Wednesday, he said.

Vehicles dodged water-filled potholes on Vikhroli flyover on Eastern Express Highway. Click to view pics

Five more Central jails in Maharashtra have been identified by the prison department for housing transgender inmates. At present, transgender persons apprehended from any part of the state are brought to three prisons - Thane, Yeravada and Nashik - and are kept in cells separate from male and female prisoners.

The inclusion of three politicians embroiled in controversies-Shiv Sena's Sanjay Rathod and Abdul Sattar and BJP's Vijaykumar Gavit -in the cabinet sparked a row, with not only Congress but BJP functionaries also protesting the induction of Rathod in particular. Rathod, MLA from Digras in Yavatmal who had served as forest minister in the MVA government, had to resign last year after he was linked to a woman's death in Pune. However, Rathod on Tuesday found support from NCP's Supriya Sule who said he was "innocent" and had been earlier targeted by BJP.

The absence of a woman in the newly-formed Cabinet in Maharashtra — known for its progressive steps in the field of women empowerment — on Tuesday did not go down well with several leaders. READ MORE

Five more Central jails in Maharashtra have been identified by the prison department for housing transgender inmates. At present, transgender persons apprehended from any part of the state are brought to three prisons – Thane, Yeravada and Nashik – and are kept in cells separate from male and female prisoners. Creating spaces for transgender inmates in more prisons would reduce the possibility of any overcrowding in future if their numbers were to rise, officials said. Further, it would become possible to lodge them in a facility closer to their hometown, making it easier for friends and family to visit, they said.

Coming to the rescue of one of the oldest petitioners forced to knock on its doors, a sessions court has ruled in favour of a 90-year-old Tardeo woman who had accused her son and daughter-in-law of domestic violence. READ MORE

The first triple-digit rainfall of the month was recorded in the city on Tuesday. In the 24 hours ending at 8.30am on Tuesday, the rainfall recorded was 124mm. Of this, more than 100mm was recorded in the six hours between 2.30am and 8.30am.

Nearly five hours after four BPO employees and their driver had a miraculous escape when their car fell into an overflowing Mogra nullah at Andheri subway, the car, a commercial vehicle, was pulled out of the drain by police around 9am, BMC's K-West ward officials said.