The nationwide Census 2027 exercise has officially begun, with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launching the process in Thane district through self-enumeration, officials said.
He appealed to citizens to actively cooperate with the census to ensure accurate data collection.
At the launch event held at the Thane Municipal Corporation headquarters, Shinde carried out his own self-enumeration by scanning a QR code using a tablet.
The self-enumeration phase will be conducted from May 1 to May 15. This will be followed by door-to-door data collection from May 16 to June 14.
Public awareness initiatives
During the event, the QR code for self-enumeration was officially unveiled. The civic body also inaugurated a special selfie point and a “Development and Progress” stall to raise awareness about the census campaign.
These initiatives aim to encourage public participation and make the process more accessible.
The event was attended by several senior officials, including Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar, Deputy Mayor Krishna Patil, Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, District Collector Dr Shrikrishna Panchal, and Census Joint Director Ramesh Bhosale.
A commemorative memento from the Union Home Ministry was presented to Shinde during the programme.
Call for public participation
Officials stressed the importance of citizen cooperation in ensuring a successful census. Accurate data collected during the exercise will help in planning development and welfare programmes.
First electric double-decker bus launched in Thane
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Friday launched its first electric double-decker bus that was flagged off by Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde who also took a ride in the vehicle after its inauguration.
Shinde travelled on the bus from the municipal headquarters to Louiswadi and back, experiencing the new service firsthand.
He said the introduction of the double-decker bus would make travel more comfortable and convenient for residents of Thane.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several officials, including Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar, Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, District Collector Dr Shrikrishna Panchal and Deputy Mayor Krishna Patil.
The new bus marks a major step towards modern and sustainable public transport in the city, officials said.
Officials said that nine more electric double-decker buses will soon be added to the fleet, strengthening the public transport system in Thane.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote environmentally friendly transport solutions, they said.
The officials noted that the electric buses will not only improve daily commuting but also offer a more pleasant travel experience for passengers.
