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Shalimar Paints steps up its game with Hero Floor Shield launch
MUMBAI: Shalimar Paints is giving dull floors a reason to shine quite literally. The 120-year-old paint pioneer has unveiled Hero Floor Shield, a water-based floor coating that blends beauty, durability and innovation through self-cross-linking emulsion technology.
The newly launched coating doesn’t just dress up floors in style, it armours them. Designed for cement and concrete surfaces, Hero Floor Shield offers superior protection against fungal and algal growth, making it as practical as it is polished. With this, Shalimar Paints looks to add another feather to its long-standing legacy of transforming spaces across India.
Available in three shades Golden Yellow, Terracotta, and Gun Grey, the coating lends a soft sheen finish that suits both minimalist and vibrant interiors. It’s highly washable, abrasion-resistant, and environment-friendly, making it a well-rounded choice for homes that want flair without fuss.
“Hero Floor Shield is yet another remarkable addition to our portfolio, reaffirming Shalimar Paints’ commitment to innovation, durability, and aesthetic excellence,” said Shalimar Paints managing director and CEO Kuldip Raina. “Specially formulated for modern homes and commercial spaces, this advanced coating offers superior abrasion resistance and excellent washability, ensuring long-lasting protection and beauty,” he added.
What makes Hero Floor Shield stand out is its low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) formulation, a non-flammable, eco-conscious product that supports healthier indoor air quality. It’s also built to withstand diverse Indian climates, drying efficiently under standard weather conditions of 30°C and 60 per cent relative humidity.
Available in 1-litre and 4-litre packs, the coating maintains its efficacy for up to three years from the date of manufacture, a promise of reliability that goes beyond just surface-level appeal.
With its combination of science, sustainability, and sheen, Hero Floor Shield marks Shalimar Paints’ latest stroke of brilliance, one that not only protects what’s underfoot but also elevates it to a statement of enduring style.
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Maharashtra revokes Ola, Uber, Rapido bike taxi licences
Temporary e-bike taxi permits cancelled as firms fail to meet state rules
MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s roads are set to see fewer zipping two-wheelers after the state government pulled the plug on provisional licences granted to bike taxi giants Ola, Uber and Rapido. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced in the Legislative Council on Monday that temporary permissions would be revoked.
“These companies were given permission for just a month and were required to submit certain documents. Since they have not complied, their temporary licences are cancelled. This is to ensure illegal bikes do not operate on our roads,” Sarnaik said.
The move follows the Maharashtra E Bike Taxi Rules 2024, designed to generate employment for local youth and offer commuters a cheaper, greener ride option. The rules, approved in August 2024, allow electric bike taxis in cities with over one lakh residents.
Under the policy, only electric vehicles can ply as taxis, and operators had 30 days to fulfil licensing and compliance requirements. Yet, officials claim many continued operations without meeting these conditions. Sarnaik added that a large number of bike taxis currently running in Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region are illegal.
In a firm enforcement twist, the government has instructed authorities to focus on vehicle owners rather than riders when registering cases. Safety concerns, particularly for women passengers, and accident complaints have also been flagged by the transport department.
Since April 2024, Regional Transport Offices have taken action against 130 non-compliant bike taxis, collecting fines exceeding Rs 33 lakh. Authorities say further measures will follow to ensure services adhere to regulations before returning to city streets.
Maharashtra’s bike taxi saga has been a rollercoaster. Initially banned in January 2023 due to concerns over private vehicles ferrying passengers, the sector was later formalised through an electric bike framework in 2024. Provisional licences were granted in 2025, but the government now warns that any bike taxi operating on city roads without proper permits will be considered illegal.
Adding to the transport shake-up, the government has also halted the issuance of new auto rickshaw permits from March 9 to ease urban traffic pressures and safeguard livelihoods of existing drivers. A fresh standard operating procedure for future permits is set to go before the state cabinet soon.
Maharashtra commuters may have to find alternative rides as the state reins in its two-wheeled taxi revolution, leaving app-based bikers in a legal limbo.
