Mumbai: Schools and government offices across Maharashtra will remain closed on Thursday, January 29, following the death of Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati.

The Maharashtra government has declared a three-day state mourning period from January 28 to January 30 as a mark of respect. As part of the announcement, all government, private and aided schools in Mumbai and other districts will remain shut till Friday.

Schools are expected to reopen on Saturday, January 31. However, since many schools remain closed on weekends, students are advised to check with their institutions for reopening schedules, with most likely resuming classes on February 2.

Government offices also shut

An official notification confirmed that all state government offices will remain closed during the mourning period. The national flag will be flown at half-mast across the state, and no official entertainment programmes will be held.

Schools closed across Maharashtra districts

Apart from Mumbai, schools in Pune, Thane, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Solapur, Kolhapur, Ahmednagar (Ahilyanagar) and other districts will also remain closed till January 30.

Why the closures were announced

Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday morning after his aircraft crash-landed while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport. The accident also claimed the lives of two pilots and two members of his security team.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the closures as part of the state mourning period.

Students and parents are advised to stay in touch with schools for official reopening updates.