Unhappy with the recent shift in control of the Grant Government Medical College Students’ Association (GMCSA) Gymkhana, a group of 60 to 80 medical students gathered at the gymkhana grounds near Marine Drive on Friday morning. The gymkhana currently includes an open field, old sports facilities, and a cricket pitch shared with the Police Gymkhana. Earlier this year, management of the GMCSA Gymkhana was transferred from the college’s elected general secretary to a government-appointed body. The new committee includes representatives from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, officials from the Medical Education and Pharmaceuticals Department, the dean, the student general secretary, and the superintendent of Sir JJ Group of Hospitals. Students fear this shift will erode their longstanding access to what has traditionally been a student-governed space. “The gymkhana was always managed by us. We handled everything for intercollegiate and intracollegiate events. With the new governing body, we fear the gymkhana will no longer remain accessible to students,” said general secretary Rishikesh Shinde, a third-year medico. He added that students have written multiple letters to the new committee but have received no response. “We’re also hearing about plans to build a clubhouse, which is worrying. This space has always existed for sports, cultural events, and student well-being. We want it to stay that way,” he said. The gathering dispersed shortly after the Marine Drive Police informed the students that protests are only permitted at Azad Maidan. Official Speak Dr Ajay H Bhandarwar, dean, Grant Government Medical College, said, “The gymkhana is government property, which is why the future course of action may be decided by the government. A few months ago, medical authorities had called the students as well as the college members for a meeting at the medical education department in Mantralaya. Students are apprised of updates relating to the Gymkhana" Why gymkhana matters A rare open space where medical students unwind, play sports, and safeguard their mental health Venue for sports and cultural events, especially cricket matches Alumni Speak “The gymkhana has always been central to GGMC’s culture. Since the late 60s, sports like hockey, cricket, badminton and table tennis were actively played. But due to rising academic pressure and mismanagement, the culture has declined,” said Dr Deepak A Palande, neurosurgeon and GGMC alumnus.
13 December,2025 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for December 13. Aries March 21 – April 20Though friends are an integral part of life, but you don’t like them making plans for a weekday. Cosmic tip: Be honest if faced with a challenging situation or while making a lifestyle change. TaurusApril 21 – May 20Though you must stand up for yourself; don’t allow the ego to get entangled in it either. Work related change has a positive effect in the future. Cosmic tip: Be willing to learn from mistakes. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Those who work on assignment basis find more interesting work coming in. It’s quite alright to send a reminder about a payment.Cosmic tip: Be patient with yourself, trusting in the journey. Cancer June 22 – July 23Deal with competition by changing plans and keeping them secret till it’s time to discuss them. Make investments only after careful research. Cosmic tip: Build strong foundations though it will take time. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Staying far away from other people’s drama is wisdom in a practical manner. Remain one step ahead of expected problems. Cosmic tip: Be mindful about how you come across at work, maintaining a professional attitude. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Appreciating people who only reveal their true selves from the beginning are worth staying in touch with. Being self-sufficient especially what is manageable is best.. Cosmic tip: Take a little extra care of health. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Feelings are left behind when faced with a great opportunity at work, one which takes you two steps ahead of reaching a goal. Cosmic tip: Keep perspective in check if tempted to slow down. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Remaining calm in the face of an annoying person is an important milestone. Keeping investments simple is best. Cosmic tip: Keep the best side of your personality uppermost, yet being kind to yourself. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22If working with others is a slight challenge, then find the balance that works best for you. Take care of bone health. Cosmic tip: Let your heart and head lead you when making a decision. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Modern technology is good when it works perfectly; when it doesn’t, you feel the old-fashioned way is more efficient. Career prospects improve. Cosmic tip: Listen to what your body whispers about health. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Staying away from unnecessary spending and risky investments is important. Making a lifestyle change is easy. Cosmic tip: Use emotional intelligence, coupled with clear focus to guide for a successful leadership. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20No challenge causes a misstep as you are constantly three steps ahead. Distractions are many, but your razor-sharp focus steps in. Cosmic tip: Be careful when having an intense discussion with a friend/family member.
13 December,2025 07:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseAfter years of discussions, stalled proposals and shifting plans, the long-awaited redevelopment of Dadar station has finally begun. Western Railway’s suburban hub will soon get a major upgrade, with elevated decks designed to connect multiple foot overbridges and ease the crush of daily commuters. The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), in coordination with Western Railway, has started work on a new elevated deck at Dadar WR station to improve passenger circulation, link existing FOBs, and enhance overall commuter convenience at one of Mumbai’s busiest junctions. The project will be executed in two phases. Phase I In the first phase, an elevated deck measuring around 100 metres by 33 metres is being built across Platforms 1, 2, and 3. It will connect the two FOBs at the north or Virar end of the station.This section will include: 4 staircases, 4 escalators, 2 lifts Dadar railway station sees a footfall of five to six lakh passengers every day. Pic/Nimesh Dave Phase II Once Phase I is completed, a second elevated deck will be built above Platform 1, measuring approximately 100 metres by 15 metres.It will include: 2 staircases, 2 escalators, 1 lift Integrated movement After both phases are completed, the new decks will interconnect four northern FOBs at Dadar, creating seamless movement across platforms and improving accessibility for all passengers, including seniors and those with reduced mobility. Given Dadar’s massive footfall, construction is being carried out in a staggered, tightly coordinated manner to ensure that train operations continue smoothly and commuter safety is maintained. Official speak “Dadar is among the busiest stations on the Western Railway suburban network. The elevated deck is being constructed in phases with meticulous planning to balance execution speed, commuter safety and uninterrupted rail operations,” said Sunil G Udasi, chief spokesperson of MRVC. “Once completed, this integrated deck will ease passenger movement, reduce congestion on existing FOBs and improve the overall experience.” Footfall Combined Western and Central Railway traffic gives Dadar a daily footfall of five to six lakh passengers. Because of this heavy load, work has been split into phases to minimise disruption. Voices Karan Nagraj Patil, Commuter and student‘I’m happy the authorities are finally taking this station seriously. Let’s hope the timelines don’t stretch endlessly.’ Subhash HG, Commuter activist‘The work should have started earlier, but better late than never.’ Amit Khurana, Commuter and businessman‘We’ve heard promises before, but seeing actual work begin is reassuring.’ Sanjana D’Mello, Commuter‘During peak hours, Dadar feels impossible to navigate. An elevated deck may help, but construction will also mean digging up platforms.’ Rajesh Nair, Retired marketing executive‘If these decks reduce even half the crowding, it will feel like a miracle.’
13 December,2025 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMumbai Police on Friday issued a detailed traffic advisory ahead of the Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour 2025 event scheduled on December 14, 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium and Brabourne Stadium. The Argentine football icon Lionel Messi is coming to India. The tour will open on December 13 in Kolkata and will conclude in Delhi on December 15. His Mumbai event is scheduled at 5 pm on December 14 at Wankhede Stadium. The event is expected to draw large crowds along with a significant number of vehicles, police said. In order to maintain smooth traffic flow and avoid inconvenience to the public, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Traffic, Prashant Pardeshi, has announced a series of temporary changes, an official notification said. The traffic diversions and restrictions will be effective from 12:00 hrs to 23:00 hrs on December 14, it said. Parking restrictions There will be no parking facilities at Wankhede and Brabourne Stadiums. Spectators are advised to use public transport, including local trains and metro services. Temporary parking restrictions will be enforced on several key roads including: "C Road, "D Road, "E Road, "F Road, and "G Road N.S. Road (both north and south bound) Veer Nariman Road, Dinshaw Vachha Road, and Jamshethji Tata Road Pay-and-park facilities will be temporarily suspended on Veer Nariman Road and Dinshaw Vachha Road. Changes in routine traffic patterns Several roads will be temporarily converted into one-way streets: "D Road will be one-way west to east from N.S. Road to "E and "C Road junction. "E Road will be one-way southbound from "D Road to "C Road junction. Veer Nariman Road (southbound) from Churchgate Junction to "E Road, a restricted access road, will remain open for vehicles. Road closures and alternative routes Several key routes will be closed temporarily for traffic, including: Chandra Bose Road from Netaji Subhash Air India Junction to Mafatlal Junction (northbound) Coastal Road from Worli/Tardeo to Marine Drive (southbound) Coastal Road from Marine Drive to Worli/Tardeo (northbound) Police have provided alternative routes to assist commuters, covering major junctions such as Ramnath Poddar Chowk, Maharshi Karve Road, Opera House, Charni Road, and Marine Lines. Available Pay-and-Park spaces Limited parking is available near Churchgate Station, including: H.T. Parekh Marg - 60 vehicles Dorabaji Tata Road - 290 vehicles Jamanalal Bajaj Marg - 169 vehicles Vidhan Bhavan (MMRDA) - 250 vehicles Additional smaller lots across NCPA Marg, Vinay K. Shah Marg, and Hornimal Circle Mumbai Police have urged the public to avoid driving to the stadiums where possible and use public transport to ensure a smooth experience for everyone attending the event.
12 December,2025 10:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Asif RizviMaharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan on Friday said that the state’s ruling parties will contest the municipal corporation and local body elections as part of the Mahayuti alliance, reported the PTI. The alliance comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). In the first phase of the elections, the allies were reportedly competing against each other in several constituencies. Tensions between the BJP and Sena also surfaced after the BJP inducted certain local Sena leaders in Thane district, a stronghold of Shinde. High-level meetings and strategy Chavan said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and he had held a meeting to plan a roadmap for civic and zilla parishad elections. The BJP’s core committee also discussed poll preparations, according to the PTI. He further said that the municipal corporation elections are expected to take place in January, while zilla parishad polls may be delayed due to pending matters regarding reservations, which are currently under consideration in the High Court. Structured seat-sharing mechanism Chavan stated that CM Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde had stressed the importance of a structured mechanism to finalise a joint election strategy. All leaders reportedly agreed that major elections, including the Mumbai civic polls, should be contested as a unified alliance, as per the PTI. Committees will be formed at the party level to finalise seat-sharing, taking into account public interest and local conditions, he said. CM Fadnavis has also suggested the formation of a committee of senior office-bearers to oversee further planning for the municipal elections, ensuring that the alliance contests positively and collectively. Chavan added that all key election-related decisions will be taken collectively by senior leaders, including Fadnavis, Shinde, and Pawar, to ensure the alliance presents a coordinated approach to voters across Maharashtra. Polls likely in January Chavan on Friday said elections to 29 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are likely to be held in January, the news agency reported. He said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had asked him to hold further discussions on preparations for the civic polls. Following this, he met Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the latter’s residence on Thursday night. (with PTI inputs)
12 December,2025 10:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai Rationing Department has seized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and vehicles worth over Rs 67 lakh during a major crackdown on illegal gas storage in Dombivli East, officials said on Friday. According to a press note, a vigilance team formed under the guidance of the controller of rationing and director of civil supplies conducted the action on Thursday during a patrol. The team spotted large-scale storage of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders belonging to multiple companies in an unauthorised shed and parked vehicles near Survey No 80/2, close to Pimpaleshwar Mahadev Temple in MIDC Phase-2, Dombivli. Officials said the storage was being operated without any permission from the explosives department, fire brigade, or the respective gas companies. No documents were produced at the site, which falls within the Dombivli MIDC zone. 1,839 cylinders and seven ununsed vehicles seized As the location housed a highly inflammable stock of LPG cylinders, the area posed a risk of leakage, fire and potential loss of life and property, the department said. A panchnama was conducted, and a total of 1,839 cylinders and seven unused vehicles belonging to Akshaya Gas Agency, Madhukrishna Gas Agency, Swaraj Gas Distributor, Trupti Gas Agency and Lucky Enterprises were seized. A case has been registered at Manpada Police Station, Dombivli MIDC, under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000. The seized stock is valued at Rs 67,14,833, the press note said. Rationing Officer Deepak Dolas lodged the complaint. The operation was carried out by officials from the Mumbai Rationing Department’s mobile vigilance unit along with officers of Rationing Office No. 39F, Dombivli (East), and personnel from Manpada Police Station.
12 December,2025 08:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA 2.5-foot-long crocodile was rescued from a pond in Mumbai's Kurla on Friday, days after mid-day reported increasing concerns about unusual wildlife sightings in the area. The reptile was safely captured by the Maharashtra Forest Department with assistance from the NGO SARRP India, officials said. The rescue operation required round-the-clock monitoring, as officials and trained rescuers worked carefully to track the crocodile’s movements before attempting the capture, officials said. Rescue team kept overnight vigil Asif Patrawala from SARRP India said that their team maintained a constant watch over the water body to understand the reptile’s behaviour. A 2.5-foot-long crocodile was rescued from a Kurla pond on Friday, just days after Mid-Day highlighted rising concerns over unusual wildlife sightings in the area. Forest officials and trained rescuers safely captured the reptile. The operation, undertaken by NGO SARRP India in… pic.twitter.com/n10VKq4tho — Mid Day (@mid_day) December 12, 2025 “Our rescue team kept a day-and-night vigil around the pond to follow the crocodile’s movement patterns. After continuous tracking and careful planning, we were finally able to secure it safely earlier today,” Patrawala told mid-day. Rescued crocodile to undergo health check The rescued crocodile will be examined by forest officials before being relocated to a safe habitat. Authorities are also looking into how the reptile ended up in the urban pond, as such sightings have recently caused concern among residents.
12 December,2025 08:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced that global asset manager Brookfield is set to invest over USD 1 billion (around Rs 9,000 crore) to build a major Global Capability Centre (GCC) facility in the state, reported the PTI. He said that a formal agreement will be signed soon, as discussions between the government and Brookfield have already outlined a clear plan. CM Fadnavis also stated the massive employment impact of the project, stating, “One single project will create 45,000 jobs.” Partnership and development agreement executed According to a statement from Brookfield, the company has partnered with B. S. Sharma for the development. The project is being executed under an agreement with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), as per the PTI. The GCC will come up on a six-acre site in Mumbai's Powai area, featuring 20 lakh sq ft of lettable space by 2029. Brookfield said that the facility will be the largest in Asia, and it has already secured a 20-year lease with a major multinational bank. All power needs for the new GCC will be met through green and renewable energy sources, the news agency reported. Brookfield’s growing footprint in India Brookfield noted that it recently delivered a similar build-to-suit tower in Pune for a leading global financial services firm, as per the PTI. Earlier in May, the asset manager announced its aim to triple its India assets under management to USD 100 billion within five years. It also committed USD 12 billion in investments in metropolitan Mumbai. Brookfield currently manages around USD 30 billion in India across infrastructure, real estate, renewable power, and private equity. The company is among the largest office owners and operators in India, with around 55 million sq ft across seven cities. Why Powai was chosen for the project? The announcement on Friday highlighted Powai’s strong appeal as an urban hub, citing its mixed-use environment, excellent connectivity, access to social infrastructure, and a rich talent pool. These advantages make it one of Mumbai’s most desirable districts for large corporate facilities. State's push for GCC growth Fadnavis added that the Maharashtra government introduced a dedicated GCC policy earlier this year with the goal of generating 4 lakh new jobs. The state is focusing on the Mumbai and Pune regions as key areas for GCC expansion. A senior official said the Chief Minister met Brookfield’s Ankur Gupta regarding the upcoming Powai facility. What GCCs do? Global Capability Centres are offshore units that support multinational companies across a range of global functions. Firms like Brookfield develop and lease customised real estate spaces for these centres. (with PTI inputs)
12 December,2025 07:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA security guard in Goregaon West in Mumbai, was injured on Thursday morning when a stray dog suddenly attacked him reportedly near a school gate. The entire incident was captured on CCTV. The footage has since gone viral online. According to reports, the incident took place at around 9.40 am on December 11. The stray dog attack near the school has raised serious concerns in the neighbourhood. How the attack happened The CCTV footage shows that the guard is seen walking through the entrance. The video shows two stray dog present inside the premises. Moments later one of the two dogs approaches him and as the guard turns back towards the gate, the dog unexpectedly spins around, jumps at him, and bites his left shoulder. The guard can be seen struggling briefly as the dog bites him. He later managed to pull the dog off with his free hand, the footage shows. The stray dog then runs away as another security guard quickly arrives carrying a long stick to help his colleague. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mid-Day Gujarati (@middaygujarati) Concerns over stray dog behaviour The incident has led to fresh discussions online about the safety of locals and pedestrians. Many have raised concerns about rising stray dog aggression and the need for better animal control measures in busy residential areas. An official statement from the authorities was awaited. Maharashtra recorded over 30 lakh dog-bite cases over past 6 years Meanwhile, Maharashtra has recorded more than 30 lakh dog-bite cases over the past six years, an alarming figure that equates to roughly 1,369 incidents every day across the state. Acknowledging a sharp rise in dog-bite cases in both rural and urban areas, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde informed the state assembly on Wednesday that, in addition to these incidents, 30 people have died from rabies between 2021 and 2023. Shinde was responding to a query raised by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Prabhu, who voiced concern over the growing population of stray dogs in major cities including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Kalyan-Dombivli. Shinde added that the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, were being implemented across Maharashtra following government orders issued in March this year.
12 December,2025 07:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena leader and spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. The Shiv Sena leader alleged that the Sena (UBT) chief has “adopted a jihadi mindset” after joining the INDIA bloc. While addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Nirupam further asserted that Uddhav Thackeray and his party MPs are abandoning the Hindutva ideology of the late Balasaheb Thackeray. The Shiv Sena leader further criticised the UBT faction for supporting an impeachment motion moved in Parliament against Madras High Court (HC) judge Justice GR Swaminathan. Earlier, the HC judge had passed an order for the lighting of a ceremonial lamp at a Tamil Nadu temple. The decision sparked protests from certain groups and became a point of discussion between the ruling and the opposition party. While the DMK government subsequently restricted the ritual and later approached the Supreme Court to secure a stay, the debate around the same remained amplified. However, Sanjay Nirupam, while slamming Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Arvind Sawant, said that Sawant’s signature on the impeachment motion reflected an “anti-Hindu stance”. Recalling Balasaheb Thackeray’s advocacy for the Ram Temple movement, Nirupam questioned the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s stand on traditional rituals. “Lakhs of Shiv Sainiks went for kar seva. But today, Uddhav Thackeray’s MPs oppose the lighting of a lamp in a temple,” further alleging that the faction has strayed from Hindutva, he asserted. Nirupam further slammed the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Thackeray for his stand on the NRC, Waqf Board reforms, and incidents during his tenure as Chief Minister. Without holding back, Nirupam also criticised the Sena (UBT) chief while referring to his stance on the 2020 Palghar mob lynching of two sadhus. He further alleged that individuals linked to the 1993 Mumbai blasts had taken part in an election rally of a Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate. “Instead of teaching Hindutva to Shiv Sena and BJP, UBT should now openly declare that, for Muslim votes, Uddhav Thackeray has become jihadi-minded like the DMK, Samajwadi Party, Congress, and NCP (SP),” the Shiv Sena leader said. While Thackeray is yet to reply to Nirupam’s allegations, he did slam the Chief Minister for shielding the corrupt ministers. While speaking to the media on Thursday, Thackeray said, “Videos of their leaders with bundles of cash are coming out. Even then, the chief minister is not taking cognisance of the issue.”
12 December,2025 06:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra government has approved the establishment of four new police stations in Mumbai as part of a restructuring of existing police divisions to improve policing and response times in rapidly growing areas, officials said. According to a recently issued Government Resolution (GR), the new police stations will come up in suburban Mumbai. New police stations to be created by reorganising the jurisdictions The GR stated that the new police stations will be Maharashtra Nagar, Golibar, Madh Marve and Asalpha, which will be created by reorganising the jurisdiction of existing police stations under the Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate. The decision also includes the creation of four new police station jurisdictions, 13 new police outposts, and three additional Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) divisions. A total of 1,488 new posts have been sanctioned for the newly formed units. Move aims to strengthen law enforcement in Mumbai The government said the move aims to strengthen law enforcement, improve supervision, and enhance public safety in densely populated and expanding localities of the city. Necessary financial approvals for recurring and non-recurring expenditure have also been granted. Police officials said the new police stations will become operational in phases after administrative and infrastructural formalities are completed.
12 December,2025 06:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilADVERTISEMENT
