According to a study published in the Journal of the Indian Botanical Society, researchers have successfully revived populations of Dipcadi concanense, a critically endangered plant once considered “possibly extinct in the wild” after a decade-long conservation effort in Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and parts of Goa.

The research was carried out by Amit B Mirgal, Anup Deshpande, Satish N Narkhede, Rajesh P Gunaga, Sidanand V Kambhar and K Kotresha.

Thought to only exist in literature — no more

The species had survived only in botanical records and scientific literature before being rediscovered in Ratnagiri. Between 2014 and 2024, researchers surveyed lateritic plateaus across the Konkan region and documented 23 fragmented populations in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, along with an isolated population near Mopa in North Goa.

The herb flower has given a lot conservationists new hope

The study found that Dipcadi concanense survives only under highly specific ecological conditions influenced by the Konkan’s monsoon climate. The plant also relies on local hawk moths for pollination, while its seeds disperse only over short distances, limiting its natural spread and recovery.

What do researchers have to say?

Researcher Dr Amit Mirgal, an environmental consultant, reiterates the importance of fieldwork. “The revival of Dipcadi concanense is a remarkable conservation success from the Konkan lateritic plateaus, showing what long-term ecological research, habitat restoration, and persistent fieldwork can achieve,” he said. 

He also mentions that in order for this work to be sustainable, funding is essential, “As we now move from recovery to expansion, I strongly feel that this work deserves sustained financial support so that community-led restoration, nursery development, monitoring, and habitat stewardship can be scaled up and secured for the future. With the right funding and local participation, this rare Western Ghats species can move from survival toward long-term expansion,” he adds.

Conservationists with local authorities have been monitoring the comeback of the Konkan Dipcadi and making sure the area remains protected and secure

Dr Anup Deshpande a botanist, lauds the work undertaken as well. “This represents one of the finest examples of successful conservation efforts for a plant species. The achievement is the outcome of sustained, long-term research conducted both in laboratory and field conditions,” he said. The work is far from over: “Further investigations, including detailed studies on pollination biology, soil characteristics, and other ecological parameters, would contribute to the development of more robust conservation strategies. Many other threatened plant species require similar conservation initiatives, and this study can serve as an exemplary model for future conservation programs,” he added.

The breakthrough that was the game-changer

To restore the species, scientists experimented with direct seed sowing and in-situ soil transfer on lateritic plateaus near Dapoli.

While direct seed sowing showed initial success before stabilising, surviving plants began regenerating naturally, particularly in shaded habitats.
The most significant breakthrough came through in-situ soil transfer, where topsoil containing intact bulbs from genetically healthy populations was relocated. The technique resulted in flowering rates of up to 80 per cent at some restoration sites and triggered fresh regeneration.

By identifying genetically rich populations at Kombe, Kurdhe, and Mopa, researchers have also created a scientific roadmap for conserving the species in the future.

Ecological significance of the species

The ecological significance of Dipcadi concanense extends far beyond single species conservation and is expected to act as a vital catalyst for the biodiversity of the Konkan lateritic plateaus.

As a specialised monsoon geophyte (plants that live more than two years and survive under harsh conditions by storing energy and water in specialised underground organs), its mass blooming exhibits a critical mutualistic relationship with nocturnal hawkmoths, relying on them for cross-pollination.

This concentrated seasonal flowering significantly boosts the local abundance of nocturnal pollinators, creating a powerful spillover effect that directly benefits adjacent agricultural lands and orchards, ensuring the robust pollination of crucial regional cash crops like mangoes and cashews.

Furthermore, these floral clusters anchor a dense, interconnected food web on the rocky terrain. The nutrient-rich foliage serves as a vital feeding ground for diverse insect larvae, while beetles and spiders actively utilise the microhabitats for shelter and hunting.

This thriving insect population subsequently draws insectivorous birds and regional reptiles. which depend heavily on this seasonal protein surge to sustain their breeding cycles. 

By serving as a foundational primary producer, the revival of this critically endangered herb triggers a vital ecological domino effect, completing the trophic cycle and rejuvenating the entire biodiversity matrix of the Konkan’s fragile plateau ecosystem.

“For now, in the first two phases, only 650 sq m on either side on each floor of the new ground-plus-14-storey building has been planned as the waiting area. At present, there is no dedicated area for the kin of patients; they sit in the passages or anywhere they can on the premises. This also increases the risk of infection for the patient,” said the Dean, Dr Pramod Ingale. 

Considering the fact that thousands of patients also travel from other cities and towns for treatment at Mumbai’s four major civic hospitals, a dormitory system is now in plan. “We haven’t finalised a plan yet on whether each ward and floor will have a dormitory, but this is something that we plan to accommodate in the redeveloped hospital infrastructure. Longer treatments make it impossible for patients and their family members to travel repeatedly from their far away native places. As a result, hundreds end up living on the hospital premises,” said Dr Ingale. 

He added that once the plans are finalised, the number of family members to be accommodated will also be decided. “To ensure that people responsibly use this facility, a nominal charge may also be applicable,” said the Dean.

The failure of a critical safety component such as a coach door while the train was in service has also raised concerns about inspection protocols and the overall health of the ageing suburban fleet.

The incident involved train no. 92087/92106, (Borivli-Virar train) around 12.21 pm with the affected coach bearing number 2270B.

Visuals from the scene showed the coach door hanging precariously at an angle as anxious passengers and railway staff gathered around the compartment. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

A Western Railway official said the defective door was temporarily attended to and secured on the line, allowing the train to continue its journey. The train has since been scheduled to be taken to the carshed for detailed inspection and permanent repairs.

The incident has once again put the spotlight on the upkeep of Mumbai’s suburban trains, with commuters questioning whether adequate preventive maintenance is being carried out on coaches that ferry over seven million passengers every day.

Western Railway spokesperson confirmed the incident to Sunday mid-day and said the door was fixed promptly. WR officials said they will investigate the cause of the failure and determine whether it resulted from a mechanical defect, wear and tear, or inadequate maintenance.

Commuter Groups

Siddhesh Desai, vice-president, Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh
“The recent incident of a train door getting dismantled while the train was in motion is a serious warning sign. It clearly indicates that maintenance and inspection standards need urgent strengthening. Such failures can lead to catastrophic accidents, especially on Mumbai’s overcrowded suburban network. At the same time, there are growing concerns that excessive union politics and lack of effective supervision have affected accountability. Senior railway officers must ensure strict quality control, regular safety audits, and personal accountability for maintenance lapses. Passenger safety cannot be compromised under any circumstances” 

Subhash Gupta, Yatri Sangh Mumbai
“Every day, lakhs of commuters travel standing at the doors due to overcrowding. If a door itself develops a fault while the train is running, it could have resulted in a major tragedy. Maintenance standards need an urgent review.”

Shailesh Goyal former member, National Railway Users Consultative Committee.
“The Railways appear to be focusing heavily on expanding AC local services, with more and more non-AC rakes being converted. AC trains require longer maintenance time than conventional rakes, putting additional pressure on the already limited maintenance windows for the remaining non-AC fleet. We have also noticed electrical control panel doors inside coaches often left open, posing an injury risk to passengers. During the monsoon, every suburban rake—especially pantographs”

The protestors here at CSMT seemed to be aware that Mumbai Police had completely sealed off the area amid tension over the police action in Delhi. The demonstrators, who were  not many in number, came holding placards that said, “Now not only Dharmendra but Narendra must also resign”. The banners also bore the symbol of the Mumbai wing of the All India Students’ Federation (AISF).

Earlier in the day, the police had cordoned off the roads that converge right outside CSMT and had cut off the access to pedestrians and cars towards Azad Maidan and Patrakar Sangh — both of which were designated as meeting spots by AISF in posters circulated on social media. 

The protestors didn’t make it even across before they were stopped, leading to a clash between the students and the police. 

Between 15 and 20 students were detained and taken in police vans. During a live telecast of the incident by a news channel, a protestor was seen screaming, “We are the future of the nation and look at the way they are treated us”. Another said, “We are practising our constitutional right to protest. How are they arresting our colleagues and friends?”

The gathering led to brief traffic disruptions around the BMC headquarters circle, CSMT, and adjoining roads. The police diverted vehicles to ease congestion. Heavy police presence was deployed in the area to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident.

Senior police officers monitored the situation while additional personnel were stationed around the protest site. Traffic movement gradually returned to normal after the demonstrators dispersed.

Police officials said the situation remained under control throughout the protest and no major law-and-order issues were reported. Authorities urged citizens to avoid assembling without prior permission and appealed to protesters to express their views peacefully without disrupting public movement or inconveniencing commuters.

Inputs by Ritika Gondhalekar

Every dog has his day and this one in Dongri sure does seem to enjoy it.

Painting a trance

Dev Mehta, a 25-year-old multi-disciplinary artist, comes back with his 27th solo show called Tranceition. Inspired to do this series by the German abstract artist Gerhard Ritcher, Mehta explains the speciality of this show. “I have painted using a special tool which is a secret,” he says, “I like experimenting with surfaces so I have used linen, paper, and canvas as mediums.” Tranceition began from July 10, garnering award-winning Padma Shree Bhawana Somaaya to the show. It’s the last date of viewing is today. “Tranceition marks a significant chapter in my journey, presenting a body of work that reflects transformation and defines both the artist and the human experience,” Mehta further explains.

All fun and the history of games

Snakes and Ladders is originally based on the concept of karma. Pic Courtesy BY H S Dharmendra, Ramsons, Mysore

Historical researcher Raamesh Gowri Raghavan is hosting a special kind of games night next Sunday called “Sacred Games”. The original boardgames, handmade from paper or clothes for kings, are preserved today in museums throughout the world. “I’ll also bring my own personal collection which people can come and see,” he says. The event will take place at Khaki Lab in Kala Ghoda. You can buy the tickets at khakitours.com.

Walking Art

Prerna Jain; (right) The inaugural edition will present Ura Maku, by designer Manjushree Saikia

Most of us see fashion within the limits of a frame, whether it’s the borders of your phone screen, or the boundaries of a ramp. Tonight, Apre Art House in Colaba is launching a new series, Fashion Unframed, that celebrates fashion as art, devoid of commerce or ramp, in a live presentation unfolding throughout the gallery. “It is less about consumption and more about encounter,” says Prerna SM Jain, founder and director, Apre Art House. “The series deliberately moves away from both the conventions of the runway and the limitations of static display. Instead, we work with live bodies, presence, gesture, and movement, allowing the work to unfold dynamically throughout the gallery.” 

As with the series itself, the presentation is intentionally intimate and invitation-only. Each edition of Fashion Unframed will feature a single designer for a single evening. The inaugural edition, taking place today at 7 pm, presents Ura Maku, founded by designer Manjushree Saikia, whose work is rooted in the indigenous silk traditions of Assam.

The vagaries of life get an update

Rajesh Kapadi

This week, on July 18, the weather blog that most Mumbaikars turn to ease their nerves, www.vagaries.in, turned 20 years old. Along with the milestone the blog is also being updated with information further broken down with graphics, making it easier for Mumbaikars to understand what is happening with the weather on the go. It is the bible for many Mumbaikars during the longest season the city exeperiences — the monsoon. 

The founder Rajesh Kapadia says, “Over these two decades, Vagaries has not merely reported weather — it has educated, analysed, documented, and helped create a deeper appreciation of meteorology among the public.  We are currently updating the blog in order to make the weather updates easier for those who have been are ardent patrons through this journey and hope that they will continue to support us.”

The new and improved blog

Another update is the breaking up of city’s weather by date, expected weather for two days, and the speed of wind in the city. All these things have become essential for Mumbaikars to step out of their home, given how infrastructure has been crumbling around us.

Two Yorkshiremen and their 99s

Geoff Boycott and Joe Root

Joe Root staying unbeaten on 99 in the second ODI against India at Cardiff reminded our in-house cricket nut of another Yorkshire-born England batsman with a 99 not out against his name — Geoff Boycott. 

The circumstances were different though. Root’s 99 was in a one-day game while Boycott stayed one short of his hundred in a Test — against Australia at Perth in 1979-80.

And unlike Root’s near-hundred on Thursday night, Boycott’s 99 was in a losing cause; Greg Chappell’s Australians winning by 138 runs when last man 
Bob Willis was dismissed for a duck. 

At Cardiff, Root apparently told his partner Gus Atkinson at the other end to go for the winning runs never mind if he didn’t get the strike to reach his century. 

It showed a selfless side to the champion batsman. Cricket nut says unfortunately Boycott never enjoyed such a reputation from teammates and opponents. Let’s be kinder and say Boycott was self-centred. 

Fair enough, Geoffrey?

Aries
March 21 – April 19
Put in your best at work, even if you feel that you aren’t getting the support you should. Those on a limited budget need to avoid overspending.
Health tip: Take extra care if you have high cholesterol-related issues.  Avoid taking health and fitness advice from anyone unqualified to give it.

Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Ask for help if needed and pay attention to inputs from others, even if you decide to do the opposite. Focus on investments rather than spending.
Health tip: You could be unaware of the reason for your chronic health issues. Make small lifestyle changes to support your health in a holistic manner.

Gemini
May 21 – June 20
Speak your mind without coming across as harsh or condescending. Family finances or investments may need extra attention. 
Health tip: Work on letting go of a habit that is not good for you, even if it is something relatively small. Seniors need to take extra care of themselves.

Cancer
June 21 – July 22
Focus on the present instead of the past and how you could’ve made better decisions. Make thought out financial choices. 
Health tip: Any chronic illness can worsen if you don’t take care of yourself. Wear appropriate shoes while working out.

Leo
July 23 – Aug 22 
A situation may not be exactly as it seems, and you need to look below the surface before making any decisions. Spend time with the important people in your life.
Health tip: Be careful of your back and spine while working out or picking up anything heavy. Drink enough water and eat healthy food.

Virgo
Aug 23 – Sept 22
Let go of and accept any family issues from the past that are disturbing you. This is a positive time for property matters.
Health tip: Be careful while walking and working out, as you could fall and hurt yourself. Try to eat home-cooked food as much as possible.

Libra
Sept 23 – Oct  22
Choose correctly if you need to make any important decisions. Handle finances and investments with care and do not take risks.
Health tip: Stick to a disciplined and planned daily routine. Avoid trying any viral health hacks pushed by ‘influencers’.

Scorpio
Oct 23 – Nov 21
Use all the resources at your disposal if you are working on a complicated project. Avoid buying things you really do not need.
Health tip: Small changes in certain habits may be needed for people with high blood pressure issues.  Avoid taking any alternative medicine or supplements unless you have done your research.

Sagittarius
Nov 22 – Dec 21
Think of the long-term consequences whenever you want to make an impulsive decision. Let go of the past and consciously do not repeat mistakes. 
Health tip: Pay attention to your thoughts and how they affect your mood and general health. Those prone to coughs and colds need to take a little extra care of themselves.

Capricorn
Dec 22 – Jan 19
Find a balance between your personal and professional life, giving due importance to both. Avoid making any hasty financial decisions.
Health tip: Take a little extra care of your throat if you are prone to coughs. Get a regular health check done if you haven’t had one in a while.

Aquarius
Jan 20 – Feb 18
A project at work may need a little extra focus and very careful time management. Try to avoid unnecessary socialising, especially with frenemies.
Health tip: A small health issue can worsen if you do not take care of it promptly. Those prone to migraines need to avoid specific foods that trigger headaches.

Pisces
Feb 19 – March 21
Handle any stressful situation in a logical and calm manner. Double-check presentations and documents for typos or data errors.
Health tip: Try to avoid eating out and stick to very light food. Those who work out regularly may want to change their workout in a small way.

The government does not value the life of citizens, Thackeray said while urging the Centre to talk to the protesting youth.

Wangchuk was shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital early Saturday as his health deteriorated on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, with the police citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court.

Speaking to reporters at the airport here, Thackeray said, "It is shameful how Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk is on the verge of sacrificing is life and several youth are on hunger strike but the BJP government does not care about the lives of citizens or the youth."

The government, which cannot conduct exams like NEET properly, must say how many youths have to sacrifice their lives before Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, Thackeray said.

On the police citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court to remove Wangchuk, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said police should show these orders.

Wangchuk and three activists from AISA have been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to the controversy.

The CJP has been holding a protest for over 25 days demanding Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

Thackeray arrived in Nagpur this afternoon to take part in his party's 'Ram Raksha' programme to protest the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

In a memorandum to the divisional railway manager of Central Railway, he said that several passengers had lodged complaints regarding the quality of food served at the canteen, according to a release issued by his office.

An inspection by the CR's divisional railway users' consultative committee and a local Sena functionary found that the commuters' complaints were accurate, it said.

"The canteen and kitchen premises at Thane railway station were found to be in an extremely unhygienic condition, violating the regulations laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India," Mhaske stated in his memorandum.

The inspection team observed that "expired" cold drinks and food items were kept for sale, and "rotten, pest-infested" vegetables were being used for cooking. The staff were using "burnt, over-recycled" oil to prepare food, he claimed.

The lawmaker has urged the railway authorities to take immediate action against the contractor, the release added. 

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

In a statement, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) said the TBM has started its drive from Sawli (Ghansoli) towards Vikhroli. Of the 10-km underground stretch, a crucial 7-km section will pass beneath the seabed at Thane creek, making it India's first undersea rail tunnel.

The second Tunnel Boring Machine has commenced excavation from the 39-metre-deep Sawli shaft towards Vikhroli for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project.

It will contribute to the construction of the 16 km TBM-driven section of the 21 km tunnel between Mumbai Bullet Train… pic.twitter.com/9AaPYdnUH2

— NHSRCL (@nhsrcl) July 18, 2026

The undersea stretch is part of the 21-km underground section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor. Of this, 16 km between Sawli and the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai is being constructed using tunnel boring machines, while the remaining 5 km has already been completed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method.

The first TBM had commenced its 6-km drive from Vikhroli towards BKC on July 5.

Among India's largest tunnel boring machines

According to the NHSRCL, the TBM is among the largest ever deployed for rail tunnel construction in the country.

The machine has a cutterhead measuring 13.6 metres in diameter—equivalent to the height of a four-storey building—and weighs around 3,200 tonnes, comparable to the weight of nearly 500 Asian elephants. It has an overall length of 96 metres.

The TBM uses a pressurised liquid bentonite slurry circuit to stabilise the tunnel face during excavation. The technology has been adopted to minimise surface disruption while tunnelling through densely populated parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Multi-layer safety systems in place

The NHSRCL said the underground excavation is supported by multiple safety measures.

Apart from an active water sprinkler network along designated escape routes, the TBM is equipped with a real-time multi-gas monitoring system to monitor methane, oxygen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide levels.

The surface shaft has also been equipped with water and slurry treatment plants, bentonite storage tanks, a dedicated power substation with backup generators, and a ready-mix concrete plant for grouting operations.

To safeguard nearby structures and ensure long-term structural stability, the project includes a real-time monitoring system comprising surface settlement points, optical displacement sensors, strain gauges and seismographs.

The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.08 lakh crore.

Under the funding arrangement, the Government of India will contribute Rs 10,000 crore, while Maharashtra and Gujarat will contribute Rs 5,000 crore each. The remaining cost will be financed by Japan through a long-term loan carrying an interest rate of 0.1 per cent.

(With PTI inputs)

With the approval, the six MPs — Omraje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure and Nagesh Patil Ashtikar — have officially become members of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the Lok Sabha.

The six MPs had earlier formed a separate group after parting ways with the Thackeray faction before deciding to merge with the Shinde-led Sena.

The merger has been approved by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. With the decision, the possibility of disqualification proceedings against the six MPs has come to an end, and they will now function as MPs of the Shinde faction. The development comes ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, scheduled to begin on July 20.

Shinde says decision taken for development of constituencies

Reacting to the development, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde said the decision was taken in the interest of development.

He said the six MPs joined his faction to ensure the development of their respective constituencies and added that substantial development funds would be allocated to them.

Ever since the six MPs rebelled against the Thackeray faction, questions had been raised over their political future. Anticipating the move, the Thackeray camp had initiated legal proceedings.

The Thackeray faction had maintained that the rebel MPs would lose their Lok Sabha membership. However, the Lok Sabha Secretariat's approval of the merger has come as a setback for the Thackeray camp.

Thackeray camp to pursue legal options

After breaking away from the Thackeray faction, the six MPs had formed a separate group and submitted a formal letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking recognition of their merger.

The Thackeray faction had also written to the Speaker, stating that the party had not taken any decision to merge with another political entity and continued to remain an independent party. It had requested the Speaker to hear its submissions before taking a final decision.

However, the Lok Sabha Secretariat approved the merger of the six-member group into the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and issued an official circular confirming the decision. The move strengthens the Shinde faction's strength in the Lok Sabha.

Reacting to the development, Thackeray faction leader and former Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, said the party would not let the matter rest and would pursue its legal challenge.

(With IANS inputs)

The temporary traffic restrictions will remain in force from 6 pm on July 24 to 8 am on July 26 to ensure smooth vehicular movement and prevent congestion in the Dadar-Wadala area during the festival.

In an official notification issued on Saturday, Dr Dipali Dhate, Deputy Commissioner of Police (HQ & Central), Traffic, Mumbai, said the restrictions have been imposed to regulate traffic, facilitate the movement of devotees, and avoid inconvenience, obstruction and danger to the public.

Road closures and no-entry restrictions

The following roads will remain closed or restricted during the period:

Tilak Road: Closed for vehicular traffic from Dadar TT Junction to Katrak Road Junction.

Mancherji Joshi Road and Jam-e-Jamshedji Road: North-to-south traffic from Five Gardens Junction to Tilak Road Junction will remain closed.

Katrak Road: The north-to-south stretch from David Baretto Circle to the junction of GD Ambekar Marg and Tilak Road will remain closed.

GD Ambekar Marg: Vehicles travelling from Sarfare Chowk, at the junction of Naigaon Cross Road (MMGS Marg), towards Katrak Road will not be permitted.

Tilak Road Extension: The east-to-west stretch from Sahakar Nagar Galli towards Katrak Road will remain closed.

Parsee Colony Road Nos 13 and 14: The stretch from Lady Jehangir Road Junction to Katrak Road Junction will remain closed.

Dinshaw Road: The stretch from Mancherji Joshi Marg Junction to Katrak Road Junction will remain closed.

Traffic diversion

Vehicles approaching from Tilak Bridge will be diverted at Khodadad Circle (Dadar TT) via Ruia Junction to the northbound carriageway of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road (Dr BA Road).

The traffic police have advised motorists to plan their journeys in advance, use alternate routes wherever possible, and follow instructions issued by traffic personnel deployed on the ground.

The advisory is part of the annual traffic management plan for the Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations at Wadala Vitthal Mandir, where thousands of devotees are expected to gather over the weekend. The traffic police have urged citizens to cooperate with the arrangements to facilitate smooth vehicular movement and ensure the safe conduct of the religious event.

The fabricated Marathi notice, designed to resemble an official Government Resolution (GR), claims that passengers travelling on the new 15-car train would be prohibited from getting down at Diva, Dombivli, and Kalyan, warning of police action against violators.

Railway officials clarified that the circular is completely fake and has not been issued by Central Railway or any government authority. Officials said the forged document misuses the logos of Indian Railways and Central Railway and has been created to mislead commuters.

No restrictions on passengers travelling by 15-coach local trains, says Central Railway

Speaking with mid-day, Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Swapnil Nila said, "It is fake, misleading and intentionally circulating wrong information. If anyone comes forward with the details as to who has prepared or circulated it, then we will take legal recourse also."

Central Railway has urged commuters not to forward or believe such messages and to rely only on official announcements, press releases and verified railway social media handles for information related to suburban train services. 

Officials reiterated that no such restrictions have been imposed on passengers travelling by 15-coach local trains and warned that action would be taken against those found responsible for creating or circulating the fabricated notice.

Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike in Delhi since June 28 in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) examination and the alleged deaths of students linked to the controversy.

On Saturday morning, he was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital after his health deteriorated on the 21st day of the stir. Police cited medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court for the action.

Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar alleged that the Centre's action against Wangchuk reflected an "authoritarian mindset" and amounted to suppression of democratic dissent.

In a statement, Wadettiwar said the use of police force against Wangchuk, who has been on a prolonged hunger strike, was "unfortunate and condemnable".

He said that instead of initiating dialogue with a Gandhian protester, the Union government resorted to force.

Wadettiwar, Jayant Patil accuse Centre of suppressing democratic dissent over Wangchuk action

"The BJP government is trying to silence every voice raised against it. Democracy survives on discussion and dissent, not intimidation," Wadettiwar said.

He further alleged that detaining Wangchuk instead of engaging with him exposed the Centre's "dictatorial approach". He urged the government to hold talks with the activist rather than suppress the agitation.

NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil also criticised the shifting of Wangchuk from the protest site in Delhi, saying the police action to move him to a hospital without giving due consideration to his demands was "deeply concerning".

In a post on X, the former state minister said the action appeared to be an attempt to suppress the ongoing agitation.

"In democracy, every citizen has the fundamental right to protest and express their opinion," he said.

सोनम वांगचुक यांच्या मागण्यावर विचार न करता आंदोलन दडपण्यासाठी त्यांना आंदोलनस्थळावरून दिल्ली पोलिसांनी ताब्यात घेऊन दवाखान्यात हलवल्याची घटना अत्यंत चिंताजनक आहे.

लोकशाहीत आंदोलनाचा आणि मत मांडण्याचा प्रत्येक नागरिकाचा मूलभूत अधिकार आहे.

सरकारने आंदोलकांच्या मागण्यांवर…

— Jayant Patil- जयंत पाटील (@Jayant_R_Patil) July 18, 2026

Patil urged the Centre to hold "sensitive discussions" on the protesters' demands and work towards a solution instead of resorting to such action.

"The voice of the people must be heard in democracy," Patil said.

According to the first information report (FIR), the complainant came in contact with the accused through a business associate who introduced her to the management of Woman Fashion Magazine. The accused allegedly claimed that their company organised major fashion events and financed shows.

The complainant also alleged that she was later persuaded to participate in a fashion show scheduled at a hotel in Vile Parle in December 2025. She claimed she was assured the event was associated with the Miss India pageant, but later discovered it was organised by a different company and that the promised facilities were not provided.

The FIR further states that the accused subsequently proposed organising large-scale fashion events using the names of Bombay Times Fashion Week 2026 and GICW Fashion Show 2026 in cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Dubai.

The accused also allegedly assured her that they would secure her an opportunity in Bigg Boss 2026. They allegedly further promised to cast her in three music albums, a television serial and a commercial with T-Series, provided she invested money in the project.

The FIR does not allege any involvement by the organisers of Bigg Boss, the Miss India pageant, Bombay Times Fashion Week, GICW Fashion Show or T-Series.

No agreement, no refund: Actress alleges fraud after paying Rs 11.5 lakh

Believing the assurances, the complainant allegedly transferred Rs 11.5 lakh between December 7, 2025, and January 6, 2026, through Google Pay, National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to the account of one of the accused. She claimed all the financial transactions were carried out at the company's Kandivali office.

When she later sought the promised agreement and work, the accused allegedly failed to execute a formal agreement and repeatedly delayed the matter. The complainant alleged that when she demanded a refund, the accused refused to return the money and allegedly threatened her, saying she would not get her money back.

The complainant also alleged that she later learnt that several criminal cases had already been registered against the accused for allegedly cheating others in a similar manner.

Based on her complaint, Kandivali Police have registered a case against the three accused for allegedly cheating, criminal breach of trust, and criminal intimidation. Further investigation is underway.

According to the police, the incident took place on July 16, 2026, near Veg Treat Legacy Hotel on L.T. Road in Borivali West.

While towing vehicles parked in a no-parking zone, traffic personnel found a Suzuki WagonR bearing registration number MH-01-DT-8876. When officials contacted the registered owner through the e-challan system, the owner reportedly stated that his vehicle bearing the same registration number was already with him, raising suspicion that the parked WagonR was using a cloned number plate.

The matter was immediately reported to senior officers, who instructed the team to detain anyone who came to claim the vehicle.

Driver detained after searching for vehicle

Later, traffic police personnel located a man searching for the car on Chandavarkar Road and brought him to Borivali Police Station for questioning. He identified himself as Saurav Anil Jaiswal (26), a resident of Dombivli.

During interrogation, Jaiswal allegedly failed to produce the vehicle's registration documents and admitted that the car's original registration number was MH-46-BK-7583. Police further found that the WagonR's engine and chassis numbers corresponded to the original vehicle and that the registration plate MH-01-DT-8876 had allegedly been affixed fraudulently.

Police register case, investigation underway

Police alleged that the fake number plate was used to conceal the vehicle's identity and evade detection by law enforcement agencies, traffic authorities, the Regional Transport Office (RTO), financiers, and other government agencies, as well as to avoid liability if the vehicle was involved in accidents or other offences.

Based on the complaint, Borivali Police have registered a case against Saurav Anil Jaiswal for allegedly using a forged vehicle registration number. Further investigation is underway.

Seven new STPs to boost Mumbai's sewage treatment capacity

To improve the quality of water discharged into the sea, the BMC is constructing Sewage Treatment Plants at Worli, Dharavi, Bandra, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, Versova, and Malad. The combined treatment capacity of these seven under-construction projects is 2,464 million litres per day (MLD). In addition, a 37 MLD STP at Colaba was completed and commissioned in April 2020.

Bhide conducted an on-site inspection of the Malad STP on Saturday, July 18, 2026, to review the project's progress and issued necessary directions to officials.

Among those present during the inspection were Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, local corporator Kamarjahan Siddiqui, Deputy Commissioner (Zone IV) Dr Bhagyeshree Kapse, Deputy Commissioner (Commissioner's Office) Prashant Gaikwad, Deputy Commissioner (Engineering) Shashank Bhore, Chief Engineer (Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project, In-charge) Ashok Mengde, and other concerned officials.

Commissioner reviews civil, mechanical and electrical works

During the visit, Bhide reviewed the civil, mechanical, electrical and engineering works being carried out at the Malad STP. She assessed the current status of various project components, construction progress, quality standards, and planning for the remaining work. She also inspected the installation of machinery, electrical systems, process units and safety measures at the site.

The Commissioner instructed officials to ensure strict adherence to quality standards at every stage of construction and complete the project within the scheduled timeframe through proper planning.

Progress of all eight STPs assessed

She also reviewed the progress of all eight sewage treatment plants through a digital presentation. These include Malad (454 MLD), Worli (500 MLD), Bhandup (215 MLD), Bandra (360 MLD), Dharavi (418 MLD), Ghatkopar (337 MLD), Versova (180 MLD), and Colaba (37 MLD), with a combined treatment capacity of 2,501 MLD. She directed all contractors to complete the projects within the stipulated deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards.

Malad STP to use SBR technology

Bhide said that the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project Department began work on the 454 MLD Malad Sewage Treatment Plant, including land improvement works, in July 2022. The project has a six-year design and construction period, followed by a 15-year operation and maintenance period.

The project will use Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology. Under the proposed system, 454 million litres of sewage will undergo secondary treatment every day, while 227 million litres will receive tertiary treatment daily.

At present, the existing Malad STP carries out only primary treatment, including screening and degritting, before discharging treated sewage into the creek. The proposed project includes land improvement, construction of a new sewage treatment facility, Class A sludge treatment, and power generation using biogas produced during the treatment process.

Project expected to improve seawater quality

Bhide further said that all required permissions for the removal of mangroves and associated vegetation have been obtained. Once the new STP becomes operational, it is expected to significantly improve seawater quality and marine life. The project will also benefit residents of Dahisar, Borivali, Kandivali, Malad, and Goregaon.

Garden Department responds to rain-related incidents

According to the BMC, between June 22 and July 17, 2026, the city recorded 902 uprooted trees and 1,251 incidents of fallen branches across municipal areas, housing societies, residential colonies and other private properties.

The civic body's Garden Department deployed teams equipped with the required machinery to clear affected locations on a priority basis. The BMC said the operations were aimed at restoring normal traffic movement and reducing inconvenience to residents.

The department has separately monitored incidents on municipal and private properties and has been carrying out removal work accordingly.

Work continues at sites requiring phased operations

The BMC said tree and branch removal is still in progress at some locations due to weather conditions, site-specific challenges, safety requirements and the need for necessary permissions. In such cases, the work is being carried out in phases and will continue until all affected locations are cleared.

The civic body added that its Garden Department control room, ward offices and emergency response teams remain operational round the clock during the monsoon season, with manpower, machinery and equipment deployed to respond to complaints.

Tree and branch removal status

According to BMC data for the period between June 22 and July 17:

Trees

In municipal areas, 367 trees were uprooted. Of these, 359 have been removed, while work is in progress at eight locations.

On private properties, 524 trees were uprooted. Removal has been completed at 452 locations, while operations continue at 72 sites.

Fallen branches

In municipal areas, 552 branches fell during the period. The BMC has cleared 541 of them, with work continuing at 11 locations.

On private properties, 723 branches fell. Of these, 632 have been removed, while operations are underway at 91 locations.

Tree pruning

The BMC also carried out tree pruning at 2,206 locations involving unclaimed properties or sites where no responsible owner was available. Pruning work has been completed at 1,857 locations, while operations continue at 360 locations.

Overall, the civic body said it has completed tree removal, branch clearance and pruning work at 3,841 locations, with work remaining at 542 sites.

BMC issues public advisory

The BMC has advised residents not to take shelter under trees during heavy rainfall or strong winds.

Citizens who notice a fallen tree, a tree that appears at risk of collapsing or a fallen branch have been asked to report it immediately by calling the BMC helpline on 1916, so that the Garden Department can respond promptly.

Bhide issued the directions while reviewing the work of Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) for the Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency at Mumbai Public School in Liberty Garden, Malad.

The Election Commission of India is currently undertaking the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across Mumbai. Bhide said the recent spell of heavy rain had affected the pace of the exercise and, with more showers likely in the coming days, officials must accelerate fieldwork to avoid delays.

She urged booth-level officers (BLOs) to intensify their efforts and ensure that house-to-house verification and digitisation of electoral data are completed within the prescribed timeframe.

Additional District Election Officer and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, electoral registration officers (EROs), and assistant electoral registration officers attended the review meeting.

Bangar also said that the SIR exercise must be completed in a time-bound manner. He directed AEROs to simultaneously speed up the distribution of enumeration forms and the digitisation process.

BMC urges officials to accelerate door-to-door voter verification drive

He noted that although the Election Commission had granted an extension for the exercise, officials should factor in their routine departmental responsibilities as well as the possibility of further rainfall. Where necessary, they should deploy additional manpower and work on holidays to complete house visits and digitisation within the stipulated period, he said.

The door-to-door verification drive, which began on June 30, is scheduled to continue till July 29 as part of the SIR programme. The BLOs are visiting households to distribute enumeration forms, verify voter details, and assist eligible electors in completing the verification process.

Residents have been asked to fill in the required details, sign the enumeration forms, and submit them along with the necessary supporting documents to the BLOs during their visits. The exercise is aimed at ensuring that the electoral rolls are updated and free from discrepancies before the publication of the revised voter lists.

When the drive was launched last month, Bhide had appealed to citizens to cooperate with BLOs by providing the required information and documents during the verification process, saying public participation was crucial for preparing accurate electoral rolls.

The FDA has also ordered the canteen to immediately stop operations pending further action.

Inspection uncovers hygiene lapses

The action was taken against M/s Stany Caterers, which operates a canteen on the ground floor of the Old Nurses Home building at KEM Hospital in Parel.

According to FDA officials, the inspection was carried out by the agency's Zone 3 team on July 15, during which food safety officers found several hygiene deficiencies and violations of provisions under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) and related regulations.

Following the inspection, the Food Safety Officer issued a Stop Business Notice, while the designated officer suspended the canteen's food business licence with immediate effect.

Food samples sent for laboratory analysis

During the inspection, FDA officials collected four food samples for laboratory testing. The samples included prepared rice, mixed pulses vegetable preparation, kabuli chana used as a raw material, and refined sunflower oil.

The samples will now be analysed to determine whether they meet the prescribed food safety standards.

KEM Hospital serves thousands of patients daily

King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital is one of Mumbai's oldest and largest public healthcare institutions. Established in 1926, the hospital is attached to Seth G.S. Medical College and is affiliated with the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS).

The hospital caters to thousands of patients every day, and the canteen serves patients, their relatives, visitors and hospital staff.

FDA intensifies crackdown on food safety violations

The action against the KEM Hospital canteen is part of the Maharashtra FDA's ongoing drive against food safety violations across the state.

According to officials, inspections at hotels, restaurants, canteens and roadside eateries have intensified since IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe assumed charge as Maharashtra FDA Commissioner in May.

The agency has stepped up enforcement to improve hygiene standards and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.

Parsi Dairy Farm licence also suspended

The KEM Hospital canteen is the latest food establishment to face regulatory action.

Earlier this week, the FDA suspended the food business licence of Mumbai-based Parsi Dairy Farm after inspections reportedly revealed serious food safety and hygiene violations.

Officials said the inspection drive will continue across Maharashtra, with strict action being taken against food establishments found violating food safety norms.

(With inputs from PTI)

According to CSMIA, Akasa Air will shift all its domestic and international flight operations to Terminal 2 (T2) from August 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, Air India Express will operate all its domestic flights from Terminal 1 (T1) starting October 1, 2026, while its international services will continue to operate from Terminal 2 (T2).

Airport authorities have advised passengers travelling on either airline to verify their departure and arrival terminals with the respective carriers before heading to the airport to avoid any inconvenience.

The changes are part of operational adjustments at CSMIA aimed at streamlining passenger movement and airline operations across the airport's terminals.

No new NMMT buses for Navi Mumbai airport routes despite fleet expansion

When Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) inducted the first batch of 51 CNG buses from its sanctioned fleet of 150, many commuters expected at least some of the new vehicles to be deployed on routes connecting the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which has been operational since December 25, 2025. However, that is unlikely to happen.

Officials in the transport department confirmed that all 150 buses being inducted into the fleet are non-air-conditioned CNG buses and none of them is planned for airport services. Instead, the buses will be used to strengthen the existing city network by replacing ageing vehicles and improving frequencies on busy routes.

A conductor on NMMT’s Route No. 23 said, “Airport passengers generally travel with luggage and require a more comfortable journey. These buses will be used for regular city operations.”

A conductor attached to Route No. 17, between Nerul and Kharkopar, said airport connectivity requires a different kind of fleet. “An air-conditioned bus service is more suitable for airport passengers. The new non-AC buses will mainly help increase the frequency of existing routes and reduce waiting time for daily commuters rather than operate to the airport,” he said.

The clarification comes at a time when passenger traffic at NMIA is steadily increasing, with both domestic and international flight operations now underway. Despite the growing demand, fliers continue to depend largely on taxis, app-based cabs, and private vehicles to reach the airport.

A 2000-batch IPoS officer who secured the 352nd All India Rank, Jayabhaye brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate, banking and postal administration to the role.

Before joining the postal service, he worked with TISCO Systems, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) as an Assistant Manager, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a Manager, gaining experience in the financial and corporate sectors.

Led major postal and logistics reforms

During his early postal service career, Jayabhaye served as Senior Superintendent in Ongole, Goa and Mumbai, where he played a key role in streamlining international logistics operations at the Mumbai Airmail Sorting Division and helped develop its initial ISO quality frameworks.

As Director in Aurangabad and Nagpur, he spearheaded Project Arrow upgrades and managed cargo operations for four dedicated mail aircraft. He later oversaw the implementation of the Mail Network Optimisation Project in Pune and Ahmedabad.

Under his leadership, the Pune Speed Post Hub rose to the fifth position nationally, while the Ahmedabad Hub secured third rank nationally in Group 1 operations.

Focused on technology and financial inclusion

As Postmaster General of the Nagpur Region, Jayabhaye introduced the Postman Mobile App and facilitated the establishment of eight Passport Seva Kendras and 13 India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) branches.

During his tenure in the Chhattisgarh Circle, he led the opening of 391 branch post offices in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas and partnered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to enable doorstep delivery of official documents.

In Pune, he launched innovative logistics initiatives, including the ‘Diwali Faral’ international parcel campaign, and oversaw the successful organisation of Punepex-2023.

From PLI Directorate to Maharashtra Circle

Prior to his appointment as CPMG, Maharashtra Circle, Jayabhaye served as General Manager (Operations), Postal Life Insurance (PLI) Directorate, New Delhi, where he played a central role in developing the Integrated Management System (IMS) software aimed at modernising Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance services.

Postal officials said his extensive experience in technology adoption, operational reforms and financial inclusion is expected to strengthen postal services and drive innovation across the Maharashtra Circle.

According to MMRDA, the initiative is aimed at providing commuters with seamless access between Metro stations and adjoining commercial and residential developments, improving pedestrian safety, reducing travel time and encouraging greater use of public transport.

Direct Metro access approved for Godrej campus

MMRDA said the proposed foot over bridge will allow employees, visitors and commuters to travel directly between the Metro station and the Godrej campus without having to cross the busy LBS Road.

The authority said the project is expected to improve commuter convenience while reducing pedestrian movement on surrounding roads.

The approval marks the second project to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) under MMRDA's direct Metro connectivity policy. The first such approval was granted for a direct connection between Metro Line 7 and Oberoi Mall.

Policy requires developers to bear project cost

According to MMRDA, commercial and residential developments seeking direct access to Metro stations are required to pay a one-time, non-refundable development fee under its policy framework.

The authority said applicants must bear the entire cost of designing and constructing the foot over bridge and pay an additional six per cent of the construction cost towards MMRDA's supervision charges to ensure compliance with engineering, structural and safety standards.

Every proposal undergoes technical, structural and safety assessments before permission or a No Objection Certificate is granted, MMRDA said.

As part of the Vikhroli project, Godrej & Boyce has paid a one-time, non-refundable development fee of Rs 10 crore to MMRDA. The company will also bear the full cost of constructing the foot over bridge.

More direct connectivity proposals under review

MMRDA said the model has already demonstrated benefits through the direct Metro connection to Oberoi Mall, allowing commuters to access the commercial complex without stepping onto the main road.

The authority is also examining several similar proposals across the Metro network. Among them is a proposal from Bharat Diamond Bourse for direct connectivity to Metro Line 2B.

According to MMRDA, once implemented, the project is expected to benefit nearly 40,000 daily users by reducing pedestrian congestion around the station and encouraging greater Metro usage.

Government says policy supports Metro sustainability

According to MMRDA, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the policy aims to improve last-mile connectivity while strengthening the financial sustainability of Mumbai's Metro network.

"The Government has introduced this policy to provide direct Metro access to major commercial and residential developments, thereby strengthening last-mile connectivity. It is a win-win model for both commuters and the Metro system. While direct connectivity encourages more people to use the Metro, resulting in higher fare revenue, the one-time development fee and other Non-Fare Box Revenue generated under this policy further strengthen the financial sustainability of the Metro network. This innovative approach enables us to expand and sustain world-class public transport infrastructure without placing the entire financial burden on commuters."

MMRDA highlights safety and commuter benefits

According to MMRDA, Deputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde said every proposal is subjected to rigorous technical and safety scrutiny before approval.

"We are receiving encouraging responses from commercial establishments and residential developments seeking direct Metro connectivity. Every proposal undergoes rigorous technical and safety scrutiny before approval. These initiatives improve last-mile connectivity, reduce congestion around Metro stations, strengthen commuter convenience and generate sustainable non-fare revenue that supports the long-term financial health of the Metro network."

MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee said seamless last-mile connectivity plays a crucial role in increasing public transport usage.

"Last-mile connectivity is one of the most important factors influencing public transport usage. Through this initiative, MMRDA is creating seamless integration between Metro stations and major commercial and residential destinations while ensuring that the cost of such connectivity is borne by the beneficiary institutions. This not only improves commuter experience and promotes higher Metro ridership but also supports the financial sustainability of Maha Mumbai Metro. We welcome more eligible developments to partner with us while maintaining the highest engineering and safety standards."

According to MMRDA, the direct connectivity policy is intended to improve commuter access to Metro stations while generating non-fare revenue that can support the long-term expansion and maintenance of Mumbai's Metro network.

Raut's remarks came amid renewed political speculation following recent meetings involving leaders from both NCP factions and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Raut says he trusts Supriya Sule and Jayant Patil

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Raut said rumours about the reunification of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP have surfaced repeatedly over the past two years.

"Talk of a merger has been going on for two years, but Supriya Tai and Jayant Patil deny it. We trust them," he said.

His remarks come as political circles continue to discuss the possibility of rapprochement between the two factions that split in 2023.

Sharad Pawar avoids commenting on merger reports

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar declined to comment directly on reports of a possible merger or internal differences within his party.

When asked about the speculation, the veteran leader said: "That's not the subject to talk about right now."

His response contrasts with his earlier remarks in June, when he firmly rejected speculation about divisions within his party.

At the time, Pawar had asserted that while other parties had witnessed splits, his party remained united.

"Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs have split, but none of our MPs will split."

Supriya Sule rejects merger and NDA alliance reports

NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) Working President Supriya Sule also dismissed media reports suggesting a possible alliance, merger or backchannel discussions with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

In a post on X, Sule said reports regarding the party's position on delimitation and political realignment were speculative and inaccurate.

"Recent reports appearing in sections of the media regarding the stand of the Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar (@NCPspeaks) on the issue of delimitation are inaccurate and speculative. I wish to clarify that neither I nor the party has had any official discussion with any media organisation on this subject."

She added that the party formulates its stand only after internal consultations and discussions with its INDIA bloc allies.

Says delimitation stand will come after Bill is tabled

Sule also said it would be premature to comment on the proposed delimitation exercise until the Centre formally introduces the legislation in Parliament.

"It would be inappropriate to comment on any proposal until the Government formally places the revised delimitation legislation before Parliament. Since no such Bill has yet been made available, any speculation regarding its contents or our position would be premature."

Meetings fuel political speculation

The latest round of speculation gathered pace after late-night meetings in Mumbai involving NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Jayant Patil, NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

However, leaders of the Sharad Pawar-led faction have maintained that the meetings were related to administrative matters and not political realignment.

Jayant Patil has also denied reports suggesting any discussions on a merger between the two NCP factions.

Political uncertainty continues

Although speculation over a possible reunion of the two NCP factions has resurfaced following the recent meetings, senior leaders from the Sharad Pawar camp have consistently denied reports of any merger or alliance with the NDA.

With the Monsoon Session of Parliament set to begin and Maharashtra's political landscape remaining fluid, discussions over opposition unity and possible political realignments are likely to continue in the coming weeks.

(With inputs from ANI)

In an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party alleged that the Narendra Modi government had failed to engage with Wangchuk despite his prolonged protest and criticised attempts to discredit the activist.

Saamana editorial backs Wangchuk's protest

The editorial said Wangchuk, along with a student identified as Neha, had been on a hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.

According to the editorial, Wangchuk had travelled from Ladakh to the national capital to raise issues concerning students and the country.

The party also alleged that corporate interests were threatening Ladakh's fragile ecosystem and claimed Wangchuk had been targeted for speaking out against the issue.

"When Wangchuk raised his voice against this institutional looting, he became undesirable to PM Modi. Fighting for one's rights has effectively become a crime in independent India," the editorial stated.

BJP leaders accused of targeting Wangchuk

The editorial criticised BJP leaders for allegedly attempting to tarnish the image of Ramon Magsaysay Award and Padma award recipient Sonam Wangchuk.

It specifically referred to BJP MP Manoj Tiwari's reported remarks describing Wangchuk as part of the "Aam Aadmi gang" and an "obstacle" to the country's development.

Responding to those comments, the editorial accused the BJP of hypocrisy, recalling that several BJP leaders had supported the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.

Editorial raises concerns over NEET-UG controversy

The Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed the alleged NEET-UG paper leak had affected millions of students across the country and criticised the government's handling of the issue.

It alleged that the controversy had pushed many students into distress and questioned the Centre's response to their concerns.

The editorial also expressed concern over the health of Neha, the student participating in the hunger strike alongside Wangchuk, alleging that the government had failed to respond despite warnings from doctors.

Criticism of Prime Minister Modi

The editorial drew a contrast between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign engagements and his response to Wangchuk's protest.

It criticised the Prime Minister for not meeting the activist despite the prolonged hunger strike and alleged that the government had shown little empathy towards the protesters.

The party also highlighted Wangchuk's contribution to national security, referring to his work in developing solar-powered insulated tents designed to help Indian soldiers operate in high-altitude border regions.

Editorial ends with warning to BJP

Concluding the editorial, Shiv Sena (UBT) alleged that the BJP's handling of Wangchuk's protest reflected political arrogance.

Drawing parallels with historical rulers, the editorial claimed that excessive arrogance ultimately leads to downfall.

"History shows that such arrogance eventually turns to dust. The bubbling ego of the BJP over Wangchuk's hunger strike will meet the same fate," the editorial commented.

(With inputs from IANS)

The Kalyan police have registered a case against two individuals in connection with the alleged fraud, which is suspected to have affected many more investors than initially reported.

Consultancy operators booked for investment fraud

According to police, an FIR has been registered against Rohit Surwade and Pratik Gaikwad, who allegedly operated The Stocktone Consultancy, for cheating investors between March 2022 and June 2025.

The case was registered on Thursday under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act.

Investigators allege that the accused lured investors by offering attractive returns through purported share market investment schemes.

Tea vendor among victims

The complaint was lodged by a 33-year-old tea vendor from Khadakpada in Kalyan, who, along with several other investors, allegedly invested a total of Rs 2.15 crore with the consultancy.

According to police, when the investors later sought the return of their principal amount along with the promised profits, the accused allegedly failed to repay the money.

Officials said the consultancy had allegedly collected funds from multiple investors over several years by assuring them of high returns.

Police suspect larger financial scam

Investigators believe the fraud may be significantly larger than the amount reported in the initial complaint.

According to police, the total amount involved could eventually run into several crores of rupees, while the number of victims may rise to hundreds as more complaints emerge.

No arrests have been made so far, and the investigation is underway to trace the accused and identify additional victims.

Over 130 job aspirants cheated of Rs 52.68 lakh

In a separate incident in Thane district, police have registered a case against eight persons associated with a recruitment agency for allegedly cheating more than 130 job aspirants of Rs 52.68 lakh by promising overseas employment.

According to police, the accused operated under the name Al-Limra International, based in Kalyan, and allegedly collected money and passports from job seekers between January and May 2026 on the promise of arranging jobs abroad.

Agency allegedly shut down after collecting money

The complaint, filed by a Mumbai resident at the Mahatma Phule Chowk Police Station, alleges that the agency abruptly shut down after collecting payments from applicants.

Police said many victims lost both their money and passports.

"Out of the total pool of more than 130 victims, some have lost both their money and passports. When the victims attempted to follow up on their applications, they discovered that the agency had abruptly shut down its operations," Inspector Vinod Patil said.

The financial loss reported so far stands at Rs 52.68 lakh, while efforts are underway to trace the eight accused.

(With inputs from PTI)

The cave-in occurred around 8.30 am at Bhaskar Colony, where excavation activities destabilised the adjoining land, leaving a tree and a compound wall of a neighbouring property in a hazardous condition.

Excavation triggers land cave-in

According to the Thane Municipal Corporation's (TMC) Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC), the incident was caused by excavation work being carried out for an under-construction building.

"The excavation for a building project caused a section of land to cave in. This left a tree and a compound wall in the premises of the adjacent building in an extremely dangerous condition," RDMC chief Yasin Tadvi said.

The incident did not result in any injuries, but officials immediately initiated precautionary measures to prevent further damage.

Civic teams rush to the spot

Following the cave-in, teams from the RDMC, Public Works Department (PWD), Fire Brigade and the Tree Authority reached the site with utility vehicles and a hydraulic lifter.

Officials assessed the stability of the affected area and secured the site to ensure the safety of nearby residents and pedestrians.

As the excavation had left a large tree leaning dangerously towards the adjacent property, the Tree Authority removed it to eliminate the immediate risk.

Developer begins soil stabilisation work

According to civic officials, the developer has begun immediate soil stabilisation measures to prevent additional cave-ins and strengthen the excavation site.

"The developer has initiated immediate measures to stabilise the soil and prevent further cave-ins. Further necessary action will be taken by the construction and town planning departments," Tadvi said.

Authorities are expected to examine whether all prescribed safety measures were followed during the excavation work.

Separate wall collapse reported in Naupada

The latest incident comes a day after a portion of the boundary wall of a dilapidated bungalow collapsed onto a busy road in Thane's Naupada area on Friday morning.

The collapse occurred around 9.30 am, but no injuries were reported.

Disaster management personnel, along with officials from the Public Works Department and the anti-encroachment department, cleared the debris using a pickup vehicle and a JCB machine to restore normal traffic movement.

Bungalow had already been declared unsafe

According to the TMC, the bungalow had previously been classified as a 'C-1' structure, indicating that it was in a dangerous condition, unfit for occupation and required immediate demolition.

Officials said the property's structural vulnerability had already been identified before the boundary wall collapsed.

(With inputs from PTI)

Hours before his sudden demise on June 27 following a cardiac arrest, Prof Katdare conducted a final session with the five students he had trained, unaware it would be their last interaction.

Days later, all five won gold at the 56th International Physics Olympiad in Bucaramanga, Colombia, creating history for India for the second time. The first such achievement came in 2018, when all five gold medallists were also coached by Prof Katdare.

Prof Katdare’s greatest quality was his endless curiosity, according to his elder son

For colleagues and students, the victory was not merely India’s triumph but a lasting legacy of Prof Katdare’s nearly three decades of dedication to nurturing young physicists at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), TIFR, Mankhurd.

Guiding light

Four days before his passing, Prof Katdare was seen discussing students’ experimental scripts and offering final guidance at the HBCSE Physics Olympiad Laboratory. He continued his regular mentoring sessions, including on the afternoon of June 27, guiding India’s five representatives — Kanishk Jain, Riddhesh Anant Bendale, Rishit Garg, Shresth Suraiya, and Svarit Joshi.

Members of the Olympiad community said the medals reflected years of Prof Katdare’s efforts in identifying talent, preparing rigorous training modules, and developing scientific thinking among students representing India on the global stage.

Sudden loss

According to Prof. Katdare’s nephew, Dr Ameya Panchwagh, the physics teacher was parking his car on the campus premises on June 27 when bystanders noticed the vehicle suddenly losing course and entering a flower bed. “They rushed to the vehicle and found him unconscious inside,” Dr Panchwagh said.

The 2018 batch of Vigyan Programme students attend a session by Prof Katdare at the HBCSE centre in Mankhurd

He was rushed by colleagues and students to the nearby BARC Hospital, where doctors found his vital signs unrecordable. A post-mortem examination at Rajawadi Hospital later provisionally attributed the cause of death to coronary artery disease. 

‘He made physics come alive’

Students remember Prof Katdare as a teacher who explained difficult physics concepts through simple examples from everyday life.

Colleagues recalled his constant search for better teaching methods rather than merely delivering lectures. He spent countless hours designing challenging problem papers, mentoring students individually, and training fellow teachers in effective classroom practices.

His younger son, Preshit Katdare, a pilot, recalled that his father never stopped working. “When I came home, I would either see him cooking, watching thriller, mystery or science-fiction movies, or preparing question papers for Olympiad students to make sure they were ready. He never sat idle,” he said.

‘No one can teach’

For many students, Prof Katdare’s greatest lessons were not only about physics but about learning itself. His philosophy was simple: “No one can teach. We can only learn. At the most, we can help someone in learning. Try to become a facilitator and not a teacher or a guide,” recalled Preshit.

His elder brother, Sanchit Katdare, settled in US, said his father’s greatest quality was his endless curiosity. He said his father often spoke with wonder about technological changes he had witnessed — from seeing the first telephone and first car arrive in his village [Chiplun, Ratnagiri] to using globally connected wireless devices and travelling in a driverless autonomous car. “What made him different was that he always wanted to understand how everything worked,” he said.

Golden legacy

Prof Katdare was part of HBCSE’s Physics Olympiad training programme for nearly 27 years. He contributed to the physics olympiad in terms of experimental development, assessment and student training at multiple levels. “Prof Katdare valued theory and experiment equally. His meticulous scrutiny of every question paper, answer sheet, model solution, and marking scheme was unmatched,” said Shirish Pathare, scientific officer (F), HBCSE, TIFR.

Aniket Sule, associate professor, HBCSE and Physics Olympiad training coordinator, said the five-gold-medal performances in 2018 and again this year were a fitting tribute to Prof Katdare’s invaluable contributions.

Thackeray, accompanied by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, left Mumbai from Matoshree on Saturday morning for Nagpur to participate in the programme, which is scheduled to begin at 4.30 pm at Ram Mandir in Ramnagar.

The event is expected to witness the participation of party leaders, workers and supporters from across the Vidarbha region.

Nagpur event holds political significance

The Nagpur programme is being viewed as politically significant because the city houses the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), making it an important ideological centre in Maharashtra politics.

Shiv Sena (UBT) has been conducting the 'Ram Raksha Andolan' across Maharashtra, alleging irregularities in the handling of donations made by devotees at the Ayodhya Ram Temple and demanding a fair investigation into the matter.

The Nagpur event marks the second phase of the campaign after its launch in Mumbai earlier this month.

Uddhav Thackeray launched campaign in Mumbai

Earlier, Uddhav Thackeray formally launched the 'Ram Raksha' campaign in Mumbai and criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that it had remained silent over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

Addressing party workers, Uddhav Thackeray said Lord Ram belonged to the entire country and should not be associated with any political party.

He also demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged financial irregularities involving temple donations.

According to Shiv Sena (UBT), reports of alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple surfaced in June. The issue has since become a political flashpoint, although the Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations.

Invoking Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav recalled the slogan, "Garv Se Kaho Hum Hindu Hain", and accused the BJP of failing to address concerns raised over the alleged donation irregularities.

He also made "BJP-mukt Ram" the central theme of his address, asserting that Lord Ram belonged to the entire nation and not to any political party.

"Ram does not belong to any political party. Ram belongs to the entire nation."

"We will not keep quiet till an impartial inquiry is conducted in the donation theft. We will fight till the case is taken to a logical end."

Sanjay Raut invites Mohan Bhagwat and Devendra Fadnavis

Ahead of the Nagpur programme, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut wrote separate letters to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, inviting them to attend the 'Ram Raksha Andolan'.

In the letters, Raut alleged that the reported misappropriation of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple had "deeply hurt the faith and trust of Hindus" and appealed to both leaders to participate in the campaign.

Raut requested Bhagwat to attend the event personally or depute a representative if he was unable to be present. Similar invitations were also extended to BJP leaders and elected representatives from the region.

Campaign seeks probe into alleged donation irregularities

According to Shiv Sena (UBT), the 'Ram Raksha Andolan' has been launched to demand transparency and accountability over the alleged misuse of donations made by devotees at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

The party has said it will continue organising the campaign across Maharashtra until an impartial investigation into the allegations is completed.

The Uttar Pradesh government has already constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the alleged financial irregularities. However, the issue continues to fuel political exchanges between the ruling BJP and the opposition, with the Nagpur programme expected to be one of the campaign's most significant events due to its political and ideological backdrop.

Temperatures in Mumbai are likely to remain moderate, with the maximum temperature expected to hover around 32 degrees Celsius and the minimum around 27 degrees Celsius.

Tidal activity

The city is also set to witness a high tide of 4.66 metres at 3 pm, while another high tide of 4.02 metres is expected at 3.09 am on July 19. Low tide was recorded at 8.07 am (0.81 metres), while the next low tide is expected at 9.09 pm (1.04 metres).

According to civic rainfall data recorded between 8 am on July 17 and 8 am on July 18, the Eastern Suburbs received the highest rainfall at 15.27 mm, followed by the Western Suburbs with 7.31 mm, while the Island City recorded 1.67 mm of rainfall.

Authorities have advised residents to stay updated on weather and tidal conditions, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

IMD issues yellow alert for 17 districts, warns of heavy rain

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a yellow alert for several districts across Maharashtra, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph at isolated places.

The alert has been issued for Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, Sangli, Solapur, Hingoli, Nanded, Latur, Dharashiv, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal.

Low-pressure area weakens over eastern India

According to the IMD, the low-pressure area over north Odisha and adjoining Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal has now shifted over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand and north Odisha. The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level and is expected to weaken gradually over the next 24 hours.

The monsoon trough currently extends from Amritsar through Chandigarh, Shahjahanpur, Basti, Patna and the low-pressure area before reaching the northeast Bay of Bengal.

Meanwhile, a trough extending from the cyclonic circulation to the east-central Arabian Sea across Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra and south Gujarat has become less marked, indicating weakening weather activity.

The city's water stock has improved significantly compared to the same period in 2024, when reservoir levels stood at 38.47 per cent. However, storage remains below the 81.47 per cent recorded on the corresponding day in 2025.

[mumbaiwaterstock]

Major reservoirs cross 53% of combined storage capacity

The four major reservoirs — Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa and Middle Vaitarna — together held 3,74,104 ML of water, representing 53.86 per cent of their combined useful storage capacity of 6,94,582 ML.

Upper Vaitarna recorded a water level of 598.27 metres, an increase of 0.12 metres over the previous 24 hours. The reservoir stored 69,605 ML, or 30.66 per cent of its useful capacity. It received 75 mm of rainfall during the day, taking the season's cumulative rainfall to 994 mm.

Modak Sagar reached a water level of 159.56 metres and contained 99,840 ML of water, equivalent to 77.44 per cent of its capacity. The reservoir received 99 mm of rainfall, with cumulative monsoon rainfall reaching 1,447 mm.

Tansa recorded a water level of 127.11 metres, rising 0.10 metres in the past 24 hours. The reservoir held 1,16,653 ML, or 80.41 per cent of its capacity. It received 29 mm of rainfall, while cumulative seasonal rainfall touched 1,456 mm.

Middle Vaitarna registered the highest rise in water level among the major reservoirs, climbing 0.30 metres to 265.19 metres. It currently stores 88,006 ML, accounting for 45.47 per cent of its useful capacity. The lake received 45.47 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours, taking cumulative monsoon rainfall to 1,071 mm.

Bhatsa continues to supply the largest share of water

Bhatsa, Mumbai's largest source of drinking water, held 3,25,202 ML of water, which is 45.35 per cent of its useful storage capacity.

The reservoir's water level stood at 125.48 metres, rising by 0.30 metres over the previous day. It received 74 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, taking cumulative seasonal rainfall to 1,189 mm.

Vihar full, Tulsi close to overflowing

Among the smaller reservoirs, Vihar Lake remained at 100 per cent capacity, storing 27,698 ML of water. Its water level remained steady at 80.21 metres. The lake received 6 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours, while cumulative rainfall this monsoon reached 1,673 mm.

Tulsi Lake was at 98.02 per cent of its useful capacity, holding 7,887 ML of water. Its water level stood at 139.06 metres, a marginal decline of 0.01 metres from the previous day. The reservoir received 30 mm of rainfall, taking cumulative seasonal rainfall to 2,263 mm.

According to the BMC, Vihar Lake began overflowing on July 7 at 9 pm, while Tulsi Lake started overflowing on July 7 at 11.43 pm.

Operational status and rainfall update

The BMC's Hydraulic Engineer's Department said the Middle Vaitarna WSCPO gate has remained closed since 2 pm on July 6, while water release from Upper Vaitarna has remained suspended since 10 am on July 6.

The Bhandup Complex, which houses one of Mumbai's key water treatment facilities, recorded 16 mm of rainfall during the last 24 hours. The complex has received 1,747 mm of cumulative rainfall so far this monsoon.