28 January,2026 06:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ajit Pawar, 66, died when a chartered aircraft carrying them crashed on Wednesday morning. File Pic
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday declared a one-day holiday for its offices following the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash at Baramati in Pune district.
Only staff involved in essential and emergency services will remain on duty, officials said.
The Maharashtra government has also announced a public holiday on January 28 and declared three days of state mourning following Ajit Pawar's death.
As a mark of respect, flags are being flown at half-mast across the state.
Mumbai University also rescheduled exams following the death of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader.
Ajit Pawar, 66, and four others were killed when the chartered aircraft carrying them crashed on Wednesday morning.
The incident has led to widespread grief across Maharashtra and the entire nation.
The civic body clarified that only employees involved in essential and emergency services will be on duty during the day. All other municipal offices will remain closed as a mark of respect.
Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Follow LIVE Updates here
Earlier, the Maharashtra government declared January 28 as a public holiday and announced three days of state mourning to honour the late leader.
The government has also declared the closure of all state government offices across Maharashtra on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The decision was taken in view of the sad demise of Maharashtra deputy CM.
Instructions have been issued to all departments, district collectors, police commissioners, and senior officials to ensure strict compliance with the mourning guidelines.
Meanwhile, the Examination Section announced that all afternoon examinations scheduled for January 28, 2026, have been rescheduled. The decision applies to affiliated colleges in Commerce and Management, Arts and Education, as well as the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) after the death of Ajit Pawar in Pune.
The revised examination dates will be announced later. College principals have been asked to inform students accordingly.
The mourning and closure orders were issued by the General Administration Department, Mantralaya. Senior officials across the state, including commissioners, district collectors and police authorities, have been directed to take necessary action on its implementations across the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief and sorrow following Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash.
PM Modi spoke to NCP (SP) chief and Ajit Pawar's uncle Sharad Pawar and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family and his party leaders.
