Ahead of the BMC Election 2026, the civic administration has rolled out an extensive voter awareness campaign under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme to increase voter turnout and promote informed participation. The initiative is being implemented as per guidelines issued by the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on June 12, 2025, with a detailed action plan prepared by the BMC and executed through various departments and agencies. Voting for the BMC elections will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. According to an official statement, the SVEEP campaign is being carried out under the leadership of Municipal Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani, with guidance from Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi. Senior civic officials are overseeing the coordinated implementation of the campaign across Mumbai. Dr Joshi has appealed to citizens to exercise their voting rights freely, without fear or inducement, it said. Over 10 million voters to participate Pic/BMC Mumbai has over 10.34 million registered voters, and the civic body aims to ensure that every voter understands the importance of their vote. The campaign focuses on encouraging ethical voting and discouraging inducements, under the message that voting is a right, not a transaction, the statement said. Awareness through digital and public platforms Voter awareness messages are being displayed through digital hoardings approved by the BMC, screens at 24 civic facilitation centres, Central and Western Railway stations, Mumbai Metro services, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, platforms managed by MMRDA and MSRDC and daily voter awareness messages are also being shared on BMC’s official social media handles, civic officials said. Schools, colleges and youth participation More than one lakh voter pledge letters with the message “I will definitely vote on January 15, 2026” have been sent to parents through students of BMC-run schools. Schools are also conducting essay competitions, drawing competitions, morning rallies, NSS volunteers are organising awareness rallies and street plays to reach young and first-time voters, they said. Messages through sanitation vehicles and housing societies Pic/BMC Around 1,300 garbage collection vehicles have been fitted with posters and audio announcements promoting voting. Housing societies have been roped in through cooperation with the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies. Notices regarding polling date, timing and required identity documents are being displayed on society notice boards. Selfie points and public attractions Voter awareness selfie points have been set up at BMC headquarters, Gateway of India, all 24 ward offices, Diamond Garden in Chembur. The SVEEP nodal officers in each ward are also conducting localised activities. Cinema halls, radio and public announcements Short 30-second voter awareness films are being screened across 62 cinema halls on 200 screens in Mumbai, the official statement said. Awareness messages are also being broadcast through FM radio channels, theatre halls, government offices, ST bus stations, hotels and restaurants. ‘My Vote Is Not for Sale’ Campaign BMC’s Public Relations Department is running a strong social media campaign under the tagline “My Vote, Not for Sale”, highlighting ethical voting and the importance of democracy. Pic/BMC Celebrity outreach and flash mobs Public figures are sharing voter awareness messages through BMC’s platforms. Flash mobs are being conducted at 25 crowded locations, including railway stations, malls and beaches, to explain the voting process and motivate first-time voters. Traditional street plays still effective Alongside modern platforms, traditional street plays (pathnatya) are being used to spread information about the polling date and time, importance of voting, required documents and how to check names in the voter list. The civic officials said that the multi-layered campaign aims to reach every voter and ensure a high turnout on polling day. Get all BMC Election 2026 updates here | Your ward info below Read more: All about BMC Election Read more: Know Your Ward
07 January,2026 10:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA massive fire broke out at a chemical factory in the MIDC area of Badlapur in Thane district of Maharashtra during the late hours of Wednesday, officials said. As per the Disaster Management Cell of Thane Municipal Corporation, the fire triggered panic among workers and residents in the vicinity. The blast occurred at the Pacific company, triggering a large fire that continued to blaze with repeated explosions even after the initial incident. Locals said that they had nearly seven to eight explosions one after another. Officials further informed that thick plumes of smoke were seen coming out from the industrial unit at the MIDC area. Acting swiftly, fire brigade teams rushed to the spot. Multiple firefighting vehicles have been deployed, and operations to take control of the situation are currently underway. As of now, no casualties have been reported. However, fire officials are continuing rescue and safety operations as a precautionary measure, given the nature of chemicals stored at the facility, as per the Disaster Management Cell. As a safety measure, people in the MIDC area and nearby workplaces were evacuated to safer locations, police said. Further details are awaited.
07 January,2026 10:30 PM IST | Thane | Aishwarya IyerTwo people died after a fire broke out on the third floor of a commercial building in Andheri East area of Mumbai, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Wednesday. According to the officials, the blaze was reported on the third floor of the Tex Centre's Narayan Plaza Building on the New Sell Factory at the Sakivihar Road in Chandiwali area of Andheri (East). Fire officials said the blaze was confined to the third floor of a ground-plus-four-storey commercial building. Smoke had spread across the building, creating difficulty for rescue operations. The blaze was initially declared a Level-I (minor) fire at 6:54 pm. Agencies deployed to the site included the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), Mumbai Police, electricity distribution staff, 108 ambulance services, and local BMC ward staff. Two dead in blaze The firefighters rescued two people who were found unconscious inside an office on the third floor. However, both victims were declared dead on arrival at hospitals. One of the deceased was identified as Bhagvan Pitale (30), who was taken to Seven Hills Hospital. The second victim, Sumant Jadhav (28), was taken to Rajawadi Hospital. Doctors at both hospitals confirmed that the victims were brought dead. investigations into the cause are underway, they said. Fire confined to office unit According to the fire brigade, the blaze was confined to Unit No. 303 of M/s Neocell Industries, spread across around 1,500 square feet on the third floor. The fire affected electric wiring and installations, a lithium-ion battery, office files, furniture, wooden partitions, glass windows, doors and the false ceiling. Cooling operation underway The officials said cooling operations were still in progress late in the evening to prevent any flare-ups. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and further investigation is underway. Fire breaks out at chemical unit in Badlapur MIDC Meanwhile, in an another incident, a fire broke out at a chemical company in the Badlapur MIDC area of Thane district late on Wednesday night, officials said. According to the Disaster Management Control Room, the incident was reported at around 9.10 pm. Information about the fire was received from the state control room. The fire reportedly followed an explosion at a chemical unit located in Kulgaon, Badlapur, in Thane. Several fire brigade teams rushed to the spot along with eight to ten fire engines. Firefighters were working to control and extinguish the blaze. Officials said efforts to douse the fire were continuing.
07 January,2026 10:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA lengthy and lonely but a purposeful walk is what Chaitanya Patil, an engineer by profession, decided to on the National Highway 66 from Mumbai to Goa. Also a social activist, Patil told mid-day, he had been working on making Mumbai’s roads better for people since his college days. “While in college, I used to post on social media pointing out issues like potholes, etc. Sometimes the authorities would reply and fix the issues, and sometimes they wouldn’t. It was then that I realised that we need to constantly remind them of things for them to get things done.” While he was actively working on making things better on the road infrastructure front, he had filed a few RTIs wanting to know how many accidents happen on roads near the Konkan belt. Chaitanya Patil during the press conference at Press Club in Mumbai. (Pic/Shadab Khan) He said, “When I got my replies, I was shocked to see that just in Raigad, there were more than 100 accidents which were happening and which led to deaths.” Starting his walk on the NH 66, Patil also recorded all the problems and safety hazards on the road with GPS locations in each photo, giving the reason for that. He said, “Without those, authorities can say that the photos are not from the highway, so I used my engineering knowledge and decided to have GPS in each photo, as with the help of the longitude and latitude of each photo, anyone in the world can see where the photo was taken. Along with that, sending multiple photos would make it harder for authorities to identify the areas, so I resorted to QRs, which compiled everything.” When asked about which were the areas he found most dangerous in terms of the road, Patil pointed out that Nagothane, Sangameshwar, and Ratnagiri were some of the places where the roads were in the worst conditions, with the sides of the roads often filled with debris. “Even in patches where the road was new, I observed that potholes were in the middle of the road, which no one driving on the highway at high speeds would expect and would lead to fatal accidents,” he said. He added, “When accidents happen, we often hear that the families would be given remuneration, but that’s not the best option; prevention of accidents is. When in every other situation we choose to prevent things before they happen, how do we not hope for the same on the roads we drive on?” The locals of towns around the road were also intrigued by Patil’s initiative; talking about them, he told mid-day, “I still get calls and photos from them keeping me updated on the condition of the roads there. They have lost boys who are bears over 25. One of the boys was 22; he has gone into a coma and still hasn’t woken up. It is they who suffer the most, those who have to use the road daily.” Chaitanya Patil pointed out the problems at Mumbai Goa National Highway 66. (Pic/Shadab Khan) Pointing out that most families who are not affluent don’t have enough liquid funds to care for their family members who have suffered an accident and need long-term care, he said, “They sell their lands for money, but there is only so much they can sell before running out of options.” The authorities, on the other hand, have not yet given Patil a concrete response for his reports; he claims, “I keep getting the generic response that my complaint has been sent to the concerned authorities but have not received a single reply.” While also being someone who has a fish farming business of his own, when asked how he managed his finances, he said, “I choose to lose a month’s income to try and save lives by doing this. My whole point is that everyone keeps saying someone should do something, so I become the someone who does something to help people.”
07 January,2026 10:05 PM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturAs part of the Swachh Survekshan 2025–26 initiative, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Wednesday carried out a large-scale public toilet cleaning campaign. The public toilet cleaning drive was conducted to improve hygiene and sanitation standards across Thane. As per the statement released by TMC, the cleaning drive was implemented in the Naupada-Kopri, Wagle and Uthalsar ward committees, covering a total of 75 public toilets, with 25 toilets in each ward. Deputy Commissioner of the Solid Waste Management Department (TMC), Madhukar Bodke, said, “The public toilet cleaning drive across Thane was conducted from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Wednesday under the orders of Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao and as per the instructions of Additional Commissioner Prashant Rode.” The initiative focused on thorough cleaning, disinfection and beautification of public toilets, which play a crucial role in safeguarding public health. Thane Municipal, in an official statement, stated that, “Under this campaign, a total of 75 public toilets (25 in each of the Naupada-Kopri, Wagle, and Uthalsar ward committees) and their surrounding areas were thoroughly cleaned.” “Odours, garbage, accumulated dirt, and stains were completely removed from the toilet premises. After cleaning, disinfectant spraying was carried out in all toilets and surrounding areas by the Filaria department. During the cleaning process, materials such as naphthalene balls, air fresheners, phenyl, acid, and bleaching powder were used to make the toilets disinfected, clean, and fit for use,” the release from TMC added. Water conservation while cleaning public toilets In line with water conservation efforts, the cleaning was carried out using treated water from the STP plant in Kopri, thereby avoiding the use of fresh water. Furthermore, a total of six jetting machines – four small and two large high-pressure machines – were deployed in each ward. These machines were used to clean floors, walls, drainage lines and surrounding areas with high-pressure water. The campaign witnessed active participation from senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner Madhukar Bodke, Health Officer Dr Rani Shinde, Shayuraj Kamble, Punjabrao Kawale, sanitation inspectors Laxman Puri, Praveen Banote, Sanju Randive, Ajay Jagtap and Sunil Jagtap, and around 250 employees from the Solid Waste Management Department. Furthermore, the Thane Municipal Corporation has also urged the citizens to maintain cleanliness in public toilets, emphasising that cleanliness is a shared responsibility. TMC also requested the residents to cooperate with civic authorities in keeping the city clean and hygienic.
07 January,2026 09:34 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, immigration officials at Mumbai International Airport have intercepted around 28 non-resident Indians over the past two months for allegedly carrying Indian voter ID cards despite holding foreign citizenship. Immigration officials seized the voter ID cards and informed the Election Commission of India, which has initiated the process to cancel them. Most of those caught are citizens of countries such as Canada, the United States, Nepal, and Australia. The BMC elections are scheduled to be held on January 15, with results to be declared on January 16. Immigration officials said they have stepped up checks at Mumbai International Airport over the past two months in view of the polls. A source from the Immigration Department told mid-day, “Our teams are deployed at Mumbai International Airport to check passports and documents at immigration counters. We have been specifically alert about checking voter ID cards carried by NRIs, as they are not eligible to vote since they are no longer Indian citizens.” Most of those caught are citizens of countries such as Canada, the United States, Nepal, and Australia According to officials, several NRIs allegedly obtained voter ID cards by submitting false information to the Election Commission of India. “Many of them have family members residing in India and visit the country frequently on visa-free or long-term visas. They provided their relatives’ addresses and declared themselves as residents of India to obtain voter ID cards,” the source said. Another immigration official added that over the past two months, officers have questioned passengers identified as NRIs and verified their documents in detail. “During these checks, we seized around 28 Indian voter ID cards from different passengers,” the official said. Officials explained that NRIs are not entitled to voter ID cards, even though they may legally hold Aadhaar and PAN cards. “These individuals were allegedly voting in their countries of citizenship and attempting to vote in India as well, which is a serious violation,” the source said. Immigration officials said the voter ID cards were detected during routine immigration checks. “Passengers arriving at the airport are screened at immigration counters. When NRIs were questioned, some produced Indian voter ID cards. After verifying their nationality and records, the cards were confiscated and reported,” the official said. Immigration authorities have now forwarded the details of the cases to the Overseas Citizen of India section and the Election Commission of India, following which the voter ID cards will be cancelled. Midday tried to contact Suresh Kakani, Secretary of the State Election Commission, but he was unavailable for a comment. Get all BMC Election 2026 updates here | Your ward info here https://www.mid-day.com/bmc-election/ https://www.mid-day.com/bmc-election/know-your-ward
07 January,2026 09:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaA minor dispute escalated into a brutal murder in Kopri Gaon, Navi Mumbai, on Tuesday night, claiming the life of 20-year-old Amit Yadav. The incident occurred around 11.30 pm when a group of youths attacked Amit with knives, repeatedly stabbing him in the chest, abdomen, waist and neck, leaving him critically injured. After the attack, the assailants fled the spot. Local residents rushed the bleeding youth to a nearby hospital with police assistance, but he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Acting on inputs from locals, the APMC police arrested one accused, whose interrogation led to the arrest of two more suspects. According to senior police inspector Ajay Shinde of APMC police station, the dispute had its origins during a recent trip to Ajmer Sharif. Amit and his friends had stayed at a dharamshala where an argument broke out with another group, including Koparkhairane resident Sohel Sheikh, over sleeping arrangements. Though both groups later returned to Navi Mumbai, the rivalry resurfaced on Tuesday night near a Sai Baba temple, where Amit was attacked. Police have booked 11 persons in connection with the case. Three have been arrested so far, while eight accused are absconding. Further investigation is underway
07 January,2026 08:28 PM IST | Navi Mumbai | Amarjeet SinghMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that tie-ups with Congress and AIMIM were unacceptable and would be scrapped. The ruling party joined hands with arch-rivals Congress and AIMIM in two municipal councils ahead of the Maharashtra civic polls. Following the civic polls last month, the BJP joined hands with the Congress, its arch-rival, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under the banner of 'Ambernath Vikas Aghadi' to form the Ambernath Municipal Council leadership, sidelining ally Shiv Sena, as reported by PTI. The BJP also struck a similar alliance with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and other parties in the Akot Municipal Council in Akola district. After being heavily criticised for such moves, Maharashtra Chief Minister and prominent BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis highlighted that such arrangements were not approved by the party leadership and violated discipline. Fadnavis emphasised that such alliances would not be acceptable under any circumstances, and action would be taken against the local leaders, reported PTI. Slamming the party's decision on the tie-up with arch rivals, CM Fadnavis said, "I am making it very clear that any alliance with the Congress or AIMIM will not be accepted. If any local leader has taken such a decision on their own, it is wrong in terms of discipline, and action will be taken," as per PTI. The Chief Minister also added that instructions had already been issued to scrap such alliances. Shiv Sena (UBT) hits out at BJP Amid the political buzz ahead of the civic polls, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, while slamming the BJP, said, "What happened in Akot and Ambernath shows frivolous behaviour of the BJP. The party can forge an alliance with anyone to grab power." Furthermore, in Ambernath, the BJP forged a post-poll understanding with the Congress and NCP, securing a majority of 31 seats, even though the Shiv Sena is the single largest party with 27 members. The three parties have come together, claiming the move is aimed at 'saving the town' and ensuring stable administration. The Shiv Sena termed the alliance ‘unethical and opportunistic’. Along with Sanjay Raut MLA, Dr Balaji Kinikar called it a betrayal of "coalition dharma" and contrary to the BJP's national slogan of a "Congress-mukt Bharat". (With inputs from PTI)
07 January,2026 08:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Metro One, operating the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor, has partnered with femtech brand Sirona to install multi-product menstrual hygiene vending machines across all 12 stations on Blue Line-1, an official statement said on Wednesday. The machines have been placed outside women’s washrooms to provide discreet and convenient access to essential menstrual and hygiene products. Products are affordable, with packs of two sanitary pads starting at Rs 10. Shyamantak Choudhury, CEO of Mumbai Metro One, said, "With women forming a significant share of our ridership, integrating their needs into the transit experience is essential. These vending machines ensure easy, discreet access to preferred hygiene products and reinforce our commitment to world-class metro infrastructure." Promoting menstrual health awareness An official statement said that the collaboration between Mumbai Metro One and Sirona aims to normalise conversations around menstrual health, reduce inconvenience for women commuters, and promote gender-responsive infrastructure in public transport. This initiative is part of Mumbai Metro One’s broader efforts to enhance commuter experience by embedding care, convenience, and inclusivity into everyday travel. Tie-up with women’s wellness brand Mumbai Metro One has officially tied-up with Sirona, an Indian femtech and women’s wellness brand.
07 January,2026 07:55 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarWestern Railway (WR) on Wednesday said that around 253 Mumbai local trains including AC services will remain cancelled on January 10-11 due to the ongoing sixth line work. It stated that a major block on the Kandivali-Borivali section for work on the 6th line. The block, which began on the night of December 20-21, 2025, will continue until January 18, 2026. The work will result in the cancellation, rescheduling, and short termination or origination of several suburban and long-distance trains. According to WR Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek, night-time work will continue for the insertion and dismantling of points. 09th-10th January: Work on Up Fast line (23:15-03:15 hrs) and Down Fast line (01:00-04:30 hrs) at Kandivali. 10th-11th January: Insertion of Point 101 on the Down Fast line between Kandivali and Malad. Blocks on Up & Down Fast lines (01:00-06:30 hrs) and Up Slow line (01:00-04:00 hrs). Due to these works, some suburban services are cancelled, and some Mail/Express trains will be rescheduled or short-terminated. Train short-terminations and origins Short-terminations on January 10 -- - Train 19426 Nandurbar-Borivali Express at Vasai Road - Train 19418 Ahmedabad-Borivali Express at Vasai Road Short-origins on January 11-- - Train 19417 Borivali-Ahmedabad Express from Vasai Road - Train 19425 Borivali-Nandurbar Express from Vasai Road Rescheduled trains 12902 Ahmedabad-Dadar Express: 20-minute regulation 19218 Veraval-Bandra Terminus Express: departs 12:35 hrs instead of original time 22953 Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Express: departs 06:10 hrs 22921 Bandra Terminus-Gorakhpur Express: departs 06:10 hrs Passengers are advised to check train timings and plan their journeys accordingly. Suburban train cancellations 10th January 2026: 50 UP trains, 51 DOWN trains, total 101 cancelled 11th January 2026: 79 UP trains, 74 DOWN trains, total 153 cancelled Affected trains include a mix of slow, fast, and AC 15-car services. Detailed cancellation lists are available at stations, the Western Railway said. Passenger Advisory Western Railway requests all passengers to take note of cancellations, rescheduling, and altered train origination/termination. Updated information is available with Station Masters across the network.
07 January,2026 07:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe civic elections for 29 municipal bodies including the high-stake Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), and other corporations are just around the corner. The civic polls will decide the fate of hundreds of municipal councillors who are in fray for the January 15 polls. The candidates of major political parties in Maharashtra including the BJP, AAP, AIMIM and the two factions of the Shiv Sena and NCP are even going door-to-door to please the voters for the upcoming polls. Unlike Members of Parliament (MPs) or Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), who focus on national and state-level policy, a corporator (also known as a councillor) is responsible for the daily civic issues of in the neighbourhood. With Maharashtra’s political landscape changing rapidly, especially after the local body election results in late 2025 and ahead of the BMC polls scheduled for January 2026, here is a practical guide on how to vote and what one should know before polling day. How to vote You are eligible to vote only if your name appears in the Voter List, also known as the Electoral Roll. Voters can also use official platforms to find details about their polling booth, contesting candidates, election dates and timings, identity requirements, and information related to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Where to check your voter registration status You can vote only if your name is listed on the Electoral Roll. Voters are advised to verify their registration status well in advance of polling day. How to vote in person The voting process at a polling station follows these steps: The first polling official will verify your name on the voter list and check your identity proof. The second polling official will apply indelible ink on your finger, hand you a slip, and take your signature in the voter register (Form 17A). You must submit the slip to the third polling official, show your inked finger, and then proceed to the polling booth. Record your vote by pressing the button next to the symbol of your chosen candidate on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). You will hear a beep sound confirming your vote. Check the slip displayed in the transparent window of the VVPAT machine. The slip, which shows the candidate’s serial number, name, and symbol, will be visible for seven seconds before it drops into the sealed VVPAT box. If you do not wish to vote for any candidate, you may choose NOTA (None of the Above), which is the last button on the EVM. For additional details, voters can refer to the official Voter Guide available at ecisveep.nic.in. Important rules at polling stations Mobile phones, cameras, and any other electronic gadgets are not permitted inside the polling booth. How to use an EVM EVM stands for Electronic Voting Machine, and VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail. Voters can watch an official demonstration video to understand how to cast their vote using the EVM-VVPAT system. What identification should you carry to vote? Voters must carry one of the following recognised identity documents to the polling station. The Photo Voter Slip is not accepted as a stand-alone identity document. EPIC (Voter ID card) Passport Driving licence Service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Governments, PSUs, or public limited companies Passbooks with photograph issued by banks or post offices PAN card Smart card issued by the Registrar General of India (RGI) under NPR MNREGA job card (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee) Health insurance smart card issued under schemes of the Ministry of Labour Pension document with photograph Official identity cards issued to MPs, MLAs, or MLCs Aadhaar card
07 January,2026 06:15 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
-1767787486519_d.png "The BMC polls scheduled for January 2026. Representational Pic")