The Bombay High Court has set up a high-powered committee (HPC) to recommend steps to curb and prevent air pollution in Mumbai and the wider metropolitan region. According to PTI, the committee will be chaired by Amjad Sayed, former Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, with former Bombay High Court judge Anuja Prabhudessai as a member. Mandate and oversight role In an order dated January 29, the Bombay High Court said the HPC will oversee compliance with its directions on air pollution and examine weekly reports submitted by ward-level assistant municipal commissioners. A bench led by Bombay High Court Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar said the committee will make recommendations to civic bodies and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board on immediate, medium- and long-term measures to combat and prevent air pollution in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which includes districts adjoining the financial capital. Expert inputs and focus on vulnerable groups The panel is empowered to seek inputs from technical and medical experts, including specialists in paediatric pulmonology, to address the impact of pollution on vulnerable groups such as infants and children, reported PTI. GRAP for Mumbai, Navi Mumbai As per PTI, the HPC will also advise on the formulation of a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) specifically for Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, the court order said. The court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to pay each committee member an honorarium of Rs 1,00,000 per sitting. The BMC has also been instructed to provide full logistical support to the committee, including office space and a nodal officer. Any refusal by officials to assist the HPC will be treated as a breach of court orders and may invite contempt proceedings, the court warned. Timeline and background According to PTI, the committee is expected to meet weekly and submit its preliminary report to the court by March 5. On January 29, the court had observed that steps taken by authorities to tackle air pollution were “not sufficient and satisfactory”. The High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of rising air pollution levels in Mumbai and adjoining areas in October 2023. (With PTI inputs)
03 February,2026 10:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn Air India and an IndiGo aircraft were involved in a minor accident on the taxiway at Mumbai airport on 3 February, officials said. No injuries were reported, and all passengers on both flights are safe. The incident occurred when Air India flight AI2732, scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Coimbatore, was taxiing from C1 towards M4 for departure. At the same time, an IndiGo flight 6E 791, arriving from Hyderabad, was taxiing after landing and joining taxiway B1. During this movement, the right wingtips of both aircraft came into contact. Both aircraft were taxiing at the time of the incident. Following the wingtip contact, both aircraft were returned to their respective bays for inspection. Air India said the wingtip of its aircraft was damaged and, as a precautionary measure, the aircraft has been grounded for technical checks. All passengers were safely disembarked, and alternative travel arrangements are being made. Air India says In a statement, an Air India spokesperson said the airline regretted the inconvenience caused and stressed that the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority. "Flight AI2732 operating from Mumbai to Coimbatore on 3 February was delayed after the aircraft scheduled to operate the service came into contact with another airline’s aircraft while waiting on the taxiway prior to take-off. The wingtips of the two aircraft made contact, resulting in damage to our aircraft’s wingtip. As a precautionary measure, the aircraft has been grounded for further technical checks. All passengers were safely disembarked, and our ground teams are making alternative arrangements to fly them to their destination at the earliest. The incident has been reported to the regulator. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this event. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority," an Air India spokesperson said. Indigo says IndiGo also confirmed the incident, stating that the wingtip of its aircraft came into contact with another airline’s aircraft while taxiing after landing. The airline said all passengers were safe and disembarked after parking, and the aircraft is undergoing maintenance inspections. “We confirm that the wingtip of one of our aircraft operating flight 6E 791 from Hyderabad to Mumbai on 3 February 2026 came in contact with an aircraft of another airline while taxiing, after landing. All passengers are safe and disembarked after parking. The aircraft is undergoing maintenance inspections. In line with established protocols, the relevant authorities were promptly informed and the matter is being investigated. At IndiGo, the safety and security of our customers, crew and aircraft remain our highest priority,” an IndiGo spokesperson said. Regulator Informed, Probe Underway Officials said the incident has been reported to the aviation regulator. DGCA officers in Mumbai reached the site shortly after the incident, and a detailed investigation is underway. Further information is expected.
03 February,2026 10:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturFormer Mumbai mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) elected corporator from Lower Parel, Kishori Pednekar, is likely to take charge as the Leader of the Opposition in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), according to information from the office of the municipal secretary. The development comes after the completion of party-wise registration of corporators following the recent elections. Apart from the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, all political parties had completed their party-wise registrations earlier. However, the 29 corporators of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) have now also completed their registration process. On Tuesday, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) completed the registration of their four corporators at Konkan Bhavan. With this, all 227 corporators have completed their registrations with the Mumbai civic body, the office of the municipal secretary confirmed. Leadership roles finalised The Leader of the House from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be Ganesh Khankar, as the BJP has emerged as the single largest party in the BMC. Both Ganesh Khankar and Kishori Pednekar are expected to hold their respective positions for a five-year tenure, unless their parties decide otherwise during the term, sources said. BJP appoints Khankar as group leader; Shiv Sena appoints Amey Ghole Meanwhile, the BJP on Monday appointed Ward 7 (Dahisar) corporator Ganesh Khankar as their party leader in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Apart from BJP, Shiv Sena has also appointed Amey Ghole as their leader in BMC. Ghole, during the recently concluded BMC elections, was elected as a corporator from ward 178, Matunga. BJP emerges as the single largest party in BMC elections 2026. The appointment of Ganesh Khankar comes after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded BMC elections 2026, winning 89 corporator seats. The announcement was made at the BMC headquarters during a formal meeting where both the BJP and the Shiv Sena registered their elected representatives. Shiv Sena’s Ghole offers administrative experience Amey Ghole, a two-time corporator from Shiv Sena, brings significant administrative and political experience to the role. During his previous tenure in the BMC, when he was part of the undivided Shiv Sena, he served as the chairman of the civic body’s Health Committee, where he also played an important role in shaping public health initiatives. Amey Ghole also holds the position of general secretary of the Yuva Sena, the party’s youth wing, and is known for his strong connection with grassroots workers and young party cadres in Mumbai and Maharashtra.
03 February,2026 10:08 PM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSAs part of the Mrinaltai Gore Flyover project works, Mumbai Police on Monday issued traffic restrictions in Oshiwara and Goregaon areas of the city, sharing a list of alternative routes for motorists. According to an official traffic notification, traffic restrictions will be imposed on S.V. Road in Mumbai’s western suburbs due to flyover construction work over the Oshiwara Nala. The work is part of the Mrinaltai Gore Flyover project and will involve the installation of heavy girders, officials said. “Within the jurisdiction of the Oshiwara and Goregaon Traffic Division, work is scheduled to commence for the installation of girders over the Oshiwara Nallah on S.V. Road as part of the Mrinaltai Gore Flyover project. Due to the heavy equipment and machinery required for the said work, there is a likelihood of traffic congestion and obstruction at the site. Therefore, from the viewpoint of public safety, to ensure the smooth movement of traffic in the area and the proper regulation of vehicular flow, the following temporary changes in traffic arrangements have been implemented," the police said. The restrictions will be in force every night from 00:00 hours to 05:00 hours from January 21 to March 31, 2026, officials said. Roads to remain closed at night Both carriageways of S.V. Road, between Ram Mandir Junction and Relief Road, will be closed to all vehicles during night hours, the traffic police notification said. Closure details- Time: 12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m. Dates: From 21 January 2026 to 31 March 2026 Affected stretch: Ram Mandir Junction to Relief Road The closure is necessary due to the movement of heavy machinery, construction equipment and materials at the site, police said. Alternative routes issued by Mumbai Police The notification further said that to reduce inconvenience to commuters, the traffic police have announced the following diversion routes - For vehicles coming from Andheri via S.V. Road: - Take a left turn at Sweet Corner Junction and proceed via relief road - Continue towards destination using Link Road. For vehicles coming from Goregaon via S.V. Road: - Take a right turn at Ram Mandir Junction- proceed via BEST Road to reach the destination. - For vehicles coming from Goregaon Link Road: - Take a left turn at Anand Nagar Junction- go straight ahead - continue towards destination via S.V. Road. Traffic police appeal to citizens The traffic police have requested citizens to avoid the restricted stretch during the mentioned hours and follow the diversion routes. Commuters are also urged to cooperate with the traffic police to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow during the construction period.
03 February,2026 09:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, during a review meeting, on Tuesday said that the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) must aim to make one lakh acres of land available for investors. CM Fadnavis also asked officials to expedite land acquisition for infrastructure and industrial projects while ensuring minimal inconvenience to landowners. According to the PTI, while chairing a review meeting at his official residence, Fadnavis said timely land acquisition is crucial to accelerate industrial growth and infrastructure development in the state. The meeting reviewed land acquisition progress for projects undertaken by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). 8,969 acres of land currently available A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said that 8,969 acres of land are currently available for industrial use across departments, while 20,431 acres have been newly acquired. As per PTI, the chief minister said that Maharashtra is witnessing strong demand for industrial investment and asked the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to aim to make one lakh acres of land available for investors. He said demand for land is rising not only in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, but also in Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Solapur, reported PTI. Fadnavis directed district collectors to expedite land acquisition. Land acquisition for major projects He also reviewed land acquisition for major Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) projects, including the Shaktipeeth Expressway, Virar–Alibag Multimodal Corridor, Nagpur–Gondia, Bhandara–Gadchiroli, Nagpur–Chandrapur and Jalna–Nanded expressways, as well as the Navegaon–Surjagad mineral corridor. Fadnavis said all ongoing projects should be planned for completion within the next three years. He also said large, contiguous non-forest land parcels should be acquired and made available for industrial use. The chief minister further asked officials to submit proposals for transferring government land held by various departments free of cost for industrial purposes to help provide land at lower rates, boost investment and generate employment, reported PTI. Industry Minister Uday Samant said no forest land has been acquired in the Konkan region. He added that a proposal for the allotment of land in the additional Gondpipri industrial area in Chandrapur district has been received after addressing earlier issues and will be approved. Purandar airport to be developed keeping Pune’s future needs in mind: Fadnavis Fadnavis on Tuesday said the proposed Purandar airport will be developed to meet Pune’s future needs amid rapid growth in infrastructure, industrialisation and urbanisation. According to the news agency PTI, while speaking at a project review meeting at his official residence, Varsha, in south Mumbai, Fadnavis directed the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to complete land acquisition for the greenfield airport within a fixed timeline. Located in Purandar taluka of Pune district, the new airport is expected to ease congestion at the existing Lohegaon airport. During the meeting, the chief minister directed agencies such as the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and the Urban Development Department to clearly define their responsibilities to ensure smooth execution of the project, reported PTI. (With PTI inputs)
03 February,2026 08:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday ordered to fast-track the land acquisitions for Purandar airport, saying it will be developed for Pune's future needs, reported the PTI. The proposed Purandar airport will be developed to meet Pune’s future needs amid rapid growth in infrastructure, industrialisation and urbanisation, he said. According to the PTI, while speaking at a project review meeting at his official residence, Varsha, in south Mumbai, CM Fadnavis directed the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to complete land acquisition for the greenfield airport within a fixed timeline. Located in Purandar taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra, the new airport is expected to ease congestion at the existing Lohegaon airport. During the meeting, the chief minister directed agencies such as the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and the Urban Development Department to clearly define their responsibilities to ensure smooth execution of the project, reported PTI. He also said a clear funding mechanism should be finalised for the airport and instructed the MIDC to expedite the land acquisition process. Surrounding areas to emerge as major development zone CM Fadnavis noted that once the airport is developed, the surrounding area is expected to emerge as a major development zone. He directed CIDCO to ensure land availability in the area at this stage itself, keeping future development in mind. According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), which is responsible for airport development in the state, should be strengthened, and all under-construction airports should be handed over to it for execution. The chief minister also instructed the MIDC to issue notifications for the remaining land acquisition for the Purandar airport and said a proposal regarding funding availability should be placed before the next cabinet meeting, reported PTI. At present, joint measurement of 1,216 hectares of the proposed airport land is underway. Fadnavis asked officials to complete the process and submit reports on objections to the state government. Land acquisition is currently underway in seven villages of Pune district—Vanpuri, Kumbhar Valan, Udachiwadi, Ekhatpur, Munjawadi, Khanwadi and Pargaon. Village-wise land acquisition officers of the rank of deputy collector and sub-divisional officer have been appointed for the process. Expedite land acquisition for infrastructure, industry: Fadnavis Fadnavis on Tuesday asked officials to expedite land acquisition for infrastructure and industrial projects while ensuring minimal inconvenience to landowners. Chairing a review meeting at his official residence, Fadnavis said timely land acquisition is crucial to accelerate industrial growth and infrastructure development in the state. The meeting reviewed land acquisition progress for projects undertaken by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). (With PTI inputs)
03 February,2026 08:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe key project of Virar-Dahanu rail quadrupling, which promises to boost Western Railway's Mumbai train services in a major way, has now completed 47 per cent physical progress. It promises to segregate suburban and outstation trains and allow for seamless travel. Announcing the update, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) on Tuesday said all major statutory approvals, including land acquisition, environmental clearances, and forest clearances, have been obtained. The project has a sanctioned cost of Rs 3,578 crore. Physical progress has reached 47 per cent. “Entire private land, government land, and forest land required for the project have been acquired, and work has commenced in all sections, including forest and mangrove areas. Major construction activities such as earthwork, bridge construction, station redevelopment, and utility buildings are in full progress. Over 88 per cent of earthwork has been completed, and more than 50 bridges and road underbridges have already been constructed. Important Bridges No. 92 and 93, which are critical structures on this corridor, are advancing steadily with piling, substructure, and superstructure works underway,” MRVC chief PRO Sunil Udasi told mid-day. Station redevelopment progress “Station redevelopment works are progressing across key stations including Virar, Vaitarna, Saphale, Kelve Road, Palghar, Umroli, Boisar, Vangaon, and Dahanu Road. New station buildings, platforms, foot overbridges, staff quarters, signalling buildings, and passenger amenities are at various stages of completion, with several facilities already handed over for operational use,” he added. At Virar station, major remodelling works are in progress, including widening of Platform 3A, construction of elevated decks, and reconfiguration of platforms to support future Churchgate-Dahanu suburban services. Overall, the project is progressing in a planned manner with coordinated execution across civil, electrical, signalling, and track works, while ensuring safety and minimal disruption to existing train operations. Two key bridges near Vaitarna Construction of two crucial railway bridges on the Virar-Dahanu Road quadrupling project is progressing steadily near Vaitarna on the Western Railway corridor, officials said. The project, being executed by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC), is aimed at enhancing suburban train capacity and improving service reliability on the northern stretch of WR Mumbai. Two key bridges — Bridge No. 92 and Bridge No. 93 — form critical links in the corridor and will carry additional suburban tracks once completed. At Bridge No. 92, most of the foundation and pillar work has been completed, with girder and deck slab casting and launching currently underway in stages. “Protection works, including toe wall piling, are also progressing, indicating that the bridge is nearing completion of its main structural components. Work on Bridge No. 93 is also advancing, with piling activity in progress at multiple locations. More than three-quarters of the total piling work has already been completed, while pier, pier cap and girder construction is being carried out in a phased manner,” Udasi said. Earthwork and stability measures “Earthwork and embankment preparation at the bridge approaches are continuing alongside the structural works. Due to challenging soil conditions and proximity to water bodies, it requires special construction methods at the site. So far, over 5.6 lakh cubic metres of earthwork has been completed, along with ground-strengthening measures to ensure long-term track stability. Work is progressing in both island and non-island areas despite difficult terrain,” he said. Once commissioned, the additional lines enabled by these bridges are expected to allow more suburban services between Virar and Dahanu Road, easing congestion and improving passenger comfort. Authorities said construction is being carried out in coordination with multiple agencies, while ensuring safety and minimal disruption to existing train operations. Project outlook “The Virar-Dahanu Road quadrupling project is progressing steadily, with nearly half of the physical work already completed. This project will significantly enhance suburban rail capacity beyond Virar. MRVC is executing the works with a strong focus on safety, quality, and minimal disruption to ongoing train operations,” Udasi added.
03 February,2026 08:12 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarAhead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections 2026, Congress on Tuesday began its campaign in Maharashtra's Raigad district, calling for victory in the upcoming local polls. Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal hit the campaign trail across Raigad district, warning that industrialists were encroaching on the rights of the “sons of the soil” and urging voters to support Congress MVA candidates in the Zilla Parishad polls. Speaking at rallies in Jasai, Chirner, Satirje, and Chondhi, Sapkal said the enthusiasm among party workers showed victory was within reach. “The Zilla Parishad election is about safeguarding local rights and traditions. Congress MVA is set to perform strongly in Raigad, and power will be in our hands,” he said. Sapkal cited public leader D. B. Patil’s historical fight for local communities and said the region now faced fresh challenges from “capitalist interests.” He appealed to voters to unite and ensure a Congress MVA win to block these forces. On the issue of the Navi Mumbai airport, Sapkal reiterated Congress’s long-standing demand to name it after D. B. Patil. “Devendra Fadnavis is avoiding this. The airport currently shows the NM (Navi Mumbai) name, but any attempt to rename it after Narendra Modi will not be accepted,” he said. Raigad District Congress Committee President Mahendra Gharat, Rajabhau Thakur, and other senior party leaders accompanied Sapkal during the campaign. Rane warns of fund cut if Sena (UBT) candidates win in ZP polls Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has triggered a major controversy after warning that development funds would be withheld in areas where candidates of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) emerge victorious in the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. Addressing an election rally in the Fonda constituency of Kankavli in Sindhudurg district on Sunday, Rane said the release of funds depended on the poll symbol of the winning candidate. “If I see the lotus or the bow and arrow, funds are sanctioned immediately. But if the flaming torch appears, I will even stop funds that have already been approved,” he said, referring to the symbols of the BJP, Shiv Sena and Sena (UBT), respectively. Rane, who was campaigning for a Shiv Sena candidate, claimed a similar strategy had been adopted during recent gram panchayat elections. He alleged that sarpanches were warned that no funds would be released unless they aligned with the ruling side, following which they “quickly switched over”. The remarks drew sharp reactions from the Opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Akhil Chitre said the state treasury was public money and not a personal reserve of any minister. He described Rane’s comments as an open admission of misuse of power and said they violated the oath of impartiality taken by a minister.
03 February,2026 08:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs board exams near, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the return of Pariksha Pe Charcha, an annual initiative focused on helping students deal with exam stress. The Prime Minister shared the update on social media platform X, expressing his happiness at interacting with young students once again. The interaction between PM Modi and students is scheduled to be released on February 6. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, this year’s discussions took place with Exam Warriors in several locations across the country. These included Devmogra, Coimbatore, Raipur, Guwahati, and 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in Delhi. Students from different regions participated in open conversations with the Prime Minister. During the interactions, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the importance of staying calm during examinations. He encouraged students to view exams as a part of life rather than a source of fear. Topics such as mental well-being, time management, self-confidence, and parental support were also discussed. Continuing a positive tradition Pariksha Pe Charcha has become a popular platform where students, teachers, and parents can openly share their concerns. The Prime Minister described the interaction as refreshing and meaningful, highlighting the enthusiasm and curiosity of the young participants. Since its launch, Pariksha Pe Charcha has aimed to create a positive environment around education and examinations. With exams approaching, the initiative once again reminds students that learning should be joyful and stress-free. As the Parikshas are approaching, #ParikshaPeCharcha is back too! This time, the Charcha happened with #ExamWarriors in Devmogra, Coimbatore, Raipur, Guwahati and at 7, LKM in Delhi. As always, it is refreshing to interact with my young friends and discuss stress free exams… pic.twitter.com/HOEmDZIR7B — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 3, 2026 Exams scheduled for this month The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), Pune, had last year officially announced the examination schedule for the Std X (SSC) and Std XII (HSC) board examinations for the academic year 2025-26. According to a previous notification, the HSC written examinations will be held from February 10, 2026, to March 18, 2026, while the SSC written examinations will be conducted from February 20 to March 18. The exams will be conducted across all nine divisional boards including Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Amravati, Nashik, Latur, and Konkan. The Board has also released the schedule for practical, oral, and internal assessment examinations, including NSQF (National Skills Qualifications Framework) vocational subjects. For HSC students, practical and internal exams will take place from January 23 to February 9. For SSC students, the same will be conducted from February 2 to February 18. The circular had stated that these dates have been declared well in advance to help schools, junior colleges, and students prepare efficiently and manage their academic schedules. It also mentions that the detailed subject-wise timetable for both examinations will be released by the board in due course. The Maharashtra State Board had earlier stated that all divisional boards should make the necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth examination process across the state. The notification was signed by Mahesh Ghatage, secretary, MSBSHSE, Pune. CBSE admit card 2026 released The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially issued the admit cards for Class 10 and Class 12 students for the 2026 board examinations. The hall tickets are now accessible on the official CBSE portal. However, the download process varies for regular students and private candidates. Students appearing for the CBSE board exams are advised to obtain and verify their admit cards well in advance of the exam dates. The CBSE has activated the admit card link for board exam candidates to ensure the smooth conduct of the 2026 examinations. Hall tickets are available on the official CBSE Pariksha Sangam portal The board has set different access rules for regular students and private candidates to maintain authenticity and data security. Regular students cannot download admit cards themselves. The admit cards for regular candidates are downloaded by school authorities and private students can download hall tickets directly from the CBSE website. The credentials are required to access the admit card portal. Private candidates are allowed to download their admit cards directly from the official CBSE website using their login credentials. Both students and school authorities can access the CBSE admit card 2026 only through the official portals. The direct link below will redirect users to the authentic CBSE website for secure login and download.
03 February,2026 07:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has extended the bid submission deadline for its Rs 490 crore exotic animal enclosure project at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo, Byculla, to February 20, from the earlier deadline of February 3. The tender, floated in the first week of December 2025, pertains to the construction of a dedicated exotic animal section on around 10 acres of land adjacent to the existing zoo. However, the civic body has so far not received any bids for the project. Expect good participation from bidders, says BMC official A senior civic official said the extension follows a strong response during the pre-bid meeting. “We received a very good response during the pre-bid meeting. The minutes of the meeting now need approval from the municipal commissioner and will be uploaded online. After that, we expect good participation from bidders,” the official said. Once awarded, the project is expected to be completed within 36 months. The exotic section will form part of BMC’s long-term expansion plans for the Byculla zoo and will include specialised enclosures designed for animal conservation and welfare.
03 February,2026 05:54 PM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSThe Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project achieved its second tunnel breakthrough in a month in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Tuesday, officials said, reported the PTI. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw witnessed the breakthrough virtually from New Delhi via a video link. The breakthrough took place near Saphale village. The tunnel, known as MT-6, is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide, and is designed to accommodate both up and down tracks of the bullet train corridor. The development marks the second tunnel breakthrough in Palghar within a month, following the completion of the MT-5 tunnel near Saphale on 2 January. Officials said the MT-6 tunnel was excavated from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), which involves drilling and controlled blasting and is suitable for complex geological conditions. The excavation work was completed within 12 months. The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project passes through Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It is India’s only high-speed rail corridor and is designed to operate trains at a maximum speed of 320 kmph. Bullet Train Project achieves another milestone. 2nd tunnel breakthrough in Palghar within a month.đź“Ť Palghar, Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/uv3QEsXvjp — Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 3, 2026 Work progress across Maharashtra and Gujarat Construction of seven bullet train tunnels is currently underway in Palghar district, with excavation and allied works at different stages of completion. In Maharashtra, work is also progressing on river bridges over the Vaitarna, Ulhas and Jagani rivers, station buildings, highway crossings, and a 21-km underground tunnel between Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata. As of January 27, around 334 km of viaducts, 17 river bridges, and 12 major crossings over national highways, railway lines and other infrastructure have been completed. Officials said track laying and electrification have gathered pace in the Gujarat section of the corridor. Union Budget 2026: Two Bullet Train corridors connecting Maharashtra Meanwhile, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said that with two Bullet Train corridors Mumbai-Pune and Pune-Hyderabad are among Rs 23,926 crore, the allocations will give a major rail network boost in Maharashtra. Vaishnaw briefed the media on the record railway budget allocation of Rs 23,926 crore for Maharashtra for the financial year 2026. The briefing was held through video conferencing and organised by Central Railway in Mumbai. The Minister said this allocation is nearly 20 times higher than the average annual allocation of Rs 1,171 crore provided to the state during the period 2009-14. The Minister announced that seven high-speed rail projects have been included in the budget, out of which two new bullet train corridors will pass through Maharashtra and Hyderabad. - Mumbai-Pune: 48 minutes and - Pune-Hyderabad: 1 hour 55 minutes These projects are expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve inter-city connectivity, an official statement said. (with PTI inputs)
03 February,2026 05:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
