With the new sixth line in place, Mumbai’s Western Railway has decided to increase local train services, beginning with four additional 12-car non-AC suburban services from February 1. This will be followed by four to five more services in mid-February and additional services in April, when the new timetable is introduced. A few more AC local services are also expected to be introduced soon, as a new rake is set to enter service within the next two days. With the induction of these services, the total number of suburban services on the Mumbai suburban section of Western Railway will increase from 1,406 to 1,410. According to Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek, the augmentation has been made possible following the completion of construction work on the sixth line between Kandivali and Borivali. After the commissioning of the line, all Bandra Terminus-bound suburban services have been shifted to the fifth and sixth lines between Borivali and Bandra Terminus, improving operational efficiency. “Consequent upon the induction of these services, there will be minor changes in the timings of certain existing suburban services,” he added. Breakdown of services Of the four services to be introduced, two will operate in the UP direction and two in the DOWN direction, running in slow mode. The UP services will run from Bhayandar to Bandra, departing at 11.39 am, and from Bhayandar to Churchgate at 12.14 pm. In the DOWN direction, the additional services will operate from Bandra to Bhayandar, departing at 4.30 am and 1.21 pm.
31 January,2026 10:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarCentral Railway will operate a traffic and power block at platforms 16 and 17 of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) from February 1 to April 26 to facilitate the redevelopment work being carried out by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). Foundational work and other essential activities will be carried out during the 85-day block, during which train operations from platforms 16 and 17 will remain suspended until completion of the work and handover of the platforms to Central Railway for traffic operations. List of trains to be affected at Mumbai's CSMT As a result, the following trains will be short-terminated at Dadar from February 1 until further notice: 12112 Amravati–CSMT Express 11002 Ballarshah–CSMT Nandigram Express 12810 Howrah–CSMT Express 11020 Bhubaneswar–CSMT Konark Express 22144 Bidar–CSMT Express 22108 Latur–CSMT Express 22120 Madgaon–CSMT Tejas Express Additionally, train no 12134 Mangaluru–CSMT Express will be short-terminated at Thane until further advice. Central Railway has appealed to passengers to plan their journeys accordingly and bear with the administration for the temporary inconvenience caused due to this essential infrastructure development.
31 January,2026 09:26 PM IST | MumbaiMumbai Metro One, promoted by Reliance Infrastructure, has earned the prestigious 'Great Place To Work' certification, a globally recognised benchmark of workplace excellence. The certification highlights the organisation’s focus on building a culture of trust, collaboration, inclusivity, and shared purpose. The 'Great Place To Work' certification is awarded to organisations that achieve a minimum 70 per cent positive response score in employee experience surveys, which assess critical dimensions such as credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. ‘Great Place To Work’, which has been a global authority on workplace culture for over three decades, gathers insights from more than 100 million employees across 150 countries. Its methodology is widely regarded as the standard for recognising exceptional workplaces worldwide. Mumbai Metro One earns recognition for workplace culture and operations Mumbai Metro One attributed this achievement to its employees, who work across operations, maintenance, customer service, and support functions, ensuring a safe and commuter-focused metro service while maintaining a positive and empowering workplace environment. With a people-first culture and a commuter-first vision, Mumbai Metro One said the certification reflects its commitment to employee well-being, talent excellence, and setting new standards in urban mobility.
31 January,2026 08:08 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarHours after taking oath as Maharashtra’s first woman deputy chief minister (CM), Sunetra Pawar shared her first reaction on her X handle, dedicating her new role to continuing the work and ideals of her late husband, Ajit Pawar. In her post, she said she would work for farmers, labourers, women, youth, and marginalised communities, following the principles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Jyotiba Phule, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. She acknowledged the grief caused by Ajit Pawar’s sudden death, describing it as “a mountain of sorrow”, but said the people’s support gives her strength to continue his work. "आदरणीय अजितदादांनी आयुष्यभर शेतकरी, कष्टकरी, महिला, युवक आणि वंचित घटकांसाठी जगण्याचा मंत्र दिला. आज त्यांच्या विचारांचा वारसा पुढे नेत ‘शिव-शाहू-फुले-आंबेडकर’ यांच्या विचारांवर निष्ठा ठेवून कर्तव्य भावनेने उपमुख्यमंत्री पदाची जबाबदारी स्वीकारताना मन अक्षरशः भरून येत आहे.… pic.twitter.com/Z4vHP0BzkF — Sunetra Ajit Pawar (@SunetraA_Pawar) January 31, 2026 Sunetra Pawar wrote that she would strive to realise “the just, equality-based, and developed Maharashtra” envisioned by her husband, and pledged to carry forward his ideals with honesty and dedication. CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde attend Sunetra Pawar's oath-taking ceremony She took oath at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai, administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat, in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and other ministers and senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday.
31 January,2026 07:50 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Sunetra Ajit Pawar will oversee the state excise department, sports and youth welfare, and minority development and Aukaf, following the approval of her portfolio by Governor Acharya Devvrat. Notably, the allocation does not include the finance and planning ministries, which were previously managed by the late Ajit Pawar, signalling a shift in key responsibilities. The governor’s approval, conveyed in a letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis dated January 31, 2026, formalises the distribution of these ministries to Sunetra Pawar, who assumed office on Saturday. Sunetra Pawar becomes Maharashtra's first deputy CM Sunetra Pawar made history as the first woman to hold the post of Maharashtra Deputy CM. She replaced her husband, Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, other Bharatiya Janata Party ministers, and senior leaders of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and Chhagan Bhujbal.
31 January,2026 07:32 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarSunetra Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the deputy chief minister (CM) of Maharashtra on Saturday. With this, she created history by becoming the first woman ever to hold the post of the deputy CM in the state. On Saturday evening, Pawar was administered the oath of office by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan (formerly known as Raj Bhavan) in Mumbai. She replaced her husband, Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday. The oath-taking ceremony was kept low-key, unlike the usual swearing-in events that feature flower bouquets, bands, and large gatherings. Immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, Sunetra Pawar, along with her other family members, is said to have left for Baramati. Ceremony attended by CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, other Bharatiya Janata Party ministers, and senior leaders of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and Chhagan Bhujbal. During the oath-taking ceremony, supporters of the late Ajit Pawar raised slogans such as “Amar rahe, amar rahe, Ajit Dada amar rahe” and “Ekach vada, Ajit Dada.”
31 January,2026 05:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has commissioned six state-of-the-art biodegradable toilets (bio-toilets) along the Dharmaveer Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South), aiming to provide improved sanitation facilities for citizens and tourists using the promenade. The facilities have been set up by the BMC’s Solid Waste Management Department at pedestrian underpasses (PUPs) numbered 2, 4, 6, 11, 12, and 14 along the promenade stretch of the coastal road. These locations include areas near Amarsons Garden, Akriti Building parking, Haji Ali Junction, Worli Dairy, Bindumadhav Thackeray Chowk, and Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road. The Mumbai Coastal Road (South) is regarded as a major engineering landmark that has significantly eased traffic movement in the city. With the development of promenades along the route, the area has seen a steady rise in footfall from residents and tourists. Keeping this in view, the civic body has focused on strengthening sanitation infrastructure to ensure cleanliness and convenience for visitors. The bio-toilets have been installed as per the directions of Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, under the guidance of Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Avinash Dhakane. Each modular bio-toilet unit measures 20 x 20 x 8 feet and operates on a 1 kW solar power system. The facility includes two toilets for women (one western-style and one Indian-style), two toilets for men, one toilet for children and one western-style toilet for persons with disabilities. In addition, the unit is equipped with six urinals, three washbasins, three sensor-based mirrors, three soap dispensers, a sanitary pad incinerator, a sanitary pad vending machine, a 1,000-litre water tank and a 3,000-litre DRDO bio-digester. Sustainable design, nominal user fee to ensure upkeep and accessibility, says BMC According to the civic body, the toilets have been designed to ensure scientific waste management while minimising electricity consumption. The supply, installation, testing, and commissioning (SITC) work for all six locations has been completed. Apart from being functional, the toilets are aesthetically designed and contribute to the beautification of the coastal road area. The primary objective of the initiative is to provide clean, safe and well-maintained sanitation facilities to the public, while ensuring financial sustainability through nominal user charges. As per the SWM department’s policy for newly developed ‘aspirational toilets’, a user fee of Rs 5 will be charged from both men and women.
31 January,2026 03:54 PM IST | MumbaiThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in collaboration with the Tree Authority, will organise the ‘Mumbai Flower Festival’ at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo in Byculla from February 6 to 8, 2026, offering citizens a three-day celebration of flowers, plants and horticulture. Free entry for visitors; festival open till 8 pm on all days The annual horticulture exhibition, popularly known as the Mumbai Flower Festival, will open to the public after its inauguration on the morning of February 6. On the opening day, the festival will remain open until 8.00 pm, while on February 7 and 8 it will be accessible to visitors from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm. Entry to the festival will be free on all three days. This year’s event marks the 29th edition of the much-awaited festival, which has become a winter tradition for Mumbaikars. Festival organised under guidance of civic officials The festival is being organised under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakane. The arrangements are being supervised by Deputy Commissioner (Gardens) Ajitkumar Ambi and Garden Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi, civic officials said. Around 5,000 plants, gardening stalls to attract nature lovers Held at the historic Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo, the exhibition is expected to feature around 5,000 plants. These will include a wide variety of colourful flowering plants, seasonal blooms, fruit saplings, medicinal plants and ornamental species. For nature lovers, gardening enthusiasts and families, the festival offers an opportunity to explore biodiversity and learn more about plant care in an engaging setting. In addition to the floral displays, several stalls selling gardening tools, pots, soil mixtures, fertilisers and other horticulture-related materials will be set up at the venue. Civic officials said these stalls are aimed at encouraging home gardening and greater public participation in green initiatives. Workshops and theme-based floral installations to be key highlights Complementing the exhibition, a series of garden-related workshops will be conducted from February 6 to 8. These sessions will provide practical guidance on gardening techniques, plant maintenance, and the correct type, timing and quantity of fertilisers required for saplings, trees and climbers. The workshops are intended to offer hands-on knowledge to both beginners and experienced gardeners. One of the highlights of the Mumbai Flower Festival each year is its theme-based floral decoration. The festival is known for its creative and elegant arrangements that transform flowers into large-scale artistic installations. Last year, visitors were drawn to floral depictions of India’s national symbols, including a tricolour-themed display, a replica of the Bharat Ratna award, and a marigold-crafted representation of the national fruit, the mango. Civic officials said a new and visually appealing theme will be introduced this year as well, with attractive floral installations designed to captivate visitors of all ages. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has appealed to citizens to take advantage of the free entry and experience the three-day floral celebration, describing the festival as a refreshing retreat from the city’s fast-paced routine and a reminder of the importance of greenery in urban life.
31 January,2026 02:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSewage treatment is critical to safeguarding urban cleanliness, public health and long-term water sustainability, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said on Friday, underscoring the civic body’s push to curb water pollution and promote reuse of treated wastewater. Bhandup STP–Bhandup Complex tunnel to supply tertiary-treated water Gagrani made the remarks during an inspection of the ongoing Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to Bhandup Complex water tunnel project, a key infrastructure initiative aimed at transporting tertiary-treated sewage for non-potable use. The project is part of a broader strategy by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to strengthen climate-resilient water sources and bridge the widening gap between water demand and supply in Mumbai. Untreated sewage increases pollution and risk of water-borne diseases Highlighting the environmental and public health implications of untreated wastewater, Gagrani said untreated sewage significantly increases water pollution and poses serious risks of water-borne diseases. “Through sewage treatment plants, harmful substances and disease-causing pathogens in wastewater are effectively removed, allowing the treated water to be safely reused. This reduces pressure on natural water sources, improves urban sanitation and enhances the overall quality of life for citizens,” he said. Tunnel construction progresses using two TBMs at key locations The commissioner reviewed the progress of the underground water tunnel being constructed to convey tertiary-treated water from the Ghatkopar Sewage Treatment Plant to the Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant and onward to the Bhandup Complex. Deputy Commissioner (Special Engineering) Purushottam Malwade, Chief Engineer (Water Supply Projects) Mahendra Ubale, and other senior engineers and officials were present during the site visit. According to officials, the alignment for the tunnel between the Bhandup Complex and the Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant has been successfully established using the first tunnel boring machine (TBM). This stretch measures 4,365 metres. At the Bhandup Complex, construction of a 175-metre-deep launching shaft is underway, with excavation completed up to 45 metres. Once tunnel excavation is completed, a 104-metre-deep retrieval shaft is planned at the Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant for the removal of the TBM. Work is also progressing on the tunnel section between the Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant and the Ghatkopar Sewage Treatment Plant. Using a second TBM, the alignment for this 7,245-metre-long stretch has been finalised. At the Bhandup Sewage Treatment Plant, excavation has begun for a 155-metre-deep launching shaft, with 7.7 metres completed so far. Tertiary treatment planned for nearly 50 per cent of Mumbai’s sewage Overall, the project involves a combined tunnel length of 11,610 metres, to be excavated using TBMs. Civic officials said the work is progressing in a phased and planned manner after finalising alignments between the Bhandup Complex, Bhandup STP and Ghatkopar STP. Gagrani noted that the BMC has undertaken multiple sewage treatment projects across the city to ensure modern treatment of wastewater generated within municipal limits. Under these initiatives, tertiary treatment is proposed for nearly 50 per cent of Mumbai’s sewage. As part of this plan, an underground tunnel with a capacity of 970 million litres per day is proposed to convey about 500 million litres per day of tertiary-treated water from Dharavi to Ghatkopar and further to the Bhandup Complex. Preliminary works for this tunnel are currently underway. Reiterating the importance of sewage treatment amid rapid urbanisation and population growth, Gagrani said the removal of solid waste, harmful chemical components and pathogens from wastewater is essential for sustainable urban development. “Sewage treatment is no longer optional—it is a fundamental component of modern urban infrastructure,” he added.
31 January,2026 02:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSenior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil on Saturday said late NCP chief Ajit Pawar was eager to reunite with his uncle Sharad Pawar and had held several meetings to facilitate the merger of the two party factions, reported news agency PTI. Sharad Pawar reveals merger announcement was planned for February 12 Patil's comments have come amid party chief Sharad Pawar's revelation that Ajit Pawar had planned to announce the merger on February 12, but his untimely death had stalled the process. Decision to contest Zilla Parishad polls together taken on January 16 Speaking to reporters in Islampur, Patil said, "He (Ajit Pawar) visited my house on multiple occasions and held talks over dinner. He said he wanted to reunite with his uncle by getting over the past. On January 16, we decided to contest the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections together, and the announcement of the formal merger was to be made on February 12," reported PTI. Ajit Pawar’s death in Baramati plane crash stalled merger process NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed along with four others after a Learjet 45 aircraft they were travelling in crashed at Baramati, his hometown in Pune district, earlier this week. Senior NCP leaders kept in loop, Mahayuti future undecided Patil said Ajit Pawar had informed him that he had apprised NCP leaders Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and Chhagan Bhujbal about the merger efforts and assured that they would abide by the decision he takes, reported PTI. Asked whether Ajit Pawar wanted to remain in the Mahayuti government after the merger of the factions, the NCP (SP) leader said there were several aspects to the issue, which he would disclose at a later stage. "He was eager to reunite both factions first. We had detailed discussions about it several times," he said, reported PTI. The NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999, was vertically split after Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government in July 2023. He was appointed the deputy CM at that time, and his stint in the post continued after Devendra Fadnavis came to the helm as CM following the November 2024 assembly polls. Earlier in the day, Sharad Pawar said that it was Ajit Pawar's wish to unite the NCP factions and that they were optimistic about the merger. (With inputs from PTI)
31 January,2026 02:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday slammed the ruling BJP, accusing it of looking for an opportunity in NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's death, reported news agency PTI. Talking to reporters, the Rajya Sabha MP declined to comment on Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, being sworn in as the Dy CM, saying no one has the information about the same. Ajit Pawar was killed in the January 28 plane crash at Baramati in Pune district along with four others. "The BJP has nothing to do with the mourning period. It is looking for an opportunity even in death. This is not the time to talk about the matter. I will talk about this after the mourning period is over," Raut said, reported PTI. Asked about NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar's remark that he had "no idea" about Sunetra Pawar's swearing-in as Dy CM, he said only the top BJP leadership, or NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, may be privy to the information. Sunetra Pawar to take oath as Maharashtra's Deputy CM at 5 pm on Saturday Meanwhile, NCP's Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar will be sworn-in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, replacing her deceased husband and party chief Ajit Pawar, at the Lok Bhavan in Mumbai at 5 pm on Saturday, reported PTI. Lok Bhavan (formerly Raj Bhavan) gave this information. Governor Acharya Devvrat, who is currently in Mussoorie, will arrive in Mumbai at 4 pm, it said, reported PTI. NCP's legislature party meeting is scheduled to take place in the city at 2 pm, where Sunetra Pawar is set to be named as its leader. After that she will take oath as the first woman deputy CM of the state, reported PTI. She held talks with party leaders after arriving here from Baramati early morning on Saturday. Ajit Pawar, who was deputy chief minister and finance minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, was killed in a plane crash in Baramati along with four others on January 28. (With inputs from PTI)
31 January,2026 02:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
