The special sitting of the Maharashtra Legislative Council was adjourned till 12 noon after Mahayuti ministers accused the Satara police of manhandling them and demanded action against erring officials. Cracks surfaced within the ruling Mahayuti alliance over the Satara Zilla Parishad elections, with two key allies levelling serious allegations against the administration. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai and Ajit Pawar-led NCP minister Makarand Patil accused the Satara police of manhandling ZP members and preventing them from casting their votes. Allegations raised in Council The controversy is significant as both factions are part of the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, bringing the police under his direct purview. The issue escalated in the Council, where both Desai and Patil raised the matter strongly. Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe took cognisance of the issue and directed the CEO and District Collector to preserve CCTV footage related to the incident. BJP minister counters claims However, BJP minister Jaykumar Gore countered the allegations, stating that the version presented in the House was not accurate. Meanwhile, minister Uday Samant and Desai clarified that they had not named any party or the BJP. “We are with the BJP as an ally. Our objection is not with our ally, but with the police department and officials,” Desai said, urging Council Chairman Ram Shinde for justice. In his response, Ram Shinde said the debate could continue indefinitely and adjourned the proceedings of the Council till 12 noon.
23 March,2026 11:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarMumbai on Monday was likely to experience clear skies and heatwave condition was very likely to prevail in the suburbs, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) stated while issuing a yellow alert for the city. The weather department predicted that the temperatures were likely to touch 38 degrees Celsius on March 23. Such conditions are typical during this time of the year when humidity remains moderate and skies stay largely cloud-free. According to a weather bulletin, the maximum temperature in Mumbai was expected to be reach 38 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may settle at approximately 22 degrees Celsius on Monday. The weather is likely to remain warm during the afternoon hours, it said. Yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar The IMD has predicted hot and humid weather conditions for Mumbai and its adjoining areas on Monday, March 23 and issued a yellow alert for the city, Thane and Palghar areas. A weather bulletin stated that hot and humid conditions were very likely at isolated pockets in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar. A similar alert has also been issued for parts of Maharashtra including Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. Thunderstorm, rain in parts of Maharashtra Meanwhile, according to the IMD, some parts of Maharashtra were very likely to witness rains and thunderstorm on March 23. Districts including Ahilyanagar, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Latur and Dharashiv were likely to witness thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) at isolated place. A yellow alert has been issued for these districts for Monday, March 23. AQI in Mumbai Despite the rising heat, Mumbai’s air quality has improved over the past 24 hours. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sameer app, Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was on Monday recorded 'Satisfactory' at 10:05 pm and stood at 89. A health impact message stated, "Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people." AQI recorded in parts of the city Bandra Kurla Complex: 112 (Moderate) Borivali East: 80 (Satisfactory) Byculla: 101 (Moderate) Malad West: 98 (Satisfactory) Shivaji Nagar: 106 (Moderate) Colaba: 96 (Satisfactory) Meanwhile, the air quality was recorded as 'Satisfactory' in Thane which reported an AQI at 92 on Monday morning. In Kalyan AQI was recorded at 98 (Satisfactory), and in Navi Mumbai at 114 was in 'Moderate' category.
23 March,2026 10:58 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA fire broke out at a closed pizza shop in Mumbra area in Thane district of Maharashtra on Monday morning, officials said, adding that no injuries were reported in the incident. The incident took place around 7.13 am near a company premises opposite the local fire station. The civic officials said that that no one was injured in the incident. According to the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) the shop was shut at the time, which helped prevent any casualties. Fire brigade rushed to spot Following the information regarding the blaze, the firefighters from the Mumbra fire station rushed to the spot with one rescue vehicle and one fire engine. They managed to bring the blaze under control and fully extinguish it. Officials said the fire caused damage to equipment inside the shop, including a fryer machine and electrical wiring. The extent of the financial loss is yet to be assessed. Situation under control The fire has been completely put out and the situation is now under control, authorities said. Further details were awaited. Woman dead after fire breaks out at Goregaon East building Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 72-year-old woman died after a fire broke out in a high-rise residential building in Goregaon East on Sunday evening. According to the MFB, the blaze was reported at 7:22 pm at the Lakshya Chandi Building in Gokuldham Colony, near the district court in Goregaon. The fire was initially confined to the sixth floor of the ground-plus-24-storey building. As soon as the fire incident was reported, firefighting operations were swiftly launched, with multiple agencies, including the fire brigade, police, Adani electricity staff, 108 ambulance services, and local ward teams, mobilised to the spot. The fire was initially classified as a Level-I (minor) incident at 7:47 pm but was later escalated to Level-II at around 8:25 pm as a precautionary measure. During the rescue operation, one woman was evacuated by fire personnel and rushed to a trauma care hospital in a private vehicle, where she lost her life. The woman who has been declared dead has been identified as Indu Tarkeshawar Singh (72). Officials further said that the fire was confined to a specific portion of the building and was brought under control after sustained efforts. The exact cause of the blaze is yet to be determined, and an investigation is underway.
23 March,2026 10:24 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentShortly after seeking a list of unauthorised schools, parent groups have now demanded a review of institutions granted minority status. In a letter to the deputy director of education, activists questioned whether such schools are meeting norms, including whether they are admitting the mandated number of minority language students. The rule requiring at least 51 per cent members from the relevant minority community has come under scrutiny. Activists allege widespread non-compliance. “Of 1738 schools, 950 have minority status. Over the last three years, only 10-15 per cent of students from the community concerned have been studying in several such schools. This is far below the norm,” said Rohit Dandwate of the Global Teachers’ Parents’ Association. Fresh demands Parents have asked the department to investigate and respond within 15 days, adding that schools failing to meet minority norms should not be exempt from reserving 25 per cent seats under the Right to Education Act for economically weaker and disadvantaged students before the academic year 2026-27. They also sought action against directors who misled authorities to obtain concessions, enforcing 25 per cent RTE admissions in ineligible schools, and setting up a special inspection panel to verify compliance. 15No of days given to the education department to respond
23 March,2026 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarDuring the probe into a radio-collared leopard’s death in the Nagla block of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), officials spotted four to five men near the carcass. The suspects fled on seeing the team, leaving behind a bag that has become a crucial lead. Key lead A distress signal from deep inside the forest — a radio-collared leopard is found lying motionless, raising concern among officials A forest department official said, “When the team of researchers and officials reached the location where the radio-collared leopard was lying, a few individuals were seen in proximity to the animal. They fled the scene on spotting the team. A bag recovered from the spot has provided crucial leads. Call detail records of four suspects have been sought, and the investigation is ongoing.” Earlier findings The moment the men spot the team approaching, they panic and run into the forest, leaving behind a bag that draws attention The male leopard, rescued from Bhayandar in December and later released into SGNP, was found dead in early February in the Yeoor forest. Initial assessments had ruled out poaching as all body parts — whiskers, nails, claws, and teeth — were intact. A post-mortem was conducted, and samples were sent for further testing. Cause of death The abandoned bag turns into a key clue, hinting that this may not be a natural death but something far more serious Preliminary post-mortem findings suggest the leopard died due to hypovolemic shock, a condition caused by severe loss of blood or body fluids. Visible injuries (gross lesions) were noted during examination, indicating physical trauma. A full investigation is launched — four suspects are identified, and officials begin tracking call records and mobile data as a possible poaching angle is examined Bhayandar leopard case timeline Dec 19, 2025 Leopard rescued from Bhayandar, kept under observation at SGNPDec 25, 2025 Radio-collared and released in the Nagla area, Yeoor forestDec 25-Jan 5 Movement tracked; animal appeared healthyFeb 3, 2026 Mortality signal received; carcass foundFeb 4, 2026 Post-mortem conducted, samples sent for analysis
23 March,2026 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMid-Day has introduced a new initiative: DEAR GOVERNMENT. In this your favourite newspaper will print your questions to BMC, Police and State Government every Monday, and will get answers on your behalf. Be it roads, water crime, government policy, whatever your query, write to us at mailbag@mid-day.com or tweet to us at @mid-day and we will try and get responses to your problems. Problems We need more Metro coaches! This is a persistent issue faced by daily commuters on the Ghatkopar–Versova Metro line. Despite repeated discussions and expectations around the introduction of additional coaches to ease overcrowding, there has been no visible update or progress for over a year. This corridor is one of the busiest in Mumbai, and peak-hour travel continues to be extremely congested, causing significant inconvenience to thousands of commuters every day. The lack of communication or timelines from the authorities has only added to the frustration. Chandan Sharma Potholes on speed breakers Avoiding potholes on the roads is a headache as it is, but what should vehicles do if there are potholes on the speed breakers too? Owing to potholes on the speed breaker on the road going from west to east under the railway bridge north of Dahisar Railway Station, vehicles have to try to pass from the extreme left causing traffic jams. And in Dahisar, potholes have appeared on the speed breakers at many places.Kiran P Chaudhari Noisy vendors I am a senior citizen resident of G North near the Sahkari Bhandar (Reliance Super bazar), Prabhadevi. Over the last six months food stalls have mushrooned here, becoming a nuisance. Right from morning till late night up to 11.30 pm these stalls make loud noises and also generate garbage. BMC vans do take action periodically, but within an hour, the stalls are back. Our tweets to the ward office, commissioner, and the MLAs have not elicited any response. KSN Iyer Rodent infestation I am a resident of Shiv Darshan Society in Malad West, Ahimsa Marg. I wanted to report an issue that we are collectively facing as a society — a serious rodent crisis with rats roaming in multiple flats of both A wing and B wing. This issue has originated from A wing (703). This flat has remained closed for nearly six months due to an ongoing legal dispute and a court order. During this period, there has been a terrible foul smell emanating from the flat, almost unbearable, and we suspect it might be due to decaying matter inside. This has further led to an infestation of rats which are now spreading all over the building. The society has reported the issue to L&T Finance which has sealed the flat, but we haven’t gotten any positive response. This has also been reported to the BMC, but the legal situation around the flat is proving to be a hindrance in cleaning flat B-703. Kindly help us find a solutionSushant Shetty Responses After Mumbaikars sent in their questions and woes to mid-day last Monday, some of the authorities concerned responded. We haven’t given up on the rest. We shall continue to hold authorities accountable for the state of the city. Hazardous air qualityA concerned citizen Response: An official from the Central Pollution Control Board said, “Regular monitoring of all areas takes place and any hotspots are noted by the CPCB, which influence policy measures that need to be taken to mitigate the larger problem of dust pollution. In case of a hyperlocal pollution hotspot, immediate measures can be taken by local authorities to either halt construction work or divert traffic if required until AQI in the area gets better.” Can’t breathe here Seema Bokkasam Response: Bandra, BKC, Khar Santacruz, are among pollution hotspots noted by the readings on CPCB, BMC, and IIT monitors from the area. A senior official said, “While the Bandra and Santacruz areas have a number of infrastructure projects going on at the same time at present, efforts are made by BMC to ensure strict rules are followed to curb dust pollution in the locality.” According to the BMC, not all pollution in the area can be attributed to construction. “Other factors include vehicular combustion and wind patterns, not all of which is in the purview of the civic body BMC has tied up with IIT Kanpur to install hyperlocal sensors across the city. Seventy-five such sensors will be set up in areas which have shown constantly high levels on poor air quality. Need a Metro hereCajetan Peter D’souza Response: MMRDA officials refused to comment stating that the matter requires a decision at government and cabinet level. Traffic nightmareGirish Shah Response: When contacted, joint commissioner of traffic Anil Kumbhare was unavailable for comment. However, an official from Khar police station assured that corrective measures will be taken to solve the traffic problems.
23 March,2026 09:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-daySafety lapses flagged by mid-day at the Borivali-Gorai jetty last week have now been addressed by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB). With work on the jetty extension underway, locals had earlier pointed out several issues, including the absence of safety personnel for crowd control and restricted movement due to cranes and construction equipment. However, regular commuters say these concerns have now largely been resolved. Commuters speak Samuel D’Souza, commuter, said, “Over the past week, there has been a clear improvement. When I visited two-three days ago, safety in-charges were present and ensuring that trips were not overcrowded with passengers or vehicles. On Sunday morning, around 4-5 am, saw workers removing the crane.” Rossi D’Souza, a Gorai resident and member of the Gorai Gaothan Panchayat, said, “Since last Sunday, MMB authorities have made several changes. Safety in-charges are now present, the crane is being removed, and the jetty is no longer overcrowded with two-wheelers. The only thing pending is displaying contractor details, which is a procedural requirement.” He added, “The JCB could not be pulled out due to water pressure, so it had to be cut and removed.” For several days, the submerged JCB had disrupted ferry docking during high tide. As it occupied part of the parking area, ferries had to halt further ahead, forcing passengers to disembark from a height, locals said. Authority speaks Earlier, an executive engineer from the MMB told mid-day that cranes used for installing girders for the new jetty are assembled and disassembled as needed to prevent obstruction. He also said the project is progressing as per schedule. However, when mid-day contacted the MMB again for a detailed timeline, there was no response till press time.
23 March,2026 08:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturIt has been a Sunday, March 22, of turmoil and tumult at Bandra Gymkhana, on St Andrews Road, Bandra (W). The current president, Dr Cheryl Misquitta, was removed from her post effective Sunday, said a communication from the Gymkhana’s Hon. Gen. Secretary Theresa Aguiar. As per a notice dated March 22, signed by Aguiar, it was informed that, ‘As per the resolution taken at the Extraordinary General Body Meeting (EGM) held on Sunday, March 22. It was hereby resolved that the President of the Bandra Gymkhana Dr Cheryl Misquitta, has been removed from the office of the Bandra Gymkhana as president with immediate effect.’ A view of the Bandra Gymkhana from the tennis courts. File pic/FB/bandragymofficial Dr Misquitta has hit back with a communication slamming the EGM as illegal. Dr Misquitta’s retort, addressed to the members of the Bandra Gymkhana and dated March 22, highlighted a few points. It said, ‘Through unverified WhatsApp forwards, it has come to my attention that a notice dated March 22 bearing what appears to be the signature of the honorable general secretary of the gymkhana stating that I have been removed from the office of the gymkhana as president with immediate effect pursuant to a resolution taken at the extraordinary general body (EGM) held earlier today. I have received no official or formal confirmation of these events, hence I am unable to confirm the same. In the background of my challenge to the maintainability and legality of the EGM, the purported resolution passed therein shall have no force or binding on a duly elected president of the gymkhana.’ Urging members of the gymkhana, located on St Andrews Road, Bandra West, to “ignore” this, Dr Misquitta asserted that she “continues to serve as the president of the gymkhana.” Aguiar said, “On March 9, the managing committee (MC) received a letter signed by about 500 members. The letter raised some serious concerns about the standards of governance on the part of the president. An EGM was therefore called by the MC as per the rules to address the concerns of the members on the morning of Sunday, March 22. In this EGM, a detailed debate was held on the issues raised, and answers were provided to the questions asked by members. Finally, members raised a vote of no confidence in the president, which was carried by a vote of 352 in favour and none against. By this resolution, members removed the president from her post.” Background >> On March 13, Theresa informed via notice that 500 members wrote to the managing committee of the gymkhana with concerns about the election process held at 2025 end.>> There was a request to the managing committee to hold an EGM to address questions and concerns. EGM called on Sunday, March 22 in response. The gymkhana Bandra Gymkhana was inaugurated on May 4, 1935. An eminent architect, EC Henriques, consulting architect to the Government of Bombay, was appointed to design the pavilion. It was the first pavilion in Bombay to feature an indoor badminton court. In testament to its quality, the original floor is still in existence years later, having been used almost every day since 1935.
23 March,2026 08:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal AsharPatrol by the promenade A canine is in alert mode as two people nap beside it on a hot afternoon along Carter Road Prayers in prose (Left) Adil Jussawala; the cover of the book. Pic courtesy/Red River press Adil Jussawalla is back. The octogenarian poet-author has released a new title, Offerings: Religion, Its Victories, Its Desolations (Red River). The collection of introspective prose about his own spiritual questions ‘... indicate a pattern of thought, of constant making and re-making that isn’t complete...” the Sahitya Akademi winner wrote in a note. Living the park life People sing together in a group. Pics courtesy/Anca Florescu Abraham (right) Participants at a yoga session What began as a modest effort to bring people together in parks, to sing, dance, and simply be themselves, has grown into a full-fledged ritual. Love Your Park Mumbai hosted Sing for Your Parks, an initiative that draws residents from across the city while advocating for open spaces and curating meaningful experiences within Mumbai’s public realms in collaboration with artists and organisations. “Through collective action and creative engagement, we aim to influence and nurture a culture of shared urban common spaces,” said founder Anca Florescu Abraham. Yesterday (March 22), people gathered at Jogger’s Park in Bandra to sing, read poetry, and practise yoga. “And to encourage people of all age groups to participate we also have a board game section,” she added. The cost of development Attendees at the march (right) Participants at an earlier march. Pics courtesy/Let India Breathe and Aarey Conservation Group Archives A coalition of environmentalists, Adivasi groups and communities will take to Mumbai’s streets today as they organise a Maha Rally from Chowpatty to Azad Maidan. The march follows concern over ecological costs of large-scale infrastructure projects across Maharashtra especially MMR [Palghar, Thane, and Raigad]. The rally centres on demands of Koli fishers, Adivasi communities and climate advocates. Protesters argue projects, port expansions, industrial corridors and other infrastructure accelerate displacement while weakening environmental and social safeguards. “This rally is about asserting that development cannot come at the cost of people’s rights, dignity, and survival,” emphasised Yash Marwah from Let India Breathe, one of the many groups involved. Even the vada pav isn’t spared Ashok Vada Pav stall in Dadar. Pics courtesy/@ashokvadapav_near_kirti_clge (right) The famous Ashok Vada Pav For a city that takes pride in its street food, even a brief pause or shutdown is hard to miss. Mumbai’s iconic Ashok Vada Pav near Kirti College in Dadar has remained closed for the past few days due to an ongoing LPG shortage affecting small food businesses across the city. Prasad Thakur from Ashok Vada Pav said the outlet has been shut since a week because of disruption in fuel supply, adding that things might look up soon. “We’ve had to keep the shop shut since March 16 because of the LPG shortage — it’s simply not possible to operate without fuel,” Thakur said. “We’re hoping to reopen today (March 23) and get back to serving our customers.”
23 March,2026 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayOn a key Bandra East stretch that connects to the Western Express Highway and the Metro Aqua Line’s Bandra Colony Metro station, the only thing “in progress” right now is the risk. For nearly 2-4 weeks, construction barriers meant to cordon off a dug-up patch on Sharada Devi Road have been lying toppled in the middle of traffic, exposing a pothole and unstable mud surface that locals say could trigger a serious accident any day. Spot check Location: Sharada Devi Road, Bandra EastConnects to: Western Express Highway | Bandra Colony Metro stationIssue: Dug-up patch + fallen barriersStatus: Unattended for 15 to 30 days What’s on the ground >>Open pothole previously barricaded>>Barriers now fallen and ineffective>>Road left with loose mud over repair site>>Low visibility risk in evenings despite streetlights Drivers flag damage “I had to change my auto’s entire steering system after hitting that stretch. The pothole was earlier blocked, now the barriers have fallen, and it’s worse,” Rakesh Kumar Yadav, an autorickshaw driver with at least 15 years of experience, told mid-day Commuters see all “Every morning it’s the same situation. The BMC dug this road for some work a month ago and just left it like this. No accident has happened yet, but it’s bound to happen, especially at night,” said Prateek Singh, a commuter Residents’ concerns >>Pipe leak repaired, but surface not restored>>Patch covered with mud instead of proper roadwork>>Risk of caving in and damaging pipeline again“If a vehicle goes over it, the mud could sink and the pipe could burst again,” said a resident Hazardous barriers “If someone doesn’t see the fallen barricade and drives over it, both the vehicle and the driver could be at risk,” said a resident Authority status Ward contacted: H EastResponse: No reply till press time
23 March,2026 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturTwo years after a citizen-led movement opposing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) proposal to construct a parking lot under Raosaheb Patwardhan Park forced the civic body to cancel the plan, Bandra’s popular open space is set for a facelift that includes upgrading its yoga zone, garden furniture and playing area for children. Bandra residents, however, have raised questions as to why the park annexe, under which the parking lot was previously planned, has not been included in BMC’s new plan. Bandra residents celebrate in the garden after the BMC scrapped its underground parking lot plan in 2024. FILE PIC/ SHADAB KHAN This space stands on a plot abutting the main park area. It is partly concreted and is used by children for sports activities. For 10 days a year, it is used by residents with roots in West Bengal to set up a Durga Pooja Pandal during Navratri. According to residents, Raosaheb Patwardhan Park is a go-to open space for morning and evening walks, and a hangout zone for college students. Several nearby schools also use the open space for sports activities. Councillor speak Raosaheb Patwardhan Park, located near Linking Road, is one of the oldest open spaces in Bandra West. FILE PIC Swapna Mhatre, local corporator‘The BMC has not been able to do any development or improvement work here since 2017 because of the controversy. The park has a high footfall and needs urgent work. Paver blocks and furniture are broken, and equipment is out of order. The plot where the parking lot was planned was not taken up because it is contentious. If residents want anything specific to be done, they can suggest it to the ward officer or me’ What is the plan New entrance gate and security cabinNew compound wall and furnitureNew equipment in the children’s play areaNew yoga shedCobbled pathwayNew paver blocks and repairs to mud pathwaysNew/repaired toilet blockNew lighting, dustbins, signage, and shedsGym equipmentNew lawn and other horticulture work Voices of concern A member of Im-pact, a citizens’ group that was part of the Save Patwardhan Park movement‘The annexe area is partially concreted. Ideally, it should be converted into a mud ground. It would be good if no work were planned for this spot, because we are unable to trust the BMC. There is a Durga Pooja Pandal every year, so members should be consulted on what the BMC plans to do regarding the annexe’. Asif Zakaria, Congress leader and a former local corporator‘The plot where the parking lot was planned has not been included in the revamp plan. This raises concerns about what they want to do with that area — such as give in to the fads of creating a turf, or a pickleball area, or use the plot to monetise access somehow. Citizens were also not consulted on the requirements of the park, especially since Rs 5 crore is a large sum. Instead, the BMC has picked no-brainer civil and cosmetic work where it is very difficult to gauge the quantum of work versus cost’.
23 March,2026 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSADVERTISEMENT
