The Maharashtra government has approved the establishment of four new police stations in Mumbai as part of a restructuring of existing police divisions to improve policing and response times in rapidly growing areas, officials said. According to a recently issued Government Resolution (GR), the new police stations will come up in suburban Mumbai. New police stations to be created by reorganising the jurisdictions The GR stated that the new police stations will be Maharashtra Nagar, Golibar, Madh Marve and Asalpha, which will be created by reorganising the jurisdiction of existing police stations under the Brihanmumbai Police Commissionerate. The decision also includes the creation of four new police station jurisdictions, 13 new police outposts, and three additional Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) divisions. A total of 1,488 new posts have been sanctioned for the newly formed units. Move aims to strengthen law enforcement in Mumbai The government said the move aims to strengthen law enforcement, improve supervision, and enhance public safety in densely populated and expanding localities of the city. Necessary financial approvals for recurring and non-recurring expenditure have also been granted. Police officials said the new stations will become operational in phases after administrative and infrastructural formalities are completed.
12 December,2025 06:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilA 2.5-foot-long crocodile was rescued from a pond in Mumbai's Kurla on Friday, days after mid-day reported increasing concerns about unusual wildlife sightings in the area. The reptile was safely captured by the Maharashtra Forest Department with assistance from the NGO SARRP India, officials said. The rescue operation required round-the-clock monitoring, as officials and trained rescuers worked carefully to track the crocodile’s movements before attempting the capture, officials said. Rescue team kept overnight vigil Asir Patrawala from SARRP India said that their team maintained a constant watch over the water body to understand the reptile’s behaviour. A 2.5-foot-long crocodile was rescued from a Kurla pond on Friday, just days after Mid-Day highlighted rising concerns over unusual wildlife sightings in the area. Forest officials and trained rescuers safely captured the reptile. The operation, undertaken by NGO SARRP India in… pic.twitter.com/n10VKq4tho — Mid Day (@mid_day) December 12, 2025 “Our rescue team kept a day-and-night vigil around the pond to follow the crocodile’s movement patterns. After continuous tracking and careful planning, we were finally able to secure it safely earlier today,” Patrawala told mid-day. Rescued crocodile to undergo health check The rescued crocodile will be examined by forest officials before being relocated to a safe habitat. Authorities are also looking into how the reptile ended up in the urban pond, as such sightings have recently caused concern among residents.
12 December,2025 06:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavThe Central Railway has announced one additional special train service between Mumbai’s Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Banaras to meet passenger demand. According to the railway administration, Train No 01081 LTT Mumbai–Banaras Special will depart at 08.25 am on Sunday and reach Banaras at 4.05 pm the following day. The train will halt at Kalyan, Nashik Road, Bhusawal, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Mirzapur, and Varanasi Junction. Its composition will include one air-conditioned (AC) first class–AC two-tier coach, an AC two-tier coach, six AC three-tier coaches, two AC three-tier economy coaches, five sleeper class coaches, four general second class coaches, a general second class–guard’s brake van and a generator car. Bookings for Train No 01081, operating on special charges, are already open at all computerised reservation centres and on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website. Passengers can check the detailed halt timings on the Indian Railways enquiry portal or the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app. Central Railway has urged passengers to make use of the special service and to travel with valid tickets to avoid inconvenience. Maharashtra: Central Railway to run 76 winter special trains to ease Christmas and New Year rush To manage the holiday rush during Christmas, New Year, and winter vacations, Central Railway has announced 76 Winter Special train services connecting Mumbai and Pune with key destinations, including Karmali, Nagpur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Amravati, and Sanganer. The services will operate between December 2025 and early January 2026, offering travellers additional options during the peak season. Key winter special services Mumbai CSMT–Karmali Daily Specials (36 services)• Train 01151: Departs CSMT at 12.20 am (Dec 19–Jan 5)• Train 01152: Departs Karmali at 2.15 pm (Dec 19–Jan 5) LTT–Thiruvananthapuram North Weekly Specials (8 services)• Train 01171: Thursdays from LTT• Train 01172: Saturdays from Thiruvananthapuram North LTT–Mangaluru Junction Weekly Specials (8 services)• Train 01185: Tuesdays from LTT• Train 01186: Wednesdays from Mangaluru Jn CSMT–Nagpur Weekly Specials (6 services)• Train 01005: Saturdays from CSMT• Train 01006: Saturdays from Nagpur Pune–Nagpur Weekly Specials (6 services)• Train 01401: Fridays from Pune• Train 01402: Saturdays from Nagpur Pune–Sanganer Weekly Superfast Specials (6 services)• Train 01405: Fridays from Pune• Train 01406: Saturdays from Sanganer Pune–Amravati Weekly Specials (6 services)• Train 01403: Saturdays from Pune• Train 01404: Sundays from Amravati(Booking opens on Wednesday) The announcement was issued on Tuesday by Dr Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, Mumbai.
12 December,2025 05:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, on Friday said that it will operate a mega block on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on its suburban network to carry out essential engineering and maintenance works. An official statement said that the block will affect services on the Main Line as well as the Trans-Harbour Line during the afternoon hours. Main Line services to run on slow tracks The statement said that a block will be in place on the up and down fast lines between Matunga and Mulund from 11:05 am to 3:45 pm. Down fast trains leaving CSMT between 10:36 am and 3:10 pm will be diverted to the slow line at Matunga. They will halt at all scheduled stations up to Mulund and are expected to reach their destinations 15 minutes late. Fast services beyond Thane will return to the fast line at Mulund. Up fast trains leaving Thane between 11:03 am and 3:38 pm will shift to the slow line at Mulund, halt at all regular stations up to Matunga, and then rejoin the fast line. These trains too will run 15 minutes behind schedule, the statement said. Trans-Harbour Line to be suspended between Thane and Vashi/Nerul A mega block will also be in place on the up and down Trans-Harbour lines between Thane and Vashi/Nerul from 11:10 am to 4:10 pm. During this period the train services between Vashi/Nerul and Thane will remain fully suspended. The statement said that the down services from Thane to Vashi/Nerul/Panvel (10:35 am-4:07 pm) will be cancelled and the up services from Panvel/Nerul/Vashi to Thane (10:25 am-4:09 pm) will also be cancelled. Central Railway stated that the mega blocks are necessary for infrastructure upkeep and ensure safe and reliable train operations. "Passengers are requested to plan their journeys accordingly and cooperate with the administration," the officials said. Central Railway to run additional special train between LTT Mumbai and Banaras In an another statement, the Central Railway said that it has decided to run one additional special train service between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Mumbai and Banaras to provide extra convenience to passengers. The special train 01081 will depart from LTT Mumbai at 08:25 hrs on 14 December 2025 and will reach Banaras at 16:05 hrs the next day. The train will stop at: Kalyan, Nashik Road, Bhusawal, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Mirzapur and Varanasi Junction.
12 December,2025 05:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTwo people suffered minor injuries on Friday after a leopard attacked them in Akshi village near Alibaug in Maharashtra. Forest officials believe the same leopard may be responsible for injuring six people earlier this week in nearby Nagaon village. A fresh search operation has been launched by the Forest Department, assisted by local NGOs and volunteers. Teams are using camera traps, patrol vehicles, and tranquiliser equipment to track the animal. According to officials from the Maharashtra Forest Department, the pattern of movement suggests the leopard could be the same animal involved in the earlier attacks. Residents of the coastal belt have been living in fear since the first incident, with many avoiding early morning and late evening outdoor activities. Rescue teams on alert Authorities have said that capturing the leopard safely is a priority. The rescue team is also working to ensure that both human and animal lives are protected during the operation. Officials have urged residents to stay cautious. Past attack this week Meanwhile, two residents of Nagaon Village, located near the popular Nagaon Beach in Maharashtra's Alibaug, were injured on Tuesday following a human–leopard conflict incident, which triggered panic in the locality. Soon after learning about the incident, the Maharashtra Forest Department rushed to the spot. Considering that leopards have been roaming freely in residential areas, efforts are underway to locate and safely rescue the wild cats from the densely populated area. In view of the rescue operation, Pune-based wildlife rescue NGO RESQ CT has also departed for Alibaug to assist the forest personnel in the mission. The NGO is expected to provide technical expertise and equipment for safely capturing the big cat.
12 December,2025 05:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavIn a major crackdown, the Mumbai Customs department has seized nearly 43 kilograms of hydroponic weed worth around Rs 43 crore. Officials, while briefing about the bust, asserted that they arrested five passengers who arrived from Bangkok in separate flights. The officials from the Mumbai Customs asserted, “Based on specific inputs, officials of the Customs department's Airport Commissionerate intercepted these passengers at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday following their arrival in different flights,” as cited by news agency PTI. The customs officials recovered 33.888 kilograms of the contraband from three passengers, an official added. All of the five accused who travelled from Bangkok have been reportedly arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the official noted. Based on specific intelligence, officers also intercepted two more passengers travelling on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok and recovered 9.010 kilograms of hydroponic weed valued at Rs 9.010 crore. They were also held under the NDPS Act. While the arrests and seizure have already been made, the officials said that further investigation is still underway. Hydroponic weed refers to cannabis plants grown using a soil-free method that utilises nutrient-rich water solutions. Mumbai Customs seize hydroponic weed, gold and foreign currency Earlier on December 4, the Mumbai Customs had also seized hydroponic weed, gold and foreign currency in different operations at the Mumbai airport. In an official statement, the Mumbai Customs said that while acting on spot profiling and APIS (Advance Passenger Information System) checks, the officials intercepted four passengers arriving from Bangkok on different flights. They recovered 8.682 kg of suspected NDPS (hydroponic weed) worth about Rs 8.68 crore. All four passengers were arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985. Furthermore, in another set of operations based on specific intelligence, officers had also seized 16.797 kg of suspected hydroponic weed valued at Rs 16.79 crore from five passengers, also arriving from Bangkok. They too were arrested under the NDPS Act. Apart from drug seizures, the Customs team detected three gold smuggling cases, recovering 744.28 grams of gold worth Rs 81.67 lakh from three passengers. In another case, officers seized 12,000 US dollars (120 notes of USD 100), equivalent to Rs 10.53 lakh, from one passenger attempting to transport foreign currency illegally. (With inputs from PTI)
12 December,2025 05:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan on Friday firmly rejected allegations that the party was coercing leaders from alliance partners or the Opposition to switch sides, asserting that the BJP has always adhered to "coalition dharma" within the ruling Mahayuti, reported news agency IANS. He stressed the accommodative nature of the alliance under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and confirmed that the three constituents -- BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP -- will contest the local body elections together as the MahaYuti alliance, reported IANS. The polls, including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, must be completed by January 31, 2026, as mandated by the Supreme Court. Chavan’s remark comes amid high-level political activity over the civic polls and days after BJP and Shiv Sena leaders sparred publicly during elections to 264 local bodies, where the ruling partners had fielded candidates against each other in several areas. Maharashtra BJP chief denies using pressure tactics Chavan unequivocally denied using pressure tactics, stating, "BJP has never coerced anybody from the ruling parties or the Opposition to join us." He countered that it was Shiv Sena that first poached BJP leaders in the Ambernath area, initiating the cycle of inductions, reported IANS. The Maharashtra BJP President emphasised the party's commitment to grass-roots politics, noting that the top leadership views local body polls as equally significant as Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, reported IANS. Chavan stated that the BJP's "strength and success lie in the development agenda and strong leadership of Modi-Fadnavis," reported IANS. Chavan's statement comes two days after he met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday to brief him on the political developments in the state and organisational strategy for the civic elections. Further, Chavan, on Thursday night, met with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to finalise the strategy and seat-sharing arrangements for the municipal corporation elections in key areas such as Mumbai and Thane. For the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, winning the BMC is critical to counter Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, who are expected to contest together on a strong Marathi Manoos plank. Both the BJP and the Shiv Sena have repeatedly announced to hoist the saffron flag atop BMC and secure the mayoral post. Further, the BJP and Shiv Sena in particular have indicated that they will expose Uddhav Thackeray’s fake Hindutva, especially after he decides to join hands with Congress to form the government after the assembly elections held in 2019. The series of meetings and the public statement confirm the ruling alliance's unified approach to the crucial local body polls, despite underlying tensions over internal political poaching in some areas like Kalyan-Dombivli. (With inputs from IANS)
12 December,2025 03:36 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentA male adult leopard intermittently sighted within the Pune Airport premises since April 2025 was successfully darted and captured on 11 December, following a meticulously coordinated operation led by the Pune Forest Department, with support from RESQ Charitable Trust, the Indian Air Force, and Pune Airport Authorities. The leopard was first confirmed on 28 April 2025. Over the following months, officials tracked the animal navigating a complex maze of underground service tunnels, dense vegetation, and low-footfall zones inside the airport premises—making capture efforts exceptionally challenging. The Forest Department deployed camera traps, live surveillance systems, and trap cages, but the big cat repeatedly avoided entering the cages and continued to move across restricted areas. Pic/Forest Department On 4 December, monitoring teams verified that the leopard had moved into the underground tunnel system. Authorities immediately sealed tunnel exits, reinforced barriers, and repositioned cameras to closely track the animal’s movement inside the confined passages. Using these real-time inputs, a strategic capture plan was executed on 11 December by a 30-member joint team from the Forest Department, RESQ Charitable Trust, and the Indian Air Force. The team carefully guided the leopard into an approximately 80-foot tunnel, where a safe chemical immobilisation could be attempted. Despite the cramped, low-visibility environment underground, wildlife veterinarian Dr. Gourav Mangla successfully tranquilised the animal. “The operation demanded precision, patience, and constant reassessment,” Dr. Mangla said. “The leopard had damaged both live cameras, and I had to take a clean shot from a very difficult angle in a confined tunnel. The operation succeeded only because every team member remained calm and executed the plan exactly as designed.” The leopard was safely retrieved and transported to the Transit Treatment Centre in Bavdhan, where it has recovered well and remains under veterinary observation. Officials Speak Shri Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Pune Division, praised the collective effort: “This operation reflects strong inter-agency coordination and preparedness. For months, the Forest Department, RESQ, the Indian Air Force, and airport authorities worked seamlessly. Pune has shown it is equipped to handle complex wildlife situations in highly sensitive urban settings.” Neha Panchamiya, Founder and President of RESQ Charitable Trust, underscored the value of strategy-led action. “Every wildlife capture is unique. Responses must be guided by strategy, timing, and context—not urgency. This operation demonstrates that data, technology, and teamwork can secure outcomes that protect both human safety and wildlife welfare.” Officials confirmed that no injuries occurred and that airport operations continued without disruption throughout the process. The Forest Department will determine the leopard’s long-term management as per protocol. The successful capture concludes a prolonged, technically demanding effort and underscores the importance of planned, evidence-based wildlife management in complex urban landscapes.
12 December,2025 02:25 PM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalMaharashtra’s Public Health Minister, while speaking at the winter assembly session, cited government records, saying that seven districts of Maharashtra recorded 14,526 child deaths over the past three years. Shiv Sena leader Abitkar further shared the data in a written reply to a question raised by BJP legislator Sneha Dubey. According to Minister Prakashrao Abitkar, between 2022-23 and 2024-25, Pune, Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Amravati, Akola and Yavatmal districts collectively reported 14,526 child deaths, reported PTI. The figure includes infants and children under five admitted to government facilities, as well as cases of severe malnutrition. The Public Health Minister also said that 138 infant deaths have been recorded in the tribal-dominated Palghar district. While citing the state health department's data as of November 2025, Prakashrao Abitkar also highlighted that 203 children were identified as suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and 2,666 from Moderate Acute Malnutrition. He also emphasised that the proportion of underweight children was recorded at 0.23 per cent, while 1.48 per cent fell in the moderately underweight category. While referring to the Sample Registration System 2022, released by the Registrar General of India, he highlighted that Maharashtra's estimated neonatal mortality rate stands at 11 per 1,000 live births, which is lower than the national average of 23. Shiv Sena leader Abitkar further said that the state government has adopted multiple measures under the Integrated Child Development Services programme to reduce malnutrition. MLA from Kolhapur, while highlighting the child deaths in the last few years, asserted, “These include regular health examinations, the Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Amrut Aahar Yojana for pregnant women, targeted interventions for SAM children, the Nutrition Campaign, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and the ‘Suposhit Maharashtra’ initiative,” as cited by news agency PTI. Mumbai sees 82 missing children cases in 36 days In a span of 36 days, from November 1 to December 6, the Mumbai Police recorded 82 cases of missing children and young adults, of which 60 were female, pointing to a sharp gender disparity. While cases of missing children are not new to the city, the numbers underline the continued need for vigilance, public awareness, and stronger child protection mechanisms. Furthermore, the analysis of the data shows that older adolescents were the most affected, with 18-year-olds accounting for more than half of all cases, 41 girls and 13 boys. The date also indicated that girls as young as five years and boys aged 11 years were among those reported missing during the period. Area-wise, police stations in Kurar Village, Vakola, Powai, Malwani, and Sakinaka reported multiple cases, indicating recurring hotspots across the city. (With inputs from PTI)
12 December,2025 02:11 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra has not received central funds for the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' scheme since October 2024 and is using state funds to complete the ongoing projects, the government said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. In a written reply to a question during the ongoing Maharashtra winter session of the state legislature, the government also said that the lack of funds has hampered the pace of existing projects. The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to provide functional tap water connections to every rural household in India, ensuring safe and adequate drinking water to citizens. In the reply submitted to the legislative assembly, Water Supply and Sanitation Department Minister Gulabrao Patil said that 51,560 schemes have been sanctioned under the water programme, of which 25429 are still ongoing, reported PTI. Patil informed the Lower House of the state legislature that the state government has given Rs 2,483.58 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 2,103.25 crore in the current fiscal year to complete the ongoing works., reported PTI. The state government said that the pace of the works under the Jal Jeevan Mission has been impacted due to the unavailability of land, opposition by local residents, the need for permissions from different departments, and delays by contractors. It said 67 contractors have been blacklisted and fined Rs 12.8 crore in schemes undertaken by different Zilla Parishads. In addition, the works of 188 contractors have been cancelled, reported PTI. Show-cause notices have been served to 76 project management consultants and 17 third-party inspection authorities. Similar notices have been served to 70 junior engineers, 149 deputy engineers and 12 executive engineers, while seven engineers have been suspended, it said, reported PTI. In case of schemes undertaken through Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran, 233 contractors have been fined Rs 55.84 crore, the reply said. Seven districts in Maharashtra saw 14,526 deaths in three years: Govt Meanwhile, seven districts of Maharashtra recorded 14,526 child deaths over the past three years, Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar told the legislative assembly on Friday, citing government records, reported PTI. Abitkar shared the data in a written reply to a question raised by BJP legislator Sneha Dubey. According to the minister, between 2022-23 and 2024-25, Pune, Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Amravati, Akola and Yavatmal districts collectively reported 14,526 child deaths, reported PTI. The figure includes infants and children under five admitted to government facilities, as well as cases of severe malnutrition. The minister also said that 138 infant deaths have been recorded in the tribal-dominated Palghar district. (With inputs from PTI)
12 December,2025 01:42 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentIn view of speeding up cybercrime investigations, Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to equip its police force with an artificial intelligence-powered platform. The AI-driven system, called MahaCrimeOS AI, was unveiled at the Microsoft AI Tour in Mumbai, marking a major step in India's digital policing efforts, reported ANI. Developed by CyberEye in partnership with the Maharashtra Government's Special Purpose Vehicle MARVEL and Microsoft India Development Center (IDC), MahaCrimeOS AI uses Microsoft Azure and OpenAI technologies to help officers track and solve cybercrimes faster. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while highlighting the technology on Friday, said that “The AI platform, which focuses on neutralising cybercrime activities, is already live in 23 police stations across Nagpur and is planned to expand to all 1,100 police stations in the state,” as reported by news agency ANI. The Maharashtra Chief Minister further said, "Ethical and responsible AI for public good is our core motto. AI has the power to transform by improving efficiency, enhancing quality of life, and delivering true ease of living for every citizen.” He also added, “Our collaboration with Microsoft began with solving complex cybercrime challenges, but its potential is far greater. We intend to harness this power responsibly to create a more effective, citizen-centric state," as per ANI. Built on Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service and Microsoft Foundry, MahaCrimeOS AI integrates digital tools, including AI assistants, automated workflows, and secure cloud infrastructure. The state-of-the-art AI-powered technology will allow police officers to create digital case files instantly, extract data in multiple languages, and get contextual legal support through an AI-assisted knowledge base. Furthermore, the system also links related cases and helps investigators analyse digital evidence more efficiently. While announcing the launch, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella met with Chief Minister Fadnavis to discuss how artificial intelligence can enhance governance, security, and efficiency. While speaking about Microsoft’s collaboration with the state police, CEO Satya Nadella said that this collaboration will reflect a growing focus on responsible innovation in public systems. Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India & South Asia, also emphasised, "AI is redefining the future of public safety, and with MahaCrimeOS AI, we're turning that vision into reality. By combining the scale of Microsoft Azure with cutting-edge AI capabilities, we're empowering every officer in Maharashtra to investigate faster, smarter, and more securely," reported ANI. Talking on behalf of the state police, Harssh Poddar, Superintendent of Police, Nagpur Rural, and CEO of MARVEL, emphasised, "MahaCrimeOS AI is redefining how we fight cybercrime – turning complexity into clarity and speed. This platform is not just about faster investigations; it's about building trust, setting new standards for governance, and creating a model that can scale across India." CyberEye founder and CEO Ram Ganesh said the collaboration helps even remote police stations handle complex cyber investigations with ease, using AI to reduce workloads and strengthen citizen protection. (With inputs from ANI)
12 December,2025 01:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
