The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday convened a meeting of its core committee to draw up its strategy for the next month's Rajya Sabha elections for seven seats in Maharashtra, reported news agency PTI. The meeting was held at 'Varsha', the official residence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, party sources told PTI. The BJP has decided to field four candidates for the biennial elections to the Upper House of Parliament, the sources told PTI. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, an ally, is also expected to be in the fray with the BJP's support, while the party is working on how to ensure the victory of its sixth candidate, said a leader. "Going by the present strength in the Assembly, we can easily win five seats, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) can win one," the leader told PTI. "We are discussing some names (of candidates), but it would not be appropriate to reveal them at this stage," the leader added. Maharashtra BJP appoints Navnath Ban as chief spokesperson, announces new office-bearers Meanwhile, in an organisational reshuffle, the Maharashtra BJP has appointed first-time BMC corporator Navnath Ban as the party's chief spokesperson, the party's state president Ravindra Chavan announced on Tuesday. Ban, who earlier served as the state media chief of the party, replaces Keshav Upadhye. Addressing a press conference, Chavan announced the names of the party's new state office-bearers, including chief spokespersons, general secretaries, secretaries, vice-presidents, treasurer and the BJP Yuva Morcha president. According to the list released by the party, leaders, including MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, Bharati Pawar, Sanjay Korge, Sanjay Bhende, Ramdas Kadam, Keshav Upadhye, Gopichand Padalkar, Priya Shinde, Sujay Vikhe Patil and Archana Patil Chakurkar have been appointed as state vice-presidents. The party has named MLC Niranjan Davkhare, Sanjay Kute, Madhavi Naik, Rajesh Pande, Sunil Rane and Yogesh Sagar as general secretaries. The list of secretaries includes Mangesh Chavan, Sanjay Kute, Parinay Fuke, Varsha Dahale, Sanjay Jagtap, Archana Dehankar, Rohini Naidu, Ram Satpute, Pravin Ghughe, Rekha Kulkarni and Bhairavi Ghak. Krishnaraj Mahadik has been appointed president of the BJP Yuva Morcha, Chitra Wagh will head the BJP Mahila Morcha, Yogesh Tilekar the BJP OBC Morcha, and MLA Mihir Kotecha has been named the state treasurer.
25 February,2026 10:29 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray slammed Bajaj Auto MD and CEO Rajiv Bajaj after his critical comments about the Maharashtra government's electric vehicle (EV) policy. Aadiya, while slamming the MD, also blamed the BJP government for its "collapse". Earlier in an interview, Bajaj warned of a possible "failure" of the state government's EV policy. Former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Thackeray, taking it to social media platform X, claimed that the BJP-led government allowed a once "active and dynamic" EV policy to collapse. The EV policy 2021 was active and dynamic giving a boost to the entire sector. Businesses, customers, everyone in the EV business considered our policy to be the best in India. Unfortunately with a change in govt, the BJP’s entire focus changed and now we see that a policy that… https://t.co/iGk6k23Ni4 — Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) February 24, 2026 Thackeray wrote, "The EV policy 2021 (brought in by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government) was active and dynamic, giving a boost to the entire sector. Businesses, customers, and everyone in the EV business considered our policy to be the best in India." "Unfortunately, with a change in government, the BJP's entire focus changed, and now we see that a policy that showed success in its initial years has been made to collapse by the BJP regime," Aaditya Thackeray added. In the interview, responding to a question on whether states were uniform in disbursing EV subsidies, Bajaj said delays were not uncommon, but dues were eventually cleared, reported PTI. He also emphasised, “But the situation was different in Maharashtra,” as per PTI. "In my 35 years, I have never witnessed anything that I could call a policy failure of government. But I think it is about to happen with the Maharashtra government's EV policy," Bajaj said. The subsidies for EVs, which were disbursed until April 2023, have slowed dramatically, he claimed, adding that most, if not all, of the industry was affected by these delays. Aaditya Thackeray urges a temporary halt to construction in the city Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday demanded that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) suspend all private construction activity in the city for at least a week, citing Mumbai's air pollution, reported PTI. Speaking at Vidhan Bhavan, Aaditya Thackeray emphasised that construction work significantly contributes to air pollution in Mumbai. The Shiv Sena leader further urged the BMC to temporarily stop all private construction projects for a minimum of seven days, prepare proper construction management schedules and implement strict anti-pollution measures before allowing work to resume. He criticised the civic body for allegedly ignoring the health concerns of Mumbaikars. (With inputs from PTI)
25 February,2026 10:17 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai witnessed moderate temperatures and bright sunshine on Wednesday, providing temporary relief from the recent spell of cooler weather. The city recorded typical late-winter conditions, with clear skies and comfortable mornings. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to continue experiencing mainly clear skies through the day. Temperatures are likely to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius, consistent with weather patterns observed over the past few weeks. However, despite the pleasant weather, environmental conditions took a concerning turn as the day progressed. Smog layer reduces visibility across city A dense layer of smog enveloped parts of Mumbai later in the day, significantly reducing visibility in several areas. The hazy skyline raised fresh concerns about air pollution and its potential health impact on residents. Experts warn that prolonged exposure to such conditions can lead to respiratory issues, especially among children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Air quality varies across locations Air quality across Mumbai remained uneven, with several areas reporting moderate pollution levels. According to data from the Centre’s SAMEER app, the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 97 on Wednesday morning, placing it in the ‘satisfactory’ category. However, readings across key locations reflected varying conditions. Bandra-Kurla Complex recorded an AQI of 125, Andheri East 133, and Deonar 137. Other areas such as Kandivali (111), Malad (109), and Mulund West (94) also reported moderate levels, while relatively better air quality was observed in Bandra East (58), Colaba (68), and Byculla (83). These variations indicate that while some pockets remain within acceptable limits, others continue to face moderate pollution levels. Warm morning in Delhi Meanwhile, Delhi woke up to a warm morning as the minimum temperature was recorded at 12.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 0.1 degrees above the season's normal, according to the India Meteorological Department. The maximum temperature is expected to settle at 29.9 degrees C, with a forecast of mainly clear skies. Station-wise data showed that Palam recorded a minimum temperature of 13.8 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above normal. Lodhi Road recorded 12.4 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees above normal, while Ridge logged 14.8 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above normal. Ayanagar recorded 12.5 degrees Celsius, 0.2 degrees below normal. No rainfall was recorded at these stations till 8:30 am. On the air quality front, the AQI remained in the 'poor' category at 237 at 9 am.
25 February,2026 10:09 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentExecutive Director / Heritage, Railway Board and Contemporary Visual Artist Aashima Mehrotra, on Wednesday, received the national honour award for her painting “Move On” at the 134th All India Annual Art Exhibition organised by the The Bombay Art Society. The exhibition will be inaugurated on 24 February 2026 at the Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. The painting “Move On” depicts a rickshaw rider resting between journeys, suspended in a moment of quiet introspection. The vehicle becomes a metaphor for life’s continuous movement, while the still setting reflects dignity within routine labour. The work explores the unnoticed inner worlds that exist behind everyday motion. The Bombay Art Society is among India’s oldest and most respected fine arts institutions, playing a pivotal role in nurturing artistic talent for over a century. Many legendary masters showcased their works at this exhibition during their formative years. This year, from hundreds of submissions received nationwide, only around 260 works have been selected, making the Professional Category award widely regarded as equivalent to national recognition in the visual arts. Earlier, Mehrotra’s work “Laapataa Ladies” was selected for the 64th National Exhibition of Art organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi — the Akademi’s flagship annual exhibition celebrating contemporary Indian artistic expression. "Her selection was particularly noteworthy as she became among the rare civil servants, and the first from Railway Services, to have her artwork featured in this prestigious national exhibition. The work was widely appreciated for its cultural and spiritual undertones, blending Indian aesthetics with a sense of cosmic exploration and inner reflection, symbolising a meaningful dialogue between public service and creative practice, an art critic said. Currently serving as Executive Director/Heritage, Railway Board, Mehrotra’s dual contribution to heritage conservation and contemporary visual arts exemplifies a remarkable fusion of public service and creative expression. Rooted in a contemplative studio discipline, her artistic practice unfolds at the intersection of memory, identity and emotional experience. Moving fluidly between figuration and abstraction, she works across oil, charcoal, acrylic and encaustic, creating layered luminous surfaces that embody both fragility and strength. Her paintings frequently explore the inner landscapes of women — resilience, silence, companionship and becoming — transforming personal narratives into universal expressions. Her work has also received recognition from global institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and various international embassies. Technical finesse combined with philosophical inquiry lends her art tactile richness and meditative depth. With consecutive recognitions at two of India’s most respected art institutions, Aashima Mehrotra’s artistic journey continues to gather national attention, positioning her among compelling contemporary voices shaping India’s visual culture. Each honour affirms her artistic vision while reflecting her growing national and international presence.
25 February,2026 09:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarA massive fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday at a garbage dumping ground in Thane city, prompting an immediate response from civic authorities. The incident occurred at the Tree Authority Department’s dumping site located near a sewage treatment plant in Kanhaiyya Nagar, Kopri, in Thane (East). According to the Thane Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Management Cell, the alert was received at around 3:56 AM from the Kopri Fire Station. The fire quickly spread across heaps of waste material, leading to a large-scale blaze at the site. Thick smoke engulfs area, residents affected The fire generated thick smoke and a strong foul smell, which spread across nearby residential areas, causing inconvenience to local residents. Authorities said the intensity of the blaze and the nature of the waste material contributed to the rapid spread of smoke in the vicinity. Civic officials are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that public safety is not compromised as firefighting operations continue. Multiple fire units deployed, operations ongoing Fire brigade teams were rushed to the scene soon after the incident was reported. The response included deployment of two fire engines, one high-rise vehicle, and one rescue vehicle. Personnel from the Disaster Management Cell also reached the spot with a utility vehicle to support the operation. Despite nearly five hours of continuous firefighting efforts, the blaze had not been fully brought under control at the time of reporting. Authorities confirmed that intensive operations are underway to douse the fire completely. No injuries reported, cause yet to be determined Officials confirmed that no injuries or casualties have been reported in the incident so far. The timely response by emergency teams helped prevent any harm to people in the surrounding areas. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown and will be investigated once the situation is fully under control. Meanwhile, officials have urged residents to remain cautious due to smoke and ongoing firefighting activity in the area. Fire breaks out in high-rise in Mumbai's Kandivali area In another incident, a fire broke out in a residential high-rise in Kandivali West on Sunday, though no injuries were reported, an official said. The fire started at around 7:25 pm in a closed room on the 13th floor of a 23-storey building located on MG Road, he added.
25 February,2026 09:26 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentEven after 75 days of the IndiGo chaos in December 2025, some passengers who travelled during the worst-hit period are still waiting for their compensation from the airline. Flights in December were cancelled or severely delayed after IndiGo failed to realign crew schedules with the new flight duty time limitations. The rules raised weekly pilot rest from 36 to 48 hours and restricted night landings from six to two, disrupting rostering at an airline that controls around 65 per cent of India’s domestic aviation market. Passenger Speak Karina Ostwal, travelling from Mumbai to Bengaluru on December 4, reached a day late, forcing her family to postpone an important event. She says, “I expected compensation, but the airline has not given any intimation that I would receive the Gesture of Care (GoC) for the delay.” Another passenger, who flew from Hyderabad to Kolkata the same day, says emails to IndiGo went unanswered and the portal shows a claim he insists he never filed. mid-day made multiple attempts, since February 20, to contact IndiGo over unpaid passenger compensation, but received no response till the time of going to press. Compensation rules >> Gesture of care: Rs 10,000 >> Travel voucher (two Rs 5000 vouchers)>> Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s rules: Refund plus compensation or alternate flight>> Applies even to tickets booked via third-party agents What triggered the chaos New flight duty time limitations effective November 1Increased pilot rest and reduced night landingsCrew rostering failures led to mass disruptions Key dates affected December 3, 4, and 5, 2025Hundreds of cancellations and long delays
25 February,2026 08:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturTaxi drivers have complained that their designated parking stands near Marine Drive in South Mumbai are invariably being occupied by private vehicles. Two of the spots are at either end of G Road near Marine Lines railway station. While two others are on nearby D Road and outside the Churchgate railway station entrance on IMC Marg. The taxi parking spot outside Churchgate station on IMC Marg. PICS/SATEJ SHINDE A traffic police officer who patrols the area, requesting anonymity, said, “We act against all violators, and don’t differentiate between private vehicles and taxis. When we see a private vehicle about to park in a taxi parking zone, we stop the motorist. But it is difficult to always keep an eye on them, as the lanes outnumber us.” Taxi drivers’ tribulations ‘When private cars are parked in our spots, we have no other option but to cross the parking limit or double park, resulting in challans that eat into our earnings. While it is unfair, I have also seen traffic cops acting against offending motorists, as well. This, at least, happens at the parking spot at the end of G Road’Ram Pukar, driver with 25 years’ experience ‘When we violate the rules, we are charged about Rs 1500, sometimes an entire day’s earnings. I have gone to the traffic cops to request that they void the charges since I wasn’t technically in the wrong. But they say that their hands are tied. I have rarely seen the cops act against errant motorists’Kedar Rajak, driver with at least a decade’s experience ‘Being fined for parking outside designated spots is fair. But I have not seen private vehicles being charged for violations. If we are charged Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 in fines, we have to let go of a day or two’s earnings’ Giyalal Sonakar, driver with 23 years’ experience Official Speak ‘We have not heard about the issue occurring on a large scale. Most of the time, such instances are dealt with and sorted out by on-ground personnel. If it does become a rampant issue, we will definitely look into taking care of it’Anil Kumbhare, joint commissioner of police (traffic)
25 February,2026 08:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturHotels allegedly running dance bars in the guise of orchestra bars and repeatedly flouting norms will soon face permanent closure and cancellation of licences, with the Maharashtra government set to amend the existing law to enable stricter enforcement. The proposed changes will empower the administration to permanently shut down establishments found guilty of repeatedly violating rules. Several MLAs on Tuesday raised concerns that dance bars continue to function in violation of rules. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav alleged that several hotels along the Panvel highway remain shut during the day but operate through the night and called for strict inspections and action against such establishments. MoS assures action Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar on Tuesday stated that the state government does not issue licences for dance bars but grants permission only for orchestra bars. He admitted that there have been complaints of violations and warned that strict action will be taken, including permanent cancellation of licences in cases of habitual offenders. State to amend act The government had enacted a law banning dance bars to ensure their permanent closure; however, court rulings have allowed permissions for orchestra bars under certain conditions, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday. Fadnavis said there is a need to follow the principles of natural justice and decide whether establishments found violating norms three or five times should face permanent closure. “A meeting was held on the issue on Monday. The government intends to introduce an amendment bill in the ongoing session or, at the latest, in the next session,” Fadnavis said. Strict guidelines Licences of orchestra bars will be permanently cancelled following repeated flouting of norms. Orchestra bars must operate within specific guidelines, including demarcated performance areas and a complete prohibition on throwing money
25 February,2026 08:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarThe state government is planning to rope in the BMC to strengthen cancer care and other critical treatment facilities, amid concerns over rising costs and inadequate infrastructure. The issue was raised in the Assembly on Tuesday, where members urged the state health minister to improve facilities for cancer treatment, dialysis, and other essential services, citing the high expense of treatment and the poor patient-to-facility ratio in the state. Leaders raised concerns over the high costs of drugs and the overall cancer treatment while demanding the establishment of cancer care facilities in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and the expansion of the Tata Cancer Hospital, which has been delayed. Voices Amin Patel, Congress MLAPatel raised concerns over the rising cost of chemotherapy and overall cancer treatment, urging the government to increase the number of cancer specialists, doctors, and paramedical staff in public hospitals. He also demanded steps to reduce the high cost of medicines used by cancer patients as well as the steep premiums of cancer insurance policies. Rais Shaikh, Samajwadi Party MLASpeaking on the issue of the expansion of the Tata Cancer Hospital, which has been delayed, Shaikh claimed that land has been allotted behind the Haffkine Institute for the expansion, but the project has been delayed as BMC has not handed over the plot due to premium-related issues. Prakash Abitkar, State health ministerAbitkar said patients travel to Mumbai for cancer treatment so we need more facilities in the city. He said that he will soon call a meeting of the state and BMC chief to address the issue and improve the facilities. Abitkar said companies manufacturing the medicines also need to be consulted for a solution to bring down the high costs. CM assures better hospital services for poor The state government has decided to amend existing law to make it compulsory for all hospitals registered under the Charity Commissioner to implement state and central government health schemes. Rules state All registered hospitals will be required to prominently display patient information for the poor and weaker sections. It is now mandatory for these hospitals to put up a clearly visible board showing the number of beds reserved for economically weaker patients and how many of those beds are currently available. Cost of treatment Avg cost in India — up to Rs 5,00,000Chemotherapy: Up to Rs 6,50,000Drugs Rss10,000 - Rs 1,00,000Oral chemotherapy Rs 1,00,000- Rs 25,00,000 Chemotherapy injectionRs 18,000 - Rs 25,000(Data sourced from TATA AIG)
25 February,2026 08:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarMotorists commuting between Mumbai and Pune can expect significant relief by May as the long-awaited Mumbai-Pune Expressway missing link nears completion. Once operational, the new stretch, which is being developed by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), will bypass the accident-prone ghat section, easing congestion and reducing travel time by approximately 30 minutes, offering a faster and smoother journey for commuters. It will be toll-free. The recent traffic jam on the expressway became a major talking point, with many commuters criticising the authorities over the prolonged delay in clearing the congestion. The project comprises two tunnels, measuring 1.68 km and 8.87 km in length, and 23 metres in width — among the widest in the world — constructed by Navayuga Engineering Company. Additionally, two cable-stayed bridges, measuring 650 and 950 metres, were built by Afcons Infrastructure. Special tech used >> Models of the cable bridge tested in foreign countries>> Water mist system in tunnels>> Fire hydrant system>> Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition software>> Intelligent traffic management systems>> SOS and emergency system>> Surveillance cameras>> Fire detector, linear heat detection system>> Voice evacuation system in tunnels>> Ventilation system in tunnels>> Use of Doka formwork system for 180-m pylon construction>> A cantilever form traveller for deck slab construction>> Ultra-high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete girders>> Epoxy asphalt modified concrete works Official Speak An MSRDC official‘Work is underway to connect the two segments of the cable-stayed bridge. This is likely to be completed in the coming weeks. Once that is done, finishing works and road construction will commence. The entire stretch is expected to be completed by April or May, after which it will be opened to the public’ Benefits >> Saves time and energy; improves safety for commuters>> Smooth travel for commuters due to flat gradient>> Seamless traffic flow>> Prevents bottlenecks at toll plaza>> No access for tankers and trucks carrying inflammable materials or gas Challenges faced during project execution TunnelMuck removal and disposal from excavated tunnels Supplying oxygen to those working in tunnelsMitigation of work in different rock conditionsLonavala lake blasting work Viaduct>> Hilly terrain >> Wind pressure>> Heavy rainfall in Khandala forest areas>> Extensive blasting of rocks near live road Deadlines missed Before January 2026, MSRDC had announced multiple timelines for project completion The initial target month for project completion was March 2024Subsequently, January 2025 was projected It was then advanced to March 2025 This was revised to September 2025 Later, the target completion month was pegged at December 2025 Time overun reasons >> Special tests for the design of the bridge and main components were only conducted abroad, and slots were not available during the pandemic>> Permits and forest clearance>> Heavy rainfall in Khandala 13.3 kmLength of Mumbai-Pune Expressway stretch between Khopoli exit and Kusgaon 19 kmDistance between Lonavala and Khopoli exit 1.68 kmLength of tunnel I 8.87 kmLength of tunnel II 23.50 mWidth of each tunnel 1.6 kmCombined length of both viaducts 184 mHeight of tallest pylon of cable-stayed bridge 6 kmDistance shaved off thanks to stretch 30 minTime saved by avoiding ghat section 180 mDepth at which tunnel passes below Lonavala lake 5.86 kmLength of expressway being widened as part of project
25 February,2026 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMumbai’s civic finances enter a crucial phase on February 25, when Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani presents what is likely to be his final Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation budget, expected to cross Rs 75,000 crore and focus heavily on mega infrastructure, water security, and pollution control while keeping new taxes off the table for residents. The budget, to be tabled before Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde, will also mark the first time in four years that the civic spending plan is formally presented before the committee, restoring a key procedural step missing since the dissolution of the elected body in 2022. Budget presentation Date: Feb 25, 2026Time: 2 pmVenue: Standing Committee HallPresented by: Bhushan Gagrani, municipal commissionerTo: Prabhakar Shinde, Standing Committee chairmanSignificance:>> Gagrani’s second and final budget>> First Standing Committee presentation in 4 years Top spending priorities likely Infrastructure:>> Goregaon-Mulund Link Road>> North Coastal Road (Versova-Dahisar-Bhayandar)Rs 17,000 crore road concreting programme Water security:Rs 3,000 crore Gargai dam Environment:>> 7 sewage treatment plants>> Air-quality control measures Public participation Suggestions received:2024-25: 11812025-26: 2703 Citizen inputs more than doubled, reflecting rising public engagement in civic spending Spending pattern shift Earlier years: Capital spending dominatedRecent budgets: Revenue spending risingThis year, officials indicate capital-heavy spending may return, driven by big-ticket projects
25 February,2026 07:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSADVERTISEMENT
