Western Railway has extended the temporary change in the terminal of the Golden Temple Mail for a further six months, officials said on Monday. According to a press release issued by Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Vineet Abhishek, Train No. 12903 Mumbai Central-Amritsar Golden Temple Mail will continue to originate from Bandra Terminus instead of Mumbai Central until August 17, 2026. Similarly, Train No. 12904 Amritsar–Mumbai Central Golden Temple Mail will continue to terminate at Bandra Terminus in place of Mumbai Central until August 15, 2026. Western Railway shifts Karnavati Express to Bandra; Vande Bharat to run with 20 coaches Earlier in January, Western Railway announced temporary operational changes to two important train services in Mumbai, officials said. An official statement said that the train number 12933/12934 Karnavati Express, which usually runs between Mumbai Central and Vatva/Ahmedabad, will temporarily originate and terminate at Bandra Terminus instead of Mumbai Central. Effective Period: 26 January 2026 to 7 March 2026 Departure from Bandra Terminus (Train 12933): 13:55 hrs Arrival at Bandra Terminus (Train 12934): 12:30 hrs No change in timings between Borivali and Vatva/Ahmedabad. Vande Bharat Express to run with 20 coaches Train No. 22961/22962 Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express will be temporarily augmented from 16 coaches to 20 coaches, offering more capacity to passengers. Effective Period: 26 January 2026 to 7 March 2026 Additional coaches: 4 extra coaches added Passengers advised to plan accordingly Passengers are urged to note of the temporary changes and plan their travel in advance. For detailed information on timings, halts and coach composition, passengers may visit the Indian Railways website, the Western Railway said. Western Railway resumes services at Kandivali Days after the cancellation of as many as 204 Mumbai local trains, the Western Railway in January said that the engineering teams had completed the scheduled work in Kandivali. An official statement said that the Western Railway teams worked through the night and into the early hours of Wednesday, January 21, to make the Kandivali carshed line operational, successfully reversing several train cancellations by the morning. The intensive maintenance effort was undertaken to ensure smooth suburban services on the Mumbai suburban network, which had been disrupted due to infrastructure-related work. According to railway officials, the Kandivali crossover was inspected and declared fit for operations early on Wednesday morning, clearing the way for the resumption of scheduled services. “The Kandivali crossover was given fit in the morning, and the first Malad-Churchgate fast train service was operated today,” an official said.
09 February,2026 07:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra’s school education minister, Dadaji Bhuse, on Monday shared an inspiring message for students ahead of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) board exams and advised students to stay calm, healthy and honest in papers, an official statement said. Class 10 and 12 board exams will begin from 10 February and 20 February respectively. In a special video message, Bhuse urged students not to see exams as an end, but as the start of a “beautiful journey”. He encouraged them to face the tests with confidence and without pressure, saying that their hard work over the past months would surely bring success. Addressing students emotionally, Bhuse reminded them that when they sit down to write their answers, they are holding not just paper, but the dreams of their parents. He urged them to believe in their own abilities, noting that their efforts and determination would lead to success. Physical and mental well-being during exams Bhuse also emphasised the importance of physical and mental well-being during exams. He advised students to maintain positive thinking, get adequate sleep and eat a healthy diet. He added that remaining calm and cheerful would help reduce exam stress. He advised students to reach the exam centre on time and highlighted the importance of honesty, stating that integrity is a student’s true identity. Best wishes from govt to students Bhuse concluded by extending best wishes on behalf of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, and the entire state government. He expressed confidence that students would bring pride to the state through their hard work.
09 February,2026 07:48 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentIndian Railway on Monday announced that special trains will be operated between Mumbai CSMT and Sawantwadi Road. Central Railway will run these special trains, an official statement said. The special train announcement comes ahead of the occasion of Maha Shivratri, which is on February 15. Train No. 01129 Mumbai CSMT–Sawantwadi Road Special will depart from Mumbai CSMT at 12.20 am on February 14, 19 and 21, 2026, and reach Sawantwadi Road at 12.30 pm the same day, railway officials said. In the return direction, Train No. 01130 Sawantwadi Road–Mumbai CSMT Special will leave Sawantwadi Road at 5.20 pm on the same dates and arrive at Mumbai CSMT at 4.05 am the following day. The special trains will halt at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Pen, Roha, Mangaon, Veer, Khed, Chiplun, Sawarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Vilavade, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Nandgaon Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg and Kudal stations. Each train will have 22 coaches, including one AC 2-tier, five AC 3-tier, ten sleeper coaches, four general coaches and two SLR coaches. Bookings for Train No. 01130 will open on February 10, 2026, at all Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and on the IRCTC website. Passengers can check detailed halts and timings on the Indian Railways enquiry portal. Mumbai suburban rail travel set for mega transformation with 238 AC Vande Metro trains Mumbai’s suburban railway network, the lifeline for millions of daily commuters, is poised for a major transformation with the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd (MRVC) initiating a competitive bidding process for 238 state-of-the-art Vande Metro Air-Conditioned electric multiple unit (EMU) trainsets. The new fleet will include 2,856 next-generation coaches under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase-3 and 3-A. Unlike conventional train procurements, the project comes with a 35-year comprehensive maintenance framework, signalling a long-term commitment to passenger safety, comfort, and operational reliability. MRVC in a press release issued on Saturday said the move aims to ensure sustained benefits for millions of Mumbaikars for decades. The Vande Metro coaches are designed to redefine suburban travel. Wider gangways, modular seating to improve passenger comfort Walk-through trains with wider inter-car gangways will allow better crowd distribution, while roof-mounted and underslung equipment will maximise usable standing and seating space. Ergonomic modular cushioned seating will include dedicated spaces for persons with disabilities and wheelchair users, and larger windows will enhance visibility of stations and surroundings. Passenger health and comfort are a priority. Advanced HVAC systems with high-efficiency filtration will reduce viruses and bacteria, while automatic air regulation will adapt to passenger load. Safety features include automatic sliding doors with obstacle detection, smoke and fire alarms, CCTV, Passenger Emergency Alarm (PEA), Emergency Talk Back (ETB) systems, and external sidewall cameras for monitoring boarding and deboarding. High-visibility LED displays will indicate destination, rake length, and Fast or Slow service.
09 February,2026 07:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentReleased into the Arabian Sea from Dahanu in Maharashtra, the satellite-tagged Olive Ridley turtle ‘Dhaval Lakshmi’ has covered an extraordinary distance and is now being tracked around 500 km from the coast of Oman, highlighting the species’ long-range marine movement. According to the Mangrove Cell, "As of 05/02/2026, the satellite-tagged turtle 'Dhaval Lakshmi' continues its westward movement through the deep waters of the Arabian Sea. Currently 500 km from the coast of Oman, it is observed to be diving normally, occasionally performing deep dives reaching depths of up to 250 m." The research team, under the supervision of Dr Suresh Kumar, Senior Scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), has been tracking Dhaval Lakshmi in coordination with the Mangrove Cell and the Dahanu Forest Division. The satellite-tagged Olive Ridley, released in November 2025, has travelled over 1,000 km, with a straight-line distance of more than 850 km. Read More: In a first, satellite-tagged Olive Ridley turtle released off Dahanu coast in Maharashtra Rescue and satellite tagging The Dahanu Forest Division and the Mangrove Cell, in collaboration with WII, attached a satellite transmitter to a female Olive Ridley turtle in Palghar district and released it back into the sea. The turtle was rescued by local fishermen on 10 August 2025 after being found entangled in a fishing net, with injuries on both front flippers. Following treatment at the Turtle Treatment Centre, Dhaval Lakshmi was fitted with a satellite tag and released. This marks the first Olive Ridley to be tagged in Palghar district and the eighth along the Maharashtra coastline. Read more: Satellite-tagged Olive Ridley turtle Dhaval Lakshmi remains near Dahanu Dhaval Lakshmi’s Journey - On December 22, 2025: Moved over 200 km west of Dahanu, entering Gujarat waters, about 83 km south of Somnath. - On December 29, 2025: Tracked around 400 km from Dahanu and approximately 100 km off the Porbandar coast. - On January 5, 2026: Reached the open, deep waters of the Arabian Sea, nearly 650 km from Dahanu coast. Read more: Olive Ridley turtle travels 27 km northwest Ongoing Study The Mangrove Foundation and forest department have tasked WII with the project Tracking the Migratory Movements of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles off the Coast of Maharashtra. This second phase aims to study population distribution, movement, feeding areas, and behaviour, with additional tagging projects planned. A female Olive Ridley lays 100–150 eggs, which take 45–55 days to hatch.
09 February,2026 06:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavHundreds of investors allegedly cheated in a Rs 1,200 crore investment scam staged a protest outside the police commissioner’s office in Maharashtra’s Thane district, demanding a speedy investigation and recovery of their money, according to the news agency PTI. Last month, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) arrested three persons from Gujarat in connection with the case, which is suspected to have defrauded more than 11,000 investors, including about 1,500 police personnel, across Maharashtra. Protesters from Pune, Kolhapur, Jalgaon and Ratnagiri gathered outside the office and blocked its entrance, accusing the authorities of conducting the probe at a snail’s pace, reported news agency PTI. According to the police, the scam involved approximately 11,000 investors and amounted to Rs 1,200 crore. The accused, Sameer Narvekar, his wife Neha, and their associate Amit Balam, had established Trade with Jazz, an investment company headquartered in Pune, in 2019. The trio allegedly lured investors by promising a four per cent monthly return on stock market trading and allied ventures, police said, reported PTI. The company later abruptly shut its offices and stopped responding to investors, triggering a series of police complaints. As per PTI, the accused have been booked under the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act, 1999, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Speaking to reporters, one of the defrauded investors said, “Most of us took loans or sold everything we owned to invest. Now, our children’s education and marriages are at a standstill.” Protesters also questioned the effectiveness of the EOW, pointing out that while the alleged scam was worth ₹1,200 crore, the police had managed to seize assets worth only Rs 12 lakh so far. Mumbai Cyber Police arrest seven in Rs 10.98 crore fake share market app fraud The South Regional Cyber Police Station, Mumbai, has arrested seven individuals from various states in connection with a major share market fraud that allegedly defrauded investors of nearly Rs 11 crore through a fake mobile application, officials said last week. The scam targeted a 68-year-old complainant who was approached through WhatsApp groups with promises of high returns on stock market investments. The fraudsters persuaded the senior citizen to download a fake application named Warburg Pincin and invest Rs 10,98,65,000 between December 29, 2025, and January 19, 2026, police said in a press release. Following a complaint registered on the National Cyber Crime Portal (NCCP) via the 1930 helpline, the Mumbai Police recovered Rs 2.21 lakh from the total amount through the portal. Investigations revealed that the funds were routed through multiple fake bank accounts across different states. Recognising the seriousness of the case, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cybercrime) ordered the formation of nine special investigation teams, which were dispatched to several states. (With PTI inputs)
09 February,2026 04:51 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe new-look Virar railway station will have five platforms in a row, starting from the southern end of the station due to a lack of space. The new station upgrade has many surprises in store, including an elevated deck above the platforms and also outside, essentially like a Thane station-like SATIS (Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme), but connected to an autorickshaw parking area. “There are space constraints at Virar on either side, in the east and west. Hence, we have decided to move southwards to build the two new platforms — nos. 1 and 2 on the west side, and no. 9 on the east side. With the new layout, it will result in a row of five platforms if we add the existing ones in a line. The remodelling of Virar station has been planned to ease congestion and accommodate 15-coach trains on the Virar-Dahanu route. Key improvements include the construction of new platforms at the south-end, a new platform no. 5A, expansion of platforms 3A/4A, and improved infrastructure to boost capacity by 25 per cent,” said an official. The crowd at Virar railway station on Sunday. PIC/NIMESH DAVE “Platform 3A is being widened to 10 metres from the existing 6-metre width with a double-discharge facility on the west side to handle higher commuter volume, along with a home platform. There are upgrades focusing on enabling 15-car suburban trains to operate on the Virar–Dahanu corridor and the station modernisation also includes a new station deck for better passenger movement. The overall projected benefits include increased capacity for suburban trains and reduced crowding,” an official said. The elevated deck across platforms will be linked to an autorickshaw deck independently proposed by the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation — something like Thane station has at present, where a public transport bus deck is part of SATIS. “I have been watching the ongoing works at Virar, which are of a massive scale and have been split into phases for less inconvenience to commuters. It is interesting to document changes happening as the works are getting completed,” said Saurabh Raut, who has been documenting the process. Needed upgrade >> With two new platforms and added to the three existing ones, Virar will have five platforms — nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5B — in a row >> Station upgrade project is a part of quadrupling of the Virar-Dahanu Road section on WR, progressing steadily under the MUTP Phase 3, and being executed by the MRVC. The project aims to significantly enhance suburban rail capacity and convenience >> The total amount sanctioned for the project is '3578 crore, and physical progress has reached 47 per cent Phased work to reduce disruption Project work is being executed in phases to minimise inconvenience to passengers, with significant progress reported as the station nears completion. Below is a detailed video of the project.
09 February,2026 04:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarIn a crackdown on illegal mining, the Thane tehsildar on Monday ordered FIRs against 108 developers, contractors and landowners and the recovery of outstanding penalties of nearly Rs 118 crore from them. As reported by news agency PTI, the order was issued on February 5 following the non-payment of fines previously issued under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code to the entities across Thane and Navi Mumbai for unauthorised minor mineral excavation, the officials asserted. As per the order, “Now, the administration is invoking provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which allows for criminal prosecution. Circle officers have been given a deadline of Monday to report on the status of these FIRs,” reported PTI. Furthermore, the officials also added, “The administration has begun marking these outstanding amounts on the 7/12 land extracts (a crucial document for any landowner) of the accused to prevent any property transactions until the dues are cleared,” reported PTI. Police book 16 in Rs 6.49 crore fraud involving Mumbai manufacturing firm In a different incident, the Kalachowki police have registered an FIR in a Rs 6.49 crore financial fraud case, booking 16 persons for alleged cheating, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy in connection with a Mumbai-based manufacturing company. As reported, once the funds were credited, the money was allegedly syphoned off to personal and third-party accounts. The case centres on the alleged misuse of financial authority and forged documentation to raise unauthorised loans by the accused over more than a year. According to the complaint filed by a director of the company, a senior employee entrusted with complete control over the firm’s financial operations allegedly abused her position of trust. Police said that between August 2024 and September 2025, multiple unauthorised loans were allegedly raised from private money lenders and non-banking finance entities without the knowledge or consent of the company’s directors. Once the funds were credited, the money was allegedly syphoned off to personal and third-party accounts. The alleged fraud came to light after a finance company approached the firm seeking repayment. No arrests have been made so far, and the accused are yet to be examined. (With inputs from PTI)
09 February,2026 02:58 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA Level-1 fire that broke out at a residential building in Mumbai’s Vile Parle (East) on Monday morning was brought under control by the MFB at 12:54 pm, officials said. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) Control, the fire incident was reported on February 9, at 9:51 am. The fire occurred on the 13th floor of the Suvidha Pearl Building, located on Firoz Shah Mehta Road in the Kunkuwadi area. The building is said to be a 13-floor tower. While the situation looked extremely concerning initially, firefighting and emergency response teams were immediately mobilised. Personnel from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, staff from the concerned electricity distribution company, BMC ward staff and 108 ambulance services also rushed to the spot. As per the BMC, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) deployed five fire engines, two jumbo tankers, two aerial water tower tenders, one hydraulic platform, one turntable ladder, one breathing apparatus van and an ambulance to the site. As per the officials, 63-year-old Bhavna Satra has been declared dead. Whereas, another woman, Aneree, 34, sustained severe burns and is currently admitted to the hospital, where her condition is said to be stable. In the latest update received from BMC’s MFB at 1:44 pm, officials confirmed that the fire was completely extinguished at 12:54 pm on Monday. The fire was classified as a Level-1 incident, indicating a minor fire, and further updates were shared by the authorities at 12:52 pm. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, and investigations are underway. Fire breaks out in electric duct of Thane residential building, two injured In a different scenario, fire broke out in an electric duct on the 10th floor of a residential high-rise in Thane West on Tuesday, February 3, leaving two residents injured and prompting the evacuation of dozens of people, officials said. According to the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the incident was reported at around 4.14 am at Milan Hill Building, a ground-plus-18-storey structure located in Shastri Nagar. The information was initially relayed to civic authorities by a journalist.
09 February,2026 02:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai woke up to a partly cloudy sky, with light haze lingering over the city and its suburbs. The conditions are expected to remain largely stable through the day, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Daytime temperatures are likely to rise to around 33 degrees Celsius, making it a warm Monday afternoon, while the minimum temperature is expected to settle near 18 degrees Celsius. Data from the Centre's SAMEER app indicated that the overall air quality index (AQI) in Mumbai stood at 114 on Monday, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. Pollution levels varied significantly across locations, with Bandra East recording an AQI of 117, Andheri East 120, Chembur 104, Colaba 143, Byculla 108, and Kandivali East 119. Ghatkopar registered an AQI of 129, Kurla 106, Malad West 137, and Mazgaon 105. Borivali East reported a 'good' AQI of 60. Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'poor' The air quality in the national capital deteriorated slightly on Monday morning, with the air quality index (AQI) rising to 206 in the 'poor' category at 7 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). A day earlier, the AQI was 196 in the 'moderate' category. On Saturday, it stood at 213 at 8 am, according to CPCB. Meanwhile, the national capital recorded a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius around 7 am, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Misty conditions prevailed, with humidity at 97 per cent and calm winds reported at 0 km/h. As per AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'. A day earlier, Mundka recorded the AQI at 266, followed by Pusa (257), Narela and Rohini (247 each), Ashok Vihar (243), Jahangirpuri (242), Wazirpur (239), Nehru Nagar (237), Shadipur (236), Bawana and Vivek Vihar (231), Sirifort (222), and Chandani Chowk (220). Sri Aurobindo Marg had the lowest AQI at 126.Other areas recorded the AQI of IGI Airport (131), Aya Nagar (136), Lodhi Road (139), Major Dhyan Chand Stadium (140), IIT Delhi (141), and Mandir Marg (145). (Inputs from ANI)
09 February,2026 12:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNationalist Congress Party legislator Amol Mitkari on Tuesday demanded that the Maharashtra government's flagship 'Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana' be renamed after late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, news agency PTI reported. Mitkari, while speaking to the media on Tuesday, said, “Ajitdada (as Pawar was fondly called) was the favourite brother of women in the state." The NCP Member of Legislative Council (MLC) further stated, "His wrist would be full of rakhis when he travelled across the state during his yatras. The state government would give a tribute to him if it names the scheme as the Ajitdadanchi Ladki Bahin scheme (Ajitdada's Ladki Bahin scheme)." On January 28, Pawar, who was also the NCP chief was killed in a plane crash at Baramati in Pune district. As news of Pawar’s death spread, thousands of party workers and supporters gathered outside the Baramati Medical College. The Ladki Bahin scheme was announced by Pawar when he was the finance minister. Implemented in July 2024, the scheme provides assistance of Rs 1,500 every month to eligible women in the age group of 21 to 65 through direct bank transfer. The scheme is believed to have played a crucial role in the victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections. Pawar served as the deputy chief minister six times. Following his untimely death, Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra was sworn in as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra on January 31. She is the first woman to hold the post in the state. Not in race for NCP president post, says Praful Patel Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel on Tuesday said he is not in the race to become the national president of the party following Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash last week, reported the PTI. Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Patel expressed concern that people not connected with the NCP were commenting on the party’s internal decisions after Pawar’s tragic death in a plane crash last week. He said the decision to elect Sunetra Pawar as the leader of the NCP legislature party was the party’s right and reflected the views of its workers. “Election of Sunetra Pawar as leader of the legislature party is our right. We will take decisions as per the sentiments of our rank and file,” Patel said, according to the PTI. Emphasising that the post of national president would be filled, Praful Patel said he himself was not seeking the position. “I am not in the race for the president’s post. It is not proper to speak on any other issue at this juncture,” he said, the news agency reported. (With PTI inputs)
09 February,2026 12:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs the global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) returns between February 13 and 16, campuses across India are gearing up for the Campus Bird Count, a sister event of the GBBC that is unique to India, organised by Bird Count India in collaboration with World Wildlife Fund India and Foundation for Ecological Security. Asian green bee-eaters. Pic/Garima Bhatia Building on last year’s engagement, when more than 270 campuses uploaded over 8000 bird lists, campus communities nationwide are once again taking the lead in documenting birds. More than 10,000 people participated in the GBBC in 2025. A rose-ringed parakeet. PIC/Bhaarat Vyas From engineering colleges in Pune to architecture programmes in Kerala, from schools in Chhattisgarh to garden campuses in Delhi, from universities in Mizoram to campuses in Gujarat, thousands are monitoring birds in green spaces. A tricoloured, or black-headed, munia. Pic/Garima Bhatia Some of these are informal patches —courtyards, heritage groves, and tree-lined pathways — that have emerged as vital habitats beyond protected areas, often the last strongholds of biodiversity in urbanised landscapes. A brahminy starling. PIC/Bhaarat Vyas “Taking part in this event inspired my fellow students and me to think about birds, notice them, and even rescue injured ones. It also showed us how documenting the birds on eBird can convert our interest into important information that helps the birdwatching community and scientists in India,” said Siddharth Singh Bawa, a Std XI student from the Doon School, Dehradun. A zitting cisticola. PIC/Krishna Murty What is the Great Backyard Bird Count? A purple sunbird. Pic/Bhaarat Vyas It is an annual global event that engages bird enthusiasts of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. The global GBBC is organised by Cornell University and the Audubon Society in the USA. In India, it is coordinated by Bird Count India, a consortium of 70-plus birding, nature, and conservation organisations. A lineated barbet. PIC/Subhadra Devi How to participate A spotted dove. PIC/Subhadra Devi Watch birds anywhere on your campus — courtyards, gardens, pathways, or near water bodies — for at least 15 minutes from February 13 to 16. Identify all birds seen or heard and share your sightings using the eBird app. Birdwatchers in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. PIC/Malyasri Bhattacharya
09 February,2026 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentADVERTISEMENT
