A leopard that had entered Parijat Society, a residential building in Bhayandar East in Thane district of Maharashtra was released into the wild and its monitoring has shown that it is adapting to its natural habitat, officials said on Saturday. Maharashtra Forest Department had on December, 19, 2025 safely rescued the leopard after it entered into a housing society and attacked multiple people. The animal was captured by rescue teams from Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and the Thane Forest Division. Health check at SGNP Veterinary officers confirmed that the animal was healthy. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department After the rescue, the leopard was taken to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, for a medical examination. Veterinary officers confirmed that the animal was healthy and had not suffered any injuries during the rescue operation. Forest minister visits site and injured locals Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik visited the site on 20 December 2025 to review the situation. He also met injured residents at a hospital to enquire about their condition. Following his directions, forest officials decided to monitor the leopard closely before releasing it back into the wild. Decision to use satellite tracking A committee decided to fit the leopard with a Satellite GPS collar. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department A committee formed by the Chief Wildlife Warden and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Maharashtra, along with senior forest officials from the western region, reviewed the case. After a detailed presentation by officials from SGNP, the committee decided to fit the leopard with a Satellite GPS collar and a microchip before releasing it into its natural habitat. Leopard released with GPS collar The leopard was fitted with a GPS satellite collar and microchip at SGNP after completing medical checks. It was then released into its natural habitat on 25 December 2025. GPS satellite collar and microchip fitted on leopard. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department The operation was carried out by teams from SGNP and the Thane Forest Division under the supervision of Anitta Patil, Conservator of Forests and Director, SGNP, and Sachin Repal, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Thane. Monitoring to reduce human-wildlife conflict The GPS collar allows forest officials and a research team from an NGO to track the leopard’s movement using GPS and radio signals. This will help officials study leopard behaviour and reduce human–leopard conflict in the region. Forest staff are also gaining training in modern wildlife monitoring techniques through this initiative. Leopard’s movement can be tracked with GPS. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department Leopard settling back into the wild Since its release, officials have observed that the leopard is moving within its natural forest area and gradually stabilising. No further conflict has been reported so far. Ganesh Naik, Forest Minister, Maharashtra, said, "Leopard conflict is increasing across the state. This was a young leopard that likely lost its way and entered the city. To understand its movement and prevent future conflicts, we fitted a radio collar and released it back into the forest. Our teams are monitoring it day and night and will respond immediately if required." Leopard was seen settling well into its natural habitat. Pic/SGNP/Maharashtra Forest Department Tracking after release Anitta Patil, Conservator of Forests and Director, SGNP, said, "The Forest Department is committed to protecting both people and wildlife. GPS tracking after release helps us make informed decisions and supports peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife."
03 January,2026 07:23 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavWith the BMC election 2026 just around the corner, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday launched a scathing attack over the unopposed election, especially of Mahayuti nominees in municipal polls across Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader stated that even the big leaders of this country were never elected unopposed. Sanjay Raut said, "Atal Bihari Vajpayee was never elected unopposed, nor were Barrister Nath Pai, Vasantdada Patil, Ram Manohar Lohia, or even Narendra Modi. However, a new trend has started in Maharashtra where 'Sama, Dana, Danda, Bheda (persuasion, money, punishment, and division)' are being used to ensure unopposed victories," as cited by news agency IANS. Raut also added that journalists, political analysts, and the public were well aware that such a high number of unopposed candidates is unprecedented. He also added that this is not just in the country’s history but in the history of the world. Describing the tactics used, Raut, while speaking at the press conference, alleged that candidates were forced to withdraw not just through the misuse of election machinery but by "showering" them with money. "Opponents were being paid five crore rupees each to step down," as per IANS. While citing the example of Kalyan, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader stated that the amount offered to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) city chief Manoj Gharat to withdraw was "eye-popping". Regarding the situation in Jalgaon, Raut alleged, "Bags containing five crore rupees each were sent to the houses of candidates to force them to withdraw. The candidates were left stunned by the sheer amount of money. Such a massive play of wealth has never been seen before in this democracy.” In view of demanding an investigation on this particular matter, Sanjay Raut said, "The election officials had clear instructions. Although the deadline for withdrawal was 3:00 PM, instructions were issued from the offices of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to accept applications even after that time and backdate them to before 3:00 PM," reported IANS. “Check the phone calls and records of everyone involved. Investigate who called whom in the last 24 hours — which Guardian Minister, which Minister, or which office made the calls. If this is investigated, the mystery behind these unopposed withdrawals will be revealed,” Shiv Sena (MP) Sanjay Raut. Raut also expressed deep concern over the state’s image, saying, "These incidents have dragged Maharashtra’s prestige through the dust. The state has been completely defamed. If 60 people are being elected unopposed, what kind of election is this? What are the voters supposed to do?" Speaking at the press conference on Saturday, he further questioned the role of the regulatory body, asking, "Has this question ever occurred to the Election Commission? The Election Commission has become a 'pet cat' sitting under the plates of these corrupt individuals." Sanjay Raut slams NCP chief Ajit Pawar Meanwhile, Raut also reacted to NCP chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s scathing attack accusing the BJP leaders from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation of reaching the "pinnacle of corruption.” He further claimed they possess a "monstrous hunger" to enrich their families through illicit means. He reminded the public of the origins of the corruption allegations against the Deputy CM. Raut further emphasised, “We did not level the Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam allegations against Ajit Pawar. It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who made those charges during a rally in Bhopal. Ironically, just eight days later, Ajit Pawar joined the Cabinet. The BJP must now answer what happened to those allegations," as per IANS. (With inputs from IANS)
03 January,2026 05:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSenior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and 26/11 terror attack hero cop Sadanand Vasant Date on Saturday assumed charge as the Director General of Maharashtra Police. He succeeds Rashmi Shukla, the state’s first woman DGP, who retired the same day. The 59-year-old officer formally took over at the state police headquarters, following his appointment on December 31. Date will serve a two-year tenure, leading a police force of more than two lakh personnel. From NIA chief to home cadre Before his appointment, Date was serving as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He was recently repatriated to his Maharashtra cadre at the request of the state government. He belongs to the 1990 batch of the IPS. Role during 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks Date is widely recognised for his role during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. At the time, he was serving as Additional Commissioner of Police (Central Region), Mumbai. He led a police team that cornered terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail on the rooftop of Cama Hospital in south Mumbai. Despite sustaining serious injuries from grenade splinters, Date continued to engage the terrorists. For his bravery, he was later awarded the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry, as per the PTI. Distinguished Policing Career Over the years, Date has held several key positions, including -- - Chief of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) - First Commissioner of Police for Mira-Bhayandar-Vasai-Virar - Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order and Crime), Mumbai - Deputy Inspector General in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) - Inspector General (Operations) in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Academic achievements and international exposure Date holds a doctorate in economic offences from Pune University. In 2005, he was awarded the Humphrey Fellowship, under which he studied economic crime and organised crime abroad, reported the PTI. Raised in Pune, Date experienced financial hardship during his early years and at one point sold newspapers to support his family. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically, topping his BCom and ICWA examinations before successfully clearing the UPSC, according to the PTI. Date has also authored a Marathi book titled 'Varditlya Mansachya Nondi' (Notes of a Man in Uniform), which chronicles his experiences and reflections from a life in policing. (with PTI inputs)
03 January,2026 05:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn an extremely unfortunate incident, a fire broke out at a residential high-rise building in Andheri West on Friday afternoon. As soon as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) received the information about the blaze, the officials rushed to the spot to take the situation under control. Along with the MFB, other emergency agencies were also mobilised near the spot. As per the information received by the BMC’s fire department, the incident was reported at 2:10 pm on January 3, 2026. The fire occurred at Chandiwala Pearl Regency, located on S V Road, opposite Andheri Subway. The blaze was initially reported on the first floor of the stilt-plus-18-storey building. The MFB subsequently declared the incident as a Level-I (LI) fire at 2:37 pm. Electric duct resulted in smoke lodging As per the latest update issued at 2:50 pm, the fire was found to be confined to the electric duct extending from the first to the 10th floor, resulting in smoke lodging inside the building. Multiple fire tenders were rushed to the spot, along with teams from the Mumbai Police, staff of the concerned electricity distribution company, 108 ambulance services, and BMC ward staff. DN Nagar Police and Fire Brigade officials are on site. It has also been reported that a total of 27 residents from 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor were evacuated. Furthemore, a resident was taken to Cooper Hospital owing to troubles caused by suffocation due to smoke lodging. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far, and the MFB is working to make things normal. Firefighting and smoke ventilation operations are still underway to prevent the fire from spreading further. Fire broke out on the 14th floor of an Andheri high-rise In a different scenario, a Level-I fire broke out in a residential high-rise building in Andheri (West) last week, prompting swift action by civic authorities. The incident was reported at 10:05 am on December 25 to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) control room. According to officials, the fire occurred at Sorrento Tower, located on Veera Desai Road near Country Club. The blaze was confined to electrical wiring and installations within the electric shaft between the 10th and 21st floors. Firefighters also found that routers, shoe racks, wooden furniture and other materials near the electric duct on multiple floors were affected. The building comprises a stilt, four podium levels, and residential floors from the 5th to the 22nd storey.
03 January,2026 04:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith the deadline for withdrawal ending on Friday, January 2, 453 nominations were withdrawn across Mumbai. A total of 1,700 candidates will now contest the upcoming BMC Election 2026, officials said. The Mumbai civic polls are scheduled for January 15, 2026. The final list of contesting candidates will be published by the civic body on Saturday. Election symbols to be allotted The election symbols will also be allotted to the candidates from 11 am on Saturday, January 3, 2026. According to the officials, a total of 11,391 nomination papers were distributed by the civic body for filing nominations for the BMC elections. Of these, 2,516 forms were filed by the deadline of December 30, 2025. 2,516 nomination papers received The 2,516 nomination papers received were scrutinised on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. As many as 164 nomination papers were declared invalid during scrutiny, while the remaining 2,185 nomination papers were declared valid. The deadline for withdrawing nominations or candidature applications was Friday. As of Saturday’s latest update, 167 nomination papers were declared invalid, 2,231 were found valid, and 453 were withdrawn, bringing the final number of candidates to 1,700.
03 January,2026 04:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSEasing traffic congestion at the Kapadia Nagar Junction, a new road has been opened by the civic body, providing a shortcut to those travelling between the University of Mumbai Gate No. 1 in Kalina and Bharat Nagar in Bandra East. However, commuters say that the infrastructure needed for the road is still not in place. As this reporter reached the area, it was obvious that the road itself is very hard to locate while trying to get onto it from the university side. Making the situation worse, the road, which is almost as wide as a four-lane road, has an exit/entry point from the university side about the size of a single lane. Jitendra Gupta, Citizens Transport Committee Activist AV Shenoy of the Mumbai Vikas Samiti, who noticed this, said, “The infrastructure is very lacking, and the route becomes unsafe for anyone who wants to walk on the road after dark. It is difficult to navigate an unlit road. If the authorities decided to open it for public use, infrastructure should have been in place.” A section of the road that is still under construction The road is also incomplete, with a section of the route in the Bharat Nagar direction still under construction. This results in traffic in both directions plying on the same side of the road along the stretch, without any divider. An autorickshaw driver requesting anonymity, told mid-day, “It gets difficult when there are two cars or bigger vehicles coming together. This will remain an accident-prone area until the work is completed.” An extremely narrow, damaged section of the new road Local resident and Citizens Transport Committee member Jitendra Gupta, told mid-day, “The road has a good purpose — connecting two places that previously took a lot more time to get to. But till the infrastructure isn’t completed, it is a concerning area on the safety front.” AV Shenoy, activist, Mumbai Vikas Samiti He added that the work should be completed as soon as possible. “This would make the road safe for motorists and pedestrians.” mid-day contacted the BMC H East ward to check when the work would be completed, but did not receive a response till the time of going to press.
03 January,2026 04:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturMunicipal Commissioner and Election Officer Saurabh Rao said detailed planning was underway to ensure that polling is conducted smoothly, transparently and without disruption. The civic body has finalised 2,013 polling stations across nine ward committees within the Thane Municipal Corporation limits. Each polling station will be supplied with over 100 types of essential voting materials, including EVMs, control and ballot units, voter lists, seals, stamps, indelible ink, polling registers, forms, envelopes, identity slips and instruction boards. Facilities and materials for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, along with sanitation and COVID-related supplies, will also be made available at polling stations. Officials said the materials are being inspected, counted and packed ward-wise, with separate kits prepared for each polling station. The process is being closely monitored by election officers, assistant election officers and observers. The election department said the administration is fully prepared to ensure that polling staff and voters face no inconvenience on polling day, adding that all arrangements are in place to conduct the civic elections peacefully. Maharashtra civic polls 2026: Postal voting facility for Thane civic employees on election duty With the Maharashtra civic polls 2026 scheduled on January 15, the TMC announced a special postal voting facility for its officers and employees appointed on election duty, ensuring that they are not deprived of their right to vote. As per a statement issued by TMC, a large number of employees working within the civic body limits are registered as voters in other civic areas such as Mumbai, Dombivli, Kalyan, Badlapur, Nerul, and Panvel, where they reside. As these employees have been deployed for election-related duties, the civic administration has made arrangements for them to cast their votes through postal ballots. Maharashtra civic polls 2026: Easing the voting process for officials on duty The facility has been introduced in view of the simultaneous conduct of municipal corporation elections across the state, which would otherwise prevent many staff members from voting at their registered locations. Deputy Commissioner Dinesh Tayade has been appointed as the nodal officer to oversee the implementation of the postal voting process. TMC said that under the arrangement, employees must fill out the prescribed postal ballot application form and submit it along with proof of their inclusion in the voter list of the concerned municipal corporation and a copy of their election duty appointment order. Once verified, the postal ballot will be sent directly to the employee’s residential address.
03 January,2026 03:13 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA court in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Friday acquitted a 69-year-old man and his son in a 2022 murder case, citing insufficient evidence to support the charges. Principal District and Sessions Judge S B Agrawal held Avinash Rambadan Yadav (39) and his father, Rambadan Barsan Yadav, not guilty of murder and assault, reported news agency PTI. The duo were accused of killing Sunil Jagannath Yadav (23) in June 2022 over an alleged love affair with Avinash’s daughter. According to the prosecution, the victim was tied up and beaten at the father-son duo’s house in the Upvan area of the city in the early hours of June 26, 2022. He succumbed to his injuries three days later at KEM Hospital, having sustained 46 blunt-force injuries. The court noted a delay in complaining and observed that the testimonies of neighbours and the victim’s family were not in tandem, reported PTI. The defence argued that residents mistook Sunil for a thief as he was covered in wheat flour and running at the time. “Considering the version of the defence that the victim had wheat flour all over his body and that he was running, people in the area thought he was a thief and assaulted him is not entirely improbable,” the judge said, granting the accused the benefit of the doubt, reported PTI. Thane court acquits nine accused in 2016 dacoity case under MCOCA Earlier in December, a Thane court acquitted nine persons booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in a 2016 dacoity case, noting that their identification was unreliable and that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against them, news agency PTI reported. The court observed that the mandatory requirement of an offence of organised crime, as defined under Section 2(1)(e) of the MCOCA, had not been proved against the accused. “Therefore, the mere collection of copies of previous charge-sheets and reliance on the sanction order under Section 23(2) of the Act are not sufficient to prove the offence under Section 3 of the MCOCA,” Special Judge (MCOCA) V G Mohite said in an order dated December 12, PTI reported. According to the prosecution, the accused had allegedly threatened a family, wrongfully confined them, and stolen cash and ornaments from their house in Talasari, in neighbouring Palghar district, on July 18, 2016. The accused were booked under Sections 395 (dacoity), 397 (robbery or dacoity with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the MCOCA. (With PTI inputs)
03 January,2026 02:50 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentAmong the earliest wards to be formed in suburban Mumbai, the L ward came under the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the 1950s, along with M, N, H, and K. It then comprised the northernmost tip of the limits of BMC’s jurisdiction. Today, it is the southernmost ward of the eastern suburbs, and marks the entry into the suburbs from the island city. It comprises slums that span 70 per cent of its surface area, large industrial areas, and residential high-rise buildings. L ward is the largest administrative ward in the city, comprising 16 electoral wards. It is bound by the Mithi river along its western boundary. Home to several catchment areas of the waterbody, it is prone to flooding during the monsoon season. Powai lake is located along its northern boundary. The Santacruz Chembur Link Road, a major east-west connector, cuts through the centre of the ward, and it’s prone to severe traffic snarls, especially during peak evening hours. Over the past two years, residents of Chandivli have complained about the worsening air pollution in their area due to industrial units tagged unauthorised by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. Action against unauthorised industrial units in the L ward is ongoing, according to information from the BMC. About L Ward Areas under ward: Sangharsh Nagar, Chandivli, Tilak Nagar, Subhash Nagar, Lokmanya Tilak Nagar, Sakinaka, Chunabhatti Characterised by: Its population (the largest in any ward in Mumbai), a high number of open stormwater drains (nullahs), slums spanning 70% of the ward area, and a high number of Muslim voters Population of ward: 9,02,225Density of ward: 580 Chronic waterlogging spots: 17 (due to Mithi river) Vulnerable populations Settlements: 13 (due to high-tension lines and hill slopes) Population: 12,000 Open spaces: 60 Road concreting status: Partially completed: 29 Completed: 31 Not started: 29 Electoral Ward 156 Areas: Tunga Village, Udhyan Complex, Savarkar Nagar, Sakivihar, L&T Company Demographic details: Total population: 59,226 SC population: 4,665 ST population: 1,025 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Ashwini Ashok Matekar (MNS) Votes received: 10,992 Total votes cast: 22,280 Winning margin: 49% Ward reservation (2017): Women Ward reservation (2025): Women Tentative voters (2025): 49,480 Male: 26,796 Female: 22,681 Others: 3 Electoral Ward 157 Areas: Raheja Vihar, MHADA Colony, Sangharsh Nagar, Big Park, Chandivli Studio, Chandivli Lake Demographic details: Total population: 58,682 SC population: 4,944 ST population: 349 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Aakanksha Sanjay Shetye (Shiv Sena) Votes received: 7,349 Total votes cast: 22,101 Winning margin: 33% Ward reservation (2017): OBC Women Ward reservation (2025): Women Tentative voters (2025): 56,642 Male: 30,781 Female: 25,858 Others: 3 Electoral Ward 158 Areas: Yadav Nagar, MHADA Colony, Tilak Nagar, MHADA Maidan Demographic details: Total population: 56,878 SC population: 2,586 ST population: 340 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Chitra Somnath Sangle (Shiv Sena) Votes received: 9,696 Total votes cast: 20,097 Winning margin: 48% Ward reservation (2017): OBC Women Ward reservation (2025): OBC Women Tentative voters (2025): 53,749 Male: 29,619 Female: 24,128 Others: 2 Electoral Ward 159 Areas: Yadav Nagar, Asalpha, Mohili, Subhash Nagar, Shivpremi Nagar, Azad Nagar Demographic details: Total population: 54,739 SC population: 1,551 ST population: 244 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Prakash Devji More (BJP) Votes received: 6,202 Total votes cast: 19,440 Winning margin: 32% Ward reservation (2017): Open Ward reservation (2025): Open Tentative voters (2025): 38,700 Male: 21,541 Female: 17,158 Others: 1 Electoral Ward 160 Areas: Milind Nagar, Bhim Nagar, Narayan Nagar, Home Guard Training Centre Demographic details: Total population: 52,802 SC population: 3,477 ST population: 213 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Kiran Jyotiram Landge (IND) Votes received: 5,752 Total votes cast: 24,651 Winning margin: 23% Ward reservation (2017): Open Ward reservation (2025): Open Tentative voters (2025): 51,690 Male: 28,596 Female: 23,093 Others: 1 Electoral Ward 161 Areas: Lokmanya Tilak Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Veer Savarkar Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Lal Bahadur Shastri Nagar Demographic details: Total population: 57,741 SC population: 3,082 ST population: 215 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Vijayendra Omkar Shinde (Shiv Sena) Votes received: 5,338 Total votes cast: 16,914 Winning margin: 32% Ward reservation (2017): OBC Ward reservation (2025): Open Tentative voters (2025): 44,106 Male: 25,997 Female: 18,106 Others: 3 Electoral Ward 162 Areas: Shivaji Nagar, Sathi D’Souza Nagar, Spenta Residency Park, Airport Runway Demographic details: Total population: 54,989 SC population: 2,159 ST population: 323 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Wajid Wahid Qureshi (Congress) Votes received: 6,148 Total votes cast: 20,695 Winning margin: 30% Ward reservation (2017): OBC Ward reservation (2025): Open Tentative voters (2025): 52,784 Male: 29,445 Female: 23,337 Others: 2 Electoral Ward 163 Areas: Kajupada, Indira Nagar, Mayfair Industrial Area, Sakinaka Demographic details: Total population: 55,518 SC population: 4,797 ST population: 165 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Dilip Bhausaheb Lande (Shiv Sena) Votes received: 8,009 Total votes cast: 17,405 Winning margin: 46% Ward reservation (2017): OBC Ward reservation (2025): Women Tentative voters (2025): 38,671 Male: 21,844 Female: 16,827 Others: 0 Electoral Ward 164 Areas: Premier Residency, Sanjay Nagar, Kamani, Premier Colony, Navpada Demographic details: Total population: 56,177 SC population: 4,591 ST population: 281 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Harish Krishna Bhandirge (BJP) Votes received: 7,262 Total votes cast: 26,666 Winning margin: 27% Ward reservation (2017): Open Ward reservation (2025): Open Tentative voters (2025): 62,945 Male: 36,204 Female: 26,737 Others: 4 Electoral Ward 165 Areas: Christian Gaon, Jay Ambika Nagar, Bhartiya Nagar, Halavpool, Kohinoor Hospital Demographic details: Total population: 58,040 SC population: 2,442 ST population: 293 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Mohammed Ashraf Azmi (Congress) Votes received: 6,268 Total votes cast: 20,282 Winning margin: 31% Ward reservation (2017): Open Ward reservation (2025): Open Tentative voters (2025): 41,538 Male: 22,722 Female: 18,812 Others: 4 Electoral Ward 166 Areas: Kranti Nagar, Sandesh Nagar, Wadia Colony, Kismat Nagar, Shanti Nagar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Talao, Bailbazar, Kurla Bus Depot Demographic details: Total population: 56,621 SC population: 4,966 ST population: 794 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Sanjay Ramchandra Turde (MNS) Votes received: 5,908 Total votes cast: 21,526 Winning margin: 27% Ward reservation (2017): Open Ward reservation (2025): Open Tentative voters (2025): 41,068 Male: 22,611 Female: 18,454 Others: 3 Electoral Ward 167 Areas: Vinoba Bhave Nagar, Buddha Colony, Brahmanwadi, L Ward Office Demographic details: Total population: 57,324 SC population: 1,985 ST population: 317 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Dilshadbanu Mohammed Ashraf Azmi (Congress) Votes received: 8,874 Total votes cast: 20,798 Winning margin: 43% Ward reservation (2017): Women Ward reservation (2025): OBC Women Tentative voters (2025): 45,540 Male: 24,030 Female: 21,509 Others: 1 Electoral Ward 168 Areas: Kalpana Nagar, Taximen’s Colony, Maharashtra Nagar, Kurla Metropolitan Court, Bhabha Hospital Demographic details: Total population: 55,707 SC population: 4,374 ST population: 276 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Saeeda Khan (NCP) Votes received: 7,896 Total votes cast: 25,362 Winning margin: 31% Ward reservation (2017): Women Ward reservation (2025): Open Tentative voters (2025): 50,548 Male: 28,446 Female: 22,102 Others: 0 Electoral Ward 169 Areas: Nehru Nagar, Kamgar Nagar, Shivshakti Nagar, Kurla Mother Dairy Demographic details: Total population: 58,269 SC population: 7,637 ST population: 400 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Pravina Manish Morajkar (Shiv Sena) Votes received: 10,299 Total votes cast: 23,617 Winning margin: 44% Ward reservation (2017): SC Ward reservation (2025): Open Tentative voters (2025): 52,092 Male: 26,980 Female: 25,107 Others: 5 Electoral Ward 170 Areas: Qureshi Nagar, Takshshila Nagar, Rahul Nagar, J.T.B. Nagar, Everard Nagar, Marathi Vidnyan Parishad Demographic details: Total population: 53,598 SC population: 2,218 ST population: 193 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Abdul Rashid Kaptan Malik (NCP) Votes received: 7,348 Total votes cast: 18,617 Winning margin: 39% Ward reservation (2017): Open Ward reservation (2025): OBC Women Tentative voters (2025): 38,784 Male: 20,439 Female: 18,342 Others: 3 Electoral Ward 171 Areas: MHADA Colony, Prem Nagar, Tadwadi, Samarth Nagar, Chunabhatti, Municipal Hospital Demographic details: Total population: 52,731 SC population: 3,053 ST population: 201 Political details: Municipal councillor (2017): Sanvee Tandel (Shiv Sena) Votes received: 7,720 Total votes cast: 21,184 Winning margin: 36% Ward reservation (2017): OBC Women Ward reservation (2025): OBC Tentative voters (2025): 46,701 Male: 24,803 Female: 21,897 Others: 1
03 January,2026 02:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSIn a move aimed at enhancing passenger convenience and easing peak-hour congestion in Mumbai Metro Line 3, the authorities on Saturday announced an increase in the number of daily metro train services starting Monday, January 5. As per the statement issued by the MMRC, the revised schedule will come into effect from 05:55 am onwards on Monday. The inclination of metro trains from Aarey JVLR to Cuffe Parade will benefit thousands of daily commuters travelling on this route. According to the notice, additional metro services will be introduced on weekdays and Saturdays, while the existing schedule will continue unchanged on Sundays. The decision by the authorities has been taken to accommodate rising passenger footfall and ensure smoother travel during working days. As per the updated timetable, the number of daily metro trips will be increased. A total of 292 daily trips from Monday to Friday, an increase of 27 trips in a day. Whereas, on Saturdays, metro services will see a rise to 236 trips per day, compared to the previous 209 trips. No change in operations of Aqua Line on Sunday However, there will be no change in Sunday operations, with 198 trips continuing as per the existing schedule. Metro officials stated that the enhanced frequency is expected to reduce waiting time, improve connectivity, and offer a more comfortable travel experience for commuters. Passengers have been advised to take note of the revised schedule and plan their journeys accordingly. The opening of the Mumbai Metro Line 3, also known as the Aqua Line, marked the beginning of a new commuting era for the latter area earlier in October 2025, connecting heritage precincts, business hubs, and railway interchanges with a world-class transport system. The stations on this stretch—Science Centre, Mahalaxmi, Jagannath Shankar Sheth (Mumbai Central), Grant Road, Girgaon, Kalbadevi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Hutatma Chowk, Churchgate, Vidhan Bhavan, and Cuffe Parade—have been readied with multiple entry and exit points catering to nearby landmarks, transport nodes, and cultural hotspots. A one-way trip from Aarey JVLR to Cuffe Parade station will cost Rs 70. The Aqua Line during the initial days of the operation from Aarey JVLR to Cuffe Parade carried a total of 3,863,741 passengers between October 1 and October 31, showcasing consistent daily commuter traffic on the route connecting suburbs to South Mumbai.
03 January,2026 12:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai is likely to witness mainly clear skies across the city and suburbs on Saturday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 31 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). As per the SAMEER app, Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 104 on Saturday, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. This may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma and heart diseases. AQI across Mumbai Bandra Kurla Complex: 139Borivali: 108Byculla: 114Andheri East: 120Chembur: 98Deonar: 123Ghatkopar: 105 Meanwhile, the city and its suburbs experienced a partly cloudy morning with haze on Friday, which cleared to a mainly clear sky by the afternoon and evening. According to the IMD, the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 30 degrees Celsius and 17 degrees Celsius, respectively. Delhi records low of 8.1 degrees Celsius, air quality 'poor' The national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 8.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday, 1.2 degrees above the season’s average, according to the IMD The IMD has forecast a cold wave at isolated places in the city between January 3 and January 6. A cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature drops 4.5 to 6.5 degrees Celsius below the average. According to IMD data, Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 8.1 degrees Celsius, Palam 7.9 degrees Celsius—0.9 notches above the seasonal average, Lodhi Road 8 degrees Celsius—two notches above normal, the Ridge 9 degrees Celsius—1.3 notches above normal, and Ayanagar 6.9 degrees Celsius—0.1 notches below normal. Relative humidity was recorded at 95 per cent at 9 am. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 240, in the ‘poor’ category, at 9 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. According to CPCB, the AQI ranges from 0 to 500 and is divided into six categories: Good (0–50): Minimal or no health impact. Satisfactory (51–100): Acceptable air quality, though sensitive groups may experience slight discomfortModerate (101–200): Pollution increasing; may cause breathing difficulties in people with asthma, lung conditions, or heart diseasesPoor (201–300): Prolonged exposure can cause breathing discomfort even in healthy individualsVery Poor (301–400): Poses risk of respiratory illness for healthy people during long-term exposureSevere (401–500): Dangerous for everyone; air quality becomes hazardous (With PTI inputs)
03 January,2026 11:53 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
