Ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections 2026, Congress on Tuesday began its campaign in Maharashtra's Raigad district, calling for victory in the upcoming local polls. Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal hit the campaign trail across Raigad district, warning that industrialists were encroaching on the rights of the “sons of the soil” and urging voters to support Congress MVA candidates in the Zilla Parishad polls. Speaking at rallies in Jasai, Chirner, Satirje, and Chondhi, Sapkal said the enthusiasm among party workers showed victory was within reach. “The Zilla Parishad election is about safeguarding local rights and traditions. Congress MVA is set to perform strongly in Raigad, and power will be in our hands,” he said. Sapkal cited public leader D. B. Patil’s historical fight for local communities and said the region now faced fresh challenges from “capitalist interests.” He appealed to voters to unite and ensure a Congress MVA win to block these forces. On the issue of the Navi Mumbai airport, Sapkal reiterated Congress’s long-standing demand to name it after D. B. Patil. “Devendra Fadnavis is avoiding this. The airport currently shows the NM (Navi Mumbai) name, but any attempt to rename it after Narendra Modi will not be accepted,” he said. Raigad District Congress Committee President Mahendra Gharat, Rajabhau Thakur, and other senior party leaders accompanied Sapkal during the campaign. Rane warns of fund cut if Sena (UBT) candidates win in ZP polls Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has triggered a major controversy after warning that development funds would be withheld in areas where candidates of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) emerge victorious in the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. Addressing an election rally in the Fonda constituency of Kankavli in Sindhudurg district on Sunday, Rane said the release of funds depended on the poll symbol of the winning candidate. “If I see the lotus or the bow and arrow, funds are sanctioned immediately. But if the flaming torch appears, I will even stop funds that have already been approved,” he said, referring to the symbols of the BJP, Shiv Sena and Sena (UBT), respectively. Rane, who was campaigning for a Shiv Sena candidate, claimed a similar strategy had been adopted during recent gram panchayat elections. He alleged that sarpanches were warned that no funds would be released unless they aligned with the ruling side, following which they “quickly switched over”. The remarks drew sharp reactions from the Opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Akhil Chitre said the state treasury was public money and not a personal reserve of any minister. He described Rane’s comments as an open admission of misuse of power and said they violated the oath of impartiality taken by a minister.
03 February,2026 06:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has extended the bid submission deadline for its Rs 490 crore exotic animal enclosure project at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo, Byculla, to February 20, from the earlier deadline of February 3. The tender, floated in the first week of December 2025, pertains to the construction of a dedicated exotic animal section on around 10 acres of land adjacent to the existing zoo. However, the civic body has so far not received any bids for the project. Expect good participation from bidders, says BMC official A senior civic official said the extension follows a strong response during the pre-bid meeting. “We received a very good response during the pre-bid meeting. The minutes of the meeting now need approval from the municipal commissioner and will be uploaded online. After that, we expect good participation from bidders,” the official said. Once awarded, the project is expected to be completed within 36 months. The exotic section will form part of BMC’s long-term expansion plans for the Byculla zoo and will include specialised enclosures designed for animal conservation and welfare.
03 February,2026 05:54 PM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSThe Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project achieved its second tunnel breakthrough in a month in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Tuesday, officials said, reported the PTI. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw witnessed the breakthrough virtually from New Delhi via a video link. The breakthrough took place near Saphale village. The tunnel, known as MT-6, is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide, and is designed to accommodate both up and down tracks of the bullet train corridor. The development marks the second tunnel breakthrough in Palghar within a month, following the completion of the MT-5 tunnel near Saphale on 2 January. Officials said the MT-6 tunnel was excavated from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), which involves drilling and controlled blasting and is suitable for complex geological conditions. The excavation work was completed within 12 months. The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project passes through Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It is India’s only high-speed rail corridor and is designed to operate trains at a maximum speed of 320 kmph. Bullet Train Project achieves another milestone. 2nd tunnel breakthrough in Palghar within a month.📍 Palghar, Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/uv3QEsXvjp — Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 3, 2026 Work progress across Maharashtra and Gujarat Construction of seven bullet train tunnels is currently underway in Palghar district, with excavation and allied works at different stages of completion. In Maharashtra, work is also progressing on river bridges over the Vaitarna, Ulhas and Jagani rivers, station buildings, highway crossings, and a 21-km underground tunnel between Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Shilphata. As of January 27, around 334 km of viaducts, 17 river bridges, and 12 major crossings over national highways, railway lines and other infrastructure have been completed. Officials said track laying and electrification have gathered pace in the Gujarat section of the corridor. Union Budget 2026: Two Bullet Train corridors connecting Maharashtra Meanwhile, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said that with two Bullet Train corridors Mumbai-Pune and Pune-Hyderabad are among Rs 23,926 crore, the allocations will give a major rail network boost in Maharashtra. Vaishnaw briefed the media on the record railway budget allocation of Rs 23,926 crore for Maharashtra for the financial year 2026. The briefing was held through video conferencing and organised by Central Railway in Mumbai. The Minister said this allocation is nearly 20 times higher than the average annual allocation of Rs 1,171 crore provided to the state during the period 2009-14. The Minister announced that seven high-speed rail projects have been included in the budget, out of which two new bullet train corridors will pass through Maharashtra and Hyderabad. - Mumbai-Pune: 48 minutes and - Pune-Hyderabad: 1 hour 55 minutes These projects are expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve inter-city connectivity, an official statement said. (with PTI inputs)
03 February,2026 05:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena’s Sharmila Pimpalolkar was on Tuesday elected the mayor of Thane, while BJP’s Krishna Patil was elected as the deputy mayor in an unopposed election held on Monday. The election was held under the chairmanship of the Presiding Officer and District Collector Dr Shrikrishnanath Panchal. The election was conducted during a special general body meeting convened at 11.30 am at the Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Auditorium of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). Municipal Secretary Manish Joshi and senior civic officials were also present at the meeting. The official announcement of the results was made by Dr Panchal following the completion of the election process. After the declaration, Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao congratulated the newly elected mayor and the deputy mayor. He welcomed them by presenting tulsi saplings. MNS will not ally with BJP in Mumbai mayor poll: Raj Thackeray to party workers Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray has stated that the party will have no alliance with the BJP in the mayor election of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a senior party leader said on Monday. The announcement came during a meeting with MNS functionaries to review the results of the civic polls held on January 15, mainly in Mumbai and its satellite cities. During the meeting, MNS workers raised concerns about lack of cooperation from their ally, Shiv Sena (UBT), in some civic wards. They also expressed displeasure over being allotted “unwinnable” wards in Mumbai as part of the alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. MNS functionaries said the party was given difficult wards in Mumbai, which has 227 seats, making it hard for them to win more seats. According to the MNS leader, Raj Thackeray asked party workers not to dwell on the past but to focus on strengthening the organisation. “Raj saheb has said there will be no truck with the BJP in the mayoral poll of the BMC,” the leader added. MNS performance in BMC polls The MNS contested 53 seats in the BMC elections but won only six seats in India’s largest and wealthiest civic body. The BJP won 89 seats, becoming the single largest party in the BMC for the first time. Its ally, Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, secured 29 seats, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) won 65 seats. The BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance has 118 seats, crossing the majority mark of 114, which could allow them to elect their candidate as mayor easily. The date for the mayoral election has not yet been announced.
03 February,2026 05:16 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentWith the Centre rolling out Swachh Survekshan 2025–26, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday urged citizens to actively join in keeping the city clean and beautiful to improve and contribute in Mumbai’s performance in the national cleanliness rankings. BMC's Additional Municipal Commissioner, Dr Ashwini Joshi, stated that the citizen participation will be key to achieving better rankings and directed major civic departments, including Solid Waste Management, Storm Water Drains, Sewerage Operations, the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project and the Education Department, to ensure close inter-departmental coordination for effective implementation. Joshi was speaking at a review meeting held at the BMC headquarters. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Kiran Dighavkar and senior officials from various departments. Swachh Survekshan 2026 introduces new benchmarks, school focus Conducted annually by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Swachh Survekshan evaluates cities on parameters such as sanitation, waste segregation, collection, transportation, processing and citizen participation. The ongoing survey marks the tenth edition of the national cleanliness exercise. For Swachh Survekshan 2025–26, the Centre has introduced the theme ‘Swachhata ki Nai Pahal – Badhaaye Haath, Kare Safai Saath’, placing increased emphasis on citizen feedback and verification. Digital feedback will be collected throughout the year via websites and mobile applications. New benchmarks have also been introduced to curb open defecation and urination, while greater focus has been placed on school-based Behaviour Change Programmes. This year’s survey will include separate assessment criteria for coastal cities, along with enhanced scrutiny of cleanliness standards at tourist, heritage, religious and high-footfall public places. BMC's efforts Highlighting ongoing civic efforts, Dr Joshi said the BMC’s Solid Waste Management Department has been working continuously towards scientific and efficient waste management across Mumbai and its suburbs. She stressed that accurate and updated data compilation, along with coordinated departmental action, is essential to ensure these efforts are reflected in the survey assessment. Underscoring the importance of public involvement, Dr Joshi said fostering cleanliness habits among students can lead to long-term behavioural change and improved civic hygiene. Appealing to Mumbaikars, she said cleanliness is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to keep their homes, neighbourhoods and public spaces clean, process waste within residential complexes wherever possible, participate in civic cleanliness initiatives and discourage littering.
03 February,2026 04:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday honoured officers and engineers from its bridge department for their significant contribution to completing several important projects in Mumbai within the stipulated time, an official statement said. It said that the certificates of appreciation were presented by BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani at a programme held at the BMC headquarters. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, Chief Engineer (Bridges) Uttam Shrote, and several engineers from the bridge department were present at the event. On the occasion, Gagrani also honoured Chief Engineer Uttam Shrote with a bouquet on the eve of his retirement, recognising his service to the civic body. Key bridge projects completed in time The bridge department successfully completed the construction of several major infrastructure projects, including the Bandra East Skywalk, Bellasis Bridge, and Safed Pul Bridge. These projects were described as administratively challenging and required careful coordination and planning. Officers and engineers associated with these projects were felicitated for their dedication and efficient execution. Engineers Honoured for Bandra East Skywalk - For their role in the construction of the Bandra East Skywalk, the following officials were honoured Executive Engineer Namdev Ravkale, Assistant Engineer Prashant Jawale, Junior Engineer Sameer More and Junior Engineer Amit Dasurkar. Recognition for Bellasis project The officials honoured for the Bellasis Bridge project included Deputy Chief Engineer Rajesh Mule, Executive Engineer Namdev Ravkale, Assistant Engineer Sandeep Patil, Junior Engineer Krupal Khot and Junior Engineer Abhishek Devalekar. Safed Pul Bridge Team Felicitated For the Safed Pul Bridge project, certificates were awarded to Former Executive Engineer Naresh Meghrajani, Assistant Engineer Amit Bhandari, Junior Engineer Chandrakant Vhatkar and Junior Engineer Ashishkumar Jain. Work on BMC’s first cable-stayed bridge in Mahalaxmi progressing The construction of BMC's first cable-stayed flyover in Mahalaxmi area of Mumbai was progressing steadily, with 55 per cent of the work on the 78.5-metre-high pylon completed, the Mumbai civic body had last month said. BMC's Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar carried out an on-site inspection of the project and directed officials to complete all works within the stipulated timeline, while strictly following safety and quality standards, an official statement said. The flyover, being built on Keshavrao Khadye Marg, is the first cable-stayed bridge constructed by the BMC over railway tracks. It will connect Saat Rasta to Mahalaxmi Racecourse, easing traffic congestion in the busy area close to Mahalaxmi railway station. The total length of the bridge is 803 metres, with a width of 17.2 metres, while the portion within the railway limits measures 23.01 metres. Pylon work a key engineering challenge Officials said the pylon is the most critical load-bearing component of the cable-stayed bridge, as it supports the cables that hold up the bridge deck. The 78.5-metre-high steel-and-concrete pylon has been designed using advanced engineering techniques, keeping in mind wind pressure, seismic forces, traffic load and long-term durability. A special crane, taller than the pylon itself, has been installed at the site to carry out the work in stages. The remaining pylon construction and related works are scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2026.
03 February,2026 04:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA group of commuters was left stranded inside a lift at Dadar railway station for nearly 15 minutes after severe overcrowding prevented the doors from functioning properly. Despite repeated requests from fellow passengers to step back and make space, many refused to move, worsening the situation during peak rush hour. A group of commuters was left stranded inside a lift at Dadar Railway Station for nearly 15 minutes after severe overcrowding prevented the doors from functioning properly. Despite repeated requests from fellow passengers to step back and make space, many refused to move,… pic.twitter.com/wZ9HHcwG3o — Mid Day (@mid_day) February 3, 2026 Panic and discomfort as passengers ignored warnings Rajesh Rajpurohit, a commuter, said, “The lift had reached its maximum capacity, but commuters continued to force their way in, ignoring repeated requests to step back. Despite appeals from fellow passengers and station users warning that the lift was overloaded, no one was willing to move out. As a result, the doors of the lift couldn't close, leaving those inside stranded.” Rajesh Rajpurohit. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Another commuter, Dinesh Bendel, described the panic inside the lift: “People kept saying just one more person, one more person. There was no co-operation at all. They just kept pushing us inside. It became so claustrophobic.” Dinesh Bendel. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT While no injuries were reported, regular station users pointed out that lifts at major railway stations are primarily meant for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, but are often misused by other commuters in a hurry.
03 February,2026 03:18 PM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarNCP 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. Mitkari, while talking to the media on Tuesday, said, “Ajitdada (as Pawar was fondly called) was the favourite brother of women in the state,” as cited by news agency PTI. The NCP MLC further added, "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)." Earlier on January 28, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed in a plane crash at Baramati in Pune district. As the news of Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash spread, thousands of party workers and supporters gathered outside the Baramati Medical College, turning the hospital surroundings into a scene of intense grief and mourning. The supporters from Baramati and nearby areas raised cries of sorrow, expressing disbelief over the sudden loss of their leader. Ladki Bahin Yojana was announced by Ajit Pawar The Ladki Bahin scheme, announced by Pawar when he was the finance minister and started in July 2024, 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 assembly elections. Earlier on Monday, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also said the government won't stop the monthly financial assistance to women under the scheme, as it is helping them immensely, and that the aid will be increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 at the right time. Sunetra Pawar takes charge as deputy CM Days after Ajit Pawar’s untimely demise, his wife, Sunetra Ajit Pawar, was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Sunetra’s swearing in as the Deputy Chief Minister created history, as she became the first woman to hold the post in the state. Her husband, the late Ajit Pawar, had earlier set a record by serving as deputy chief minister six times. On January 31, 2026, Sunetra Pawar was administered the oath of office by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan (formerly known as Raj Bhavan) in Mumbai.
03 February,2026 02:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSmoke on the water A thick haze descends on the Coastal Road at Haji Ali as Mumbai experienced AQI in ‘severe’ and unhealthy categories last week A festival of voices A performance by Ankur Tewari at an earlier edition of the festival. Pic Courtesy/Spoken Fest Mumbaikars can look forward to a homecoming of words. The 10th edition of Spoken Fest will kick off on February 21 and 22 at Jio World Garden, BKC. From Kommune’s stable, the festival brings together poetry, storytelling, performance, music, and conversation, with voices such as Sheeba Chaddha, Swanand Kirkire, Raj Arjun, and Waseem Barelvi. Roshan Abbas Co-founder of Kommune, Roshan Abbas told this diarist, “The milestone edition marks a homecoming that celebrates language and shared listening. Spoken Fest exists to remind you that your voice is not background music, but the entire song.” A take on philosophy Mumbai’s followers of philosophical thought have a chance to listen to Sharad Baviskar, assistant professor, Centre for French and Francophone Studies, JNU, who will take the stage as the keynote speaker at the annual programme of the Dr Aroon Tikekar Centre for Advanced Studies at the Asiatic Society of Mumbai today. With the subject titled Philosophy of Non-Philosophers, Baviskar is certain to plant some seeds of thought in this city. Readers who might be interested can log on to asiaticsociety.org for more details. Jazz notes return to Gaylord Rajesh Punjabi (left) and D Wood (right) in performance. Pic Courtesy/@gaylordrestaurantmumbai Music rolled back the years within the vintage-soaked walls of Churchgate’s iconic Gaylord Restaurant on Friday, January 30. For the first time since the late 1960s, the restaurant welcomed the Bombay Jazz Club led by Rajesh Punjabi and D Wood for a performance. “Gaylord used to be one of the original homes of jazz in the city. It was once the hub along the line from Colaba to Churchgate where artistes would drop in and perform,” shared Punjabi. In September 2025, Gaylord celebrated its 70th year with a new look and an upgraded menu. A view of the refurbished interiors. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi A first concert within the restaurant seems to be the next step to its evolution. “We were delighted when the restaurant reached out to us to ask if we would be available. A large part of what we do as a collective is to rekindle the love for jazz and its complexities among audiences. It felt only right [to accept] considering the legacy of the restaurant and its connection to the genre of music,” the veteran composer Punjabi added. Ashley Perez, restaurant manager, revealed to this diarist that the concert is the beginning of more to come. “We are looking to host more such experiences at the restaurant,” he shared, adding that the next event might be scheduled this month. “It is a chance to roll back the years of Bombay jazz,” Punjabi summed up. A man of his time Kekoo Gandhy. Pic Courtesy/Ram Rahman Were he around, late gallerist Kekoo Gandhy (inset) might have a thing to say about the rising AQI in the city limits. “He would not recognise the Mumbai of today,” shared daughter Behroze Gandhy, whose short film, Kekee Manzil: The House of Art will be screened this weekend by the Brief Encounters Film Club in Bandra. Incidentally, today (February 2) marks the 106th birth anniversary of the gallerist. “It is a fascinating film about a person who encapsulated the lofty ideas of his time,” shared Aparajita Sinha, founder, Brief Encounters Film Club. A touch of Sindh Monica Mahendru On February 6, theatremaker Nikhil Katara will bring history, personal and cultural memories to life with the production Paanjo Kirdaar, at the ongoing Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. Staging at the Horniman Circle Garden, the production is a collaboration with author Saaz Aggarwal, and her research on the people of Sindh. “It examines Sindhi culture through the stories of five incredible people told through monologues,” he shared.
03 February,2026 02:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayThe Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Board (MHADA) has announced the sale of 120 flats in Mumbai on a first-come-first-served (FCFS) basis, offering another opportunity to homebuyers after the units remained unsold in previous lotteries. Online registration for the flats will begin on February 5 at 11 am through MHADA’s official portal, https://bookmyhome.mhada.gov.in, the authority said in a notice issued on Sunday, February 2. Of the total flats on offer, 84 units have been constructed by MHADA and are located in areas such as Kandivali, Wadala, Powai, Malad, and Mankhurd. The remaining 36 flats have been received under Development Control Regulations (DCR) 33(5) and 33(7) and are situated in Vikhroli, Ghatkopar East, Byculla, Tardeo, Lower Parel, Sion, and Andheri West. MHADA said the flats were earlier offered through lottery schemes but remained unsold, following which they are now being made available under the FCFS model. MHADA cautions homebuyers against unauthorised agents The entire process — including online application submission, payment of application fee and security deposit, and flat selection — will be conducted online only. MHADA has clarified that it has not appointed any agents or brokers and has urged applicants to beware of unauthorised persons claiming to facilitate allotments. As per eligibility norms, applicants must be Indian citizens and at least 18 years old. Submission of Aadhaar and PAN cards is mandatory, along with other documents as applicable. All payments must be made through online modes. After selecting a flat, applicants will be required to pay 10 per cent of the flat’s sale price to confirm the booking, MHADA said.
03 February,2026 01:05 PM IST | MumbaiIn a noteworthy incident reported from the Borivali police station limits, a bag containing valuables worth approximately Rs 21 lakh was traced and returned to its owner within just one hour, highlighting the promptness of the Mumbai Police. The incident occurred on February 2, at around 10 am, when Vikas Chavan, a professional director associated with advertisements and small and large-scale shoots for various companies, was on his way to Gorai Beach for a shoot. After alighting from an autorickshaw, he accidentally left behind his bag containing valuable equipment. The rickshaw driver drove away, leaving Chavan distressed. The bag contained a camera, laptop, tablet and other costly equipment. Realising the lossed possession, Chavan immediately approached Borivali Police Station and lodged a complaint with PSI Sagar. Borivali Police launched an immediate search operation Acting swiftly on the complaint, the crime detection team of Borivali Police launched an immediate search operation without any delay. With the coordinated efforts of Police Constables Yogesh Khedkar and Rishikesh Naikare, first investigating officer Vilas Satpute, along with Police Sub-Inspector Wudre, the concerned autorickshaw was traced within an hour. The police safely recovered the bag and returned it to the complainant. The recovered items included a laptop worth approximately Rs 3 lakh, a tablet valued at Rs 50,000, a camera worth Rs 50,000, and other miscellaneous items worth around Rs 1 lakh, totalling Rs 5 lakh in physical assets. Notably, the data stored in the laptop was estimated to be worth nearly Rs 16 lakh. Thus, the Borivali police officers and staff successfully recovered and returned a bag valued at around Rs 21 lakh to the complainant within an hour.
03 February,2026 12:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanADVERTISEMENT
