AMID growing focus on BMC-run schools and their infrastructure, the civic body plans to open nine standalone school buildings for students in the 2026–27 academic year. These new facilities are spread across Ghatkopar, Govandi, Andheri, Juhu and Malad. Except for a newly built CBSE school in Andheri East, all the buildings are redeveloped structures constructed on the sites of former municipal schools. Civic officials said the reconstruction of these schools took between three and five years, with the Juhu school taking the longest, as it falls within the Coastal Regulation Zone. The new buildings will also temporarily accommodate students from neighbouring municipal schools that are currently undergoing redevelopment. Kondivita Mumbai Public School in Andheri East will function as a standalone CBSE institution, as affiliation norms allow only one school per building. Other redeveloped schools will operate under the Maharashtra State Board. Several of the new buildings are equipped with modern facilities such as libraries, virtual classrooms, computer and science laboratories, art and craft rooms, multipurpose halls and disability friendly washrooms. “All these areas are witnessing a steady rise in student population. These new buildings will help us absorb more students into the BMC school system,” a civic official told mid-day. MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS: AT A GLANCE (Some schools to run in two shifts) Kondivita Mumbai Public School (CBSE) Location: Andheri East Classrooms: 28 Students: 320 Board: CBSE Medium: English Tilak Marg Municipal School Location: Ghatkopar East Classrooms: 36+2 balwadi rooms Students: approx 1520 (around 40 per class) Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: Hindi, Marathi Shivaji Nagar Municipal School No.4 Location: Govandi Classrooms: 32+2 balwadi rooms Students: 1360 Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: Urdu, English Sainath Nagar Municipal School Location: Ghatkopar Classrooms: 29 Students: 800 Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: English Juhu Gandhigram Municipal School Location: Juhu Classrooms: 15 Students: 1118 (multiple shifts) Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: English, Marathi, Hindi Govindnagar Hindi School Location: Malad East Classrooms: 47 Students: approx 1400 Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: Hindi, English, Urdu Liberty Garden Municipal School Location: Malad West Classrooms: 51 Students: approx 1200 Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: English, Tamil, Hindi
17 December,2025 04:24 PM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarA day after overcrowding at the IIT Bombay's Mood Indigo, the institute on Wednesday announced that it has cancelled all pre-registrations for events linked to its annual cultural festival, for Wednesday and Thursday. In a post shared on X, the institute said that entry for outsiders has been stopped for the next two days. Only competition participants and IIT Bombay residents will be allowed to enter the campus during this period. All pre-registrations for Mood Indigo events at IIT Bombay are cancelled and entry for any outsider (except the competition participants and IIT Bombay residents) is stopped for today and tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/CbBTZ5hIgA — IIT Bombay (@iitbombay) December 17, 2025 The reason for the decision was not officially informed by IIT Bombay but the announcement came in amid concerns over large crowds and traffic congestion in and around the Powai area, particularly on the Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) on Tuesday evening. The festival had attracted a massive turnout, leading to severe traffic snarls and inconvenience to commuters. Mood Indigo is one of largest college cultural festivals and draws hundreds of visitors at IIT Bombay. Motorists and residents complained of traffic snarls on Tuesday Commuters travelling on the Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) in Mumbai on Tuesday evening faced severe traffic congestion near Powai, with many reporting delays of several hours. Traffic on the busy stretch came to a near standstill reportedly as large crowds gathered for IIT Bombay’s annual cultural festival, mood-indigo. Traffic officials said the spillover of students and visitors attending the event led to heavy congestion in and around Powai. According to officials, the traffic jam began in the evening and continued for several hours before easing late at night. "Heavy congestion occurred along the JVLR due to a large influx of students attending the Mood Indigo festival at IIT Bombay. The Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) is experiencing significant delays due to poor crowd management," Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA) posted along with a video of traffic snarls on X. Heavy congestion occurred along the JVLR due to a large influx of students attending the Mood Indigo festival at IIT Bombay. The Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) is experiencing significant delays due to poor crowd management pic.twitter.com/uD4x7MNmVL — Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA) (@ChandivaliCCWA) December 16, 2025 Traffic Police stepped in “We already have traffic police on site and now things have begun to normalise,” a traffic control official said, adding that additional personnel were deployed to manage the situation. The Mumbai Traffic Police also confirmed on social media that traffic movement was slow due to a college event at IIT Bombay’s main gate near Sakinaka. कॉलेज विद्यार्थ्यांच्या कार्यक्रमामुळे पवई आयआय टी मेनगेट ( साकीनाका ) येथे जाणारी वाहतूक संथ गतीने सुरू आहे.Traffic Movement Is Slow At Powai IIT MainGate (Sakinaka) Due To Collage student event#MTPTrafficUpdate — Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) December 16, 2025 Commuters report matter on X Several commuters expressed their frustration over the long delays. A Powai resident said it took him over an hour to travel from Rambaug Chowki to IIT Bombay on a two-wheeler, a journey that usually takes much less time. "It took me 1.25 hrs to travel from Rambaug Chowki to IIT Bombay, on a two wheeler," a Powai resident had told mid-day on Tuesday night.
17 December,2025 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai is gearing up for its biggest civic battle. With 227 seats up for grabs, millions of voters, and strict spending limits for candidates, the stakes have never been higher. From ward-wise distribution to key voter statistics, understanding the numbers behind the polls gives a clearer picture of what’s at play in Asia’s richest civic body. After a delay of 34 months, elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will finally be held on January 15, 2026, with counting scheduled for January 16, 2026. The previous five-year term ended in February 2022. The State Election Commission (SEC) announced the schedule, confirming that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect immediately. Including the BMC’s 227 seats, a total of 2,869 seats across 29 municipal corporations will go to the polls. Along with Mumbai, municipal elections will also be held on the same day in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar, Panvel, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi-Nizampur city and 20 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra. We break down the seats, voters, spending limits, ward details and all the essential statistics you need to know ahead of the 2026 BMC elections. Key figures for BMC polls Polling stations: 10,111 Control units: 11,349 Ballot units: 22,698 Election officers: 290 Assistant election officers: 870 Total staff required: 1,96,605 Overall polling infrastructure (all 29 civic bodies): Polling stations: 39,147 Control units: 43,958 Ballot units: 87,916 Key voter statistics: Male voters: 1,81,93,666 Female voters: 1,66,79,755Other voters: 4596 Total voters (29 corporations): 3,48,78,017 In Mumbai alone, there will be a total of 1,03,44,315 voters spread across all 227 wards of the city. Seat breakup: OBC: 759 ST: 77 SC: 341 Women reserved: 1,442 Others: 250Total seats: 2,869 Important dates Election notifications: BMC – Dec 16, 2025; Other corporations – Dec 18, 2025 Nominations: Dec 23–30, 2025 Scrutiny: Dec 31, 2025 Withdrawal of nominations: Jan 2, 2026 Symbol allotment and final list: Jan 3, 2026 Spending limits (per candidate) BMC and A-class: Rs 15 lakh B-class: Rs 13 lakh C-class: Rs 11 lakh D-class: Rs 9 lakh (Source: State Election Commission) Notes: Mobile phones are not permitted inside polling stations. Pink polling stations, staffed entirely by women, will be set up in areas with higher female voter turnout. Nomination forms can be filled online but must be submitted offline. Caste validity certificates must be submitted within six months of the results; failure will cancel the election retrospectively. The Raj Thackeray-led MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) had raised objections to over 11 lakh duplicate names in the voters’ list, demanding necessary corrections before polling. The SEC said BMC officials removed several duplicate entries through field verification and software checks. “If there are any remaining duplicates, they have been marked with a star. This will help identify voters with multiple entries on voting day,” the SEC said. The BMC polls are expected to witness a direct contest between two major alliances in the state: the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Mahayuti, which currently governs Maharashtra, comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The main opposition alliance, the MVA, includes the Indian National Congress, the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, and the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the NCP-SP. After remaining politically apart for nearly two decades, the Thackeray brothers—Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray—have reunited. The move is being seen as a significant development in Mumbai’s political landscape, with the alliance expected to reshape electoral dynamics in the civic polls. The last BMC elections were held in 2017. Reacting to the poll announcement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “I am sure people will once again vote for development and progress.
17 December,2025 04:06 PM IST | MumbaiThe State Election Commission (SEC) has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), on January 15, 2026. Polling will be held from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and counting of votes will take place on January 16, 2026. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force on December 15, 2025, across all municipal corporation areas. Political parties have already begun preparations, with criticism, praise, and rivalry heating up ahead of the elections. Below are answers to frequently asked questions: ● What is the BMC election? The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election selects members to govern Greater Mumbai, India’s largest city. ● When is the BMC election? Polling: January 15, 2026 (7:30 am – 5:30 pm)Counting: January 16, 2026 ● How many voters from Mumbai will be voting for the BMC Elections? There will be a total of 1,03,44,315 voters spread across all 227 wards of Mumbai. ● Who is eligible to vote and how to register? Eligible voters must be Indian citizens, at least 18 years old, and ordinary residents of the concerned area. Only names on the Voter List (Electoral Roll) are eligible to vote. Voters can find details on polling booths, candidates, election dates, and EVM procedures. ● How to check voter registration status? Check your name on the Electoral Roll at: https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in ● How many corporations will be contested? Elections will be held for 29 municipal corporations. ● How do I use an EVM? EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) will be used. [Click here for a guide on using EVM/VVPAT.] ● What identification should I carry? Accepted photo IDs include: EPIC (Voter ID), Passport, Driving License, PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Government Service ID, Bank/Post Office Passbook with photo, MNREGA Job Card, Health Insurance Smart Card, Pension document with photo, or official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs. Photo voter slips alone are not valid. ● What is the voting process? Elections are conducted by a hierarchy of officials, including: Election Officer and Returning Officer Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, Polling Officers Supporting staff: Assistant Election Officers, Election Supervisors, Inspectors, Clerks Duties include finalising ward boundaries based on census data, publishing authenticated ward-wise electoral rolls, and overseeing the election process from polling to result declaration. ● Which parties are contesting the BMC elections 2026? The elections are expected to be a contest between: Mahayuti (ruling alliance): BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), Ajit Pawar-led NCP Maha Vikas Aghadi (opposition): Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Sharad Pawar-led NCP–SP ● What is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)? The MCC is a set of guidelines by the Election Commission to regulate party and candidate conduct during elections. It came into effect with the election announcement. No policy decisions can be made in these areas during this period, except for natural disasters or emergency relief.
17 December,2025 04:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Mumbai police constable has rescued a 9-foot-long python from a duct outside a park in the city's Dharavi area, an official said. A video of the rescue has gone viral on social media, and the city police also uploaded it on their X account. Fearless in Uniform: PC Sachin More Rescues 9-Foot Python in Dharavi.A python was discovered during wire repair work inside an internet duct near a natural park, within the jurisdiction of @DharaviPS Upon receiving the alert, Police Constable Sachin More, who is also a… pic.twitter.com/YVuaky5osB — मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) December 16, 2025 A worker spotted the snake during wire repair work inside an internet duct near Dharavi depot on December 13, a police official said. After being alerted, constable Sachin More, who is also a trained snake rescuer, rushed to the spot. He rescued the python and handed it over to the forest department, a police official said. More is attached to the police's local arms unit. Two Indian Giant Squirrels, rescued a few months back, released into wild Meanwhile, two Indian Giant Squirrels, rescued a few months back, have been released into the wild after treatment at a rehabilitation facility, reported PTI. The Indian Giant Squirrel, also known as Shekru in Marathi, is the state animal of Maharashtra. They are facing threats to their survival due to habitat loss and fragmentation in their native range, a wildlife expert said. The forest department had rescued two squirrels in separate instances and handed them over to the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) for their treatment and rehabilitation, reported PTI. After being treated for nearly three months, they were declared fit and released into the wild last week, RAWW founder Pawan Sharma said on Tuesday. Leopard rescued from well in Nagpur The forest department rescued a leopard from a well located in a farm at in Nagpur district of Maharashtra on Tuesday, officials said, reported PTI. The feline had fallen in the well at Dorli Gangaji village in Kalmeshwar range, around 40 km from Nagpur. After receiving information, Forest Range Officer P R Shirpurkar rushed to the spot and called the Rapid Rescue Team from Nagpur, reported PTI. After hours of hard work, the one-year-old leopard was rescued from the well without injury, it said. Meanwhile, a female wild elephant sustained serious injuries to its mouth after allegedly consuming explosives in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, a forest official said on Monday, reported PTI. The five-year-old elephant was spotted in a forest area of the district on the morning of December 12 and was later tranquilised and shifted to a nursery in the Similipal North Division, Divisional Forest Officer (Baripada) Gobinda Chandra Biswal said, reported PTI. The animal had entered the Baripada forest range from the Nilagiri area of neighbouring Balasore district, he said. With severe injuries to its tongue, the elephant was rescued on December 13 and is currently undergoing treatment under the supervision of a dedicated team of veterinary doctors, the DFO added. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2025 02:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said his party chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray will hold joint rallies in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra for the January 15 civic polls, reported news agency PTI. Speaking to reporters, Raut also claimed that the ruling BJP's decision to keep the Ajit Pawar-headed NCP out of the alliance in Mumbai, citing Nawab Malik's leadership in the city, was a "farce". The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has stepped up preparations for polls to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and on Tuesday held a review meeting of its election management committee under the leadership of former minister Nawab Malik. Its ally BJP has opposed Malik's appointment and distanced itself from the Ajit Pawar-led party for the Mumbai civic polls. The NCP, BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are constituents of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Tuesday. Sena (UBT) and MNS will join hands for the upcoming civic polls: Raut He later said the Sena (UBT) and MNS will join hands for the upcoming civic polls in Mumbai, Mira-Bhayander, Kalyan-Dombivli, Thane, Pune and Nashik, with a formal announcement likely in the coming week. "Uddhav Thackeray and Raj will hold joint rallies in Mumbai and outside. It is the need of Maharashtra," Raut said on Wednesday, reported PTI. The Thackeray cousins are also likely to hold rallies in places like Pune, Nashik and Kalyan-Dombivli, he added. "Our effort is that the Thackeray brothers reach out to maximum places and address people," the Rajya Sabha member said, reported PTI. Raut also extended best wishes to the Congress on reports of its tie-up with the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, reported PTI. In a dig at the Congress, he said Muslim and Dalit communities are aware that the Thackeray cousins can defeat divisive forces. On Tuesday, Raut stated that he spoke to the top Congress leadership, urging the party to contest the civic body polls as part of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which he believes should also include the Raj Thackeray-led MNS. However, the Congress top brass has left the matter to the local leadership to decide, he added. High-stakes polls to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the cash-rich BMC, will see the Mahayuti and MVA battling it out for electoral supremacy in the state's major urban centres on January 15. Votes will be counted on January 16. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2025 02:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai on Wednesday witnessed tense scenes during the morning rush hour after an AC fast local train on the Central Railway line failed to open its doors at Dadar station, forcing commuters to alight at the next stop, Byculla, around 6.4 km away. The incident involved the 10:42 am Badlapur–CSMT AC local, which halted at Dadar as scheduled but departed without opening its automatic doors. Several commuters who intended to disembark at Dadar were left stranded inside the train, causing widespread frustration. The Badlapur-CSMT train arrived at Dadar, and there were lots of commuters inside the train who wanted to disembark at Dadar. The train halted as usual, but the doors did not open, and the train departed. The next station was Byculla, and people missed their schedules. Mukesh Makhija, one of the commuters travelling in the fast AC local train, emphasised, “The Badlapur–CSMT train arrived at Dadar, and there were lots of commuters inside who wanted to get down. The train halted as usual, but the doors did not open, and it left the station,” said AC local commuter Mukesh Makhija. “The next stop was Byculla, and many people missed their schedules.” Angered by the inconvenience, commuters created a ruckus at Byculla station and confronted the railway authorities about the incident. According to passengers, they approached the motorman to seek an explanation. Another commuter, while expressing disbelief about the inconvenience, asserted, “We then approached the motorman. There were seven people in his cabin. We questioned him, and he said that the guard is in charge of the train and that he does not have a mechanism to open doors.” Makhija further added that, “The inside talk-back mechanism box was not working, and we did not try to pull the chain, maybe for some irrelevant reason, and disturb all other trains.” The incident added to commuter woes during peak hours, with many demanding accountability and better maintenance of AC local trains on the central line.
17 December,2025 01:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarInvoking the spirit of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday claimed that the BMC elections 2026, in particular, and 28 other civic bodies are a battle to protect Mumbai from being "carved away" from Maharashtra, terming the electoral exercise as a decisive struggle for the "existence of the Marathi Manoos". The party, its mouthpiece 'Saamana' said the existence of Mumbai was at stake, and if the city, built through the sacrifice of 106 martyrs, is lost, the Marathi people will face "a lifetime of slavery". It gave a rallying cry for the Marathi people to "pick up the Bhavani sword of identity" and enter the electoral battlefield with the chant, "Har Har Mahadev!" The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in the Saamana editorial said the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations, including high-stakes Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. "After a prolonged seven-and-a-half-year delay, the SEC has scheduled polling for January 15, 2026, with results to be declared the following day, January 16. The announcement follows a Supreme Court directive mandating that all local body elections in the state be completed by January 31, leaving the 'Rahman Dacoit gang', which had infiltrated 29 corporations, with no choice." Fadnavis-Shinde government intentionally deferred these elections: Shiv Sena(UBT) in Saamana The editorial alleged that the current Fadnavis-Shinde government intentionally deferred these elections to facilitate "looting" through the appointment of administrators. It claimed that the ruling coalition only proceeded due to judicial intervention, expressing concern that funds allegedly misappropriated during the administrative period will be funnelled into the upcoming campaigns. The editorial further said, “While the Model Code of Conduct is in effect, it seems it is only for the opposition. Members of the ruling alliance and their ministers violate the code, laws and rules daily with impunity. Neither the state nor the Central Election Commission pays any attention to these violations because the poll body has become a 'pet cat' of the authorities. In such an unequal environment, this electoral struggle will take place, and the Marathi Manoos must win it at any cost.” A major point of contention highlighted in the editorial is the state of the voter lists. The editorial claimed that the lists are "riddled with scams", alleging the presence of over 15 lakh duplicate voters across the state, including 1,50,000 in Mumbai alone. "The SEC has reportedly used lists from July 1, 2025, claiming it lacks the authority to add or delete names, though it has implemented a 'double star' marking system to flag potential duplicate voters for field verification. If the Commission does not see this as serious, one must admit it wears a collar of slavery and helplessness put on by the government,” it alleged. Stepping up the attack against the Mahayuti alliance, the Thackeray camp said that just before the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, the state government issued 49 Government Resolutions (GRs) and launched a spree of development projects, which were "deceptive ploys" intended to influence voters. The editorial questioned the feasibility of election expenditure limits. While limits are set between Rs 9 lakh and Rs 15 lakh depending on the corporation's grade, it alleged that in recent local polls, ruling alliance candidates spent between Rs 100 crore and Rs 150 crore per municipality, with votes being openly bought for as much as Rs 20,000. Against this backdrop, the Thackeray camp claimed that the authorities would use "Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed (persuasion, money, punishment, and division)" to carve Mumbai away from Maharashtra or to put it up for auction. However, it appealed to the Marathi people not to lose confidence. (With inputs from IANS)
17 December,2025 12:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPolice have arrested four members of a gang involved in theft and robberies after a 10-km chase in Maharashtra's Beed district, officials said, reported news agency PTI. Local residents also helped the police in apprehending the accused on December 12. The gang members, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, had been operating across Beed, Ambajogai and Georai tehsils. They would enter wedding ceremonies disguised as guests or beggars and steal gold ornaments, a police release said on Tuesday, reported PTI. In several cases, they targeted bank customers by tracking them after cash withdrawals and snatching their bags. At times, they would deliberately spill tomato sauce on victims to divert attention and flee with cash and valuables, it said. The high-speed chase On December 12, the four accused arrived at Kaij in Beed with the intention of committing a robbery while riding stolen motorcycles, but their plan failed. Investigations suggested that the gang had earlier committed bag-lifting thefts in Nandurbar district before entering Beed with the stolen money, the police said, reported PTI. They later attempted a robbery at a bank in Kaij, which failed, forcing them to flee towards Beed city on two unregistered two-wheelers, where they came under suspicion of the local crime branch team, which immediately initiated a chase. While two of the accused were apprehended on the spot, the remaining two were captured after a police chase to Massajog, located around 10 km from Kaij, officials said. Local residents assisted the police in overpowering the accused. The police recovered two stolen motorcycles and mobile phones from the accused, identified as Badal Krishna Sisodia (24), Kala alias Hrithik Mahesh Sisodia (29), Deepak Dilip Sisodia (29) and Jaswant Manilal Sisodia (27), all residents of Gulkhedi village in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, the release said, reported PTI. Their arrest is likely to help solve several unsolved theft and robbery cases in the region, the police said. According to the police, the Sisodia gang often involved minors in thefts during wedding ceremonies. The children were used to steal purses from women or sneak into bridal rooms, taking advantage of crowded venues, the release said, reported PTI. Similar incidents had earlier been reported in Beed and Ashti. A similar gang was also busted by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar police in the past, it added. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2025 12:25 PM IST | Beed | mid-day online correspondentMumbai woke up to a mild Wednesday morning, with minimum temperatures ranging between 18.4 degrees Celsius in Santacruz and 22 degrees Celsius in Colaba, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai. No rainfall was recorded across the city. Meanwhile, the city’s air quality remains moderate, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 116, as per the Sameer app. Experts have advised that people with respiratory or heart conditions, including asthma, may experience mild discomfort. Air quality varies across different parts of Mumbai. Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) recorded the highest AQI at 170, while other areas such as Ghatkopar (136), Deonar (131), Byculla (128), Kherwadi in Bandra East (128), Chembur (124), Colaba (121), Kandivali (115), Borivali (103), and Andheri (102) reported moderate levels. Citizens are advised to take precautions, especially sensitive groups, and limit prolonged outdoor exposure if possible. Delhi air quality sees slight improvement at 328 remains in 'very poor' category The national capital, Delhi, witnessed a slight improvement in air quality on Wednesday morning, with the overall AQI recorded at 328 at around 8 am, keeping it in the 'very poor' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), reported news agency ANI. The air quality improved slightly compared to Tuesday, as the AQI was 354 at 4 pm. However, large parts of the city remained enveloped in toxic smog, and the overall air quality continues to be poor. Anand Vihar was shrouded in thick smog, with an AQI of 341, placing it in the 'very poor' category. A thick layer of smog also engulfed areas around IGI Airport, ITO, Dhaula Kuan, AIIMS and the Ghazipur National Highway 24. According to CPCB data, several areas in the capital, including Bawana (376), ITO (360), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (324), and Narela (342), continued to experience poor air quality, placing them in the 'very poor' category. Wazirpur also recorded poor air quality, with an AQI of 359. However, many areas in Delhi showed slight variations in air quality on Wednesday morning. For instance, Burari Crossing recorded an AQI of 298 (Poor), which is relatively better than other locations in the city. Other areas, such as IGI Airport Terminal 3 (263), IIT Delhi (300), and CRRI Mathura Road (297), also recorded improved air quality but remained in the 'poor' category. According to CPCB categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced strict measures to curb vehicular pollution in the national capital. The minister stated that starting December 18, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will not be supplied fuel at petrol pumps in Delhi, according to an official release, reported ANI. Addressing the press conference, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "To control tailpipe emissions from vehicles, all petrol/diesel/CNG pump dealers have been instructed to provide fuel only upon presentation of a valid PUCC." He further added, "For the protection of Delhi's air, all vehicles registered outside Delhi and of a category lower than BS-VI will not be allowed to enter Delhi when GRAP-III and GRAP-IV are implemented. No polluting vehicle will be allowed to enter Delhi," reported ANI. He further stated that when GRAP-IV is in force, vehicles carrying any kind of construction material will also be barred from entering Delhi. The Minister said that PUCC and vehicle categories will be verified through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems and ground-level checks. While announcing strict measures, he appealed to citizens to carry valid PUCC certificates to avoid inconvenience. Sirsa said the current government has implemented scientific, data-driven measures to control pollution. He said, "In 8 out of the 11 months, better air quality has been recorded compared to the previous year. Even in a critical month like November, the average AQI remained approximately 20 points lower than last year. This is a result of daily stringent actions and structural reforms." Addressing Delhi residents, Sirsa said pollution cannot be entirely eliminated in 9-10 months, but the direction and intent are clear, with daily efforts to reduce the AQI. He urged vehicle owners to obtain valid PUCC certificates and comply with the new rules, stating that the government remains committed to providing Delhi with clean air and a pollution-free future. (With ANI inputs)
17 December,2025 12:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule of the BJP on Tuesday dismissed former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's recent remarks that India could soon have a "new Prime Minister", calling the comments "delusional", reported news agency PTI. Chavan, a senior Congress leader, last week cited the release of the controversial Jeffrey Epstein files in the United States on December 19 to claim India could soon have a new PM. "Why Prithviraj Chavan is delusional, I do not know. He keeps talking anything and everything," Bawankule told reporters in Mumbai, taking a swipe at the senior Congressman's statements. Chavan had also claimed a Marathi person could become the next Prime Minister. The former Union minister had said if a Marathi leader were to become the PM, he would still be from the BJP. Bawankule said Chavan had developed a habit of making baseless statements. "He dreams about the Prime Minister's post, who will go and who will come. It seems Prithviraj Chavan has now become the world's biggest fortune-teller," the BJP leader said in sarcastic remarks, reported PTI. Civic polls: Mahayuti partners, Sena (UBT)-MNS hold talks to firm up alliance, seat-sharing Meanwhile, ruling Mahayuti partners, Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS on Tuesday were involved in separate parleys as rival parties in Maharashtra held talks to firm up alliances and deliberated on seat-sharing for the January 15 civic body polls, including in Mumbai. The meetings were largely focussed on the high-stakes battle in Mumbai with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut meeting Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray. Speaking to reporters, Raut said his party and MNS will join hands for the upcoming civic polls in Mumbai, Mira-Bhayander , Kalyan-Dombivli, Thane, Pune and Nashik, with a formal announcement likely in the coming week. "There is no problem in announcing the alliance (between Shiv Sena-UBT and MNS) in the coming week. Both the brothers, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, will be seen on stage for the announcement," Raut said to a question on the tie-up, reported PTI. On a tie-up with the Congress, Raut said stated that he spoke to the top Congress leadership, urging the party to contest the civic body polls as part of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which he believes should also include the Raj Thackeray-led MNS, reported PTI. However, the Congress top brass has left the matter to the local leadership to decide, he added. Both Opposition as well as the ruling Mahayuti asserted that Mumbai will see a Marathi mayor. Talking to reporters after a meeting between Shiv Sena and the BJP, Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam stressed the ruling alliance was working with a clear focus on crossing the 150-seat mark in India's largest civic body. "Our discussions are aimed at ensuring Mahayuti candidates win across all 227 wards, with a clear objective of securing 150-plus seats in the BMC," Satam told reporters. BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar, however, ruled out any alliance with the NCP, a key member of the ruling Mahayuti, for the Mumbai civic polls. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2025 12:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
