Do you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for December 24. Aries March 21 – April 20When plans are made so much in advance then they have more of a chance of falling through. Cosmic tip: Take care of health by having a nutritious diet, exercising as advised, getting enough sleep. TaurusApril 21 – May 20A relationship is like a soulmate connection which feels so right. Acknowledging the truth for what it is, is wise.Cosmic tip: Let go of situations causing stress. Look for the simplest way of resolving it. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Find newer methods to deal with issues that keep on emerging time and again. Do get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Remember, challenges teach us about our greatest strengths. Cancer June 22 – July 23You may be a little stressed, but don’t use family as a scapegoat. A temporary transfer is very annoying. Cosmic tip: Don’t be emotionally closed as this deprives you of so much happiness. Leo July 24 - Aug 23A promotion or raise in salary is revealed. Singles meet someone new, and there’s instant, reciprocal attraction. Cosmic tip: Remember, faith can move mountains. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Happiness and contentment are revealed. Signing contracts here and abroad, a new business idea and a trip over land is also revealed. Cosmic tip: Stay away from what seems instinctively wrong. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Stay away from getting involved in tricky situations, though trying to help someone. Travel is slightly less for now. Fill life with what makes you happy.Cosmic tip: Stay away from confrontations. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Some changes at work are unexpected and slightly annoying, but you have to follow rules. Do maintain a healthy diet.Cosmic tip: Be sure of you own mind, so words are clear and non-ambiguous. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22This karmic cycle is like a time warp, but at the same time a big learning experience. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Don’t get so weighed down by responsibilities that you are too distracted. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Not remaining hooked to the past is such a great move forward (you are done with reliving it again and again). Get enough sleep.Cosmic tip: Remember, life is good and gets better over time. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Be patient with a slow-moving situation, carrying on with other duties in the meanwhile. Cosmic tip: Be peaceful, reacting with love if stress and pressure increase for some reason. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Take one day at a time, having greater faith in God. What you know may have been important, but today it’s unimportant. Cosmic tip: Try to maintain a balance between thoughts, words and actions.
24 December,2025 02:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseThe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday announced its list of 40 star campaigners for the upcoming BMC Elections 2026 and said that Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann and Sanjay Singh are among those to visit Mumbai for campaigning. According to the list, apart from former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Mann and senior leader Sanjay Singh, Manish Sisodia and former Delhi Minister Satyendra Jain are among those who will campaign in Mumbai. Top AAP leaders to campaign in Mumbai According to the party, several national and state-level leaders will visit Mumbai to campaign for AAP candidates during the civic polls. The list also includes Atishi, Durgesh Pathak, Imran Hussain, Rakhi Bidlan, Amanatullah Khan and Dilip Pandey. Leaders from across the country on list The star campaigner list features leaders from different states and regions, highlighting the party’s effort to strengthen its presence in Mumbai. Prominent names include Saurabh Bharadwaj, Harpal Singh Cheema, Praveen Kumar Deshmukh, Vishesh Ravi, Preeti Sharma Menon, Venzy Vigas and Chaitra Vasava. Full list of star campaigners Other star campaigners named by the party include Prakash Jarwal, Kishore Mandhyan, Ruben Mascarenhas, Sunil Kukreja, Sumitra Shrivastava, Dr Santosh Karmarkar, Sunder Padmukh, Vijay Kshirsagar, Azeem Farooqui, Aditya Paul, Mahesh Chawda, Sudesh Patel, Ishudan Gadvi, Payal Patel, Pankaj Gupta, Ranga Rachure, Ajit Phatke Patil, Vijay Kumbhar, Mukund Kirdat, Devendra Wankhede and Sandeep Desai. Focus on BMC Elections 2026 AAP leaders said the party aims to take its governance model to Mumbai and focus on civic issues such as roads, water supply, cleanliness, education and healthcare during the campaign. The announcement marks the party’s formal campaign push ahead of the high-stakes BMC elections, which will decide the control of India’s richest municipal body. AAP to contest independently Meanwhile, last week on Friday, AAP had announced that it will contest the civic polls in Mumbai independently, fielding candidates in all 227 wards and ruling out any alliance with other political parties. The party said that the decision marks its formal entry into Mumbai’s civic politics and aims to provide an alternative to what it described as decades of misgovernance by established parties. Addressing the media, Preeti Sharma Menon, AAP Mumbai chief, said that despite Mumbai’s status as India’s Urbs Prima, civic governance had deteriorated sharply. “The BMC has an annual budget of Rs 74,447 crore, the largest in Asia. Mumbaikars pay the highest taxes in the country, yet receive poor-quality public services,” she said. BMC has become plagued by corruption Menon alleged that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has become plagued by corruption and inefficiency. She pointed to the closure of BMC-run schools, declining educational standards, lack of functional primary healthcare centres, overburdened public hospitals, and the steady decline of BEST’s bus fleet. She also highlighted issues such as poor garbage management, shrinking green cover, rising pollution levels, and the discharge of untreated sewage into the sea.
24 December,2025 01:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are likely to formally announce their alliance for the upcoming BMC Elections 2025 on Wednesday. The Mumbai civic elections will be held on January 15. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS on Tuesday, without sharing the details of alliance announcement, announced a joint press conference scheduled for December 24 at 12 noon at Hotel Blue Sea, Worli Sea Face in Mumbai. The announcement was shared on social media platform X by the MNS, along with pictures of party chiefs Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray. #पत्रकारपरिषद #मुंबई #मराठी #महाराष्ट्र #MNSAdhikrut pic.twitter.com/k9WCLxQ8CW — MNS Adhikrut - मनसे अधिकृत (@mnsadhikrut) December 23, 2025 Social media hints fuel speculation Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also hinted at the announcement by sharing a throwback photograph of the Thackeray cousins from July 27, when Raj Thackeray visited Uddhav Thackeray at his Bandra residence. The caption read simply: “Tomorrow at 12 o’clock.” Seat-sharing talks The expected alliance follows weeks of intense discussions between leaders of both parties to finalise seat-sharing arrangements for elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Party leaders said the formal announcement was delayed as Raj Thackeray wanted seat-sharing talks to be completed before making the alliance official. Differences reportedly existed over seat allocation in areas such as Dadar, Mahim, Borivali, Vikhroli, Bhandup, and Sewri. Focus beyond Mumbai While Mumbai remains the primary focus, the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance is also expected to contest civic polls in Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Nashik and other cities. Municipal elections across 29 cities in Maharashtra will be held on January 15. उद्या १२ वाजता हॉटेल ब्लू सी वरळी pic.twitter.com/k2O590ftO4 — Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) December 23, 2025 The alliance comes in the backdrop of poor performance by both parties in the 2024 Assembly elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) won only 20 seats, while the MNS failed to win a single seat. Efforts to reunite the estranged cousins began soon after. On July 5, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared a public stage for the first time in nearly 20 years at a rally in Worli, celebrating the rollback of the state government’s decision to introduce Hindi as a third language in primary schools. Past differences set aside Raj Thackeray left the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005 following differences with Uddhav Thackeray and formed the MNS. Relations between the two remained strained for years, but changing political realities appear to have pushed them towards unity.
23 December,2025 11:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court has ruled that preventing someone from feeding stray dogs in non-designated areas does not amount to an offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), reported the PTI. A bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Sandesh Patil quashed a criminal case registered against a 42-year-old Pune resident who was accused of stopping a woman and her friends from feeding stray dogs at the entrance of a housing society, according to the PTI. The court held that such an act cannot be termed “wrongful restraint” or “voluntary obstruction” under the law. “Stopping a person from wrongly feeding stray dogs in a non-designated area cannot be considered restraint under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” the bench observed. The judgment, delivered on December 18 and made available on Tuesday, clarified that preventing dog feeding on footpaths, society entry and exit points, and school bus stops does not constitute a criminal offence. Feeding allowed only at designated spots The court noted that the accused had merely informed the complainant that the location where the dogs were being fed was not a designated feeding area. Referring to Supreme Court rulings and the Animal Birth Control Rules, the High Court said feeding of stray dogs must be done only at designated locations, as prescribed under law. Safety of residents, not criminal intent The High Court observed that the alleged obstruction lacked any criminal intent and was aimed at ensuring the safety of children and residents of the housing society. The accused had raised concerns due to past incidents of dog bites and attacks within the premises. The court said such actions, taken in the interest of public safety, cannot be considered illegal. FIR filed after dispute in housing society According to the FIR registered at Hinjewadi police station in January, the complainant had gone to a residential society to feed stray dogs when the accused and other residents objected and allegedly stood in front of her car, preventing her from leaving. Seeking quashing of the FIR, the accused stated that there were over 40 stray dogs in the society and that residents had repeatedly faced safety issues due to dog attacks. The Bombay High Court accepted the argument and quashed the criminal proceedings. (with PTI inputs)
23 December,2025 10:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on civic authorities and the pollution control board, stating that while it was not opposed to development or ongoing construction in the city, it expected strict compliance with environmental norms to curb rising air pollution, reported the PTI. A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad observed that authorities had failed to enforce compliance and directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to take urgent and concrete measures to address the worsening air quality, according to the PTI. “We do not want construction or development to stop, but we want compliance. You have failed to ensure compliance,” the court remarked, warning that unless immediate and effective action was taken, the situation could soon spiral out of control, as per the PTI. “If things go out of hand, nothing will remain within your control,” the bench cautioned, the news agency reported. Top officials appear before HC bench Pursuant to the court’s directions issued on Monday, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and MPCB Secretary Devendra Singh appeared before the bench on Tuesday, reported the PTI. Urging officials to offer practical solutions, the court said, “Please come up with suggestions. This will not work otherwise. Apart from being officers, you are also citizens and have a fundamental duty.” Mumbai Air Quality Index issue in court The bench was hearing a batch of petitions highlighting the deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) in Mumbai. It also took serious note of the working conditions faced by labourers at construction sites. Emphasising that the right to life applies to all citizens, including the poor, the court questioned the MPCB on whether it had issued any health advisories for construction workers exposed to hazardous pollution levels. “You must issue advisories for project proponents so that workers’ health is protected. They are exposed to serious health risks. You do not care for the poor,” the bench observed. “At the very least, provide them with masks. This is basic common sense. The right to health is a fundamental right,” the court added, as per the PTI. The MPCB informed the court that it would present suggestions on the matter on Wednesday. Far more needed to be done In its order, the court noted that far more needed to be done by both the BMC and MPCB. The bench also questioned the civic chief on whether he personally conducted surprise inspections and whether action had been taken against violators. Senior counsel S U Kamdar, appearing for the civic body, responded in the affirmative and informed the court that since November, the BMC had issued 433 show-cause notices for non-compliance with pollution control guidelines and 148 stop-work notices, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
23 December,2025 10:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway, while sharing Mumbai train updates, on Tuesday said that it will conduct special power blocks from midnight of December 24/25, 2025 to midnight of December 30/31, 2025 in the Panvel-Kalamboli section. An official statement said that during the power blocks, several works will be undertaken. The will include- - Removal of infringements in connection with the Panvel-Kalamboli Coaching Complex - Shifting of Point no 101B by 4.5 metres towards the Diva end at Panvel - Launching of FOB girder sets between platforms 5/6 and 7/8 at Panvel - Erection of steel columns and cross girders at Panvel "The block will cover Up and Down Mail lines, Loop lines, Karjat lines, Engine reversal lines, and Platforms 6 and 7 at Panvel station," officials said. Impact on trains Due to the power blocks, several trains will be regulated or rescheduled, the officials said. There will include the following- - Mangaluru Jn-CSMT Express (12134) – Regulated at Apta for 20–30 minutes daily - CSMT-Karmali Express (01151) – Regulated at Kalamboli for 1 hour 15 minutes on specific days; departure rescheduled to 03:00 hrs on 27/28 December - Karmali-CSMT Express (01152) – Regulated at Jite for 1 hour 15 minutes daily - LTT-Karmali Express (22115) – Rescheduled to 01:45 hrs on 25 December - Ernakulam-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (22655) – Regulated at Somatane for 50 minutes on 24/25 December - LTT-Madgaon Express (11099) – Multiple rescheduled departures between 25–28 December - Thiruvananthapuram-LTT Superfast Express (22114) – Regulated at Somatane for 1 hour 15 minutes on 25/26 December - Ernakulam-Pune Express (22149) – Regulated at Somatane for 1 hour 15 minutes on 26/27 & 30/31 December - Daund-Ajmer Superfast Express (09626) – Regulated at Mohpe for 30 minutes on 26/27 December - Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (22653) – Regulated at Somatane for 50 minutes on 27/28 December - Solapur-LTT Express (01435) – Regulated at Mohpe for 20 minutes on 30/31 December - Daund-Gwalior Express (22193) – Diverted via Karjat-Kalyan-Bhiwandi Road on 28/29 December; halt shifted from Panvel to Kalyan "Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and follow updates issued by the railway administration," the official statement said.
23 December,2025 09:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWestern Railway, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, on Tuesday announced a list of trains that will be affected during 30-day major block between Kandivali and Borivali in Mumbai. Earlier, the Western Railway had announced a 30-day major block on the Kandivali-Borivali section to carry out work related to the sixth railway line. The block will begin on the night of December 20/21, 2025 and will continue until January 18, 2026, it had said. The work forms part of Western Railway’s efforts to improve capacity and upgrade infrastructure on the busy suburban network. Non-interlocking block on December 26 and 27 According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, a major Non-Interlocking (NI) block will be undertaken for the commissioning of an Electronic Interlocking (EI) panel at Borivali. This block will affect both Up and Down slow railway lines from 11 pm on December 26 to 7 am on December 27, 2025. Speed restrictions on fast line In addition to the block, a speed restriction will be imposed on the Down fast line between Kandivali and Dahisar. This restriction will be in force from 11 pm on December 26, 2025 until midnight on December 27 and 28, 2025, an official statement said. Impact on suburban train services Due to the block, some suburban local train services will be cancelled, while certain Borivali and Andheri services will operate only up to Goregaon during the affected period, the statement said. Western Railway has stated that details of affected trains have been provided in annexures: Annexure I: Trains running up to Goregaon and reversing during the block on 26/27 December Annexure II: Train cancellations on December 26/27 Annexure III: Train cancellations on December 27 New Year services to remain smooth Western Railway has assured passengers that any further impact on suburban services will be announced in advance, the statement said. Officials said that special efforts are being made to avoid unusual cancellations on December 31, 2025, keeping in mind passenger convenience during New Year celebrations. Passengers are advised to check updated train schedules before travelling, officials said.
23 December,2025 09:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMassive fire broke out at a warehouse in a commercial building in Mumbra area of Thane district in Maharashtra on Tuesday evening, officials said, adding that the firefighting operations were underway. According to the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the blaze was reported at around 6:06 pm, at the Megh Company compound in Mumbra area of Thane. The fire engulfed the B Wing of the ground plus two-floor building, affecting a warehouse storing jute goods on the first and second floors. "The Regional Disaster Management Cell's Control Room received the alert from the Mumbra Fire Brigade. Officials, including disaster management officers and staff, rushed to the site with one utility vehicle, three fire trucks, two water tankers, and one rescue vehicle," said an official. Personnel from the Mumbra Fire Station, police staff from Mumbra Police Station, employees of Torrent Power, and the Mumbra ward anti-encroachment department were also present to assist in controlling the situation. So far no injuries have been reported in the incident, officials said. Precautionary measures have been taken to prevent the fire from spreading, they said. Further details are awaited. Tree falls on cars in Thane Meanwhile, in an another incident on Tuesday, several vehicles were damaged after a large tree fell at the Pokhran Road No. 02 near Cosmos Horizon Society in Shastri Nagar, causing damage to the vehicles. The incident occurred around 09.50 am near Bethany Hospital. As many as three parked vehicles were damaged in the incident. However no injuries were reported in the incident, officials said. They said that officials from the Vartak Nagar Police Station, along with Disaster Management Cell staff, Fire Department personnel, and Tree Authority workers, worked together to clear the fallen tree from the road. Three vehicles including a Mahindra Bolero Pickup, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and a Maruti Suzuki Swift were damaged in the incident. All vehicles sustained minor damage from the tree fall, but thankfully, there were no casualties. The road was cleared and reopened for traffic after approximately two hours of effort. The officials said that their preparedness to handle such incidents and ensure swift resolution, minimising disruptions to local traffic.
23 December,2025 09:11 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Congress on Tuesday said the recent observations by the Bombay High Court (HC) on air pollution and civic issues in Mumbai have exposed the “inaction and inefficiency” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti Government in Maharashtra, which is currently running the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) through an administrator, news agency PTI reported. All-India Congress Committee Secretary and Mumbai Congress Chief Spokesperson Sachin Sawant alleged that the ruling alliance has neglected key civic issues such as roads, pollution and public health, while focusing instead on serving select interests. His remarks came after the court pulled up civic authorities and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), clarifying that it was not against development or construction activity in the city but was seeking strict compliance with norms to curb air pollution, PTI reported. A bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad observed that authorities had failed to ensure compliance and directed BMC and MPCB to take serious steps to address the worsening air pollution in Mumbai. Following the court’s directions on Monday, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and MPCB member-secretary Devendra Singh appeared before the bench on Tuesday, PTI reported. The court was hearing a batch of petitions highlighting concerns over the deteriorating air quality index (AQI) in the city. Referring to the HC’s repeated interventions on issues such as potholes, air pollution, and the Kanjurmarg dumping ground, Sawant said the judiciary has been forced to step in time and again to address civic failures. Mahayuti's functioning has damaged Mumbai's image, alleges Congress “If courts have to intervene in every matter, then it raises serious questions about the standards of governance,” said Sawant. He further claimed that the court’s observations have once again exposed the “inaction and inefficiency” of the BJP-led Mahayuti Government. Sawant alleged that the alliance’s functioning has damaged Mumbai’s image as the country’s financial capital, pointing out that the BJP, the lead party in the state coalition, is also in power at the Centre. He further accused the ruling alliance of diverting public attention from civic issues by creating disputes on religious lines. Appealing to voters ahead of the January 15 BMC elections, Sawant urged them to defeat the BJP-led Mahayuti, alleging that it has failed to provide even clean air and basic civic amenities to the people of Mumbai. (With PTI inputs)
23 December,2025 08:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe launch of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) marks a historic moment for Maharashtra and with its first commercial flight scheduled for December 25, 2025, the long-awaited airport is set to become a new gateway for Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Developed by the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd. (CIDCO), the airport reflects years of planning, perseverance and coordinated execution, an official statement said. It is expected to significantly reduce congestion at Mumbai’s existing airport and strengthen the multi-airport system in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). CIDCO calls it a collective dream come true Ahead of the start of the airport operations, Vijay Singhal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of CIDCO, said that the beginning of operations at NMIA highlights the Maharashtra Government’s continued focus on infrastructure-led growth. He described the airport as a symbol of futuristic development, inclusive growth and global connectivity, and congratulated the people of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra and the entire country on the achievement. World-class greenfield airport Planned as a modern Greenfield airport, NMIA is CIDCO’s most ambitious project to date. From concept to commissioning, the airport showcases engineering excellence, sustainability-focused design and seamless coordination between multiple agencies. Once fully operational, NMIA will play a key role in easing pressure on Mumbai’s existing airport while supporting future growth in air traffic. Iconic terminal CIDCO has also acknowledged the contribution of the Adani Group and Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (NMIAL) in delivering the airport’s lotus-inspired terminal. The statement said that the terminal design reflects India’s cultural heritage while incorporating sustainability, innovation and world-class architectural standards. Authorities said the strong collaboration between the Maharashtra Government, CIDCO, Adani Group and NMIAL was central to the successful completion of the project. Regional Connectivity to ease The airport is expected to transform regional mobility and economic development. Residents of Navi Mumbai will benefit from reduced travel time and improved global connectivity. People from Pune, Thane, Panvel, Raigad and the Konkan region are also likely to gain faster and easier access to domestic and international flights. The project is expected to create jobs, boost tourism and attract major investments. NMIA has been designed with seamless multimodal connectivity. It is connected through expressways, arterial roads, suburban rail networks, metro corridors and upcoming mass transit systems. Key infrastructure such as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), national highways and dedicated airport access roads will ensure smooth last-mile connectivity, making NMIA one of the most accessible airports in India. Day-1 of flight operations On its first day of operations on December 25, 2025, the airport will handle- Total Operations: 30 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) Airlines: IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express and Star Air Key Flights: First Arrival: IndiGo flight 6E 460 from Bengaluru at 8 am First Departure: IndiGo flight 6E 882 to Hyderabad at 8.40 am
23 December,2025 07:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set to begin commercial operations on December 25, offering a major connectivity boost to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. While the airport is planned as a multi-modal hub with future rail, Metro, road and waterway links, only limited transport options will be available to the public in the initial phase. At present, access to the airport will be primarily through roads, suburban rail and buses. Road connectivity Passengers travelling from Mumbai to NMIA currently have two main road options: the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, also known as Atal Setu, and the Vashi Bridge. While both routes attract toll charges, Atal Setu is more expensive than the Vashi Bridge. However, both are expected to be preferred by flyers, particularly those travelling to the airport occasionally. Officials indicated that toll charges may be revised once airport operations scale up. Streetlights yet to be installed on the approach road leading to the Navi Mumbai International Airport The distance between the Vashi Bridge and NMIA is approximately 16 km and can take around 24 minutes during low traffic conditions. The distance between Atal Setu and NMIA is about 13 km and can take roughly 17 minutes with minimal traffic. Rail connectivity Until early December, CBD Belapur was the closest railway station to NMIA. With the recent opening of Targhar railway station, it has now become the nearest rail access point, located around 10 to 15 minutes away from the airport using last-mile transport. However, train frequency at Targhar remains limited. At present, only around 12 trains operate daily between Targhar and Nerul, with gaps of nearly an hour. Services towards Belapur are also limited, with 13 trains running daily at intervals of over 30 minutes. Trains on the Targhar to Uran route are relatively more frequent, with about 25 services daily. During peak morning and evening hours, trains run every 30 minutes, while afternoon services are spaced an hour apart. Commuters planning to use the railway option will need to plan carefully, as train schedules for Targhar are not yet visible on popular apps such as M-Indicator, which many daily commuters rely on. An unlit stretch of the airport approach road. Pics/Madhulika Ram Kavattur While passenger footfall from flyers is currently low, railway officials expect increased usage from airport staff. A CIDCO official stationed at Targhar railway station said that most commuters currently using the station are employees working at the airport site. “During morning hours and around 5 pm, we see more than 200 people at the station. At other times, it is relatively quiet,” the official said. Ticketing staff at the station said train frequency is likely to improve once passenger numbers increase after December 25. “Once railway authorities see higher demand, the frequency will be increased. This will become a viable daily transport option for locals who may not want to rely on autos or cabs,” a staff member said. Auto driver Anil Sonawane said passengers currently avoid Targhar due to long waiting times. “People only come if their timing matches the train. Otherwise, they have to wait nearly an hour, which discourages them,” he said. Cab, auto, and bus stands Signage for taxi, auto-rickshaw and bus stands has been installed along the airport’s approach roads. However, local drivers said they are still unclear about the exact locations of these stands inside the airport premises. “We will only know on December 25. Till then, we will be going in blind,” Sonawne said. “We understand that access is restricted before operations begin, but we are hopeful that passenger movement will increase from day one.” The Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) is in advanced discussions with airport authorities to roll out electric buses. An official said the initial plan is to deploy around 50 electric buses to cater to passengers and airport staff travelling from Navi Mumbai and adjoining areas. “This is just the beginning. As passenger footfall at NMIA increases, additional buses will be inducted in a phased manner,” an official said. Sources further said that after January 26, NMMT will closely monitor ridership trends and deploy more electric buses accordingly to service the airport. The move is aimed at positioning public transport as the primary mode of access to NMIA from the outset. Officials added that the initiative also supports sustainability goals and seeks to reduce dependence on private vehicles as airport operations scale up. Streetlights still missing As reported earlier by mid-day, streetlights along the airport’s approach roads are yet to be installed. Local vendors say the absence of lighting is a safety concern.
23 December,2025 07:13 PM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram Kavattur | Amarjeet SinghADVERTISEMENT
