With the deadline for withdrawal ending on Friday, January 2, 453 nominations were withdrawn across Mumbai. A total of 1,700 candidates will now contest the upcoming BMC Election 2026, officials said. The Mumbai civic polls are scheduled for January 15, 2026. The final list of contesting candidates will be published by the civic body on Saturday. Election symbols to be allotted The election symbols will also be allotted to the candidates from 11 am on Saturday, January 3, 2026. According to the officials, a total of 11,391 nomination papers were distributed by the civic body for filing nominations for the BMC elections. Of these, 2,516 forms were filed by the deadline of December 30, 2025. 2,516 nomination papers received The 2,516 nomination papers received were scrutinised on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. As many as 164 nomination papers were declared invalid during scrutiny, while the remaining 2,185 nomination papers were declared valid. The deadline for withdrawing nominations or candidature applications was Friday. As of Saturday’s latest update, 167 nomination papers were declared invalid, 2,231 were found valid, and 453 were withdrawn, bringing the final number of candidates to 1,700.
03 January,2026 11:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSAs of December 18, 2025, data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) query shows that around 1.42 lakh students who applied for 14 government scholarship schemes over the last five years are still awaiting disbursement. Of these, 75,000 applications are pending at the college level, while 67,000 are held up with the higher education department, state records show. The delay persists eight years after the Maharashtra government introduced the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, MahaDBT, a centralised online portal aimed at enabling direct transfer of scholarship benefits to students. While the platform was launched to improve transparency and efficiency, the process continues to face persistent delays. For the academic year 2024-25, 6563 applications remain pending at the institute level, while 3096 are pending at the department level. In addition, the second instalment of 9153 scholarships is yet to be released. Pending payments date back several years, with the second instalment of 2105 applicants from 2021-22 still unpaid. An official from the higher education department said fund availability was a key reason for the lag. “We inform the departments concerned about the funds required for each scholarship. Delays occur as the full amount is not released at one time. Scholarships are approved as soon as we receive the amount,” the official said. “This has been the long-standing plight of scholarship applicants,” said Amar Ekad, president of the Care of Public Safety Association (COPS), who filed the RTI with the Directorate of Higher Education. “Departments and institutes failing to implement the scholarship schemes should be reprimanded. The MahaDBT portal was developed by the Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Education, for smoother implementation, but students continue to wait for years.
03 January,2026 09:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarRaj and Uddhav Thackeray are set to be interviewed jointly by Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut and filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar on January 6. A video of the same will be telecast ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, scheduled for January 15. Manjrekar’s podcast, featuring the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, in 2025, was widely seen as a trigger in bringing the estranged cousins closer on a common political platform. During their interaction, Raj remarked that his political differences with Uddhav were “insignificant” when weighed against the larger interests of Maharashtra and the Marathi community. Uddhav later echoed this sentiment at a separate public event and claimed he, too, had no issues with burying the hatchet and coming together for the larger cause of Marathi pride. According to party sources, the interview is likely to be recorded at a hotel in Mumbai’s western suburbs. “The Thackeray cousins’ interview ahead of the crucial BMC polls is seen as a game changer by the rank and file of both camps,” a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said on the condition of anonymity. Raut has so far been sharing video interviews of Uddhav, but for the first time, Raj will also join the platform for a joint question-and-answer session. The interaction is expected to cover a wide range of issues, including Marathi identity, the BMC, the current state of deteriorating politics, and the challenges the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance plans to pose to rival parties seeking to wrest control of the civic body. The Shiv Sena had held power in the BMC for nearly 25 years. Until 2017, the Shiv Sena (then united) and the BJP jointly governed the civic body. However, in the 2017 civic elections, the two parties contested separately. The undivided Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 84 seats, while the BJP followed closely with 82 in the 227-member civic body. In 2022, Eknath Shinde engineered a split in the Shiv Sena, forcing Uddhav to step down as chief minister. The rebellion led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, after which Shinde joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form a new government in Maharashtra.
03 January,2026 09:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarTaking a leaf out of the Mahayuti’s Assembly poll playbook to woo voters, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are now making similar welfare promises ahead of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. On Friday, Thackeray cousins Aaditya and Amit outlined their plans for the civic polls at Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar. According to their presentation, if the Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance is voted to power, it will roll out a slew of incentives, including property tax exemption for flats up to 700 square feet, breakfast and lunch at R10, and monthly financial assistance of R1500 for domestic workers. Besides, the cousin brothers maintained that youths will be eligible for up to R1 lakh in financial assistance. They even talked about developing a mini sports centre in Mumbai and ensured affordable BEST transport fares. Residential flats in Mumbai with a carpet area of up to 500 square feet are fully exempt from all components of property tax. Now, with upcoming municipal elections to woo voters, political parties are promising to raise the existing exemption slab to 700 square feet. Amit assured of setting up a big library (granthalaya) in the name of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. His brother and MLA from the Worli Assembly constituency, Aaditya, categorically mentioned that “our Mumbai mayor will have to be always on his toes, as we will be behind him to ensure effective implementation of the plans”. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Raj Thackeray-MNS will release their official joint manifesto on January 4 for the BMC elections. After almost three years of delay, Mumbai is set to vote in the BMC elections, alongside 28 other state municipal corporations. The elections to the BMC, which has 227 electoral wards, are scheduled to be held on January 15, and votes will be counted the next day. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are set to formally kick off their campaign on Saturday (December 3) at a joint rally scheduled at the Worli Dome. Jan 15Day of polling
03 January,2026 09:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarAs political parties roll out their manifestos ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, residents of Chandivli are experiencing a strong sense of déjà vu. A comparison between the 2017 citizens’ manifesto and the current one reveals a striking similarity, underscoring how little has changed on the ground over the past eight years. Issues such as poor road conditions, inadequate drainage, waterlogging during monsoons, traffic congestion, lack of open spaces, and insufficient healthcare and civic amenities featured prominently in the 2017 Chandivli Citizens Welfare Association (CWCA) manifesto. Alarmingly, the same concerns continue to dominate the current election discourse, indicating that long-standing civic problems remain unresolved. Residents say the repetition of these demands highlights a persistent gap between electoral promises and actual delivery. Mandeep Singh Makkar, founder, Chandivli Citizens Welfare Assn Interestingly, anti-defacement remains a key talking point in the citizen group’s manifesto, where contesting leaders from the ward have been asked to undergo a formal pledge that they will not install any signs or promotional hoardings that will deface the ward. The citizen group has also called for a ban on using promotional names and pictures on public amenities, stating “Paisa Hamara, Photo Tumhara Nahi Chalega!” (You can’t take undue credit for work done using public money). Some other critical demands highlighted include RTI transparency, bringing a stop to freebies, and maintenance of public spaces. “In a city like Mumbai, people simply don’t have the bandwidth to go and file an online RTI query. Activating a robust online RTI system for the municipal body is a must,” said Mandeep Singh Makkar, founder of CCWA. The citizen group also pointed out that Chandivli residents were distributed freebies like sarees and juicers right before the Model Code of Conduct was implemented, stating that these funds could have been better used for policy implementation. Dilapidated Marathi schools, the incomplete 90-feet road, waste management, waterlogging remain long-standing issues. Ill-maintained public spaces, like gardens, and development of sports complexes were also highlighted. “At the moment, the public gardens in Chandivli are full of debris. Gamblers and drunkards occupy the spaces, and common residents cannot use these,” Makkar told mid-day. Makkar stated that after every election, the CCWA hands its manifesto to candidates. “We have raised these issues with leaders and political parties, yet the problems remain unresolved despite the BMC budget increasing every year. Politicians continue to deface our area despite high court orders. Nothing serious is being done regarding air pollution, and there is no serious approach toward implementing the Development Plan (DP) or constructing pending roads mentioned within it. We have witnessed the misuse of public funds through the distribution of sarees, cookers, and mixers before elections. Furthermore, public land is being encroached upon by politicians under the guise of vachanalayas (libraries). Footpaths and roads are covered in garbage,” he said. According to Makkar, there is a lack of transparency in public spending, and project information boards are missing. “Many projects, such as the 90-feet road connecting JVLR to Chandivli, exist only on paper despite tenders being issued two years ago. Whatever little work is completed with public funds is branded with the names and photos of politicians to take credit. “The BMC online complaint system hardly works, as officials often close complaints by labelling them as ‘false’. In the absence of corporators, the BMC is being run under the guidance of MLAs and the state government. Consequently, the issues we have been raising remain unresolved,” Makkar added. Manifesto summarised . Aspiring nagar sevaks to pledge they won’t deface ward. No names and pictures on public amenities. No more freebies. Online RTI system. Reduce burden of property tax on citizens. Ethical use of funds. Citizens’ issues to be raised in municipal offices. Public participation when deciding on use of public places. ‘Pedestrian First’ policy. Resolve traffic congestion by implementing DP (Development Plan); complete construction of 90-feet road. Control air pollution. Maintain public spaces. Effective waste management. Pothole-free roads. Nagar Sevaks are not to switch political parties after election. Develop sports centres/amenities across Chandivli/Powai. Work to be completed after a tender is passed. Stop manual scavenging completely. Maintain public gardens. Develop fully functional fire station. Prevent waterlogging. Utility ducts to cut down on digging. Meet with citizen forums. Float dashboard with updates of BMC projects 24No. of points listed in the manifesto
03 January,2026 09:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar | Aditi AlurkarRiver March, a city-based group working on nature and wildlife conservation, has written to the director of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) drawing attention to the growing threat faced by wild animals along the Thane-Ghodbunder Road and the Western Express Highway. The group has called for the immediate installation and upkeep of wildlife crossing signages, and the creation of culverts, stating that these measures are crucial to ensure the safe movement of animals through this key wildlife corridor. In the letter, activist and nature lover Gopal Jhaveri and his River March team pointed out that both these arterial roads form a crucial wildlife corridor, linking SGNP with the Gorai mangroves and further extending towards the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. “This corridor is regularly used by leopards and several other wild species moving between these habitats. It is a matter of serious concern that despite repeated wildlife crossings being reported at these locations, adequate mitigation measures are not being properly maintained,” said Jhaveri. On Diwali night in November 2020, a pregnant leopard along with her three cubs was mowed down by a speeding vehicle along this highway. “This tragic incident highlights the serious threat that high-speed traffic poses to wildlife along this corridor. Although warning signboards and speed limit demarcations were installed initially, they have since been neglected. At present, there appears to be no active effort by either the forest department or the highway authority to maintain or enforce these crucial safety measures, despite the continued risk to wildlife and the corridor’s vital role in maintaining ecological connectivity,” Jhaveri said. Demands by River March . Immediate reinstatement, regular maintenance of wildlife crossing signboards with clearly marked speed limits. Proper demarcation of identified wildlife crossing points to alert motorists. Sensitisation measures for road users, supported by visual information wherever possible. Coordination with relevant road authorities such as MSRDC and the National Highway Authority for long-term mitigation. Consideration of permanent structural measures like underpasses or culverts, in line with earlier mitigation plans Did you know? A study conducted under the ‘Mumbaikars for SGNP’ initiative of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in 2012 revealed that 40 leopards died in road accidents along the periphery of SGNP between 1994 and 2011. A majority of the accidents took place on the stretch between Ghodbunder village and Vasai, near Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. Last year, authorities had said they would be considering an underpass, but nothing has happened yet. Another 21 leopards have been killed in accidents along the roads and railway tracks in Mumbai and the MMR since 2012.
03 January,2026 09:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavThrough the needle’s Eye The vaulted archways of the World Trade Center in Cuffe Parade create an aesthetic frame over people passing by. Going metal with a saree A moment from the gig in Lower Parel. Pic Courtesy/@vijivenkatesh The saree might be a radical fashion choice at a metal gig, but that did not bother Vijayalakshmi Venkatesh. The author accompanied her son to the recent Scarfest in Lower Parel last week. “My son often sings, and is a fan of metal. So, I have come to learn a litle about Slayer and Lamb Of God,” she chuckled. While it might have surprised the metalheads, Venkatesh admitted they were some of the nicest people around. Vijayalakshmi Venkatesh A flying start The 2026 banner A little bird told us the New Year was off to a delicious start at the Mumbai Zoo in Byculla. A 2026 banner made using fruits like strawberry, pear, and gooseberry made for a sweet daytime snack for the zoo’s resident Malabar Pied Hornbill, Alexandrine Parakeet, Golden Pheasant, African Grey Parrots, and other terrestrial birds. “It’s an annual ritual. Last year, it was the deer who rang in 2025. These activities double as enrichment exercises for the animals, keeping them in touch with their wild side,” said zoo biologist Dr Abhishek Satam, who led the effort that was brought to ‘fruition’ by the zoo staff. Dr Abhishek Satam; An Alexandrine Parakeet snacks on the banner. Pics Courtesy/@TheMumbaiZoo Rowing under the moonlight Participants kayak under a full moon during a previous event. Pic Courtesy/@indokayakjuhu Ever dreamed of floating down the ocean under a full moon? Indo Kayak Juhu is set to host night kayaking experiences near Juhu Beach on January 4 and 5, offering Mumbaikars a rare chance to see the shoreline in a completely different light. Open to everyone, including first-timers, the session will be overseen by trained guides who will assist participants as they kayak past the shoreline. Speaking to the diarist, Pratiksha Bavdane, owner, shared, “Moonlight kayaking is a reminder that Mumbai still has moments of calm and wonder. Hosting this experience is about revealing the city’s quieter, more magical side — right under the moonlight.” There are few reasons to worry for beginners as lifejackets are mandatory, and a safety boat will follow every group until they return to shore, she added. The experience combines adventure with calm, as paddlers can glide over water under the glow of the moon. Readers can log on to @indokayakjuhu for more details. Cinema through young eyes A young student participates in a workshop during the previous edition. Pic Courtesy/Nazaria Arts Collective The Nazaria Arts Collective will host the Youth Film Festival on January 24 and 25 in collaboration with Alliance Française, Cama Hall, Goethe, and Nehru Science Centre. The event will celebrate diverse stories by young creators across India. Screenings highlight films by underprivileged children from Jogeshwari, Govandi, Dharavi, and Kandivli. Co-curator and film program lead Sapan Taneja says the festival is “rooted in years of grassroots practice while celebrating their own voice.” Poetry of the people, for the people Devangana Mishra If you are among those who read poetry only accidentally, you might want to rethink your plan for the coming week. Author and poet Devangana Mishra is set to host a session on January 9 that looks to unravel the complex genre of poetry. “Poetry is often seen as an intellectual niche, and meant for the elite in many ways. Even when it is at its simplest form, it is often looked at as abstraction. The workshop looks to unravel and simplify the exercise to erase that distinction,” shared Mishra. Having hosted a previous workshop at Method Kala Ghoda, the poet revealed, “The workshop will also encourage participants to create their own poetry using prompts and ideas. My last experience left me surprised with the verses. Few of them had written poetry before. It shows how poetry is for everyone,” she told this diarist.
03 January,2026 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayEasing traffic congestion at the Kapadia Nagar Junction, a new road has been opened by the civic body, providing a shortcut to those travelling between the University of Mumbai Gate No. 1 in Kalina and Bharat Nagar in Bandra East. However, commuters say that the infrastructure needed for the road is still not in place. As this reporter reached the area, it was obvious that the road itself is very hard to locate while trying to get onto it from the university side. Making the situation worse, the road, which is almost as wide as a four-lane road, has an exit/entry point from the university side about the size of a single lane. Jitendra Gupta, Citizens Transport Committee Activist AV Shenoy of the Mumbai Vikas Samiti, who noticed this, said, “The infrastructure is very lacking, and the route becomes unsafe for anyone who wants to walk on the road after dark. It is difficult to navigate an unlit road. If the authorities decided to open it for public use, infrastructure should have been in place.” A section of the road that is still under construction The road is also incomplete, with a section of the route in the Bharat Nagar direction still under construction. This results in traffic in both directions plying on the same side of the road along the stretch, without any divider. An autorickshaw driver requesting anonymity, told mid-day, “It gets difficult when there are two cars or bigger vehicles coming together. This will remain an accident-prone area until the work is completed.” An extremely narrow, damaged section of the new road Local resident and Citizens Transport Committee member Jitendra Gupta, told mid-day, “The road has a good purpose — connecting two places that previously took a lot more time to get to. But till the infrastructure isn’t completed, it is a concerning area on the safety front.” AV Shenoy, activist, Mumbai Vikas Samiti He added that the work should be completed as soon as possible. “This would make the road safe for motorists and pedestrians.” mid-day contacted the BMC H East ward to check when the work would be completed, but did not receive a response till the time of going to press.
03 January,2026 08:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturWhile the public works department (PWD) has begun installing speed breakers on Aarey’s internal roads to protect commuters and wildlife, the measures are raising fresh safety concerns. Many of the speed breakers lack reflective paint and warning signs, making them barely visible at night and putting two-wheeler riders at risk. The PWD, currently constructing internal roads in Aarey Milk Colony, had acted following long-standing demands from locals and wildlife enthusiasts. Much of the internal Aarey Road cuts through forested areas, home to leopards, civets, spotted deer, wild boars, and snakes, where speeding vehicles pose a serious threat. A mid-day visit from Aarey Hospital to Goregaon revealed poorly marked speed breakers along the route. Wildlife lover and resident Aditya Shinde said, “It’s good that PWD is installing speed breakers, but without reflective paint or proper signage, they’re dangerous for riders and drivers after dark.” Earlier, on March 5, mid-day reported that the Urban Joint Forest Management Committees (UJFMC) had identified 43 key wildlife crossing points in Aarey. The report was forwarded to the additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF), Western Wildlife Region. The Aarey police had also suggested locations for speed breakers on the main road to the BMC, but no action has been taken yet. ExpertSpeak PWD Executive Engineer Gunjan Dighavkar said, “We will soon repaint the speed breakers with reflective markings and install cat’s eye reflectors. Signage near the speed breakers will also be put up in the coming weeks to warn motorists with early warnings about the speed breakers ahead.” Activist Godfrey Pimenta, the Watchdog Foundation said, “Installing speed breakers without reflective paint and warning boards not only defeats the purpose but can increase accident risks. Smooth roads encourage speeding, making unmarked speed breakers particularly hazardous.”
03 January,2026 08:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavDo 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 January 3. Aries March 21 – April 20Dealing with too much work is tiring. Those recovering from a relationship gone sour could pray about recovering from it quickly.Cosmic tip: Be aware of how an older relative is looking and feeling. TaurusApril 21 – May 20Discussing clauses in a contract till satisfied protects from some legal issues which may evolve later. Cosmic tip: Remember fleeting dreams as light as a thought, since these carry memories of another lifetime. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Those in a relationship could be ready to offer a commitment after eight months. Life is good, even career is satisfying.Cosmic tip: Master the art of giving space, yet being emotionally close and inseparable. Cancer June 22 – July 23This karmic cycle supports branching out, broadening the job profile/business. Take care of general health.Cosmic tip: Wear low-key accessories, avoiding the really expensive ones. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Outcome of a business trip is as unexpected as snow in Mumbai. Being appreciative towards family keeps bonds strong. Cosmic tip: Speak your mind, but do so in a non-threatening manner. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23A financially lucky karmic cycle begins which supports inking deals, making profits. Eat at pre-set times.Cosmic tip: Speak to people in the manner in which you like to be spoken to — quietly respectful. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Changing one habit has been easier than expected. Doubts about working closely with two people have been cleared.Cosmic tip: Keep yourself motivated as the year has begun well. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Last-minute work has to be done before a meeting, so take this seriously. Pay attention to benefits in the present job as compared to a new offer.Cosmic tip: Plan the next career goal. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Helping a friend put life into perspective is an emotionally satisfying experience. You don’t like discussing anyone in their absence, but don’t mind listening to it sometimes.Cosmic tip: Regularly get sleep at night. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Keep the faith in each other. Sometimes, shredding an issue makes it worse, because even one wrong word used creates chaos.Cosmic tip: Meet half way, so a reconciliation can be a happy occasion for both. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19What you consider a good idea is nixed by family, with them pointing out certain legalities not considered by you.Cosmic tip: Don’t carry a load of resentments. Cover yourself with a white healing light. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Feeling emotionally isolated doesn’t feel good, so take steps towards getting closer to the people you were attached to once.Cosmic tip: Don’t ask awkward questions. You may not appreciate the answer.
03 January,2026 03:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseCentral Railway, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, on Friday said that it will operate a mega block on its suburban sections of on the Main Line and the Trans-Harbour Line on Sunday, 4 January 2026. An official statement said that the block will be undertaken to carry out essential engineering and maintenance works. Main Line block between Matunga and Mulund On the Main Line, up and down slow lines between Matunga and Mulund will remain under block from 11.05 hrs to 15.55 hrs. The down slow services departing CSMT Mumbai between 10.14 hrs and 15.32 hrs will be diverted to the down Fast line between Matunga and Mulund. These trains will halt at Sion, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Bhandup, and Mulund stations. Trains will be re-diverted to the down slow line at Mulund and are expected to reach their destinations around 15 minutes late. Up Slow Line services The up slow services departing Thane between 11.07 hrs and 15.51 hrs will be diverted to the Up Fast line between Mulund and Matunga, the statement said. These services will halt at Mulund, Bhandup, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar, Kurla, and Sion stations. Trains will return to the up slow line at Matunga and arrive at destinations about 15 minutes behind schedule, officials said. Trans-Harbour Line services to remain suspended The official statement further said that a mega block will also be imposed on the up and down Trans-Harbour Line between Thane and Vashi/Nerul from 11.10 hrs to 16.10 hrs. All up and down Trans-Harbour services will remain suspended between Thane and Vashi/Nerul during the block period. Down services for Vashi, Nerul, and Panvel leaving Thane from 10.35 hrs to 16.07 hrs will remain cancelled, the officials said. Up services for Thane leaving Panvel, Nerul, and Vashi from 10.25 hrs to 16.09 hrs will also remain cancelled, they said. Passenger advisory Railway authorities have advised passengers to plan their journeys accordingly. Central Railway stated that these mega blocks are essential for infrastructure maintenance and passenger safety. Passengers are requested to co-operate with the railway administration and make alternate travel arrangements to minimise inconvenience.
02 January,2026 10:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
