Two days after a massive fire broke out at the Thrissur railway station in Kerala, leaving more than 500 motorbikes gutted, mid-day visited two railway stations each on the city’s Central, Harbour and Western lines to assess whether or not their parking facilities are sufficiently equipped to prevent a similar calamity. The parking lot on the eastern side of Andheri railway station The Kerala blaze erupted in the two-wheeler parking area near the rear entrance of the station around 6.30 am on Sunday. Southern Railway said the fire did not originate from overhead equipment or any railway electrical installation. The jam-packed parking facility at Thane station. PIC/RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR The fire was brought under control within an hour. No casualties or injuries were reported. “About 100 bikes caught fire in about 5 minutes. The fire brigade arrived at the 16th minute, but despite efforts, the fire spread very fast as there was fuel in the tanks and many batteries of electric vehicles exploded,” an official said. The Nerul station parking lot, which lacks fire extinguishers. PIC/MADHULIKA RAM KAVATTUR Central RailwayStation: Thane Safety check: Has fire safety point The ‘fire point’ at the Thane station parking lot. PICS/RAJENDRA B AKLEKAR At this spot, there is a two-storey parking lot adjoining platform 1, which was jam-packed with two-wheelers on Tuesday. A handful of casually dressed attendants were manning the access point of the facility, keeping watch as two-wheelers entered and exited. Asked about fire training and disaster response, they looked confused and muttered the parking rate. “If you want to park a bike here, do it, or go elsewhere,” said one. A closer look at the lot on the other side revealed a fire safety point near the station manager’s office with buckets to hold sand and water. However, given the scale of the parking lot and volume of two-wheelers here, this measure may prove to be inadequate. In an emergency, it may not be helpful at all. Station: Kurla Safety check: No fire safety apparatus The Kurla station parking lot There is a small two-storey parking lot outside the station near the escalators. It has a small entry gate and otherwise is well-barricaded. However, the site was not manned. There is an RPF office nearby, which might have a fire extinguisher. This space been used as an electric bike point, but ever since the contract lapsed, it has been used for two-wheeler parking. Voices Mandar Abhyankar, commuter‘Periodic fire safety audits, infrastructure upgrades, and consistent implementation of updated safety guidelines are essential to enhance preparedness and reduce the risk of untoward incidents at Mumbai’s railway stations. ’ Umesh Vishe, commuter‘There are no safety devices or mechanisms in railway parking lots. Apart from this, no responsibility is taken by officials for whatever happens to vehicles. Western RailwayStation: Borivli Safety check: No fire safety equipment Safety check: No fire safety equipment The parking lot at Borivli railway station, which lacks fire-fighting equipment. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR On the east side, there are two open parking lots, one of which is used exclusively for two-wheelers. Both spots lacked fire safety equipment. Pay-and-park staff, who claimed to have been appointed by the BMC, manage the parking lots. “We ensure petrol doesn’t leak from any vehicle. So far, there have been no fires here,” said Azim Khan, one of the staffers. Station: Andheri Safety check: No fire safety equipment The parking lot on the eastern side of Andheri railway station The situation was the same at Andheri station. Ashish Pathak, a two-wheeler rider who uses the facility daily, told mid-day, “At least 300-400 vehicles are parked at the eastern side of Andheri station daily. But still, there isn’t a single manual fire extinguisher around. Those who manage the parking lot have a small office. They could keep basic equipment there.” Voices Esha Patkar, Borivli resident‘Considering the large number of electric vehicles being used nowadays, fire-extinguishing equipment is vital. The only fire extinguishers available are either on platforms or in station masters’ offices. Who will go there in emergencies?’ Prathamesh Jadhav, Andheri East resident‘Considering how those managing parking lots move vehicles around recklessly, chances of petrol leakage and fires due to damage are high. Who will take the responsibility in such cases?’ Harbour LineStation: NerulSafety check: No fire safety equipment The Nerul station parking lot, which lacks fire extinguishers. PICS/MADHULIKA RAM KAVATTUR There are open parking lots at either end of the station, but neither has any fire safety equipment. On a busy day, 300 two-wheelers and under 100 four-wheelers are parked on each side. A parking attendant said, “We have never heard the authorities even thinking about installing such equipment. We believe we can manage a small fire ourselves.” Station: CBD BelapurSafety check: Fire safety equipment in only one area Fire equipment near the Metro station at the CBD Belapur parking lot Over a thousand two-wheelers and 400 four-wheelers are parked here daily. But fire safety equipment is present only in a parking area near the Metro station. There are two water supply pipes at this spot, where there also exists a parking bay for fire engines. Attendants said they were taking steps to prevent fires. Official Speak A Central Railway (CR) spokesperson said that six to 12 fire extinguishers were always available on CR station premises and drills are regularly held to prevent mishaps. A Western Railway spokesperson said, “There are fire extinguishers and measures at all the parking lots and all such places.” Officials from the City and Industrial Development Corporation, responsible for the Harbour line, couldn’t be reached by press time. BY/ TEAM MID-DAY
07 January,2026 01:42 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar | Ritika GondhalekarMaharashtra civic elections 2026 continue to throw up politically unlikely alliances. After partnering with its traditional rival Congress to wrest control of the Ambernath Municipal Council from the Shiv Sena, the BJP has now stitched together an equally surprising alliance with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, in Akot to secure control of the Municipal Council there. Fadnavis rejects tie-ups, warns action The BJP has entered into post-poll alliances with rivals Congress and AIMIM in some municipal councils in Maharashtra, even as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday rejected the tie-ups and warned of action against party leaders involved. CM Fadnavis, however, made it clear that such arrangements were not approved by the party's senior leadership and violated organisational discipline, reported PTI. "I am making it very clear that any alliance with the Congress or the AIMIM will not be accepted. If any local leader has taken such a decision on their own, it is wrong in terms of discipline and action will be taken," Fadnavis told a news channel, adding that instructions had already been issued to undo such alliances, reported PTI. BJP wins Akot civic body despite falling short of majority In Akot, BJP’s Maya Dhule was elected President despite the party falling well short of a majority in the 35-member council. Of the 33 seats contested last month, the BJP won just 11. To bridge the gap, the party floated a new front — the Akot Vikas Manch — to consolidate numbers, reported IANS. AIMIM joins BJP-led front in surprise move In a move that has raised eyebrows across political circles, the AIMIM, which secured five seats and was the BJP’s principal rival in the civic contest, joined the BJP-led alliance. The front also includes both factions of the Shiv Sena (Shinde and UBT), both factions of the NCP (Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar), and Bacchu Kadu’s Prahar Janshakti Party, reported IANS. BJP issues whip as alliance strength touches 26 BJP corporator Ravi Thakur has been appointed group leader, and a whip has been issued directing all alliance members to vote as per the BJP’s instructions. With this combination, the ruling alliance commands the support of 25 councillors, plus the President, taking its effective strength to 26 in the 33-member house. The Congress (6) and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (2) will sit in the opposition. Akot Municipal Council: Party-wise seat tally The final tally of the 33 elected seats in Akot is: BJP 11, Congress 6, AIMIM 5, Prahar Janshakti Party 3, Shiv Sena (UBT) 2, NCP (Ajit Pawar) 2, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi 2, Shiv Sena (Shinde) 1 and NCP (Sharad Pawar) 1, reported IANS. ‘Batenge toh Katenge’ slogan sparks criticism The Akot alliance has sparked controversy, particularly in light of the BJP’s recent high-decibel “Batenge toh Katenge” campaign during the Assembly elections, with critics pointing to the contradiction between the slogan and the party’s tie-up with the AIMIM. BJP-Congress understanding in Ambernath shocks Shiv Sena A similar display of political pragmatism unfolded in Thane district’s Ambernath Municipal Council. In a setback for its state-level ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the BJP entered into an understanding with the Indian National Congress to secure control of the civic body. Ambernath numbers: BJP stitches majority with Congress support In the 60-member Ambernath council, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) emerged as the single largest party with 27 seats, followed by the BJP (14), Congress (12), NCP (Ajit Pawar) (4) and three independents. By aligning with the Congress, the NCP and two independents, the BJP stitched together a working majority of 32 seats, captured the President’s post and relegated the Shinde faction to the opposition. The Shiv Sena, even with the support of one independent, was left with 28 seats. ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’ pitch jars with local compulsions Despite the BJP’s national pitch for a “Congress-mukt Bharat,” the party’s local unit has leaned on Congress support to retain power, triggering visible discomfort within the Mahayuti alliance. Focus shifts to ground impact of ‘unnatural’ alliances Attention is now focused on how these politically “unnatural” alliances play out on the ground — and how the BJP leadership reconciles local political compulsions with its broader ideological messaging. (With inputs from PTI and IANS)
07 January,2026 01:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the run-up to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2026, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray struck an aggressive and confrontational tone during a recent interview, a teaser of which has drawn significant public attention. The discussion saw both leaders sharply criticising prevailing issues affecting Mumbai as well as broader state-level politics. Raj Thackeray launched a direct attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, asserting that the latter should refrain from speaking on corruption, a remark that is expected to intensify political sparring ahead of the civic polls. दोन धुरंधर…महाराष्ट्राची महा मुलाखत ८ आणि ९ जानेवारी https://t.co/QBsK6Wu7Hj — Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) January 7, 2026 Uddhav Thackeray, meanwhile, made a pointed observation on political leadership in the city, stating that many of today’s politicians cannot truly be considered “Mumbaikars.” Echoing this sentiment, Raj Thackeray argued that one cannot fully understand the aspirations and concerns of Mumbaikars unless one is born and raised in the city. The teaser also features filmmaker and actor Mahesh Manjrekar, who raises key civic concerns, including Mumbai’s chronic traffic congestion and other urban challenges. His interventions underline the growing public frustration over infrastructure and quality-of-life issues in the country’s financial capital. With the BMC elections 2026 drawing closer, the interview has set the stage for a combative political narrative, highlighting local identity, governance failures and accountability as central themes likely to dominate the civic election discourse. Thackeray cousins focus on shakha-level visits to encash 'sons of the soil' plank Uddhav and Raj Thackeray's shift from grand rallies to shakha-level visits represents a tactical recalibration designed to exploit the Shiv Sena’s traditional "grassroots" advantage over the resources and network of the BJP-Sena (Shinde) alliance. Both cousins, who have tied up to checkmate the mighty BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, are hoping this strategy will work in their favour in the high-stakes BMC elections. Interestingly, Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aaditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena founder Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray are also stepping up their outreach through shakha-level visits. Thackeray cousins are expected to hold only one grand rally on January 11 at Shivaji Park while focusing on shakha-level visits. The shakha (local party office) has historically been the heartbeat of the Shiv Sena. By visiting individual shakhas, the Thackeray cousins are moving the battleground away from media-driven "optics" (where the BJP excels) to personal contact. Unlike a rally where messages are broad, shakha visits allow the leaders to address ward-specific grievances, such as local water issues, redevelopment delays, or neighbourhood security. For a Marathi voter, the sight of a Thackeray entering their local shakha carries deep sentimental value, reinforcing the "sons of the soil" narrative that the Shinde faction is trying to claim.
07 January,2026 11:50 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai experiences mainly clear skies across the city and suburbs. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts maximum and minimum temperatures of around 31 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively. According to the Sammer app, the city’s air quality index (AQI) on Wednesday stands at 129, placing it in the moderate category. While generally safe, this level may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, or heart conditions. AQI across Mumbai Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) – 137Borivali – 128Byculla – 171Andheri East – 151Chembur – 111Deonar – 148Ghatkopar – 118Kandivali – 120 IMD forecasts light snowfall in Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir as Delhi-NCR faces cold wave A severe cold wave has gripped Delhi-NCR, prompting a yellow alert for cold and dense fog. Icy winds from Himachal Pradesh are pushing temperatures lower, with minimums around 6 degrees Celsius and maximums barely reaching 15 degrees Celsius, according to reports. Cloudy skies, strong winds, and dense fog are expected to persist over the next two days. As a precaution, schools up to Class 8 in Noida will remain closed until January 10. Despite slight improvements in air quality, pollution levels remain a serious concern. Areas such as Pusa (AQI 351), RK Puram (344), Rohini (329), and Sonia Vihar (323) continue to fall in the ‘very poor’ category, while locations like NCET Dwarka (142) and Saidpur (166) show some relief. Overall, air quality remains unsafe for sensitive groups, reports say. Meanwhile, the IMD predicts light snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh due to an active western disturbance. Higher-altitude regions including Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, and Rohtang Pass have already received snowfall. Tourist destinations such as Shimla, Manali, and Kufri may see further temperature drops, while a dense fog alert remains in effect for lower Himachal areas like Mandi and Bilaspur until January 8, potentially intensifying cold conditions in the plains, as per the reports. Rajasthan's Sikar experienced a significant drop in temperature, with the minimum recorded at 7.5 degrees Celsius. Dense fog enveloped most areas, sharply reducing visibility and disrupting daily routines. In response, Sikar District Collector Mukul Sharma announced school holidays for Classes 1 to 8 in all government and private schools from January 6 to January 10. Additionally, school timings for Classes 9 to 11 have been revised to accommodate the severe winter conditions. Sikar, Rajasthan: The minimum temperature dropped to 7.5 degrees Celsius, while dense fog covered most parts of the district, sharply reducing visibility. Sikar District Collector Mukul Sharma announced holidays for Classes 1 to 8 in all government and private schools from… pic.twitter.com/Buj3Uk85CM — IANS (@ians_india) January 7, 2026
07 January,2026 09:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe brothers Anil and Vivek Singh, of Procam International, promoters of the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM), said at the outset as a tribute to the late Suresh Kalmadi, “I am sure Kalmadi will be smiling from up there,” flagging off the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) as thousands take to the Mumbai streets on Sunday, January 18. Kalmadi, a senior Congress leader and former Union minister, passed away in Pune on Tuesday, after a prolonged illness. He was 81. As a sports administrator, he was a towering figure. He was the former president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Athletics Federation of India, and the president of the Asian Athletics Association. Those who have followed the TMM through the years — the event is in its 21st edition this year — will recall Kalmadi flagging off the race through all the excitement and adrenaline as runners surged to the start line. MM promoters Anil Singh (left) and Vivek Singh Vivek said, “Kalmadi was a harbinger of change in Indian sport. I recall how he brought in ITC as a sponsor for athletics all those years ago, and because of this, we had a slew of Asian athletics meets in the country. He understood that for Indian sport to take that great leap of faith, we needed the oxygen of professionalism, top sponsorship and management to make that change. He gave the sponsors their mileage with great visibility and branding.” Vivek added, “Kalmadi was very fond of Anil, and both of us were struck by one factor — his attention to detail. He could look at both the macro picture and the micro one, without missing a beat.” A great supporter of the Mumbai marathon, Anil recalled how he and his brother were buoyed by Kalmadi’s belief in them. Both said, “Initially, Kalmadi did wonder more than two decades ago how these two young men would pull off an event of this magnitude. Yet, he was a visionary, spirited and tough, and we ‘felt’ his heft and presence throughout.” In the end, Anil said it was Kalmadi who recognised the importance of intersecting sport with professionalism and entrepreneurship; together, the two could transform the sporting landscape.” Narinder D Batra, who headed the IOA from 2017 to 2022, said on Facebook, “Deeply pained by the passing of my dear and respected friend Mr Suresh Kalmadi, former president of the Indian Olympic Association and a seasoned politician. He devoted his life to public service and Indian sport with passion and conviction. His warmth, friendship, and contributions will be remembered always.”
07 January,2026 08:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal AsharFor the past 15 days, residents of Bageshri CHS in Santacruz West have been grappling with contaminated drinking water, raising serious health concerns and causing daily hardship. Although the water shows only slight discolouration, which is not easily visible, residents say a foul, unbearable stench and altered taste make it impossible to consume. As a result, families have been forced to rely entirely on bottled and packaged water for drinking and cooking. Several residents have fallen ill over the past two weeks, reporting symptoms such as stomach infections, nausea and fever, which they believe are linked to the contaminated supply. “The smell itself is enough to tell you something is wrong. Even before boiling, the water gives off a strong stench. It has been over a week that my wife and I have been suffering from an upset stomach. Some neighbours have also developed skin rashes and allergies. For me, it started with throat irritation, followed by severe stomach pain,” said Sanjay Patkar, a resident. He added that the situation has disrupted daily life, particularly for senior citizens and children. Sanjay Patkar, a resident of Bageshree Society in Santacruz, reacts to the foul smell from tap water supplied to the building, which residents say has caused health issues for over two weeks. Pic/By Special Arrangement Another resident, Rupa Badkar, said they initially suspected a fault in their water purifier. “We thought our Aquaguard was not working properly and needed repairs or a candle change. But when the company technician checked it, he confirmed the filter and candles were functioning fine. He told us the water itself had a foul smell and advised us to boil it even after purification. I visited our family doctor three to four days ago, and he mentioned that many residents from our building had approached him with similar complaints of stomach ache,” she said. Following repeated complaints, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s water department visited the society and carried out temporary measures, including flushing the pipelines. However, the problem has persisted, and the source of contamination has not yet been identified, forcing residents to continue purchasing packaged drinking water. “We are spending at least R300 to R400 daily on drinking water, apart from doctor fees and medicines. Buying packaged water for an entire building for over two weeks is not feasible in the long run. Clean drinking water is a basic necessity, not a luxury,” said Mahendra Chheda, secretary of Bageshri Society. Civic officials said further checks are underway to trace the cause of the contamination. “We did not receive any complaint 15 days ago. Complaints were received only on Friday last week. Our officials visited the building, checked the water and did not find any foul smell. Even so, considering this is a matter of public health, we checked the water again on Monday morning during supply hours. As residents continued to raise concerns, we collected water samples on Tuesday morning and sent them for testing. We have also directed the society to clean its water tanks as an added precaution,” said Pravin Dudhwadkar, engineer, BMC Water Department.
07 January,2026 08:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarMulund residents are facing inconvenience caused by the long ongoing Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. From electricity cuts to air pollution, the area that once offered a prime standard of living has been caught amidst the city’s mammoth project. While residents understand that such projects take years to complete, people living along the LBS Marg want construction along the Sonapur junction to be completed as a priority. “Mulund residents are always surrounded by digging. First we had the Metro, then the GMLR; there are private companies with their connection lines. There is seemingly no end to it,” said Ramaswamy Krishnan, secretary of the Marathon Maxima residential society. Mulund Colony The other end of the society lies along a stretch of GMLR, which is still under construction. mid-day observed that the narrow spaces which were left for pedestrians and vehicles were already being used for parking. “This junction is already heavy on traffic, and the work has been underway for too long. We wish that the civic authorities would clear out at least this patch speedily,” Krishnan added. “The authorities need to think about pedestrian movement now itself. If they have to dig for a subway, now is the time,” he further said. Further up along the GMLR, citizens have been facing troubles with weekly power cuts for many months now. At one of the residential buildings in Mulund Colony, 81-year-old Venkatraman Iyer finds it difficult to navigate his way downstairs without an elevator. Venkatraman Iyer, a resident “We do not have a [power] backup for the lift, and the power cuts have been difficult for senior citizens like myself. Since I am home all day, I realise that we are losing electricity for a few hours nearly every week. My son finds it difficult to work from home when there are power cuts in the evening,” Iyer told mid-day. Voices Keziya Fernandes, Mulund Colony resident“With power cuts, we have been facing problems with the elevator too. Senior citizens in our building are held up, there is trouble while cooking, and our house help cannot work properly. Occasionally, we experience prolonged power outages. We also lose our gas connection at times, but we are intimidated accordingly Another problem I have been facing is safety. I try not to send my children downstairs to play in the evenings.” Ramdas Patil, Resident of Hoechst Quarters, Mulund“We lose electricity every 2-3 days in the morning; we don’t have electric backup. Since we don’t have a direct gas pipeline, we don’t face problems there. However, the GMLR work has led to air and dust pollution all around the area, and many of our neighbours keep falling ill due to respiratory conditions. We will recall all issues while casting our vote before this election.” Official Speak Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd (MSEDCL)“No citizens from the concerned area have registered a complaint about frequent power interruptions. There is a possibility that there could be internal wiring troubles. If citizens register a complaint with their consumer code, we can get to the bottom of things.” Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL)“As a standard procedure for road diversion activities, MGL is given prior intimation, and the PNG gas supply of the specific area is temporarily stopped as a safety precaution to carry out the work. The customers are informed in advance of gas stoppage in such cases.” Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation“To control pollution, we are using anti-smog guns, providing green cloth, and sprinkling water on roads. There is a proposed cable-stayed bridge at Sonapur Jn which is expected to be completed by December 2026. One arm of the flyover (two lanes) from Srishti Oasis Bldg (near GG Singh Rd) up to Sonapur Jn will likely be functional by June. The entire Mulund side flyover is expected to be complete by December.”
07 January,2026 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarJeev Sabha, a group of at least five Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), legal experts, animal rights advocates, and activists, held a press conference on Monday afternoon at the Press Club, Azad Maidan, after the Supreme Court order on stray dogs. In its November 2025 verdict, the Supreme Court, taking note of rising dog bite incidents, issued orders directing the immediate removal of stray dogs from public institutions for sterilisation and relocation to shelters. This has ignited protests from animal activists who say shelters are ‘inhumane confinement’. ‘No shelters for dogs; instead, catch, vaccinate, sterilise and release,’ was Jeev Sabha’s message. The challenge Speaker Nandita Saigal, a retired animal welfare officer, stated, “We are gathered here because India is facing a preventable public health and governance challenge. A lot of fear and confusion is leading to rising conflict centred around community dogs.” Dr Anjali Chhabria, a well-known psychiatrist and founder of Jeev Sabha, pointed out, “There is no dispute that rabies is a serious disease. But is it a national health crisis? The crisis really is fear and misinformation.” Vaccine scene Dr Sweta Singh, associate consultant, Critical Care Medicine, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, said, “Rabies prevention is non-negotiable. Vaccinating dogs is nipping the problem at the source.” Incidentally, the vaccination has efficacy for one year, after which the dog has to be revaccinated. “People also must go in for anti-rabies injections when advised, post scratch or bite, as delay greatly increases risk.” Panellist Indraneel Roy, a government animal welfare officer, spoke about ‘open garbage’, which means an uncontrolled food supply for the dogs. “We need better waste management,” he said. On the issue of feeding the strays, Dhiraj Tejwani, CEO, Youth Organization in Defence of Animals, said, “Our feeders are often threatened; this stems from ignorance. If animals are not fed, there is a chance of greater aggression.” A collective Rhea Chhabria, founder of Pawdopt, emphasised the ‘collective’. “Every citizen is a stakeholder here. This cannot be left to the civic authorities/government/animal activists. We need citizens who contribute by not buying unvaccinated puppies sold illegally or from unlicensed backyard breeders. There must be awareness of that. A vaccinated community animal cannot give rabies.” The in-depth discussion concluded with speaker Sanhita (first name only), who called herself a “citizen, part of the collective effort”. “The narrative will change if animal welfare is not looked at as charity but as an industry,” she signed off saying. This meant that unpaid, under-recognised work by citizens, veterinarians, caregivers, and rescue workers must stop. The takeaways This was not a “human vs animal issue”. Jeev Sabha is not against the government. Mass anti-rabies vaccination breaks rabies transmission. It was about preventing human deaths through robust post-bite response with guaranteed availability of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG). “We need to co-exist,” said speakers who played slides of celebrities speaking glowingly for community dogs, signing off with “living together with these dogs puts the ‘wow’ into the bow.”
07 January,2026 08:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal AsharShiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis pushed for a mining project near a wildlife sanctuary despite being told by authorities that the area is part of a tiger corridor and that the venture would lead to man-animal conflict. Mining project located near Ghodazari Wildlife Sanctuary The iron ore mining project cited by Thackeray is located at Lohardongari near the Ghodazari Wildlife Sanctuary in Chandrapur district in eastern Maharashtra. SBWL warned of tiger corridor and human-animal conflict: Thackeray In a post on X, Thackeray said the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) had briefed the Chief Minister that the area is an important tiger corridor and wildlife corridor, and that the project would increase human-animal conflict, but the CM still pushed ahead with the plan. The bjp is out to destroy every bit of nature that exists in our country.Today, the State Board for Wildlife approved a proposal that opens up a mining project in Lohardongari near the Ghodazari Wildlife Sanctuary. The SBWL apparently briefed the Chief Minister that it is an… — Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 6, 2026 ‘BJP out to destroy nature,’ alleges Sena (UBT) leader The former state environment minister alleged that the BJP was intent on destroying natural ecosystems across the country. "Today, the State Board for Wildlife approved a proposal that opens up a mining project in Lohardongari near the Ghodazari Wildlife Sanctuary… but the CM pushed ahead with the plan," Thackeray said in his post. Questions raised over employment benefits and environmental impact Thackeray said the mine would generate only 120 jobs, of which just 32 would be permanent, and produce 1.1 million tonnes of output annually. "There is no study available on the influence it will have on the wildlife and the forest, but the BJP loves hacking down forests," he alleged. Earlier approval near Tadoba reserve also criticised Thackeray also flagged the approval of minutes from an earlier meeting that allowed mining in Marki-Mangli near the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, calling it another tiger corridor. "Interested to see how the CM pitches this at the Mumbai Climate Week and to global agencies that will attend it," said the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA from Worli. BJP accused of environmentally damaging Vidarbha The Vidarbha region, which has sent several elected representatives to the BJP, is being environmentally destroyed through coal washeries, mines and deforestation, Thackeray alleged. "Then the government gaslights citizens about human-animal conflict," he remarked.
07 January,2026 08:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, immigration officials at Mumbai International Airport have intercepted around 28 non-resident Indians over the past two months for allegedly carrying Indian voter ID cards despite holding foreign citizenship. Immigration officials seized the voter ID cards and informed the Election Commission of India, which has initiated the process to cancel them. Most of those caught are citizens of countries such as Canada, the United States, Nepal, and Australia. The BMC elections are scheduled to be held on January 15, with results to be declared on January 16. Immigration officials said they have stepped up checks at Mumbai International Airport over the past two months in view of the polls. A source from the Immigration Department told mid-day, “Our teams are deployed at Mumbai International Airport to check passports and documents at immigration counters. We have been specifically alert about checking voter ID cards carried by NRIs, as they are not eligible to vote since they are no longer Indian citizens.” Most of those caught are citizens of countries such as Canada, the United States, Nepal, and Australia According to officials, several NRIs allegedly obtained voter ID cards by submitting false information to the Election Commission of India. “Many of them have family members residing in India and visit the country frequently on visa-free or long-term visas. They provided their relatives’ addresses and declared themselves as residents of India to obtain voter ID cards,” the source said. Another immigration official added that over the past two months, officers have questioned passengers identified as NRIs and verified their documents in detail. “During these checks, we seized around 28 Indian voter ID cards from different passengers,” the official said. Officials explained that NRIs are not entitled to voter ID cards, even though they may legally hold Aadhaar and PAN cards. “These individuals were allegedly voting in their countries of citizenship and attempting to vote in India as well, which is a serious violation,” the source said. Immigration officials said the voter ID cards were detected during routine immigration checks. “Passengers arriving at the airport are screened at immigration counters. When NRIs were questioned, some produced Indian voter ID cards. After verifying their nationality and records, the cards were confiscated and reported,” the official said. Immigration authorities have now forwarded the details of the cases to the Overseas Citizen of India section and the Election Commission of India, following which the voter ID cards will be cancelled. Get all BMC Election 2026 updates here | Your ward info here https://www.mid-day.com/bmc-election/ https://www.mid-day.com/bmc-election/know-your-ward
07 January,2026 08:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaIn a major setback to the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ahead of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, nearly half a dozen party leaders, including a former corporator, a former University of Mumbai Senate member, and a party spokesperson, have quit over the last few days. Former corporator Santosh Dhuri met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis late on Monday night, and a day later joined the BJP. Dhuri is a close aide of MNS Mumbai unit chief Sandeep Depshande. Speaking with mid-day, Dhuri said, “I decided to quit as MNS chief Raj Thackeray surrendered his party to Sena UBT, headed by Uddhav Thackeray.” Meanwhile, former Shiv Sena (undivided) corporator Raja Chougule, who had earlier joined the MNS, has also resigned from the party. Chougule, along with MNS spokesperson Hemant Kamble, on Tuesday joined the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. In recent days, several other senior MNS leaders have also switched sides. These include former University of Mumbai Senate Member Sudhakar Tamboli and senior party leader Prakash Mahajan, the brother of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan. Both leaders have joined Shinde’s Shiv Sena. (From left) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with former corporator Santosh Dhuri and BJP leader Nitesh Rane Raj Thackeray had quit the Shiv Sena in 2005, claiming he was being sidelined within the party, especially by his cousin Uddhav Thackeray and the latter’s close aides. A year later, in 2006, Raj formed the MNS, reviving the “sons of the soil” agenda on the same plank on which his uncle, the late Bal Thackeray, founded the Shiv Sena in 1966. The MNS made its electoral debut in the 2007 Mumbai civic elections, winning seven seats. The party improved its performance in 2012, securing 27 seats — its best showing in Mumbai so far. However, its strength declined after that, and in the 2017 civic polls, the MNS won only seven seats. Six of these candidates later shifted to Uddhav Thackeray’s camp when the Shiv Sena was still undivided. The downward trend continued in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the MNS failed to win a single seat despite contesting more than 110 of the 288 constituencies. Even Raj’s son Amit Thackeray lost his electoral debut from the Mahim Assembly constituency, finishing third. Now, burying 19 years of differences, the Thackeray cousins have come together for a cause of Marathi and Maharashtra. But, many party cadres from both camps have been upset with their leadership over ticket distribution and other issues, leading to mass exodus from the MNS. The string of exits comes at a crucial time for the MNS as it fights to retain political relevance following its poor performance in the 2024 Assembly elections and prepares for the upcoming BMC polls, widely seen as one of the most prestigious civic battles in the country. Get all BMC Election 2026 updates here | Your ward info here https://www.mid-day.com/bmc-election/ https://www.mid-day.com/bmc-election/know-your-ward
07 January,2026 08:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarADVERTISEMENT
