Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) working president Praful Patel on Sunday dismissed reports claiming that he had been appointed the party’s national president, calling them baseless and untrue. “I have noted a few reports circulating in the media regarding my appointment as the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party. I wish to state with absolute clarity that these reports are totally baseless and lack any truth,” Patel said in a post on X. Patel’s clarification came after remarks made by Union Minister Piyush Goyal in an interview to PTI. Emphasising the party’s democratic functioning, Patel said any decision of such significance would be taken only after consultations with senior leaders, legislators and party office-bearers, while respecting the collective will and sentiments of party members. “The Nationalist Congress Party is a democratic institution. Being a national party, we follow an established process in such matters,” he stated. Subsequently, Goyal acknowledged that his earlier remarks were based on incorrect information. In a post on X, he said a senior journalist had wrongly informed him that Praful Patel had been elected NCP president, following which he made statements without verification. “Later it came to light that the information was incorrect and that the Nationalist Congress Party continues to function under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajitdada Pawar. I express my regret for the misleading information,” Goyal said. I have noted few reports circulating in the media regarding my appointment as the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party. I wish to state with absolute clarity that these reports are totally baseless and lack any truth.The Nationalist Congress Party is a… — Praful Patel (@praful_patel) February 1, 2026 Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare told PTI that the party would follow due procedure and take into account the sentiments of workers, office-bearers and leaders before taking any decision on leadership. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray commented on the leadership issue within the NCP, saying a party “rooted in Marathi soil” should be led by someone reflecting that identity. In a post on X, Thackeray remarked that the NCP’s working president should be a “proper Marathi person”, a comment widely seen as a veiled reference to Patel. The remarks come amid uncertainty over the NCP’s top organisational posts following the death of party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in an air crash on January 28. (With PTI inputs)
01 February,2026 06:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a major step towards improving the quality and durability of Mumbai’s road infrastructure, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) engineers on Saturday received a one-day brainstorming and technical training workshop at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. As per the civic authorities, over 300 BMC engineers participated in the programme, which aimed at the evaluation of completed and ongoing cement concrete (CC) road works across the city. The workshop organised by the BMC focused on equipping engineers with scientific, technical and practical knowledge related to the planning, execution and quality control of cement concrete roads. During the programme at IIT Bombay, representatives from the Quality Monitoring Agency (QMA) and contracting firms were also present, ensuring a comprehensive discussion involving all key stakeholders. Focus on quality and best practices The BMC has undertaken cement concrete (CC) road works on a large scale, and the workshop was organised as part of the civic body’s efforts to ensure high-quality and long-lasting road construction. Furthermore, the engineers were trained on the use of state-of-the-art construction technology, best practices to follow on site, common mistakes to avoid, and solutions to challenges faced during implementation. The workshop was inaugurated with a keynote address by Prof. Dr K V Krishna Rao, a noted civil engineering expert from IIT Bombay. Emphasising the importance of third-party auditing, he emphasised, “A practical, field-orientated approach combined with technical cooperation is essential to make Mumbai’s road infrastructure more robust, sustainable and durable.” Addressing the gathering, Additional Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar said, “The cement concrete road programme, which began in October 2023, has achieved around 60 per cent completion, with the remaining work progressing despite several challenges.” The Commissioner further added, “Mumbai’s high population density and congested urban environment make this a highly complex project. However, the work is being carried out in a planned and effective manner.” Stressing that it is mandatory for engineers to be present at project sites during execution to ensure quality outcomes, Bangar enlightened the gathering with a more organised approach towards road infrastructure in Mumbai. Bangar also added, “Good riding quality enhances road lifespan and reduces maintenance costs. Proper utilisation of service ducts can prevent repeated road digging,” urging engineers to prioritise both aspects. Technical Guidance from Experts As per the civic authority, observations from site visits and technical inspections were also reviewed during the workshop at IIT Bombay. Professor KV Krishna Rao and Professor Solomon Debbarma also provided detailed guidance on: Use of quality materials in concrete mixing Proper transportation of concrete from RMC plants to worksites Precautions during concrete pouring Timely joint cutting after pouring Effective curing methods Experts suggest protective netting around tree trunks Experts also suggested that protective netting around tree trunks could help create additional space for pedestrians on footpaths. During the workshop, senior BMC officials, including Deputy Commissioner (Infrastructure) Girish Nikam and Chief Engineer (Roads and Transport) Mantayya Swami, were also present at the workshop. The civic body said that it will continue to engage with technical institutions like IIT Bombay to maintain continuous technical dialogue, strengthen quality control mechanisms, and deliver safer, smoother, and more durable roads for Mumbai.
01 February,2026 05:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have welcomed the Union Budget 2026, calling it a strong and decisive step towards building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). Both leaders said the budget will significantly strengthen Mumbai and Maharashtra while accelerating growth across smaller cities. In a post on social media platform X, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the budget focuses on planned urbanisation, promotion of industry and entrepreneurship, and strong measures to boost investment and job creation. He highlighted the allocation of Rs 12 lakh crore for infrastructure development, along with substantial provisions for agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and irrigation. Fadnavis said the decision to create exclusive malls and business opportunities for women, following the success of the Lakhpati Didi scheme, is a crucial step towards women’s economic empowerment. He also welcomed the announcement of hostels for girls pursuing higher education in every district and the strengthening of emergency medical services in district hospitals. High-speed rail corridors The Chief Minister added that high-speed rail corridors such as Mumbai-Pune and Pune-Hyderabad will significantly increase GDP growth. He said growth hubs like the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Pune, and Nagpur will each receive Rs 5,000 crore over five years, giving a major boost to regional development. Budget, a firm step towards fulfilling PM Modi’s vision: Shinde Reacting to the budget, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that it will accelerate the overall development of small cities while strengthening infrastructure and providing large-scale support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). He described the budget as a firm step towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed and self-reliant India. Shinde said that despite global economic instability, India has maintained its growth rate, and the budget balances economic development, improvement in living standards, and the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. He noted that the budget reflects awareness of present challenges while preparing for the future. The Deputy Chief Minister said Mumbai and Maharashtra will benefit greatly from the budget. He welcomed the announcement of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology in Mumbai, following the global WAVES conference held in the city last year. He said the institute will strengthen Mumbai’s position in the entertainment and creative industries, an official statement said. Will boost their economic potential, says Shinde Shinde also highlighted the focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities, saying this will boost their economic potential. He said infrastructure funding of Rs 12 lakh crore for cities with populations above five lakh, along with incentives of Rs 100 crore for municipal bonds, will help strengthen urban local bodies across Maharashtra. He added that Maharashtra’s strong manufacturing base will benefit from incentives for MSMEs, semiconductor manufacturing, biopharma, textiles, handlooms, handicrafts, container manufacturing, and data centres. According to Shinde, these sectors are well represented in the state and will see significant growth. Development of medical hubs The Deputy Chief Minister also welcomed the announcement of high-speed rail corridors, the development of medical hubs to promote medical tourism, and support for the fisheries sector, including coconut and cashew production through technology-based measures. Shinde said the introduction of ‘She-Marts’ will help women from self-help groups become entrepreneurs, while hostels for girls in every district will provide strong support for education. He also said the reduction in import duty on medicines for serious illnesses will bring relief to thousands of patients. He further noted that the simplified income tax system announced earlier will be implemented from April 1, benefiting taxpayers across all income groups.
01 February,2026 04:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) has welcomed the Union Budget 2026, saying it provides stability, policy certainty, and confidence to the gems and jewellery industry. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2026 in the Parliament on Sunday, February 1, also laid out government expenditure and taxation plans that will directly impact the daily lives of the citizens and businesses across India. Speaking on the Union Budget 2026, GJC Chairman Rajesh Rokde said the government has taken a balanced and sensitive approach towards the sector. He noted that there has been no increase in customs duty or GST, which brings much-needed relief to the trade. An official statement said that Rokde said the continuation of policy certainty, strong support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), ease-of-doing-business initiatives, and income-tax reforms aimed at reducing litigation will help the industry plan for the future. He added that these measures show the government’s recognition of the gems and jewellery sector as a major contributor to employment, exports, and overall economic growth. Positive for jewellers GJC Vice Chairman Avinash Gupta also welcomed the budget, calling it positive for jewellers across the value chain. He said the absence of higher customs duties, along with better access to finance for MSMEs and simplified income-tax compliance, will help businesses operate with greater confidence. Gupta added that the focus on ease-of-doing-business and financial support will allow jewellers to concentrate on sustainable growth, especially at a time when global economic uncertainties continue to affect trade. Both leaders said the budget creates a stable environment for the gems and jewellery industry and supports long-term growth without adding new tax burdens. Customs simplified, duties slashed Union Budget 2026 also focuses on reforms across customs, indirect taxes and direct tax rationalisation, along with targeted incentives for cooperatives and the IT sector, aim to simplify compliance, ease regulatory burdens, and enhance overall competitiveness. Customs procedures are set to become faster and more efficient through greater use of digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Exporters and industries will benefit from duty exemptions and extended compliance timelines, while individuals gain relief through lower tariffs, exemptions on essential medical imports, and simpler mechanisms for dispute resolution. Taken together, these measures reflect a balanced and forward-looking approach -- supporting economic growth, promoting innovation, and making the tax system more transparent and citizen-friendly.
01 February,2026 04:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai BJP President and MLA Ameet Satam on Sunday welcomed the Union Budget presented by the Modi government, calling it development-oriented, growth-focused, and pragmatic. He said the budget includes several major initiatives that will accelerate Mumbai’s development and create employment opportunities. Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Satam said the budget supports India’s journey towards becoming Vishwa Guru. He added that India has now become the world’s fourth-largest economy and one of the fastest to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Referring to the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Satam highlighted the announcement of seven high-speed rail corridors across the country. One of these will be the Mumbai-Pune corridor, which he said will make travel between the two cities faster and more convenient. He also spoke about the tax exemptions announced for tunnel boring machine (TBM) manufacturers, saying this will greatly benefit Mumbai’s ambitious “Paatal Lok” project. Conceptualised by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the project aims to build a 70-kilometre underground tunnel network to ease traffic congestion in the city. 13 metro projects under construction Satam said Mumbai currently has 13 metro projects under construction and was heavily dependent on imported TBMs, mainly from China. “The tax exemption for domestic TBM manufacturers will reduce dependence on imports and encourage local production. This will significantly help the Paatal Lok project,” he said. The BJP leader also welcomed the announcement of ‘SHE-Marts’, which will strengthen women’s self-help groups. He said these malls will benefit women engaged in self-employment, especially in urban areas. He further noted that municipal bonds worth over Rs 1,000 crore in large cities will receive an incentive grant of Rs 100 crore. According to him, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Asia’s largest municipal body, will gain significantly from this initiative. MSME sector recognised Satam also highlighted the financial assistance announced for the Indian Institute of Creative Technology in Mumbai. The institute will help set up Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics content creator laboratories in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges across the country. He added that the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has been recognised as a growth engine in the budget, with liquidity support of Rs 7 lakh crore. “Mumbai has a large number of registered MSMEs," he said. This decision will boost industrial growth and generate employment, Satam added.
01 February,2026 04:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Sunday questioned the missing areas from the Union Budget 2026, saying it failed to meet expectations at a time of global economic uncertainty. In a post on social media platform X, Chaturvedi said she had hoped for a “reformatory budget” as promised by the Prime Minister. However, she described the budget as disappointing and said it missed the opportunity to clearly present India’s long-term vision. She pointed out that while the Finance Minister wore a handloom saree from Tamil Nadu, a state heading into elections, the budget speech did not address the impact of high US tariffs on Tirupur’s textile industry. According to her, several export-driven sectors are suffering losses, while India remains one of the most highly tariffed nations globally. Chaturvedi also raised concerns about the weakening rupee, saying Indian importers are being badly affected and the budget did little to ease their difficulties. Highlighting employment issues, she said the budget did not adequately address joblessness, underemployment, or the creation of quality jobs. She added that rising inflation and stagnant incomes were also ignored. Had hopes of a reformatory budget as promised by Hon. PM, however the budget has been disappointing. It was to lay down India’s vision considering the global turbulence but clearly missed the bus - Ma’m as predicted was wearing a handloom saree from Tamil Nadu (keeping election… — Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 1, 2026 Farmers once again overlooked: Chaturvedi The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further criticised the absence of support for start-ups, technology innovation, and research. She said farmers were once again overlooked, with no major focus on agri-tech, food supply chains, storage infrastructure, easier credit, or climate change adaptation. She concluded by saying that much-needed reforms to revive India’s stagnant manufacturing sector were glaringly missing from the budget. Union Budget 2026 to accelerate Mumbai’s growth, says BJP MLA Ameet Satam Mumbai BJP President and MLA Ameet Satam on Saturday welcomed the Union Budget presented by the Modi government, calling it development-oriented, growth-focused, and pragmatic. He said the budget includes several major initiatives that will accelerate Mumbai’s development and create employment opportunities. Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Satam said the budget supports India’s journey towards becoming Vishwa Guru. He added that India has now become the world’s fourth-largest economy and one of the fastest to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Referring to the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Satam highlighted the announcement of seven high-speed rail corridors across the country. One of these will be the Mumbai-Pune corridor, which he said will make travel between the two cities faster and more convenient. He also spoke about the tax exemptions announced for tunnel boring machine (TBM) manufacturers, saying this will greatly benefit Mumbai’s ambitious “Paatal Lok” project. Conceptualised by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the project aims to build a 70-kilometre underground tunnel network to ease traffic congestion in the city. Satam also highlighted the financial assistance announced for the Indian Institute of Creative Technology in Mumbai. The institute will help set up Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics content creator laboratories in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges across the country. He added that the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has been recognised as a growth engine in the budget, with liquidity support of Rs 7 lakh crore. “Mumbai has a large number of registered MSMEs. This decision will boost industrial growth and generate employment,” Satam said.
01 February,2026 03:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWeather conditions in Mumbai, the financial capital of the nation, remained moderate on early Sunday morning as the city witnessed slight haze across several areas during the Budget Session day. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai recorded minimum temperatures of 21.4 degrees Celsius at Colaba and 21.0 degrees Celsius at Santacruz today. As per the Sameer App, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 104, categorised as moderate. Such conditions may cause breathing discomfort, particularly for people suffering from lung disorders, asthma, and heart-related ailments. AQI levels across Mumbai Bandra Kurla Complex: 105 Borivali East: 111 Byculla: 92 Andheri East: 138 Chembur: 97 Colaba: 95 Deonar: 131 Ghatkopar: 116 Kandivali East: 115 Kandivali West: 70 Bandra East: 93 Bhandup West: 88 Malad West: 114 Mazagaon: 87 Mulund West: 124 Powai: 76 In neighbouring regions, Thane recorded an AQI of 102, Kalyan 143, and Navi Mumbai 121. These levels also fall under the moderate category and may lead to breathing discomfort, according to the Sameer App. Very poor air quality grips Delhi as IMD sounds yellow alert for thunderstorms The air quality in the national capital remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 318 around 8 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi, warning that isolated areas may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph. Similar conditions are expected in neighbouring Haryana and Chandigarh. In Haryana, Karnal witnessed a hailstorm early in the day. According to the IMD, the rainfall signals the onset of an active weather phase, with thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and hail likely to affect several states during the day. Light rain lashed parts of Delhi and adjoining NCR areas in the early morning hours. As per the news agency ANI, the maximum temperature is expected to range between 17 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may hover around 10 degrees Celsius to 12 degrees Celsius. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph are likely to continue through the afternoon and night. Residents woke up to wet weather and light to moderate fog. Despite the rainfall, the city’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category, reported ANI. Air quality levels across major Indian cities varied on Sunday. Ahmedabad recorded an AQI of 171, followed by Pune at 161 and Lucknow at 156. Patna (121) and Jaipur (118) reported moderate air quality levels. Meanwhile, Mumbai registered an AQI of 104, while Bengaluru (96), Chennai (92) and Hyderabad (95) remained in the satisfactory range, according to the CPCB. On Saturday, Delhi’s air quality was in the ‘poor’ category, with the overall AQI recorded at 271 around 7 am, the CPCB said, reported ANI. Several monitoring stations across the city reported AQI levels in the poor-to-very poor range. Ashok Vihar recorded 309, Bawana 271, Burari 246, and Chandni Chowk 285. Dwarka Sector 8 logged 329, ITO 279, while Mundka and Wazirpur recorded 331 each. Okhla Phase-2 registered 323, Rohini 312, Punjabi Bagh 318, and RK Puram 322. Lower AQI levels were reported in Narela (232) and Alipur (227). Meanwhile, several airports reported shallow fog, with visibility between 500 metres and 1,000 metres. Adampur in Punjab recorded visibility of 500 metres; Bhatinda reported 600 metres; and Halwara in Punjab and Gaya in Bihar registered 800 metres each, reported ANI. (With ANI inputs)
01 February,2026 10:24 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra NCP (SP) president Shashikant Shinde on Saturday said party chief Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders were not informed in advance about Sunetra Pawar being sworn in as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, reported news agency PTI. Decision taken amid ongoing talks on NCP faction reunification Addressing reporters, Shinde said the decision regarding Sunetra Pawar’s oath ceremony was taken without the knowledge of Sharad Pawar or the NCP (SP) leadership. He added that discussions on bringing together the two Nationalist Congress Party factions had been underway, particularly after the recently concluded civic elections, but the sudden developments had taken the party by surprise. Sunetra Pawar sworn in as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, 62, the wife of late NCP leader Ajit Pawar, was sworn in on Saturday as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister. Ajit Pawar had died in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28, plunging the state’s political circles into mourning. Shinde questions urgency of swearing-in amid state-wide grief “Sharad Pawar had no prior information about the swearing-in,” Shinde said, adding that while several rounds of discussions had taken place on the possible unification of the two NCP factions, the process was still at a deliberative stage. “Ajitdada is no more. Some broad understandings had been discussed earlier. Now we will have to reassess the situation and decide our next steps. How others react to it is their choice,” he said, reported PTI. Responding to questions about the apparent urgency with which Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in was conducted, Shinde said clarity would have to come from her family, senior leaders of the party concerned, or the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues. “Ajit Pawar’s demise is a huge loss for Maharashtra. At a time when the state is grieving, we do not know why such a decision was taken. Those involved will have to explain it,” he remarked, reported PTI. Multiple meetings held before January 17 Pawar meeting Shinde also said that in the three months leading up to Ajit Pawar’s January 17 meeting with Sharad Pawar, nearly eight to ten meetings had taken place between leaders of both factions. “After the civic elections, it was decided to seriously work towards unifying the two parties, and this stand was communicated to Sharad Pawar as well,” he said. Referring to a video circulating on social media of the January 17 meeting, Shinde clarified that the discussion was held at Sharad Pawar’s residence and not at the home of NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil. He said Ajit Pawar had told those present that he had discussed the issue with the state party president and other leaders and had taken a call accordingly. According to Shinde, candidates were fielded on the NCP symbol across Maharashtra in the civic polls, with an understanding that a final decision on unification would be taken after the results. He said he was unaware of whether Ajit Pawar faced resistance from senior leaders over the merger plan, reported PTI. Sharad Pawar, meanwhile, reiterated that he had “no idea” about Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in and said Ajit Pawar had planned to announce the merger of the two factions on February 12. He added that while talks had progressed, the process could now face hurdles following the tragic accident. Confirming details of the January 17 meeting, Kiran Gujar, a close associate of the Pawar family, said merger discussions were being finalised during that interaction, and Ajit Pawar had briefed him about its outcome a few days later. (With inputs from PTI)
01 February,2026 10:24 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe three commuters who fell off a running train near Sion railway station on Friday morning, continue to receive treatment at Sion Hospital on Saturday. While 21-year-old Sachin Sharma and 29-year-old Afzal Chaudhary are stable and have been shifted for care in the male ward, 37-year-old Kaisar Mendi is critical. “Kaisar has been intubated and is in critical condition. He had a severe abdominal injury and fracture in the right elbow. A Hemopneumothorax has been observed as well. He has been intubated and in critical condition as he is unable to breathe on his own,” informed chief medical officer in duty Dr Shubham Singh. Explaining Sharma and Chaudhary’ situation, Singh told Sunday mid-day, “Afzal has an injury on scalp and a fracture in right arm. He is stable. Sachin has a Contused Lacerated Wound (CLW) in head. While Afzal’ scalp has suffered degloving (traumatic wound to soft tissue), Sachin’s left knee has suffered the same. However, both are stable and have been shifted to wards from the emergency ward.” Meanwhile, Zaheen Mehndi, Kaisar’s sister, mentioned that Kaiser was on his way to CSMT to buy a few items for their shop. “He left home as usual. We did not even imagine something like this would happen. His wife is a homemaker and they have a three-year-old son,” she said. Denying the police’s initial theory that the incident was the result of a quarrel or a fight, elder brother of Afzal, Akhlaq said, “My brother has never gotten into even a small argument. We do not agree with what the police are saying.” Woman falls off running train at Badlapur; dies A 28-year-old woman died after falling off a crowded suburban local train during on Saturday morning rush hour at Badlapur station. Kalyan GRP said the victim, Chetana Devrukhkar, was attempting to board a moving train heading for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) when she slipped and fell on the platform. The incident occurred around 8.10 am at the Badlapur railway station. Sources said the deceased worked with a firm in Thane and was travelling to work. A case of accidental death has been registered in connection with the incident. Confirming the incident, a CR spokesperson said, “Today, on January 31, 2026, at 8:12 am, a female passenger attempted to board the BL-10 Badlapur to CSMT local train on platform no. 3 lost her balance while the train was in motion. She fell from the train as the platform ended and was seriously injured after being run over by the moving train. She was taken to the rural hospital in Badlapur.” Inputs by Rajendra B. Aklekar
01 February,2026 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarCommuters at the extremely crowded Virar station, which is in the middle of a makeover, have complained of inconvenience. The station is being remodelled to make it seamless as a part of the Virar-Dahanu quadrupling project. “They talk about modernisation, but right now, it’s total chaos. With barricades and shifting entry points, elderly passengers and women are struggling the most. There is no crowd management at all,” Sunita More college lecturer, Nalasopara. “Peak hours are a nightmare. One delayed train and the entire station freezes. If this is planned redevelopment, then commuters deserve better planning and temporary arrangements,” Akash Jadhav, private-sector employee, Palghar. “We understand development is necessary, but why should commuters suffer daily? Clear announcements, proper signage and staff presence are the bare minimum—and even that is missing,” Shabnam Khan, shop employee, Virar East. Officials said they will fix the crowd management issue and explained that things will be much easier once work is complete. It is being done in a phase wise manner to minimise inconvenience. “The remodelling of Virar station has been planned to ease congestion and accommodate 15-coach trains on the Virar–Dahanu route. Key improvements include construction of a new Platform 5A, expansion of platforms 3A/4A, and improved infrastructure to boost capacity by 25 per cent” an official said. The construction of a new home platform (5A) and additional platforms on the south and east sides of the station is also planned. “Among the other key works include widening of platform 3A which is being widened to 10 meters from the existing 6m with a feature of a double-discharge facility on the west side to handle higher commuter volume, along with a home platform. There are upgrades focusing on enabling 15-car suburban trains to operate on the Virar–Dahanu corridor and the station modernisation also includes a new station deck for better passenger movement. The overall projected benefits include increased capacity for suburban trains and reduced crowding,” an official said.
01 February,2026 07:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarSunetra Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, creating history as the first woman to hold the post in the state. Her husband, the late Ajit Pawar, had earlier set a record by serving as deputy chief minister six times. She replaced Ajit after he died in a plane accident on January 28. On Saturday evening, Sunetra Pawar was administered the oath of office by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan (formerly known as Raj Bhavan) in Mumbai. The oath-taking ceremony was kept low-key, unlike the usual swearing-in events that feature flower bouquets, bands, and large gatherings. Immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, Sunetra Pawar, along with her other family members, is said to have left for Baramati. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and senior leaders of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and Chhagan Bhujbal. During the oath-taking ceremony, supporters of the late Ajit Pawar raised slogans such as “Amar rahe, amar rahe, Ajit Dada amar rahe” and “Ekach vada, Ajit Dada.”Sunetra Pawar was elected to the Rajya Sabha in June 2024. On Saturday, she submitted her resignation as a Rajya Sabha (Member of Parliament) before taking the oath as a Maharashtra Cabinet minister. She is expected to resume her duties and take charge at the Mantralaya as deputy chief minister only after the 12-day mourning period ends. Late Ajit Pawar was handling the crucial portfolio of finance and planning, too. Sunetra Pawar was born in 1963 in Dharashiv (earlier known as Osmanabad). Her father, Bajirao Patil, and her brother, Padamsinh Bajirao Patil, were influential political figures in Maharashtra. Padamsinh Patil, a former Maharashtra Cabinet minister and ex-Osmanabad Lok Sabha MP, is also known as a close associate of Sharad Pawar. NCP (SP) head Sharad Pawar said he was not aware of the decision to appoint Sunetra Pawar as deputy CM Meanwhile, talks of a possible reunion between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party, one earlier headed by the late Ajit Pawar and the other led by Sharad Pawar, are likely to face a hurdle. On Saturday morning, while addressing the media in Baramati, Sharad Pawar said he was not aware of any decision regarding Sunetra Pawar taking oath as Deputy Chief Minister. “I am not aware of any development on the deputy chief minister post. No one discussed this issue with me,” he said. Senior NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and Hasan Mushrif arrive at Lok Bhavan for the ceremony PM tweetsPrime Minister Narendra Modi, (@narendramodi) “Best wishes to Sunetra Pawar Ji as she begins her tenure as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra; the first woman to hold this responsibility. I am confident she will work tirelessly for the welfare of the people of the state and fulfil the vision of the late Ajitdada Pawar” First statementSunetra Pawar, (@SunetraA_Pawar) “Respected Ajitdada has given the mantra of living one’s entire life for farmers, labourers, women, youth, and deprived sections. Today, carrying forward the legacy of their thoughts with unwavering loyalty to the principles of ‘Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar’, my heart is truly overflowing as I accept the responsibility of the Deputy Chief Minister position with a sense of duty. Though the untimely passing of Dada has caused a mountain of sorrow to crash upon my heart, the true support I have is the duty-bound commitment, the strength to struggle, and the bond with the people that he taught me. I will continue to work tirelessly and honestly to realize the just, equality-based, and developed Maharashtra of his dreams. In these difficult times, the love and support from the people of Maharashtra is my true strength. With the power of your trust, illuminating Dada’s ideals, I will keep moving forward with new hope” Will Sunetra be the guardian minister of Pune and Beed too? Late Ajit Pawar was the guardian minister of Pune and Beed. After the NCP leader’s demise, party workers and leaders are demanding that Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar be given charge of the two districts. “However, it is the prerogative of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to decide on this matter,” NCP leader Prakash Solanke said.
01 February,2026 06:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarADVERTISEMENT
