Mumbai on Wednesday witnessed tense scenes during the morning rush hour after an AC fast local train on the Central Railway line failed to open its doors at Dadar station, forcing commuters to alight at the next stop, Byculla, around 6.4 km away. The incident involved the 10:42 am Badlapur–CSMT AC local, which halted at Dadar as scheduled but departed without opening its automatic doors. Several commuters who intended to disembark at Dadar were left stranded inside the train, causing widespread frustration. The Badlapur-CSMT train arrived at Dadar, and there were lots of commuters inside the train who wanted to disembark at Dadar. The train halted as usual, but the doors did not open, and the train departed. The next station was Byculla, and people missed their schedules. Mukesh Makhija, one of the commuters travelling in the fast AC local train, emphasised, “The Badlapur–CSMT train arrived at Dadar, and there were lots of commuters inside who wanted to get down. The train halted as usual, but the doors did not open, and it left the station,” said AC local commuter Mukesh Makhija. “The next stop was Byculla, and many people missed their schedules.” Angered by the inconvenience, commuters created a ruckus at Byculla station and confronted the railway authorities about the incident. According to passengers, they approached the motorman to seek an explanation. Another commuter, while expressing disbelief about the inconvenience, asserted, “We then approached the motorman. There were seven people in his cabin. We questioned him, and he said that the guard is in charge of the train and that he does not have a mechanism to open doors.” Makhija further added that, “The inside talk-back mechanism box was not working, and we did not try to pull the chain, maybe for some irrelevant reason, and disturb all other trains.” The incident added to commuter woes during peak hours, with many demanding accountability and better maintenance of AC local trains on the central line.
17 December,2025 01:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarInvoking the spirit of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday claimed that the BMC elections 2026, in particular, and 28 other civic bodies are a battle to protect Mumbai from being "carved away" from Maharashtra, terming the electoral exercise as a decisive struggle for the "existence of the Marathi Manoos". The party, its mouthpiece 'Saamana' said the existence of Mumbai was at stake, and if the city, built through the sacrifice of 106 martyrs, is lost, the Marathi people will face "a lifetime of slavery". It gave a rallying cry for the Marathi people to "pick up the Bhavani sword of identity" and enter the electoral battlefield with the chant, "Har Har Mahadev!" The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in the Saamana editorial said the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations, including high-stakes Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. "After a prolonged seven-and-a-half-year delay, the SEC has scheduled polling for January 15, 2026, with results to be declared the following day, January 16. The announcement follows a Supreme Court directive mandating that all local body elections in the state be completed by January 31, leaving the 'Rahman Dacoit gang', which had infiltrated 29 corporations, with no choice." Fadnavis-Shinde government intentionally deferred these elections: Shiv Sena(UBT) in Saamana The editorial alleged that the current Fadnavis-Shinde government intentionally deferred these elections to facilitate "looting" through the appointment of administrators. It claimed that the ruling coalition only proceeded due to judicial intervention, expressing concern that funds allegedly misappropriated during the administrative period will be funnelled into the upcoming campaigns. The editorial further said, “While the Model Code of Conduct is in effect, it seems it is only for the opposition. Members of the ruling alliance and their ministers violate the code, laws and rules daily with impunity. Neither the state nor the Central Election Commission pays any attention to these violations because the poll body has become a 'pet cat' of the authorities. In such an unequal environment, this electoral struggle will take place, and the Marathi Manoos must win it at any cost.” A major point of contention highlighted in the editorial is the state of the voter lists. The editorial claimed that the lists are "riddled with scams", alleging the presence of over 15 lakh duplicate voters across the state, including 1,50,000 in Mumbai alone. "The SEC has reportedly used lists from July 1, 2025, claiming it lacks the authority to add or delete names, though it has implemented a 'double star' marking system to flag potential duplicate voters for field verification. If the Commission does not see this as serious, one must admit it wears a collar of slavery and helplessness put on by the government,” it alleged. Stepping up the attack against the Mahayuti alliance, the Thackeray camp said that just before the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, the state government issued 49 Government Resolutions (GRs) and launched a spree of development projects, which were "deceptive ploys" intended to influence voters. The editorial questioned the feasibility of election expenditure limits. While limits are set between Rs 9 lakh and Rs 15 lakh depending on the corporation's grade, it alleged that in recent local polls, ruling alliance candidates spent between Rs 100 crore and Rs 150 crore per municipality, with votes being openly bought for as much as Rs 20,000. Against this backdrop, the Thackeray camp claimed that the authorities would use "Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed (persuasion, money, punishment, and division)" to carve Mumbai away from Maharashtra or to put it up for auction. However, it appealed to the Marathi people not to lose confidence. (With inputs from IANS)
17 December,2025 12:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPolice have arrested four members of a gang involved in theft and robberies after a 10-km chase in Maharashtra's Beed district, officials said, reported news agency PTI. Local residents also helped the police in apprehending the accused on December 12. The gang members, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, had been operating across Beed, Ambajogai and Georai tehsils. They would enter wedding ceremonies disguised as guests or beggars and steal gold ornaments, a police release said on Tuesday, reported PTI. In several cases, they targeted bank customers by tracking them after cash withdrawals and snatching their bags. At times, they would deliberately spill tomato sauce on victims to divert attention and flee with cash and valuables, it said. The high-speed chase On December 12, the four accused arrived at Kaij in Beed with the intention of committing a robbery while riding stolen motorcycles, but their plan failed. Investigations suggested that the gang had earlier committed bag-lifting thefts in Nandurbar district before entering Beed with the stolen money, the police said, reported PTI. They later attempted a robbery at a bank in Kaij, which failed, forcing them to flee towards Beed city on two unregistered two-wheelers, where they came under suspicion of the local crime branch team, which immediately initiated a chase. While two of the accused were apprehended on the spot, the remaining two were captured after a police chase to Massajog, located around 10 km from Kaij, officials said. Local residents assisted the police in overpowering the accused. The police recovered two stolen motorcycles and mobile phones from the accused, identified as Badal Krishna Sisodia (24), Kala alias Hrithik Mahesh Sisodia (29), Deepak Dilip Sisodia (29) and Jaswant Manilal Sisodia (27), all residents of Gulkhedi village in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, the release said, reported PTI. Their arrest is likely to help solve several unsolved theft and robbery cases in the region, the police said. According to the police, the Sisodia gang often involved minors in thefts during wedding ceremonies. The children were used to steal purses from women or sneak into bridal rooms, taking advantage of crowded venues, the release said, reported PTI. Similar incidents had earlier been reported in Beed and Ashti. A similar gang was also busted by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar police in the past, it added. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2025 12:25 PM IST | Beed | mid-day online correspondentMumbai woke up to a mild Wednesday morning, with minimum temperatures ranging between 18.4 degrees Celsius in Santacruz and 22 degrees Celsius in Colaba, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai. No rainfall was recorded across the city. Meanwhile, the city’s air quality remains moderate, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 116, as per the Sameer app. Experts have advised that people with respiratory or heart conditions, including asthma, may experience mild discomfort. Air quality varies across different parts of Mumbai. Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) recorded the highest AQI at 170, while other areas such as Ghatkopar (136), Deonar (131), Byculla (128), Kherwadi in Bandra East (128), Chembur (124), Colaba (121), Kandivali (115), Borivali (103), and Andheri (102) reported moderate levels. Citizens are advised to take precautions, especially sensitive groups, and limit prolonged outdoor exposure if possible. Delhi air quality sees slight improvement at 328 remains in 'very poor' category The national capital, Delhi, witnessed a slight improvement in air quality on Wednesday morning, with the overall AQI recorded at 328 at around 8 am, keeping it in the 'very poor' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), reported news agency ANI. The air quality improved slightly compared to Tuesday, as the AQI was 354 at 4 pm. However, large parts of the city remained enveloped in toxic smog, and the overall air quality continues to be poor. Anand Vihar was shrouded in thick smog, with an AQI of 341, placing it in the 'very poor' category. A thick layer of smog also engulfed areas around IGI Airport, ITO, Dhaula Kuan, AIIMS and the Ghazipur National Highway 24. According to CPCB data, several areas in the capital, including Bawana (376), ITO (360), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (324), and Narela (342), continued to experience poor air quality, placing them in the 'very poor' category. Wazirpur also recorded poor air quality, with an AQI of 359. However, many areas in Delhi showed slight variations in air quality on Wednesday morning. For instance, Burari Crossing recorded an AQI of 298 (Poor), which is relatively better than other locations in the city. Other areas, such as IGI Airport Terminal 3 (263), IIT Delhi (300), and CRRI Mathura Road (297), also recorded improved air quality but remained in the 'poor' category. According to CPCB categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced strict measures to curb vehicular pollution in the national capital. The minister stated that starting December 18, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) will not be supplied fuel at petrol pumps in Delhi, according to an official release, reported ANI. Addressing the press conference, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "To control tailpipe emissions from vehicles, all petrol/diesel/CNG pump dealers have been instructed to provide fuel only upon presentation of a valid PUCC." He further added, "For the protection of Delhi's air, all vehicles registered outside Delhi and of a category lower than BS-VI will not be allowed to enter Delhi when GRAP-III and GRAP-IV are implemented. No polluting vehicle will be allowed to enter Delhi," reported ANI. He further stated that when GRAP-IV is in force, vehicles carrying any kind of construction material will also be barred from entering Delhi. The Minister said that PUCC and vehicle categories will be verified through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems and ground-level checks. While announcing strict measures, he appealed to citizens to carry valid PUCC certificates to avoid inconvenience. Sirsa said the current government has implemented scientific, data-driven measures to control pollution. He said, "In 8 out of the 11 months, better air quality has been recorded compared to the previous year. Even in a critical month like November, the average AQI remained approximately 20 points lower than last year. This is a result of daily stringent actions and structural reforms." Addressing Delhi residents, Sirsa said pollution cannot be entirely eliminated in 9-10 months, but the direction and intent are clear, with daily efforts to reduce the AQI. He urged vehicle owners to obtain valid PUCC certificates and comply with the new rules, stating that the government remains committed to providing Delhi with clean air and a pollution-free future. (With ANI inputs)
17 December,2025 12:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule of the BJP on Tuesday dismissed former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's recent remarks that India could soon have a "new Prime Minister", calling the comments "delusional", reported news agency PTI. Chavan, a senior Congress leader, last week cited the release of the controversial Jeffrey Epstein files in the United States on December 19 to claim India could soon have a new PM. "Why Prithviraj Chavan is delusional, I do not know. He keeps talking anything and everything," Bawankule told reporters in Mumbai, taking a swipe at the senior Congressman's statements. Chavan had also claimed a Marathi person could become the next Prime Minister. The former Union minister had said if a Marathi leader were to become the PM, he would still be from the BJP. Bawankule said Chavan had developed a habit of making baseless statements. "He dreams about the Prime Minister's post, who will go and who will come. It seems Prithviraj Chavan has now become the world's biggest fortune-teller," the BJP leader said in sarcastic remarks, reported PTI. Civic polls: Mahayuti partners, Sena (UBT)-MNS hold talks to firm up alliance, seat-sharing Meanwhile, ruling Mahayuti partners, Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS on Tuesday were involved in separate parleys as rival parties in Maharashtra held talks to firm up alliances and deliberated on seat-sharing for the January 15 civic body polls, including in Mumbai. The meetings were largely focussed on the high-stakes battle in Mumbai with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut meeting Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray. Speaking to reporters, Raut said his party and MNS will join hands for the upcoming civic polls in Mumbai, Mira-Bhayander , Kalyan-Dombivli, Thane, Pune and Nashik, with a formal announcement likely in the coming week. "There is no problem in announcing the alliance (between Shiv Sena-UBT and MNS) in the coming week. Both the brothers, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, will be seen on stage for the announcement," Raut said to a question on the tie-up, reported PTI. On a tie-up with the Congress, Raut said stated that he spoke to the top Congress leadership, urging the party to contest the civic body polls as part of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which he believes should also include the Raj Thackeray-led MNS, reported PTI. However, the Congress top brass has left the matter to the local leadership to decide, he added. Both Opposition as well as the ruling Mahayuti asserted that Mumbai will see a Marathi mayor. Talking to reporters after a meeting between Shiv Sena and the BJP, Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam stressed the ruling alliance was working with a clear focus on crossing the 150-seat mark in India's largest civic body. "Our discussions are aimed at ensuring Mahayuti candidates win across all 227 wards, with a clear objective of securing 150-plus seats in the BMC," Satam told reporters. BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar, however, ruled out any alliance with the NCP, a key member of the ruling Mahayuti, for the Mumbai civic polls. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2025 12:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe State Election Commission (SEC) has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), on January 15, 2026. Polling will be held from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and counting of votes will take place on January 16, 2026. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force on December 15, 2025, across all municipal corporation areas. Political parties have already begun preparations, with criticism, praise, and rivalry heating up ahead of the elections. Below are answers to frequently asked questions: ● What is the BMC election? The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election selects members to govern Greater Mumbai, India’s largest city. ● When is the BMC election? Polling: January 15, 2026 (7:30 am – 5:30 pm)Counting: January 16, 2026 ● Who is eligible to vote and how to register? Eligible voters must be Indian citizens, at least 18 years old, and ordinary residents of the concerned area. Only names on the Voter List (Electoral Roll) are eligible to vote. Voters can find details on polling booths, candidates, election dates, and EVM procedures. ● How to check voter registration status? Check your name on the Electoral Roll at: https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in ● How many corporations will be contested? Elections will be held for 29 municipal corporations. ● How do I use an EVM? EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) will be used. [Click here for a guide on using EVM/VVPAT.] ● What identification should I carry? Accepted photo IDs include: EPIC (Voter ID), Passport, Driving License, PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Government Service ID, Bank/Post Office Passbook with photo, MNREGA Job Card, Health Insurance Smart Card, Pension document with photo, or official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs. Photo voter slips alone are not valid. ● What is the voting process? Elections are conducted by a hierarchy of officials, including: Election Officer and Returning Officer Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, Polling Officers Supporting staff: Assistant Election Officers, Election Supervisors, Inspectors, Clerks Duties include finalising ward boundaries based on census data, publishing authenticated ward-wise electoral rolls, and overseeing the election process from polling to result declaration. ● Which parties are contesting the BMC elections 2026? The elections are expected to be a contest between: Mahayuti (ruling alliance): BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), Ajit Pawar-led NCP Maha Vikas Aghadi (opposition): Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Sharad Pawar-led NCP–SP ● What is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)? The MCC is a set of guidelines by the Election Commission to regulate party and candidate conduct during elections. It came into effect with the election announcement. No policy decisions can be made in these areas during this period, except for natural disasters or emergency relief.
17 December,2025 12:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Zeeshan Siddique on Tuesday said the party is fully prepared for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2026 and will soon finalise its strategy. Speaking to reporters, Siddique said the NCP leadership is scheduled to meet party chief Ajit Pawar on Wednesday, December 17, following which further details regarding the party’s election strategy will be decided. Commenting on a viral video purportedly showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attempting to remove a woman’s hijab, Siddique stressed the importance of respecting women’s autonomy and personal choices. #WATCH | Mumbai | NCP Leader Zeeshan Siddique says, "We, from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), are all ready for the BMC elections... We will meet with Ajit Pawar tomorrow. Further details about our strategy will be decided after that..."On a viral video of Bihar CM Nitish… pic.twitter.com/FhVedCZYsM — ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025 “Every woman has the right to decide what she wants to wear. Creating controversy over someone’s clothing is inappropriate. Only he knows what his intentions were, but every woman has her own self-respect, and that must be respected,” he said. NCP holds review meet under ex-minister Malik's watch for BMC elections 2026 Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) stepped up preparations for polls to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and on Tuesday held a review meeting of its election management committee under the leadership of former minister Nawab Malik. The party led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar held discussion on contesting around 50 seats in the 227-member BMC. Mumbai and 28 other municipal corporations will go to polls on January 15 and results will be declared the next day. A day after the poll schedule announcement, the NCP's Mumbai unit called a meeting of its leaders and office-bearers to chalk out a strategy for contesting the crucial elections. After taking charge as chairman of the election management committee, Malik has focused on BMC polls and has been holding regular review meetings to strengthen the organisation in Mumbai, an NCP release said. The NCP's ally BJP, has opposed Malik's appointment and distanced itself from the Ajit Pawar-led party for the Mumbai civic polls. The NCP, BJP and Shiv Sena are constituents of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra. At Tuesday's meeting, a district-wise review of preparations was conducted. Discussion was held on the NCP contesting around 50 seats in the BMC elections. A detailed report on the discussion will be submitted on Wednesday to NCP president Ajit Pawar, the release said. The meeting was attended by Mumbai NCP working presidents Siddharth Kamble and Shivajirao Nalawade, party MLA Sana Malik-Shaikh, and former MLA Zeeshan Siddique, among others.
17 December,2025 12:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) continues to enhance passenger convenience through its flagship e-Catering service, enabling rail travellers to order meals of their choice from authorised restaurants and well-known food brands during train journeys. Launched as a pilot project on September 25, 2014, the e-Catering initiative initially allowed meal bookings via SMS and the IRCTC call centre. Over the years, it has evolved into a comprehensive digital platform accessible through the dedicated website (www.ecatering.irctc.co.in), the official “Food on Track” mobile application for Android and iOS, a toll-free helpline (1323), and a WhatsApp ordering facility at +91-8750001323. Passengers can place food orders while on board and choose between online prepaid payment options or cash on delivery. Upon placing an order, confirmation details are shared with both the passenger and the vendor via SMS and email. An OTP-based delivery mechanism ensures secure, accurate and seamless seat-level delivery. Currently, IRCTC e-Catering is operational at more than 300 railway stations nationwide, offering a wide range of cuisines including Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Continental and regional specialities such as biryanis. The service has partnered with several prominent food brands, including Domino’s, Haldiram’s, Saravana Bhavan, Faasos and Behrouz Biryani, along with leading food aggregators such as Zomato, Swiggy, Zoop, Rail Yatri, Rail Recipe and Railofy. To cater to group travellers, IRCTC also offers a bulk and group order facility for passengers travelling in groups of 15 or more. The service provides customised menus, competitive pricing and convenient seat-level delivery, making it suitable for family trips, group tours and corporate travel. On a pan-India basis, approximately 1.2 lakh meals are booked daily through the IRCTC e-Catering platform. The West Zone has emerged as a major contributor, accounting for nearly 35,000 meals per day. The zone currently offers e-Catering services at over 100 stations through more than 200 authorised vendors and aggregators across Central Railway, Western Railway, West Central Railway and the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) network. IRCTC launches coordinated multi-origin tours to Dubai and Europe Meanwhile, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched an innovative travel initiative called the Multiple Origin, Single Destination (MOSD) tour model, officials said. The new system allows travellers from different parts of India to join the same international tour by coordinating departures through IRCTC’s regional offices. Under the MOSD model, IRCTC has announced two major international tour packages. "The first is a Dubai tour departing on January 22, 2026 from Mumbai, covering Dubai and Abu Dhabi over five days. The second is a long-duration Europe tour planned for April and June 2026, covering major cities including Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Zurich, Innsbruck, Venice, Florence, Rome and Milan over 13 days. Around 100-200 passengers from various regions are expected to take part in these coordinated trips," an official statement said.
17 December,2025 12:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has named the newly reconstructed dining hall of Hostel 4 after distinguished alumnus Dr Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman of Praj Industries Limited, in recognition of his long-standing association and philanthropic contributions to the institute. Dr Chaudhari’s recent donation enabled the creation of a modern dining facility with a seating capacity of 800 at Hostel 4, where he resided during his undergraduate years. The facility is now the largest dining hall on the IIT Bombay campus. The latest contribution adds to Dr Chaudhari’s sustained support for IIT Bombay over the years. His philanthropy has backed several key initiatives, including the Parimal and Pramod Chaudhari Centre for Learning and Teaching, the Pramod Chaudhari Alumni Continuing Education Centre, the Bio Processing Laboratory, endowed chair professorships, and the DBT–Pan IIT Programme. Institute officials said these initiatives have played a significant role in strengthening both the academic ecosystem and the overall student experience at IIT Bombay, underscoring the impact of alumni leadership in shaping the institution’s future. As part of its broader transformation agenda, IIT Bombay has been investing in upgrading residential and community infrastructure, recognising that student development extends beyond classrooms. Modern hostels, dining halls and shared spaces are seen as essential to promoting student well-being, collaboration and a sense of community on campus. Alumni contributions have been central to advancing these efforts, the institute said. "Deeply honoured", says Dr Chaudhari Speaking on the occasion, Dr Chaudhari said he was deeply honoured by the recognition from his alma mater, noting that his commitment to social responsibility and philanthropy was shaped during his time at IIT Bombay. Recalling his years in Hostel 4, he said the dining hall had been a place of camaraderie and lasting friendships, and expressed hope that the newly rebuilt facility would continue to foster community and shared memories for future generations. "I am deeply touched by the honour my alma mater has paid me. Especially since my desire to contribute to society was heavily influenced by my time at IIT Bombay, where I was exposed to ideas of social responsibility and philanthropy. Among the experiences that most shaped my values at the Institute, those in Hostel 4 remain closest to my heart. I still remember the many meals shared, the warmth and dedication of the staff, and the countless conversations with friends and batchmates that bonded us forever. The dining hall was a place of community, camaraderie, and togetherness. Seeing the newly reconstructed space and knowing it will continue to nurture student life gives me great joy, and I hope it remains a home for laughter, learning, and lifelong memories for generations to come," Dr Chaudhari said. IIT Bombay Director Prof Shireesh Kedare expressed gratitude for Dr Chaudhari’s continued support, saying his contributions had enriched the institute in multiple ways. The reconstructed Hostel 4 dining hall, he added, would stand as a lasting symbol of Dr Chaudhari’s spirit of engagement and commitment to the IIT Bombay community. "We are deeply grateful to Dr Chaudhari for his generosity and lifelong commitment to IIT Bombay. His philanthropic support over the years has enriched the Institute in countless ways. The reconstructed Hostel 4 Dining Hall will be a fitting complement to the enduring spirit of engagement and community that Dr Chaudhari exemplifies," Prof Shireesh Kedare said.
17 December,2025 11:40 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAMID growing focus on BMC-run schools and their infrastructure, the civic body plans to open nine standalone school buildings for students in the 2026–27 academic year. These new facilities are spread across Ghatkopar, Govandi, Andheri, Juhu and Malad. Except for a newly built CBSE school in Andheri East, all the buildings are redeveloped structures constructed on the sites of former municipal schools. Civic officials said the reconstruction of these schools took between three and five years, with the Juhu school taking the longest, as it falls within the Coastal Regulation Zone. The new buildings will also temporarily accommodate students from neighbouring municipal schools that are currently undergoing redevelopment. Kondivita Mumbai Public School in Andheri East will function as a standalone CBSE institution, as affiliation norms allow only one school per building. Other redeveloped schools will operate under the Maharashtra State Board. Several of the new buildings are equipped with modern facilities such as libraries, virtual classrooms, computer and science laboratories, art and craft rooms, multipurpose halls and disability friendly washrooms. “All these areas are witnessing a steady rise in student population. These new buildings will help us absorb more students into the BMC school system,” a civic official told mid-day.
17 December,2025 09:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarAs political parties gear up to stake a claim to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan warned that his party might contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2026 solo if no other party joins hands with them, reported news agency ANI. This statement comes amid talks of possible alliances and the upcoming BMC elections 2026. Pathan's statement, "Bihar toh sirf jhanki hai, pura Maharashtra ka corporation dekhna baki hai," suggests that the AIMIM aims to build a strong presence in Maharashtra's local politics, reported ANI. "We are fully prepared. If nobody joins, the AIMIM will contest the elections across Maharashtra with full strength, and many of our candidates will win and enter the corporations. On one side is the Mahayuti alliance; on the other is the Maha Vikas Aghadi. We are not part of either. Bihar toh sirf jhanki hai, pura Maharashtra ka corporation dekhna baki hai (Bihar was just a glimpse; the real picture of the corporations in all of Maharashtra is yet to be seen)," said Waris Pathan, the party's national spokesperson, regarding the upcoming BMC elections 2026, reported ANI. Reacting to Bharatiya Janata Party's Mumbai chief Ameet Satam's earlier statement that they "won't allow any Khan to become Mumbai mayor," Pathan retorted by asking, "Why can't a Pathan become the mayor of Mumbai? Or shaikh or Sayyed? If you talk to Amit Satam about development today, he has no answers. Farmers are committing suicide, but there is no answer regarding what package has been provided. No answer on rising inflation," reported ANI. Elections to major civic bodies were announced by the State Election Commission (SEC) on Monday. Municipal Corporations polls in major cities such as Nagpur, Nashik, Vasai-Virar, Thane, Mumbai, and others will be held on 15 January and counting of votes will happen on 16 January. I am very happy that the State Election Commission has announced the elections: Devendra Fadnavis Prepping for the polls, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed happiness over the election dates being announced, saying that it is "not appropriate for a municipal corporation to be run by administrators for an extended period." "I am very happy that the State Election Commission has announced the elections. We welcome this decision. In a democracy, it is not appropriate for a municipal corporation to be run by administrators for an extended period. We are confident that the people will give us a mandate after seeing our development work," Fadnavis said, reported ANI. Speaking on seat sharing within the Mahayuti alliance, the Chief Minister said the ruling Mahayuti alliance is working to contest the elections together in most places across the state. However, in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Fadnavi said discussions with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar have already taken place, and that both parties may contest separately in the region. "Ajit Pawar and we cannot contest the elections together in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Both of us understand politics well enough to know that if we run together, it would benefit a third party, and we do not want to allow that. We will contest against each other, but it will be a friendly fight," he said, reported ANI. The Chief Minister further stated that Shiv Sena will largely remain part of the alliance across most locations in the upcoming civic polls. (With inputs from ANI)
17 December,2025 08:57 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
