Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has admitted that one may see his reunion with cousin Raj Thackeray as unexpected. However, he said the cousins coming together is driven by a shared commitment to Marathi asmita and the larger interest of Maharashtra. Interestingly, when asked whether there is a possibility of realigning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the future, he neither confirmed nor denied it. In a wide-ranging interview, Thackeray spoke candidly about Mumbai’s worsening civic crisis, air pollution and political realignments ahead of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. Thackeray repeatedly returned to one central theme: that Mumbai itself is what is truly at stake. Excerpts from an interview: Mumbaikars face the same problems every year, potholes, broken roads, flooding and no safe space to walk. Can this really change, or should people accept that this is how Mumbai will always be?There is no denying that Mumbai has always had problems. What is worrying, however, is that these problems have sharply worsened in the last few years. Since February 2022, after the term of 227 BMC corporators ended, the city has been run by administrators. During this period, the situation has deteriorated further, with little accountability and no one to answer citizens’ questions. Instead of fixing basic civic issues, the current Maharashtra government, in the name of development, has allowed haphazard construction, whether it is roads, infrastructure projects, redevelopment or unchecked building activity. Mumbai citizens are already dealing with several problems, and in the past few years, another has been added to the list, poor air quality, which was not as bad a decade ago.The quality of work has fallen so badly that roads barely last a season, construction dust hangs in the air, and pollution levels have reached dangerous limits. Mumbaikars are no longer just battling potholes and broken roads; they are also struggling to breathe clean air. The situation has become so serious that, like the warning printed on tobacco products, one feels the city now needs caution boards everywhere stating, “Inhaling this air is injurious to health.” During Bal Thackeray’s time, there were differences and dissatisfaction within the party, but no one openly rebelled against the organisation. Your leadership style is seen as calmer and more accommodative. Do you believe this difference played a role in the rebellion and eventual split?Maybe my nature did play a role. But I will not change the way I am. I believe in trusting my cadre and leaders and treating everyone with equal respect, love, and affection. That is how I function, and I see no reason to correct myself for that. I choose to trust people and give them responsibility. It is then up to them to live up to that trust and deliver. Raj Thackeray quit the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005. Did you ever imagine that the two cousins and their parties would come together again?One may call it unexpected, but this reunion is deeply rooted in Marathi identity and the pride of Maharashtra. We were separated earlier, but when there were attempts to impose Hindi, we felt it was being done to divide us for someone else’s political motives. Both Raj and I felt there was no reason to give in to what others wanted. That realisation brought us together. We have come together with the resolve to stay united and stand for Marathi pride and Maharashtra’s interests. We intend to stay united forever. You have often said your differences are not with the entire BJP but with a few leaders at the Centre and in the state. If those leaders were no longer in the picture, would you consider joining hands with the BJP again?When the time comes, we will see. Why discuss it now? [Neither confirming nor denying the possibility] Several welfare schemes have been announced, including R1500 monthly assistance to domestic workers and meals at R10. Where will the funding come from? Will this strain the BMC’s finances?This is a valid question, and I am glad it is being asked. We plan to stop unnecessary and haphazard development works that are carried out only to benefit contractors and generate kickbacks for elections. By cutting wasteful spending and prioritising essential projects, funds can be redirected towards genuine welfare schemes. You launched the Mee Mumbaikar initiative in the early 2000s. At a time when the narrative is increasingly Marathi versus non-Marathi, do you still stand by that inclusive vision?Marathi people have never hated or clashed with any other community. Tensions arose only when Marathi identity, language or regional pride was provoked. Reactions came in response to such incidents, not out of hostility. For us, anyone who loves and respects Mumbai, its language and Maharashtra’s culture is a Mumbaikar. Cordial relations between Marathi and other communities have always existed and will continue to exist. I firmly believe in the Mee Mumbaikar campaign and its inclusive spirit. Do you believe having the Congress in the alliance could have prevented a split in anti-BJP votes and changed the BMC outcome?Congress initiated the move and announced it would contest the elections separately. They did not leave space for dialogue or further discussions. Finally, what is at stake for you personally in this BMC election?For me, it is Mumbai that is at stake.
09 January,2026 01:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarThe foot overbridge connecting Bhau Daji Road to Matunga West near King’s Circle, an age-old yet crucial connector, has fallen into a state of disrepair. Widely used by schoolchildren and senior citizens, the bridge has become a safety hazard. “The staircases are uneven and in poor condition, making the bridge feel too steep. Negotiating the steps and broken railings is a challenge. The bridge needs a replacement or at least an upgrade. We have been complaining, but no action has been taken,” said senior citizen Shalini Tripathi. Overgrowth of trees is making the bridge hazardous Commuter Yugantar Deo added, “The bridge is inconsistently wide, with damaged flooring and broken steps. It feels risky every time you cross it.” Residents also pointed out the problem of debris and overgrowth. “Both ends, especially the Matunga East side, are littered with dried leaves and wild plants. The walkway narrows, making it slippery during the monsoon,” said another local. Broken and steep staircases in Matunga East The bridge, which links Matunga East and West and served as a key connector during the construction of the Z bridge, is divided into two sections. The portion over the railway line is wider, while the road-crossing extension on the east side is narrow and in worse shape. The east staircase is broken, the railings are overrun by weeds, and the west landing and steps also need attention. Commuter Munesh Yadav urged authorities, “It’s high time the bridge was upgraded. If not, at least maintain it properly to make it walkable.” The path is littered with garbage and debris, narrowing the space for commuters. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar Official response Railway officials said they would inspect the bridge, while BMC local ward authorities confirmed that a maintenance team would be sent to assess the structure. What’s wrong . Poor condition: Overall unsafe for frequent users, uneven staircases, steep, with broken railings. Surface issues: Broken steps and inconsistent width. Debris & garbage: Cluttered ends, especially on Matunga East side. Structural complications: The road portion is narrower and was added later, causing issues. Vegetation overgrowth: Weed and grass over railings worsen the hazard
09 January,2026 01:14 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarPolice in Maharashtra's Thane district have registered a non-cognisable offence after some persons allegedly set on fire a BJP banner ahead of the upcoming civic elections, an official said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. The incident took place in Ulhasnagar town, and its video subsequently surfaced on social media. "A non-cognisable (NC) offence has been registered. We are probing the incident, and efforts are being made to identify the persons involved," said an official from Vitthalwadi police station, reported PTI. In the case of an NC, police cannot arrest someone or start an investigation without a magistrate's permission. Elections to 29 municipal corporations, including the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, are scheduled for January 15. Votes will be counted the next day. BJYM approaches police in Kalyan against Raut over remarks about BJP Meanwhile, the Kalyan unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on Thursday submitted a memorandum at Mahatma Phule police station seeking action against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut over his "objectionable" remarks against the Bharatiya Janata Party, reported PTI. BJYM functionaries warned of a statewide agitation if he failed to issue a public apology. In a release, the BJYM said Sanjay Raut's remarks had hurt BJP workers. "BJYM Kalyan district working president Gaurav Gujar has lodged a complaint with the police. We want police to take cognisance of the complaint and initiate action," it added, reported PTI. Ex-MP Sudhakar Shringare returns to BJP Former Latur MP Sudhakar Shringare, who had joined the Congress after the last Lok Sabha elections, returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, reported PTI. He was inducted into the party in the presence of Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar, Abhimanyu Pawar, Dr Archana Patil Chakurkar and Ajit Patil Kavhekar, reported PTI. Shringare had won the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Latur on a BJP ticket with a significant margin, but lost to Congress' Dr Shivaji Kalge in 2024. After his defeat, Shringare blamed local BJP leaders and joined the Congress during the assembly elections, reported PTI. His daughter Supriya Payal also joined the saffron party on Thursday. (With inputs from PTI)
09 January,2026 01:01 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) in Maharashtra on Friday held a meeting to address the long-standing traffic problems on the busy Ghodbunder Road in Maharashtra, reported the PTI. The meeting was chaired by local MP Naresh Mhaske and attended by Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, along with officials from the MMRDA, Public Works Department, and the Regional Transport Office. According to a civic statement, Mhaske said the launch of the Delhi-Mumbai Freight Corridor in March 2026 is expected to greatly reduce congestion on Ghodbunder Road, as a large portion of container traffic from Jawaharlal Nehru Port will be diverted to the new route. He directed that urgent repair work, especially on the flyover, be taken up immediately and completed by December 10. Mhaske also stressed the need for constructing the missing link between Khaniwade and Amne, which he said would further ease traffic pressure, according to the PTI. Rao assured that the corporation is ready to take over the road’s maintenance once the agencies currently responsible bring it up to the required standard. Members of the 'Justice for Ghodbunder Road' citizens’ group were also present at the meeting. Meanwhile, ahead of the Maharashtra local body elections, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Monday announced the details for the civic polls in the district, including the number of seats, wards, and reservation allocation for various categories. A total of 131 seats will be contested across Thane, with wards divided into four-member and three-member constituencies. According to an official statement by the TMC, the reservation of seats include -- Scheduled Castes (SC): 5 seats, including 4 for women Scheduled Tribes (ST): 3 seats, including 2 for women Other Backward Classes (OBC): 35 seats, with 18 reserved for women General Category: 84 seats, with 41 reserved for women The TMC said that the reservation process will be carried out in multiple stages which includes -- SC Women: 5 seats reserved by draw of lots in specific wards. ST Women: 2 seats reserved by draw in allocated wards. OBC Seats: 35 seats reserved, with 33 initially assigned directly by the commission and 2 reserved through draw. OBC Women: 18 seats reserved across 26 wards. General Category Women: 41 seats reserved in remaining wards without prior female reservation. Remaining Seats: Unreserved seats will be allocated to the general category. The total population of Thane is 1,49,488, with SC population at 1,26,003 and ST population at 42,618. This structured reservation ensures fair representation for all communities and women candidates in the municipal corporation, officials said. (with PTI inputs)
09 January,2026 12:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn view of the BMC Election 2026, the Mumbai Traffic Police on Tuesday announced temporary traffic restrictions on Veera Desai Road. The diversions have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the election process and maintain public safety. According to an official statement issued by Mumbai Traffic Police, Western Suburbs, the movement of vehicles, other than those engaged in election-related duties, will be temporarily prohibited on both carriageways of Veera Desai Road, from JP Road Junction to Mogra Nala, near JP Road, Azad Nagar, and close to the Metro Station in Andheri West. The affected stretch falls under ward No 59 to ward No 71 within the jurisdiction of the Oshiwara Traffic Division. In view of @mybmc elections, in order to reduce inconvenience for commuters, following traffic arrangements will be in place in Oshiwara Traffic division from 7.00 hrs on 14th January to 24.00 hrs on 16th January.Citizens are requested to plan commute accordingly. https://t.co/A0f3nbg17p pic.twitter.com/osuBPCg2P4 — Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) January 5, 2026 In a post on X, Mumbai Traffic Police wrote, “The restrictions will be in force from 7:00 am on January 14, 2026, till 10:00 pm on January 16. During this period, entry of all non-election duty vehicles on Veera Desai Road—both from J.P. Road Junction to Mogra Nala and vice versa—will remain strictly prohibited.” Alternate route for Mumbai motorists To facilitate smooth traffic movement across the city during BMC Election 2026, the police have announced alternate routes. Vehicles approaching via the southbound carriageway of Veera Desai Road will be diverted to take a right or left turn at Courtyard Junction and proceed via Chitrakut Junction and New Link Road. Vehicles coming from the westbound carriageway of JP Road will be asked to take a right turn and continue via New Link Road. The Mumbai Traffic Police, while issuing the advisory, also urged the commuters and residents to cooperate by following the temporary restrictions and using alternate routes. The police stressed that the measures are essential to ensure public safety and uninterrupted election-related operations. Flyover construction forces temporary closure of the CD Barfiwala Road The Mumbai Traffic Police on Tuesday also announced a temporary closure of the northbound carriageway on CD Barfiwala Road between Tipu Sultan Junction and Gulmohar Junction. Mumbai Traffic Police said that the closure has been carried out due to the ongoing flyover construction work. According to an official release issued by the office of the deputy commissioner of police (traffic), western suburbs, the work of installing flyover pillars is currently underway under the jurisdiction of the DN Nagar Traffic Division. Get all BMC Election 2026 updates here | Your ward info here
09 January,2026 12:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe closure of Elphinstone Bridge in September last year has triggered a cascading impact on traffic across Dadar and adjoining areas, with the effects now sharply visible in and around Shivaji Park. Though described as temporary, the prolonged traffic diversions have turned into a daily ordeal for residents, commuters, pedestrians and emergency vehicles, exposing serious gaps in civic coordination and planning. As part of the traffic management plan following the shutdown, Tilak Bridge was designated as a key alternative east-west connector. However, simultaneous road repairs, Mumbai Road Infrastructure Development Corporation (MRIDC) works, and extensive utility digging on the bridge have severely compromised its capacity to handle the diverted traffic. With stretches of the carriageway narrowed and footpaths dug up on both sides, vehicular movement has slowed to a crawl, especially during peak hours. Vehicles crawl along the Shivaji Park stretch as Tilak Bridge road works and diversions choke traffic movement. Pic/Ashish Raje Residents of Shivaji Park say the situation has worsened over the past few weeks, with traffic snarls lasting several hours. “What used to be a 10-minute drive now takes nearly 45 minutes in the evening peak hours. There is constant honking, pollution and chaos,” said Jyotsna Sawant, a senior citizen living in the area. One of the worst-affected spots is the junction near the entrance of Shivaji Park that houses the Meenatai Thackeray statue. Residents say traffic from Sena Bhavan towards the park entrance has increased sharply since the bridge closure and the commencement of works on Tilak Bridge. Jyotsna Sawant, a senior citizen living in the area “The road from Sena Bhavan to this entrance remains choked round the clock. Balmohan School is located right here, and the situation becomes dangerous when students enter and exit in the evening. Another major cause of congestion is the extremely short signal cycle. The Sena Bhavan signal stays green for barely eight to ten seconds, which is insufficient even for five vehicles to pass. Through the Shivaji Park ALM, we have made multiple written requests to increase the signal duration so more vehicles can clear the junction in one go. While there are other roads leading to the station side, this is the main route,” said Vaibhav Rege, secretary of the Shivaji Park ALM. Residents have also criticised the planning of alternative routes. “What is the point of announcing diversions if those roads are also dug up? One bridge has already been shut, the Currey Road side route is heavily burdened and is now used by ambulances heading to hospitals like KEM. Over the past few weeks, Tilak Bridge has also been dug up along with its footpaths. This is a classic case of poor planning,” said Deepa Prabhale, another resident. Long queues of vehicles are seen near Shivaji Park during peak hours, with residents blaming poor coordination between officials amid bridge closures and road work for the mess. Pic/Ashish Raje Adding to the congestion, residents allege that a recent decision by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to allow parking along one side of the southern stretch of Shivaji Park Road has further reduced road space. “There is a large BMC pay-and-park facility at Kohinoor Square, barely a two to five-minute walk from Shivaji Park. Instead of directing motorists there, the authorities have allowed parking on an already congested road. Recently, parking charges were also subsidised. The road along the park should be declared a no-parking zone or reserved only for pregnant women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities,” Rege said. Traffic snarls near Sena Bhavan and the Shivaji Park entrance are severe as diverted vehicles struggle to traverse narrow carriageways. Pic/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR Traffic police officials admit that managing the congestion has been difficult. “Tilak Bridge was identified as an alternative route on the assumption that it would remain fully operational. Ongoing civil works have reduced its capacity, making traffic regulation extremely challenging,” said traffic constable Shankar Patil, adding that additional personnel have been deployed during peak hours.
09 January,2026 12:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarThose travelling on Ghodbunder Road this weekend have been asked to brace for major diversions. The Thane Traffic Police have announced that road maintenance and resurfacing work will take place from December 12 to 14, affecting several key stretches. The Thane Traffic Police have announced significant planned diversions on the Thane-Ghodbunder Highway 84, specifically between Gaimukh Nirakendra, Kajupada, and Fountain Hotel. This is due to roadwork being carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). List of road closures and alternate routes: Heavy vehicles from Mumbai and Thane towards Ghodbunder Road All heavy vehicles travelling from Mumbai and Thane towards Ghodbunder Road will be stopped at Y Junction and Kapur Bawdi Junction. Alternate routes:a) Heavy vehicles may proceed straight from the Y Junction towards their destination via Kharegaon Toll Plaza – Mankoli – Anjurphata – Nashik Road.b) Heavy vehicles may take a right turn at Kapurbawdi Junction and continue towards their destination via Kasheli – Ajurphata. Heavy vehicles from Mumbra and Kalwa towards Ghodbunder Road All heavy vehicles travelling from Mumbra or Kalwa towards Ghodbunder Road will be stopped at Kharegaon Toll Plaza. Alternate route:Vehicles must travel via Kharegaon Khadi Bridge – Kharegaon Toll Plaza – Mankoli – Anjurphata to reach their destination. Heavy vehicles from Nashik towards Ghodbunder Road All heavy vehicles coming from Nashik towards Ghodbunder Road will be blocked at Mankoli Naka. Alternate route:Vehicles should take a right turn beneath Mankoli Bridge and proceed via Ajurphata to reach their destination. Advisory for light vehicles According to the official notification, light vehicles travelling from Thane towards Ghodbunder may proceed from Gaimukh Chowki on Ghodbunder–Thane Road by using the wrong-side diversion provided, and then move towards their destination through the designated cut near Fountain Hotel. 🚧 महत्वाची वाहतूक सूचना 🚧ठाणे घोडबंदर मार्ग ८४ वर डि.बी.एम. व मास्टींग कामासाठी रात्रभर वाहतूक बदल.तारीख: १२/१२/२०२५ (रात्र ००:०१) ते १४/१२/२०२५ (रात्र २३:५९)कृपया वाहतूक नियमानुसार आणि बदलांची सूचना पाळा. 🚗🛑#ठाणे #वाहतूकबदल #सार्वजनिककाम pic.twitter.com/pXIA3nvd89 — ठाणे पोलीस.. Thane Police (@ThaneCityPolice) December 7, 2025 The official notification from Thane Traffic Police clarifies that the traffic control measures will not affect police vehicles, fire brigades, ambulances, green corridor vehicles, oxygen gas transporters, and other essential service vehicles. The PWD and TMC will be conducting DBM and mastic repairs on the stretch between Gaimukh Nirakendra, Kajupada, and Fountain Hotel. According to the advisory, all heavy vehicles heading towards Ghodbunder Road from Mumbai and Thane will be stopped at the Y Junction and Kapurbawdi Junction. DCP Traffic Pankaj Shirsath stated that repair work is underway on the damaged road section between the new and old Octroi Naka up to the Nira Centre, carried out by the PWD and TMC. From December 12 to 14, all 6-wheel and 10-wheel goods vehicles approaching from the Thane side will be redirected to alternate routes to ease traffic flow during the repairs. Heavy vehicles are expected to face entry restrictions, while light vehicles may experience delays due to controlled traffic flow through the work zones. Commuters are advised to plan their routes in advance, follow traffic instructions, and, if possible, use alternate roads to avoid congestion. Thane, Maharashtra: DCP Traffic Pankaj Shirsath says, "Through the PWD and TMC, repair work has been undertaken on the stretch from the new Octroi Naka and old Octroi Naka up to the Nira Centre, which had been damaged. During the 12th, 13th, and 14th, 6-wheel and 10-wheel goods… pic.twitter.com/rbJSXRJbIk — IANS (@ians_india) December 10, 2025 Thane traffic: Complete Ghodbunder Road final-stage projects by Dec 15, Sarnaik tells officials Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Friday directed the official to complete all ongoing works at Thane's Ghodbunder Road on a war footing and the final-stage projects must be finished by December 15. These include several development works and the groundbreaking ceremony for a new theatre at Waghbil. A review meeting was held on Friday in the Arvind Pendse auditorium at the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) headquarters. Sarnaik, Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, Additional Commissioner Prashant Rode, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat, and senior officials from the TMC, MMRDA, Metro, PWD, the Collector’s Office and other departments were present, an official statement said on Friday. Sarnaik said that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had provided significant funds for Thane’s development. Using this funding, projects such as the scientific rejuvenation of 67 wells across the city are underway. Water from these wells will be made potable, it said. Modern upgrades to crematoriums, a dedicated crematorium for pets, the Balasaheb Thackeray Digital Aquarium, and jogging tracks for morning walkers are also being created. Work on the service road connection along Ghodbunder Road is in progress. Sarnaik instructed that with coordination between MMRDA, the electricity and water departments, the Metro authority and the traffic police, the service road must be completed by January 15. He added that citizens should not suffer due to traffic congestion and that the Regional Transport Office will assign five squads to assist the traffic police, according to the statement.
09 January,2026 12:45 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Friday directed the official to complete all ongoing works at Thane's Ghodbunder Road on a war footing and the final-stage projects must be finished by December 15, 2025. These include several development works and the groundbreaking ceremony for a new theatre at Waghbil. A review meeting was held on Friday in the Arvind Pendse auditorium at the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) headquarters. Sarnaik, Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, Additional Commissioner Prashant Rode, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat, and senior officials from the TMC, MMRDA, Metro, PWD, the Collector’s Office and other departments were present, an official statement said on Friday. Sarnaik said that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had provided significant funds for Thane’s development. Using this funding, projects such as the scientific rejuvenation of 67 wells across the city are underway. Water from these wells will be made potable, it said. Modern upgrades to crematoriums, a dedicated crematorium for pets, the Balasaheb Thackeray Digital Aquarium, and jogging tracks for morning walkers are also being created. Work on the service road connection along Ghodbunder Road is in progress. Sarnaik instructed that with coordination between MMRDA, the electricity and water departments, the Metro authority and the traffic police, the service road must be completed by January 15. He added that citizens should not suffer due to traffic congestion and that the Regional Transport Office will assign five squads to assist the traffic police, according to the statement. He said that 96 tonnes of wet waste from Thane is being processed daily into fertiliser at the Gharmukh project — the first such plant in the state. He also announced that the civic body plans to introduce a “solar dust” concept to help address waste issues. Thane to get its third theatre The statement said that a grand new theatre is being built for the public at Waghbil on Ghodbunder Road. The theatre, spread over 7,350 square metres, will be the city’s third, following the Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan and Dr Kashinath Ghanekar Natyagruha. The new facility will benefit residents of the Ghodbunder area, and its foundation ceremony will be conducted by Deputy Chief Minister Shinde. During the meeting, Sarnaik also reviewed many other projects in the Ovala–Majiwada constituency, including beautification works at Naglabunder creek, new mangrove parks, the Anand Dighe Gymkhana at Upvan, the Appasaheb Dharmadhikari Bhavan, the Babasaheb Ambedkar Social Justice Centre, the C.D. Deshmukh Administrative Training Building, sports complexes, open-air theatres and libraries. He praised the Thane Municipal Commissioner and officials from all departments for the excellent progress on multiple projects across Ghodbunder Road.
09 January,2026 12:44 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has shared a comprehensive action plan for Thane and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), pledging to ease traffic congestion and complete key Metro projects within five years, reported news agency PTI. Connectivity-focused vision for Thane and MMR Speaking at a chat show in Thane on Wednesday night as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) campaign for the Thane Municipal Corporation polls scheduled on January 15, Fadnavis outlined a future defined by seamless connectivity and sustainable infrastructure, reported PTI. Government commitment to easing traffic congestion Fadnavis expressed his government's commitment to resolving the traffic congestion that plagues the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). He said the government aims to complete all major Metro works by 2030. Coastal Road to be linked as traffic diversion ring There are plans to link the Coastal Road into a "ring" to divert heavy traffic outside the city limits, he said. To address the bottleneck on Thane's arterial Ghodbunder Road, the CM announced the development of a "growth hub" at Kolshet-Diva, which will feature water taxi services, reported PTI. Water scarcity to end within three years: CM Addressing one of the region's most persistent problems, Fadnavis assured residents that water shortage would be a thing of the past within three years. He said work on the Poshir and Pelhar dams is slated for completion in the next 36 months. Gargai project clears hurdles, to add 500 MLD water The long-stalled Gargai project has cleared environmental hurdles after successful negotiations with five villages regarding their voluntary migration. This will provide an additional 500 MLD of water to the region, the CM said, reported PTI. Fadnavis also said that once the Kalu Dam (at Murbad in Thane district) is fully operational, water issues of the entire MMR will be permanently resolved. Shift from dumping grounds to bio-mining Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national vision, the CM stated that all traditional "dumping" would cease. Within the next three to four years, bio-mining projects will replace dumping grounds to process solid waste, he said. Incubation centre planned to boost innovation Thane will also have a specialised incubation centre to foster innovation and growth in the region, he added. On the alliance for polls, the CM acknowledged that many BJP workers initially wished to contest the elections independently. However, he justified the alliance with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena in Thane, reported PTI. Seat-sharing aimed at alliance strength "Eknath Shinde is a prominent leader and Thane is the centre of his political identity. It was not right to hurt our ally on his home turf. We decided to accept fewer seats to maintain the strength of the alliance," he said, reported PTI. Out of the total 131 seats in the TMC, the Shiv Sena is contesting 87 and the BJP 40. Swipe at rivals over political branding In a swipe at political rivals, Fadnavis said that while (Shiv Sena founder) Balasaheb Thackeray was the “only true brand” in Maharashtra, anyone else attempting to project themselves as one would be overwhelmed by the strength of the ruling Mahayuti. Appeal for service-first governance Noting that some former corporators consider themselves "owners" of their wards, he appealed to endorse the "service-first" attitude, focusing on future-oriented development rather than territorial control. (With inputs from PTI)
09 January,2026 12:43 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai Traffic Police on Tuesday announced a temporary closure of the northbound carriageway on CD Barfiwala Road between Tipu Sultan Junction and Gulmohar Junction. The police, said that the road closure has been undertaken due to the ongoing flyover construction work. According to an official press release issued by the office of the deputy commissioner of police (traffic), western suburbs, the work of installing flyover pillars is currently underway under the jurisdiction of the DN Nagar Traffic Division. The official letter addressed that the pillars are being constructed in the central portion of the northbound carriageway. Accordingly, excavation activities and the use of heavy machinery are expected to cause traffic obstruction and congestion. Due to ongoing flyover pillar construction using heavy machinery on C. D. Barfiwala Road, the northbound carriageway between Tipu Sultan Junction and Gulmohar Junction will remain temporarily closed. Traffic will be diverted via alternate routes for safety and smooth flow. https://t.co/3onLIpLdK1 pic.twitter.com/eNMfOBnaDo — Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) January 5, 2026 “In the interest of traffic safety and smooth traffic management, the northbound carriageway of C. D. Barfiwala Road between Tipu Sultan Junction and Gulmohar Junction is being temporarily closed,” the Mumbai Traffic Police stated. As part of the traffic diversion plan, vehicles approaching from the affected stretch will be diverted by taking a left turn at Tipu Sultan Junction and proceeding via Juhu Lane –Junaid Nagar–Gulmohar Junction, and further towards JVPD areas. Highlighting the diversions, the Mumbai Traffic Police in a post on social media platform X wrote, “Traffic will be diverted via alternate routes for safety and smooth flow.” The letter from the police further stated that the temporary traffic arrangements will remain in force until the completion of the flyover pillar installation work. The police urged commuters and motorists to follow the diversion signs, cooperate with the traffic personnel on duty, and plan their travel accordingly to avoid inconvenience. Traffic restrictions on Veera Desai Road from January 14-16 for BMC Election 2026 In view of the BMC Election 2026, the Mumbai Traffic Police on Tuesday have announced temporary traffic restrictions on Veera Desai Road. The diversions have been made to ensure smooth conduct of the election process and maintain public safety.
09 January,2026 12:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEasing traffic congestion at the Kapadia Nagar Junction, a new road has been opened by the civic body, providing a shortcut to those travelling between the University of Mumbai Gate No. 1 in Kalina and Bharat Nagar in Bandra East. However, commuters say that the infrastructure needed for the road is still not in place. As this reporter reached the area, it was obvious that the road itself is very hard to locate while trying to get onto it from the university side. Making the situation worse, the road, which is almost as wide as a four-lane road, has an exit/entry point from the university side about the size of a single lane. Jitendra Gupta, Citizens Transport Committee Activist AV Shenoy of the Mumbai Vikas Samiti, who noticed this, said, “The infrastructure is very lacking, and the route becomes unsafe for anyone who wants to walk on the road after dark. It is difficult to navigate an unlit road. If the authorities decided to open it for public use, infrastructure should have been in place.” A section of the road that is still under construction The road is also incomplete, with a section of the route in the Bharat Nagar direction still under construction. This results in traffic in both directions plying on the same side of the road along the stretch, without any divider. An autorickshaw driver requesting anonymity, told mid-day, “It gets difficult when there are two cars or bigger vehicles coming together. This will remain an accident-prone area until the work is completed.” An extremely narrow, damaged section of the new road Local resident and Citizens Transport Committee member Jitendra Gupta, told mid-day, “The road has a good purpose — connecting two places that previously took a lot more time to get to. But till the infrastructure isn’t completed, it is a concerning area on the safety front.” AV Shenoy, activist, Mumbai Vikas Samiti He added that the work should be completed as soon as possible. “This would make the road safe for motorists and pedestrians.” mid-day contacted the BMC H East ward to check when the work would be completed, but did not receive a response till the time of going to press.
09 January,2026 12:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturADVERTISEMENT
