The Maharashtra legislature has tightened the entry pass system for the winter session currently underway at the Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur and issued guidelines detailing the eligibility criteria, reported news agency PTI. An official circular stated that entry passes will be issued strictly for the session period and only to eligible government officials, legislators' staff, security personnel on duty and authorised employees working for the Assembly or Council. Contractors, canteen workers, daily wage staff and temporary workers will also require official permission to enter, said the order, reported PTI. Security has been strengthened, and the police have been instructed to allow access only to those carrying valid session passes issued under the supervision of senior security officials. As per the guidelines, one personal secretary, one special duty officer and one assistant from ministers' offices will receive full session passes. Departments may issue passes to a maximum of 30 officials and 20 staff members, and their names must be submitted in advance, said the order., reported PTI. Officials assigned duties on a rotational basis during the session will receive daily passes, while permanent session-long passes will remain limited. The circular states that strict verification will be carried out at all entry points to prevent crowding and unauthorised access, the order said, reported PTI. Pass distribution counters have been set up at Gate No. 18, the first building block of Vidhan Bhavan, and other designated spots within the premises. Departments and office-bearers have also been instructed to ensure passes are not misused or circulated without permission, the order said, reported PTI. Maharashtra govt tables supplementary demands of Rs 75,286 crore Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government on Monday tabled supplementary demands of Rs 75,286.38 crore in the legislative assembly, with a major share of the proposed spending directed towards farmer relief, subsidies and social welfare schemes.The state's public debt currently stands at Rs 9.32 lakh crore. Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar placed the supplementary demands before the House on the first day of the week-long winter session of the state legislature. With the latest proposals, the total supplementary demands placed by the current government stand at Rs 1,73,019 crore. The government has allocated Rs 15,648 crore for compensation and financial assistance to rain and flood-affected farmers, and Rs 9,250 crore for electricity tariff subsidies for agriculture pumps, power loom and handloom units. The state has proposed Rs 15,721.08 crore for the revenue and forest departments. It has also allocated Rs 6,103 crore for the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to eligible women beneficiaries, and Rs 5,024.48 crore to the Women and Child Development Department for implementing other welfare schemes, as per the documents tabled in the House. Further, the government has earmarked Rs 4,439.74 crore as the state's share in the Centre's long-term interest-free loan, Rs 3,500 crore for the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Rs 3,281.79 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Bharat schemes, Rs 2,200 crore as a special grant to municipal bodies, and Rs 2,500 crore towards stamp duty cess refunds. The government has also proposed Rs 9,205 crore for the industries, energy, labour and mining departments, and Rs 9,115.76 crore for the urban development department, ahead of elections to 29 civic bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. (With inputs from PTI)
09 December,2025 10:17 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday held a one-and-a-half-hour closed-door meeting. During the meeting, it was decided that the ruling Mahayuti alliance will contest the upcoming municipal elections across the state, including Mumbai and Thane, together, according to an official release. State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and senior Shiv Sena leader Ravindra Chavan were also present at the meeting. As per Shiv Sena's official release, there was positive discussion between leaders of both parties on contesting the civic polls jointly as Mahayuti. In the next two to three days, local-level discussions will begin among leaders for each municipal corporation to finalise seat-sharing and related matters. It has also been agreed that office-bearers and workers from the BJP and Shiv Sena will not be allowed to switch to each other’s parties. The primary contest in the Maharashtra local body elections is expected to be between the two major alliances, the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Mahayuti (Ruling Coalition) alliance is in power at the state level, with its key constituents being the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (Ajit Pawar faction). The main opposition alliance (Maha Vikas Aghadi) includes the Indian National Congress (INC), Shiv Sena (UBT) (Uddhav Thackeray faction), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (Sharad Pawar faction or NCP-SP), as well as other contesting parties. Mahayuti will contest upcoming civic and Zill Parishad polls together: Shinde Meanwhile, the Mahayuti will put up a united fight in the upcoming municipal corporation and zilla parishad polls, Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Monday. He advised MLAs and ministers of his party to follow the "alliance dharma" and refrain from making any statements or behaviour that would lead to a conflict in the Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Sena, and NCP. Addressing Shiv Sena MLAs and ministers in Nagpur, Shinde said the party contested elections for the post of presidents in 168 municipal councils and 4,000 councillors. He said the atmosphere was very conducive for Shiv Sena in the first phase of local body polls, voting for which was held on December 2, and that the party put up a good fight. The results will also be good for the party, he added. "The municipal corporation and zilla parishad polls will be contested as a Mahayuti alliance. Follow the alliance dharma. Do not make any controversial statement or do anything that will cause a conflict in the alliance," said Shinde. The first phase of the Maharashtra local body elections saw Mahayuti allies contesting against each other at many places in Maharashtra. In some cases, the campaign became acerbic, prompting Shinde to raise the issue with the top leadership of the BJP. Shinde said there may have been some disputes during the first phase of polls, but the matter stands closed.
09 December,2025 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast mainly clear skies across Mumbai and its suburbs on Tuesday. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 33 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may settle near 17 degrees Celsius. The IMD reported mild conditions across key locations today. Colaba recorded a minimum temperature of 21.7 degrees Celsius, with no rainfall reported during the period. Meanwhile, Santacruz experienced a cooler start to the day, registering a minimum temperature of 16.5 degrees Celsius, also accompanied by zero millimetres of rainfall. According to the IMD, the overall weather remained dry and stable across the city. According to the Sameer app, Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stands at 127, placing it in the ‘Moderate’ category. At this level, individuals with lung disorders, asthma, and heart conditions may experience breathing discomfort. AQI across key Mumbai locations: Kurla: 106Vile Parle: 139Borivali: 102Worli: 102Sion: 111Mazgaon: 92Deonar: 145Malad West: 127 Deonar and Vile Parle recorded the highest AQI levels among the listed areas. Delhi’s air quality remains poor as smog reduces visibility The national capital continued to grapple with deteriorating air quality on Tuesday, as a thin layer of smog lingered over several parts of the city, reducing visibility during the early hours, reported news agency ANI. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an AQI of 292 at 8 am, placing overall air quality firmly in the ‘Poor’ category. Early-morning visuals from India Gate and Kartavya Path showed the landmarks partially shrouded in grey haze, with the AQI in the area measured at 265, also within the ‘Poor’ range. Other key monitoring stations reported similar levels: 294 at ITO, 282 at Alipur, 253 at Aya Nagar, and 291 at Burari, reported news agency ANI. However, pollution levels were significantly worse in Akshardham, where the AQI climbed to 319, pushing the locality into the ‘Very Poor’ category. Similar conditions were reported from Ghazipur and Anand Vihar, where the AQI also settled at 319. Several other key stations, including Ashok Vihar (305), Bawana (342), Anand Vihar (319), Chandani Chowk (333), and Dwarka (314), remained in the "very poor" category, highlighting the widespread nature of pollution across Delhi. According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. According to CPCB, the AQI, which ranges from 0 to 500, is divided into six categories, each reflecting the level of pollution and associated health risks. An AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as "Good", indicating minimal or no health impact. AQI levels from 51 to 100 fall into the "Satisfactory" category, where air quality remains acceptable, though sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues may experience slight discomfort. The "Moderate" category, ranging from 101 to 200, signals increasing pollution levels that can trigger breathing difficulties among people with asthma, lung conditions, or heart diseases. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered "Poor", a range in which prolonged exposure can cause breathing discomfort to most people, not just those with pre-existing health issues. This level has become increasingly common in several parts of the capital during winter. Levels between 301 and 400 are marked as "Very Poor", posing a risk of respiratory illnesses even to healthy individuals when exposure continues for long periods. The most hazardous category, "Severe," includes AQI values from 401 to 500. At this stage, air quality becomes dangerous for everyone. (With ANI inputs)
09 December,2025 09:46 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe closure of numerous civic schools across the city has been more than just an inconvenience. Dharavi resident Reshma Shaikh would send her two children — an 11-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter — to the New Mahim School, which was a 15-minute walk from her house. “My children’s admission was directly transferred to the Kapad Bazaar School earlier this year, after the school was declared dangerous. Now, it is a 30-45 minute walk one way to the new school,” said Reshma. Missing out Owing to the long distance and her chores at home, Reshma claims that she typically sends her children to school only twice or thrice a week. “Now, I am in the sixth month of my third pregnancy. My health does not allow me to walk as much, and I don’t think I can manage to send my children to school anymore. We are going to our native village for 15 days, after returning, I might get them out of school,” she told mid-day. New Mahim School, which has been declared a dangerous structure; (right) Sion Mumbai Public School. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Not far away, at Matunga’s Labour Camp, Sonal Dabhade has been worried about the education of her three children — an 8-year-old son, an 11-year-old daughter, and 12-year-old son — who were all enrolled in BMC-run Marathi schools. School-hopping Her eldest began his school journey at a civic-run Marathi school at Matunga’s Labour Camp. “The school was very short-staffed, and teachers would almost never show up for class. A single teacher would have to teach three classes, and, in fact, it was a few officials from the school who suggested that the New Mahim Marathi School was a better alternative,” said Sonal. After the 12-year-old completed his Std V exams, he was shifted to New Mahim Marathi School along with his siblings. They spent one year studying at New Mahim until Sonal was told that this school was to shut down, too, for repairs. Once again, the older children were moved to a Sion-based civic school, which is nearly 2 km away from Sonal’s residence. “My youngest son, who was in Std II, was initially assigned to the Mahim Police Colony School. However, that school appeared to be run-down and managing the commute was difficult, so I had to make my youngest one switch schools again. He now studies at the Sion school too,” Sonal said. This is how the three younglings ended up changing three schools within three years. Impossible without help Working as a housemaid, Sonal finds it difficult after a day of chores to walk all the way to get her children. But between daily wage and education, neither can be compromised. However, to her aid comes her neighbour, Razia Shaikh, who takes turns with picking and dropping off children. Razia sent her daughter to the Mori Road semi-English medium school until 2020. However, after being informed that the school was being demolished, her daughter, who was in Std IV, was moved to New Mahim Marathi School. After four years of education there, New Mahim was demolished too, and now she studies at the Sion-based civic school. “We cannot use buses as they are never on time, and we have household responsibilities to manage too. Had I known that this would be the fate of the school, I would have enrolled my daughter elsewhere to begin with,” Razia said. Official Speak “Administrative officers are looking into the matter. Our Marathi-medium schools in Dharavi and neighbouring areas can accommodate these students, even mid-year. We are collecting data on students who have been attending school intermittently, and I am looking forward to proposals of secondary students who need a bus arranged, so we can work on the same,” said Education Officer Sujata Khare. Expert Speak “Students who are suffering are already underprivileged. Giving them hope and taking it away can make them feel more insecure, while damaging their relationship with education itself. In future, when they are actually attending a stable school, they may end up being more careless because of their past experience,” said Dr Naazneen Ladak, a consulting psychiatrist.
09 December,2025 07:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarAmid the ongoing disruptions caused by IndiGo’s operational crisis, Pune Airport on Monday confirmed that all ten aircraft parking bays are currently vacant, with no IndiGo or other airline aircraft stranded on the apron. Airport officials said airside capacity remains fully available, ensuring smooth aircraft movement and optimal utilisation of resources. Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke said that all airlines are operating as per their approved schedules, with no impact on arrivals, departures, or ground-handling services. “Terminal operations, passenger facilitation, and overall airport systems remain stable, efficient, and uninterrupted,” he said. The airport continues to coordinate closely with all stakeholders to maintain operational continuity and ensure a seamless experience for passengers. Earlier on Monday, Pune Airport recorded steady passenger movement with 4652 arrivals and 4791 departures between 12.00 am and 09.30 am. A total of 58 flights — 29 arrivals and 29 departures — were operated by Air India, SpiceJet, AIX, Akasa Air, Star Air and Fly91. Of these, IndiGo had 14 arrivals and 13 departures, but experienced significant disruptions, cancelling 14 arriving and 14 departing flights. No other airline reported cancellations. Enhanced passenger support Officials said Pune Airport has strengthened its passenger support systems in response to the ongoing disruptions. Over 200 additional chairs have been placed across the check-in area, security hold area, and arrivals section, with priority seating for senior citizens and persons with reduced mobility. Airlines, in coordination with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), are providing refreshments, drinking water, and medical assistance to affected travellers. Additional terminal managers, helpdesk staff, and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel have been deployed to manage passenger flow. The airport’s 28 food and beverage outlets, including the budget-friendly Udan Yatri Café, are operating with sufficient stock and stable pricing. A dedicated Operational Control Room with a direct phone line is providing real-time updates and coordination, while Flight Information Display System (FIDS) screens are continuously refreshed. Housekeeping teams have been reinforced, and sanitary napkins have been stocked in all female washrooms. To manage aircraft parking more efficiently, coordinated arrangements have been made with IndiGo for handling stranded aircraft at other stations, ensuring the availability of bays for all airlines at Pune. Landside operations have also been bolstered with additional staff, shuttle buses, and traffic wardens. “Our priority is to ensure that every passenger remains supported and informed,” said the airport director. “All teams are working around the clock to maintain safe, smooth, and comfortable airport operations.”
09 December,2025 07:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana DahiwalIndiGo finally entered the new week on a steadier footing after days of unprecedented cancellations and four-digit delays, restoring most of its network on Monday even as passengers continued to grapple with a mounting baggage crisis that has outlasted the flight disruptions. Fewer cancellations By 7 pm Monday, the airline had cancelled 50 arrivals and 48 departures from Mumbai, a sharp improvement from last week’s disruptions. An IndiGo crew member, requesting anonymity, told mid-day, “Today has been less hectic than last week. Since the airline has restored about 91 per cent of connectivity, we are now dealing more with baggage delivery issues than cancellations.” An IndiGo spokesperson said, “Today, we are set to operate more than 1800 flights, connecting all stations. We have optimised our operations and reduced cancellations, which are being communicated in advance. Our on-time performance has improved to 91 per cent across the network.” Baggage delays pile up While many passengers initially believed baggage issues would stabilise, problems escalated from December 6. Several flyers said they had still not received their checked-in bags despite being assured delivery within 24 to 48 hours. Karina Ostwal, who flew from Mumbai to Bengaluru on December 5 after a 14-hour delay, said she is yet to receive her luggage. “It has been more than 48 hours, and I still have no update. I was given two contact numbers by the IndiGo staff, but no one is answering calls,” she said. Her engagement, already postponed once due to the delay, has been pushed further since her outfits and essential items are still missing. Another passenger, Shubham Mehta, has also been struggling. A relative told mid-day, “The staff told us the bags would arrive in 24 hours. Now they are not willing to commit to any date. We have come to the Mumbai airport for two days straight, and no one has any answers.” Shradha Shinde, in Pune, who was waiting for her daughter’s arrival, said, “My daughter missed her flight from Delhi to Pune due to the IndiGo crisis last week, and she had to book another one. Her new flight arrived almost on time, but there was a long delay retrieving her luggage. Passengers were even asked to wait inside the plane after landing without being told the reason.” Lost and found unaffected Despite the baggage chaos, the lost and found department at Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1 has seen no spike in unclaimed items. An employee said, “We are seeing the usual volume. We thought more passengers might lose belongings during the rush, but that has not happened.” IndiGo pilot’s open letter A pilot posted an anonymous open letter on social media alleging:>> Years of internal decay with fatigue, unsafe duty hours, poor pay and intimidation>> Toxic leadership that dismissed concerns with humiliation instead of support>> Severe manpower strain across pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground staff>> Weak regulatory backing during licensing delays, fatigue-rule changes and operational pressure>> Appeal for reform, urging the government to enforce minimum wages, staffing and fatigue rules, arguing IndiGo risks collapse not from higher pay but from neglect IndiGo updates >> More than 1800 flights operated on Monday, higher than about 1650 on Sunday>> On-time performance at 90 per cent, up from about 75 per cent the previous day>> Network coverage fully restored>> All Monday cancellations were executed on Sunday to ensure advance notice
09 December,2025 07:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturLack of administrative planning has once again disrupted examinations for law students in Mumbai. A group of 3-year and 5-year LLB students from Nalanda Law College in Borivli were unable to take their final year exams on Monday due to missing hall tickets. Despite receiving exam timetables well in advance, students said the exam portal links — used to access past results and download hall tickets — were sent only last Thursday. “Many of us were unable to log in to those portals. Over the weekend, our college officials kept reassuring us that the hall tickets would turn up,” said Shel Sarawgi, an LLB student. When the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) exams were scheduled at 10.30 am, students were asked to report to the college instead to collect hall tickets from the security guard. “While some students got theirs, we were told ours were on the way. Even at 10.45 am, we were waiting at our college gates instead of being at our exam centres,” she added. Students await answer sheet barcodes at Siddharth Law College. Pics/By Special Arrangement With the labour law exam slated for Wednesday and no clarity on hall tickets, students remain in limbo. “Many 5-year LLB students were sent to sit at their centres while teachers rushed with hall tickets. Even after that, they were asked to wait due to problems with the QR codes on answer sheets. My hall ticket never showed up, and it has left me troubled,” said another student on condition of anonymity. Change in login? When mid-day contacted authorities, Prof Milind S Gajadhane, local secretary of the college, said, “These are technical glitches that didn’t allow students to generate hall tickets. Students possibly changed their login passwords, which led to this problem. We are in touch with Mumbai University and will meet them tomorrow. We intend to resolve the issue before the next examination.” On the delayed answer sheet barcodes, Gajadhane added, “These are central administrative issues faced at centres across the city. We hope to smooth things out in the next examination.” Officials from Mumbai University said, “Their admission was not done on the university portal by the college; naturally, hall tickets could not be given.” Unfair on some In another part of the city, 5-year LLB students appeared for exams at Siddharth College of Law in Fort, but the barcodes on answer sheets — which carry student details — arrived late. “The students still had their answer sheets even after exam time ended, which could give others an unfair advantage. Many approached YuvaSena, and we will soon speak to university officials to address this mismanagement,” said Pradeep Sawant, YuvaSena member. Siddharth College officials said Mumbai University was to send around 170 students to their centre, and seating arrangements were made accordingly. Additional students were assigned just before exams, leaving the college unprepared. Despite this, all students were able to take their papers on Monday at the centre. Officials from Mumbai University said the delay in barcodes happened because the colleges concerned did not submit the necessary student data to the university on time.
09 December,2025 07:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarWhy the debate started A new tender for upgrading Sanpada car shed to maintain 15-car trains has triggered speculation that the Railways may be preparing to introduce 15-car locals on the Harbour line as well. mid-day first to report Central Railway is converting 20 existing 12-car rakes into 15-car rakes on the main line, marking one of the largest capacity boosts in more than a decade. Where the upgrade applies (Main line only)>> CSMT-Karjat>> CSMT-Khopoli>> CSMT-Kasara CR officials insist there is no plan to convert harbour line services to 15-car trains. Representation pic/Satej Shinde Operational impact of 15-car trains>> Longer clearance time for each section>> Changes in acceleration and braking patterns>> Need to revise schedules>> Higher risk of cascading delays if not managed well Purpose>> Modify overhead electrical equipment>> Enable handling of 15-coach rakes>> Support main line deployment of 15-car trains Infrastructure work under MUTP IIIAUpgrades at:>> Kurla car shed >> Kalva car shed>> Sanpada car shed ‘Good idea’ Subhash Gupta, Pravasi Sangh“The idea of 15-car trains on the Harbour line is good, but the priority should be the main line. We need longer trains beyond Thane and Kalyan first.” Ramika Yadav, commuter“The Harbour line is neglected. Any improvement is welcome. More 15-car trains overall will help ease crowds.” Janardhan Kumar Patel“The Harbour line needs better punctuality and frequency first. Crowding is severe beyond Kurla towards Panvel. The trans-harbour needs upgrades too.” Ravalnath Prabhu“We cannot keep extending trains endlessly. After 15 cars, there will be calls for 18 and so on. The system needs stability.” What Railways say about Harbour line CR officials insist there is no plan to convert Harbour line services to 15-car trains. “The Sanpada car shed also handles main line rakes, so it is being upgraded along with Kalwa and Kurla. The Harbour line has no space left for 15-car operations. Even the shift from nine-car to 12-car platforms was extremely difficult, so extending to 15-car is not feasible,” an official said. Final wordHarbour line will remain 12-car. The Sanpada tender relates only to the main line upgrade.
09 December,2025 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe municipal corporation elections have provided a push to the much-anticipated work of restoring the Mahim Fort, which is set to begin with the clearing of debris and seaside rocks to facilitate restoration work. Paving the way The first tender floated in five years aims to kickstart work with excavation and assessment of the seaside rocks of Mahim Fort. While this will not interfere with the structural integrity of the fort, the excavation work will pave the way for restoration. A senior civic official said, “We have roped in VJTI (Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute) to conceptualise the restoration work and draft a plan for the same. Work on the restoration plan is in progress.” Land levels have changed over the years, and several aspects of the fort are no longer above the surface. The present work plans to clear hurdles, caused by natural factors and also due to human intervention, to facilitate restoration work. Before the work, portions of the fort need to be evaluated due to the structure’s proximity to the sea, which likely caused corrosion to the heritage boulders. Clearing hurdles In 2020-21, the BMC decided to restore the fort, which was in a crumbling state with its seaside embankment encroached on by unauthorised residential structures. In 2023, BMC completed the dismantling of 267 slum structures, and shifted over 3000 residents from the area. In October this year, the customs department — with jurisdiction over the Mahim Fort — completed the demarcation of the fort's boundaries, paving way for the restoration. 800-year-old history This 800-year-old fort bordering the sea near Mahim Koliwada was a strategic defence position for the island of Mumbai back in the day. The Mahin Fort offered a coastal advantage to the city, along with the nearby forts of Worli and Bandra. Through time, it changed hands from the rule of Raja Bhimdev in the 13th century, to the Sultan of Gujarat in the 14th century, the Portuguese, and then the British. Each time, it saw changes made to the original structure. “The restoration will honour the structure as it is today,” a civic official said.
09 December,2025 07:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSPrabhadevi station is once again slipping into stampede-like conditions after the shutdown of the Elphinstone Road bridge. With its staircases closed for demolition, thousands of commuters are now funnelling onto a single narrow foot overbridge to move between the east and west, causing severe crowding during rush hours. Immediate trigger The chaos began after both staircases leading to the Elphinstone Road bridge were closed. These staircases, used mainly by commuters headed to Parel in the east or Prabhadevi in the west, have forced people to walk northward to access the two remaining bridges. Sources said this surge should be diverted to the newly constructed south-end bridge to prevent the north-end bridges, which also serve Parel station, from becoming dangerously congested. Prabhadevi currently has three east-west bridges: two at the north end and one at the south end. Connectivity gap widens Even as Western Railway (WR) and Central Railway (CR) upgrade facilities, commuters say the closure of the Elphinstone bridge without a full alternative has left a large connectivity gap. Many called the move unfair and said the pressure on a single usable crossing has made weekday crowds unmanageable. Commuters queue tightly on Prabhadevi station’s narrow middle bridge after the Elphinstone bridge access was shut for demolition WR has now concentrated booking operations at the Dadar end of the station, where most passengers buy tickets. Officials said they are watching the crowding closely and may open extra ticket windows at the north end booking area if required. What Railways is doing 1 The Churchgate train shifted 50 metres behind usual halt so last coach aligns with the wider Dadar-end bridge 2 Large signage installed across platforms and entry points to guide commuters 3 RPF and GRP personnel deployed to divert crowd from the first six coaches toward the two north-end bridges, while commuters from the remaining six coaches are being guided toward the south-end bridge 4 Railways and the BMC studying whether an additional staircase can be built at the narrow west-side landing of the Churchgate-end bridge Commuter voices Yogesh Kokate said, “Extreme crowd on the middle bridge during peak hours. With the Elphinstone bridge gone, this exit is getting overcrowded. A mishap may occur any day.” Another commuter, Apeksha, said, “Absolute chaos at Prabhadevi around 10 am. Waited 10 to 15 minutes for the crowd to thin out. It didn’t. Have we learnt nothing from past incidents?” Shashank Manohar added, “Is the railway ministry waiting for another disaster at Prabhadevi? Why is there no Plan B when a key bridge is closed?” The Elphinstone Road stampede The 2017 Elphinstone Road stampede occurred after heavy rain, and overcrowding triggered panic on a narrow footbridge. Over 40 people died and many were injured. The incident exposed infrastructure gaps and led to demands for safer rail facilities. The central government later brought in the Indian Army to build new foot overbridges in record time.
09 December,2025 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarWhat was once dismissed as a seasonal cough or temporary breathlessness and dryness of skin, especially during the winter season, is now emerging as a much deeper health crisis for Mumbai. Medical experts warn that breathing difficulties are only the first visible symptom of a growing list of pollution-induced health problems affecting residents across age groups. With air quality frequently slipping into the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories, doctors are witnessing a surge in patients suffering from ailments that go far beyond respiratory distress. The vocal fold cyst developed by a 14-year-old Medical experts say prolonged exposure to polluted air laden with fine particulate matter, construction dust and vehicular emissions is triggering inflammation across multiple systems of the body. Doctors have noticed a rise in cases related to the throat and skin. Vocal cord issues Ehtesham P, the father of the 14-year-old boy, told mid-day, “About two months ago, our son developed severe throat pain. We first went to a local ENT who prescribed some medication. However, he did not feel any better. Later, we approached Dr Nupur Kapoor Nerurkar, who asked us if our son had been shouting or consuming a lot of oily and spicy food. But it wasn’t so. We just told her that he has a habit of reading out loud when studying for the SSC exam. But she said that this couldn’t be the sole reason. Then she asked us if there was a lot of dust near our home or his school. We then told her that a lot of construction activity was going on near our home, and we were traversing stretches where Metro work is taking place when dropping him off at school. That is when she said that elevated dust levels had resulted in cyst formation.” Dr Sonali Kohli, senior consultant, dermatology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Dr Nupur Kapoor Nerurkar, laryngologist, and voice surgeon (right) Dr Shareefa Isa Chause, MBBS, DDVL, who treated Ronak Shinde’s skin ailment. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT ENTs have explained that persistent inhalation of polluted air causes the vocal cords to dry out and swell, and saliva to thicken. Dr Nupur, laryngologist and voice surgeon at Bombay Hospital, said pollution can cause changes in the body where secretions, such as saliva and mucus, become thicker, leading to inflammation of tissues of the upper and lower airway. “We are seeing more patients with vocal fold cyst development. This means that due to inhaling a large amount of polluted air, the glands that produce secretion get blocked and thus the cyst forms. Similarly, thickening of secretions in the throat due to inhaling highly polluted air and causing inflammation of the mucosa can cause the Eustachian tube (which connects the back of the throat to the eardrums) to also get inflamed, resulting in problems in the ear and throat.” Skin can’t breathe Cases of contact dermatitis, eczema flares, unexplained rashes and pigmentation issues have also risen significantly over the past few months. Dr Sonali Kohli, senior consultant, dermatology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, said, “Over the past month, we have seen an increase in patients presenting with superficial skin infections and inflammatory flare. Many of these patients have reported new or worsening symptoms. In our clinic, we have seen an approximate 25 per cent rise in such patients. Pollution is a plausible contributing factor, but rarely the sole cause.” She added, “Particulate matter and gaseous pollutants lead to oxidative stress on skin cells, causing barrier disruption, an increased susceptibility to irritants, allergens, and pathogens; and inflammation, resulting in exacerbation of eczema/atopic dermatitis and acne-like flares.” Dr Kohli said other contributors, such as seasonal humidity changes, increased interpersonal contact, changes in hygiene practices, mask use, sweat/occlusion, and behavioural factors, often act together. “So it is reasonable to say pollution may be an important driver,” she added. Case study Ronak Shinde, who lives in Mankhurd and travels to the Mumbai airport daily by road, said his skin had developed extreme dryness around three weeks ago. “Despite no change in my routine or food intake, or travel habits, I suddenly began experiencing extreme itching and developing rashes that bled if I scratched a bit. After a few tests, my dermatologist explained that the skin’s dryness has increased massively. We soon realised that it had turned drier due to increased pollution levels. She then prescribed some creams and medication, and now the situation is a bit better,” said Shinde. His doctor, Dr Shareefa Isa Chause, MBBS, DDVL, said, “When particulate matter comes in contact with the skin, it creates oxidative stress, which sparks an inflammatory response. Skin has a trans-epidermal layer, which helps balance hydration levels. Particulate matter damages skin barriers, the foundational protective layers of our skin. This leads to infections and imbalances.”
09 December,2025 07:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarADVERTISEMENT
