Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday expressed deep grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar on Wednesday at around 9 am lost his life in a tragic plane crash in Baramati. My friend and Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Ajit Pawar, has passed away. माझे मित्र आणि राज्याचे उपमुख्यमंत्री अजित पवार यांचं निधन झालं. महाराष्ट्राच्या राजकारणाने एक उमदा नेता गमावला. अजित पवार यांचा आणि माझा राजकारणातला प्रवेश हा काहीसा एकाच काळातील, अर्थात आमचा परिचय हा बराच नंतरचा. पण राजकारणावर कमालीचं प्रेम या एका गुणावर अजित पवारांनी… pic.twitter.com/yIjUC255Af — Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) January 28, 2026 While referring to Ajit Pawar as his close friend, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, in a heartfelt condolence message shared on social media, said that Pawar was an “outstanding leader” and a towering figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape. While writing a heartfelt message on social media, Raj Thackeray wrote, “My friend and Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Ajit Pawar, has passed away. Maharashtra's politics has lost an outstanding leader.” Signifying his close relations with Ajit Pawar, Raj Thackeray also added, “Ajit Pawar and I entered politics around the same time, though our acquaintance came much later. But on the strength of his sheer passion for politics, Ajit Pawar took great strides in Maharashtra's political arena.” While hailing Ajit Pawar’s political stature and how he made his way through the ranks, Raj Thackeray said, “Though Ajit Pawar was a leader forged in the mold of Pawar Saheb, he later carved out his own independent identity. And he imprinted that identity in every nook and corner of Maharashtra.” Raj Thackeray also addressed Ajit Pawar as a towering figure and admirable administrator with a sharp grasp of governance. The MNS chief said that the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister possessed clarity in resolving bureaucratic challenges and believed in straightforward, honest politics, which is quite rare in the political spectrum. Raj Thackeray praises Ajit Pawar’s governance Hailing Pawar’s candor, simplicity, and fearlessness in decision-making, Raj also wrote, “Ajit Pawar had a complete grasp of this kind of politics and the skill to handle it adeptly. Pimpri Chinchwad and Baramati are two excellent examples of that. Whether it was Pimpri Chinchwad or Baramati, Ajit Dada transformed these regions in ways that even his political opponents would acknowledge.” MNS chief refers to Ajit Pawar as his friend despite being political rivals Raj Thackeray, while remembering his dear friend, also said that political rivalries are not personal and the sudden demise of a prominent leader like Ajit Pawar is surely an extremely unfortunate incident. While concluding his social media post, Raj wrote, “Opposition in politics is political, not personal. That's why leaders in Maharashtra who keep in mind that poisonous criticism of each other shouldn't be taken personally are becoming fewer. The successive departure of generous opponents from politics is a great loss to Maharashtra’s fine political tradition.”
28 January,2026 02:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed on Wednesday after a chartered aircraft carrying them crash-landed at Baramati airport in Pune district, officials said. Learjet operated by VSR Ventures was carrying Pawar, staff and crew The aircraft, a Learjet operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, was carrying five people on board, including Pawar, two accompanying staff members and two crew members. All five occupants died in the crash, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). DGCA confirms names of all five victims Those on board the ill-fated flight were Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Vidip Jadhav, Pinki Mali, Sumit Kapoor and Sambhavi Pathak. The DGCA confirmed that no person survived the accident. The five people on the ill-fated charter plane were Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Vidip Jadhav, Pinki Mali, Sumit Kapoor, and Sambhavi Pathak. All five died in the crash landing in Baramati. https://t.co/ZwkKypdSi1 — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026 “A Learjet aircraft carrying the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and four others crash-landed at Baramati airport. There were no survivors,” a senior DGCA official said, adding that a team of DGCA officials has been rushed to the crash site to investigate the incident. Two crew members and three passengers on board According to the aviation regulator, the aircraft had two crew members — the pilot-in-command and the first officer — and three passengers, including Pawar, one personal security officer and one attendant. Flight took off from Mumbai at 8.10 am, crashed around 8.50 am Flight tracking data showed that the aircraft took off from Mumbai at around 8.10 am and disappeared from radar at approximately 8.45 am. The crash occurred at around 8.50 am, a police official said. Pawar, 66, was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in Maharashtra. He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, and two sons, Parth and Jay. Pawar was a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which had recently contested the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporation elections in alliance with the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). The Maharashtra government declared a three-day state mourning till January 30, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings. There will be no official entertainment during the mourning period.
28 January,2026 02:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, NCP–Sharadchandra Pawar faction leader Anil Deshmukh, while addressing the media on Wednesday, broke down into tears. The former Maharashtra Home Minister was unable to overcome his emotions after the news of the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar broke out. VIDEO | Mumbai: NCP–Sharadchandra Pawar leader Anil Deshmukh breaks down after Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar was killed in an aircraft crash in Pune district. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/H718WahirV — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed in an extremely unfortunate aircraft crash in Baramati. Visibly shaken, Deshmukh broke down while addressing the media, struggling to hold back tears as he spoke about the tragedy. Raj Thackeray pays tribute to Ajit Pawar Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday expressed deep grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar on Wednesday at around 9 am lost his life in a tragic plane crash in Baramati. My friend and Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Ajit Pawar, has passed away. While referring to Ajit Pawar as his close friend, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, in a heartfelt condolence message shared on social media, said that Pawar was an “outstanding leader” and a towering figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape. While writing a heartfelt message on social media, Raj Thackeray wrote, “My friend and Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Ajit Pawar, has passed away. Maharashtra's politics has lost an outstanding leader.” Raj Thackeray praises Ajit Pawar’s governance Hailing Pawar’s candor, simplicity, and fearlessness in decision-making, Raj also wrote, “Ajit Pawar had a complete grasp of this kind of politics and the skill to handle it adeptly. Pimpri Chinchwad and Baramati are two excellent examples of that. Whether it was Pimpri Chinchwad or Baramati, Ajit Dada transformed these regions in ways that even his political opponents would acknowledge.” MNS chief refers to Ajit Pawar as his friend despite being political rivals Raj Thackeray, while remembering his dear friend, also said that political rivalries are not personal and the sudden demise of a prominent leader like Ajit Pawar is surely an extremely unfortunate incident.
28 January,2026 02:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday expressed profound grief over the death of his fellow Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash while an aircraft was landing near Baramati. Shinde said the tragic aircraft accident that claimed Pawar’s life would be thoroughly probed. Aircraft accident will be probed, says Shinde Speaking to reporters before leaving for Baramati, Shinde described the incident as deeply painful and unfortunate for the state. "It is a very painful incident… very sad and unfortunate for Maharashtra. The aircraft accident will be probed," he said, adding that Pawar’s death was both a personal loss and a major blow to the state’s political and administrative leadership. "Today, I feel as though I have lost my elder brother. Ajit Pawar was not just a leader; he was a knowledgeable personality who valued time and had a strong grip over administration," Shinde said, visibly emotional. The tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom across Maharashtra, with tributes pouring in from political, social and administrative circles. Shinde said he immediately decided to travel to Baramati after receiving the news of the crash. Recalling their long association, Shinde lauded Pawar’s contribution to public life, noting that they had served together in different cabinets. He also recalled that Pawar was his deputy when he headed the Maharashtra government between 2022 and 2024. "We worked together for many years. He would begin work at the crack of dawn—I have personally seen him issuing instructions as early as six in the morning. He spoke only after thoroughly studying every issue. Though blunt by nature, at heart he was extremely pure," Shinde said. This loss is not just of the Pawar family but of the entire state: Eknath Shinde He added that Pawar's role during cabinet discussions, especially on the state’s financial condition, was marked by realism and clarity. "He always presented the ground reality and suggested the right course. His experience, depth of study and command over administration were guiding lights for all of us," Shinde noted. The Deputy Chief Minister said he had met Pawar just a day or two earlier at a programme, making the loss even more difficult to accept. "This loss is not just of the Pawar family but of the entire state. I am feeling as if I have lost my elder brother," he said, paying heartfelt tributes. With Pawar’s demise, Maharashtra has lost a fearless, dynamic and experienced leader, whose work and administrative legacy, leaders across party lines said, will be remembered for years to come.
28 January,2026 01:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced a statewide public holiday and three days of state mourning following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier in the day. Mourning from January 28 to 30, flags at half-mast The Government of Maharashtra said the three-day mourning period would be observed from January 28 to January 30, 2026, as a mark of respect for Pawar’s life and contributions. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings where it is regularly hoisted, and no official entertainment programmes will be organised. Fadnavis calls Pawar’s death an irreparable loss Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Fadnavis said the decision on Pawar’s last rites would be taken after discussions with his family. “A state holiday has been declared and three days of state mourning announced. This is an irreparable loss for the entire state of Maharashtra,” he said. Fadnavis said a “wave of sorrow” had spread across the state, remembering Pawar as a determined and hardworking leader who made a significant contribution to Maharashtra’s development. Calling the tragedy a personal loss, he said, “Ajit Dada never wavered under any circumstances. It takes years to build such leadership. His demise is shocking, and for me, it is the loss of a close friend. It is also a huge loss for his family.” CM, Dy CM to head to Baramati; PM, Shah convey condolences The Chief Minister said he and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would leave for Baramati shortly. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken to him and conveyed their condolences. “Once we reach Baramati and speak to the family, a decision regarding the funeral will be taken,” Fadnavis said, adding that he had already spoken to Supriya Sule and Parth Pawar. Crowds gather at hospital; family travels to Baramati Meanwhile, a large crowd gathered outside the Baramati hospital where Pawar’s mortal remains were brought. NCP working president Praful Patel, along with Supriya Sule, Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar, and son Parth Pawar, departed from New Delhi for Baramati. Ajit Pawar died when a charter aircraft crashed while travelling from Mumbai to Baramati on Wednesday morning. He had been in Mumbai on January 27 to attend a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure chaired by CM Fadnavis. Aged 66, Pawar was the nephew of veteran leader Sharad Pawar and the cousin of Supriya Sule. He was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in non-consecutive terms, having held the post six times under governments led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and his two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar. Ajit Pawar plane crash Live updates: Follow our live blog for real-time updates (With inputs from Agencies)
28 January,2026 01:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday expressed profound grief over the demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a tragic charter plane crash near Baramati. In an emotional message, Fadnavis said Pawar was a mass leader with deep grassroots connect and described his death as a personal and irreparable loss. “The news has left me deeply distressed. I am numb and at a loss for words,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the day marked an extremely difficult moment for the state. दादा गेले!जमिनीशी घट्ट नाळ असलेले जननेते, माझे मित्र आणि सहकारी, उपमुख्यमंत्री अजितदादा पवार यांचा विमान अपघातात मृत्यू झाल्याची घटना मनाला अत्यंत व्यथित करणारी आहे. मनाला चटका लावणारी आहे. मन सुन्न झाले आहे. भावना व्यक्त करण्यासाठी माझ्याकडे शब्द नाहीत.माझा दमदार आणि दिलदार… — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 28, 2026 Fadnavis noted that he had lost a strong and large-hearted friend and colleague, underscoring the impact of Pawar’s passing on Maharashtra’s political and public life. He paid heartfelt tributes to the late leader and extended solidarity with Ajit Pawar’s family as well as the Nationalist Congress Party. The Chief Minister also expressed condolences to the families of four other people who lost their lives in the accident, stating that the state shares in their grief. Following the tragedy, Fadnavis announced the cancellation of all his scheduled programmes and said he would be leaving for Baramati shortly. Eknath Shinde says aircraft accident will be probed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday expressed profound grief over the death of his fellow Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash while an aircraft was landing near Baramati. Shinde said the tragic aircraft accident that claimed Pawar’s life would be thoroughly probed. Speaking to reporters before leaving for Baramati, Shinde described the incident as deeply painful and unfortunate for the state. "It is a very painful incident… very sad and unfortunate for Maharashtra. The aircraft accident will be probed," he said, adding that Pawar’s death was both a personal loss and a major blow to the state’s political and administrative leadership. "Today, I feel as though I have lost my elder brother. Ajit Pawar was not just a leader; he was a knowledgeable personality who valued time and had a strong grip over administration," Shinde said, visibly emotional. The tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom across Maharashtra, with tributes pouring in from political, social and administrative circles. Shinde said he immediately decided to travel to Baramati after receiving the news of the crash. Recalling their long association, Shinde lauded Pawar’s contribution to public life, noting that they had served together in different cabinets. He also recalled that Pawar was his deputy when he headed the Maharashtra government between 2022 and 2024. "We worked together for many years. He would begin work at the crack of dawn—I have personally seen him issuing instructions as early as six in the morning. He spoke only after thoroughly studying every issue. Though blunt by nature, at heart he was extremely pure," Shinde said. He added that Pawar's role during cabinet discussions, especially on the state’s financial condition, was marked by realism and clarity. "He always presented the ground reality and suggested the right course. His experience, depth of study and command over administration were guiding lights for all of us," Shinde noted. The Deputy Chief Minister said he had met Pawar just a day or two earlier at a programme, making the loss even more difficult to accept. "This loss is not just of the Pawar family but of the entire state. I am feeling as if I have lost my elder brother," he said, paying heartfelt tributes.
28 January,2026 12:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAjit Pawar, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and one of Maharashtra’s most influential power centres, passed away in a plane accident on January 28, 2026. Early life and entry into politics through cooperative movement Born on July 22, 1959, Pawar began his political career through the cooperative movement, particularly sugar factories and cooperative banks in western Maharashtra. He was the nephew of veteran leader Sharad Pawar. Baramati stronghold and repeated electoral victories Pawar represented the Baramati Assembly constituency—considered his political bastion—and won the seat six times. He briefly entered Parliament in 1991 but later resigned to facilitate Sharad Pawar’s Lok Sabha candidature. Key ministerial roles and record as Deputy Chief Minister Over the years, Ajit Pawar held several key portfolios, including Finance, Planning, and Water Resources, emerging as one of the most powerful ministers in successive state governments. Known for his firm command over budgets and administration, he earned a reputation for swift decision-making. He holds two notable records: serving as Deputy Chief Minister six times—the most by any leader—and presenting the state budget on 11 occasions, the second highest in Maharashtra’s history. 2023 NCP split and family details In 2023, Pawar engineered a major split in the NCP and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party–Shiv Sena alliance government, a move that dramatically reshaped Maharashtra’s political landscape. His faction was later recognised as the official Nationalist Congress Party. Ajit Pawar is survived by his mother (around 87), his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, and their two sons, Parth and Jay. Ajit Pawar plane crash Live updates: Follow our live blog for real-time updates
28 January,2026 12:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said told PTI. Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, 3 others on board dead after aircraft crashes in Pune district: Official — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026 The incident occurred when the plane carrying NCP leader Pawar (66) and others was landing in Pune's Baramati area, they said. The Mumbai–Baramati charter plane crash-landed at around 8.45 am in Baramati, ANI reported. VIDEO | An aircraft with Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on board crashes in Pune district: Official.(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/1sjBDpYRGA — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026 No survivors, says DGCA In a statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the aircraft was carrying Pawar along with two staff members—one personal security officer (PSO) and one attendant—and two crew members, including the pilot-in-command (PIC) and first officer (FO). As per initial information shared by the aviation regulator, no person on board survived the crash. #UPDATE | Crash landing in Baramati | Ajit Pawar, Deputy CM of Maharashtra, was onboard along with 2 more personnel (1 PSO and 1 attendant) and 2 crew (PIC+FO) members. As per initial information, no person on board has survived the crash: DGCA (Directorate General of Civil… pic.twitter.com/M8yEunTpyB — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026 Emergency response teams were rushed to the site, and further details regarding the cause of the accident are awaited. Ajit Pawar plane crash Live updates: Follow our live blog for real-time updates Ajit Pawar's family rushes to Baramati Deputy CM Pawar’s family rushed to the accident site. Incidentally, his wife and party MP Sunetra, and son, Parth, were set to leave for Baramati from Delhi, along with the leader's cousin, and NCP-SP working president Supriya Sule. Pawar was headed to Baramati to attend public rally Ajit Pawar was headed to Baramati to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad Elections. Pawar was in Mumbai on Tuesday where he attended a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis. Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and concerned officials were present. Ajit Pawar was the longest serving Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was the longest serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra non-consecutively. He served in the position for six terms within various governments. He had worked as deputy chief minister in the cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. In 1982, Ajit Pawar began his political career after being elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory. In 1991, he was elected as the chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank. He was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1991 from the Baramati Parliamentary constituency and later vacated the seat for his uncle Sharad Pawar. He was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly seven times from the Baramati Assembly constituency. He first won in a 1991 by-election and subsequently in 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014. In November 2019, he engineered a split in the NCP and joined a government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and became the Deputy Chief Minister. In February 2024, the Election Commission awarded the party name and symbol to the faction headed by Ajit Pawar.
28 January,2026 11:39 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMembers of Parliament cutting across party lines on Wednesday expressed deep shock and grief over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a charter aircraft crash near Baramati earlier in the day. Arvind Sawant, Varsha Gaikwad recall Pawar’s leadership and work An emotional Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said the news had left the Pawar family devastated. Calling the loss “extremely painful,” Sawant described Pawar as a decisive and fearless leader who played a crucial role in shaping the development of the Baramati region. He extended his condolences to the entire Pawar family. #WATCH | Delhi | On Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's death in a charter plane crash in Baramati, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant says," I always did what he said. He was a bold man. He had a big role in the development of the Baramati region. I express my condolences to the… pic.twitter.com/x763glD5XQ — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026 Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad said the tragedy had stunned Maharashtra. Recalling her time working with Pawar during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, she said his work ethic and administrative style were widely respected. “The entire state is grieving today,” she said, offering condolences on behalf of her party. #WATCH | On the death of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in a crash landing in Baramati, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad says, "I heard the news about Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. This is really unfortunate. When we had the Maha Vikas Aghadi govt (in Maharashtra), I received the… pic.twitter.com/vajabSDtqc — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026 Priyanka Chaturvedi calls loss ‘immeasurable’ Ajit Pawar was the nephew of veteran NCP founder Sharad Pawar and the cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule. Most MPs were in the national capital for the Budget Session of Parliament, which begins today. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi termed the incident “shocking, painful and heart-rending.” While acknowledging political differences, she said Pawar was deeply committed to his work and expressed sympathy to Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar, as well as the people of Baramati, calling the loss “immeasurable.” Charter aircraft crashed during landing near Baramati According to officials, the small charter aircraft took off from Mumbai around 8 am and crashed near Baramati airport about 45 minutes later while attempting to land. Visuals from the site showed flames, smoke and the wreckage of the aircraft. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said all passengers on board the plane died in the crash. The Maharashtra government said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to receive updates on the accident. Calls for probe, leaders recall Pawar’s political legacy Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N K Premachandran called the incident shocking and said the cause of the crash must be thoroughly investigated. DMK MP T Siva described Pawar as a dynamic leader and said he was at a loss for words over the tragedy. Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy expressed his condolences to the bereaved family, while Union Minister Giriraj Singh said the crash marked a deeply tragic day for the country, calling Pawar’s death an irreparable loss to national politics. Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections. He had been in Mumbai a day earlier for a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure chaired by CM Fadnavis, which was also attended by state minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and senior officials. Ajit Pawar was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in non-consecutive terms, having held the post six times under different governments led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and their two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar. (With inputs from ANI)
28 January,2026 11:02 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai recorded minimum temperatures of 19.8 degrees Celsius at Colaba and 17.8 degrees Celsius at Santacruz on Wednesday, with no rainfall reported, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The city’s air quality remains moderate, with an overall AQI of 102. Sensitive groups, including people with asthma, lung, or heart conditions, may experience some breathing discomfort, as per the Sameer App. AQI across Mumbai Borivali East: 117 Byculla: 76 Andheri East: 139 Chembur: 94 Colaba: 95 Deonar: 116 Ghatkopar: 107 Kandivali East: 110 Bandra East: 84 Kurla: 102 Malad West: 118 Mazgaon: 108 Mulund West: 66 Powai: 95 In surrounding areas, Thane recorded 108, Kalyan 117, and Navi Mumbai 88, with conditions remaining satisfactory. Delhi sees marginal AQI improvement to 273, remains in 'poor' category The national capital witnessed a slight improvement in air quality on Wednesday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 273 at around 7 am, keeping it in the 'poor' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), reported news agency ANI. The air quality improved slightly from Tuesday, with the AQI at 294. However, large parts of the city remained enveloped in smog, and the overall air quality continues to be in the 'poor' category. According to data shared by the CPCB, the AQI near Anand Vihar was recorded at 280, placing it in the "poor" category. In the Patpadganj area, the AQI was 304, placing it in the "very poor" category. Several key monitoring stations across the city reported AQI levels in the 'very poor' range. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 362, while Ashok Vihar stood at 323. Bawana reported 332, and Chandni Chowk 340. Dwarka Sector 8 recorded 317, while Mundka reported 323. Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast rain or thundershowers with strong gusty winds across the day. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds at speeds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected during the morning, forenoon, afternoon, evening, and night. The temperature is likely to range from 19 to 9 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR in view of improvement in air quality and forecast trends. While GRAP Stage III is being revoked, keeping in view the winter season, when weather conditions may not always be favourable, and to ensure that AQI levels do not slip further, citizens are requested to strictly adhere to the citizen charter under Stages II and I of the extant schedule of GRAP. As per AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe' (With ANI inputs)
28 January,2026 10:00 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA demolition drive launched by the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) administration against alleged encroachments inside the protected forest area faced stiff resistance on Tuesday, forcing authorities to temporarily postpone the action. Forest department officials said the drive targets encroachers who were earlier declared eligible for rehabilitation and relocated to Chandivli in Powai, but allegedly sold or rented out their allotted homes and later returned to re-encroach forest land within the national park. Sources told mid-day that the demolition was deferred following protests by locals. Protests at the park According to officials, the first phase of the drive focuses on encroachments in the Navapada area of SGNP, involving families who were previously resettled under the rehabilitation programme. On Tuesday morning, hundreds of people, including men and women, gathered inside the park to oppose the demolition.Forest department sources alleged that certain local elements were misleading and instigating residents, including those claiming tribal status, which added to tensions on the ground. Following the protest, the SGNP administration issued a detailed press statement to clarify the rationale behind the demolition drive and address concerns raised by locals. Heavy police deployment outside the SGNP during the ongoing drive to remove alleged encroachments on Monday. Background of the issue In 1997, the Bombay High Court directed that all encroachments on forest land within SGNP be removed. The court laid down clear eligibility criteria for rehabilitation, stating that only those residing within the protected area and whose names appeared on the electoral roll as of January 1, 1995, would be considered. Initially, eligible families were proposed to be rehabilitated at Shirdon near Kalyan. The plan was later revised, and rehabilitation was shifted to Chandivli in Powai. Under Phase I of the rehabilitation programme, more than 11,000 eligible families were allotted tenements at Chandivli. High-Powered Committee During the contempt proceedings, the court constituted a High-Powered Committee to ensure compliance with its orders and to recommend measures for the protection of SGNP. 385 families re-encroached According to the SGNP statement, deliberations involving agencies such as SRA, MHADA, BMC, CIDCO, MMRDA, AAI, the Collector’s office, forest officials and police revealed that approximately 385 families who had already received rehabilitation housing at Chandivli had returned and re-encroached upon forest land inside SGNP. “These individuals have already availed the rehabilitation benefits extended by the state government. Their return to occupy forest land amounts to misuse of the rehabilitation scheme and the sympathetic view taken by the government,” the statement said. The High-Powered Committee subsequently ordered their eviction as a first step toward ensuring full compliance with the high court’s directions. Notices issued SGNP authorities said detailed enquiries were conducted and affected families were given an opportunity to be heard. Eviction notices were published at all relevant locations on January 17, asking the identified families to vacate the premises voluntarily. ‘Eviction unavoidable’ “In these circumstances, it has become imperative to evict persons misusing the system, notwithstanding isolated cases of hardship, in order to uphold the rule of law, protect forest land and ensure equitable implementation of the Hon’ble Court’s orders,” the SGNP statement said. The administration appealed to stakeholders and the public to support the drive in the interest of environmental protection and the forest ecosystem, as well as to safeguard the rights of eligible families still awaiting rehabilitation.
28 January,2026 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavADVERTISEMENT
