The Congress has signalled that the upcoming by-elections in Baramati and Rahuri are unlikely to be unopposed. With the party’s high command giving a green light, the state Congress leadership thinks that there should be a contest for both seats, which have fallen vacant after the deaths of deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar and BJP MLA Shivajirao Kardile. State Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal said the party has got approval from its high command to contest the Assembly bypolls. Speaking to reporters, he said the Congress will first hold discussions with its MVA allies before taking a final call. Poll schedule The by-elections were necessitated following the deaths of Ajit Pawar, who represented Baramati, and Shivajirao Kardile, the sitting MLA from Rahuri. As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, voting for both constituencies will be held on April 23, while the counting of votes is set for May 4. BJP wants unopposed election Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had last month said that ideally, the upcoming by-elections to the Baramati and Rahuri Assembly seats should go unopposed but added that the government is fully prepared in case voting takes place. Candidates in fray Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Ajit Pawar, will file her nomination papers from Baramati, while the BJP has fielded Akshay Kardile, son of late MLA Shivajirao, for the Rahuri by-election.
04 April,2026 09:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarResidents of Mankhurd’s Cheeta Camp have raised concerns over the degrading condition of a commemorative statue of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the former president of India, on the VN Purav main road of the area, right next to the Trombay police station. According to the locals, the intersection around the statue is known as the ‘APJ Abdul Kalam Chowk’, but many are unaware that it is named because there is a memorial of the former president, which is often not visible due to illegal parking and its degrading condition makes it hard to recognise. 2022Year the statue was built Memorial of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam right next to Trombay police station Maintenance neglected . No maintenance done in the last 3 years. Illegal parking ignored. Safety risk. Spot for anti-social elements People speak to mid-day Asif Sayyed, a resident, said, “When the statue was initially built, many were proud of having it in our area, and kids would learn about [then] president Kalam, but the lack of maintenance has made it a sour sight. There are now cars parked at the spot, blocking the view for people. In the evening, it becomes a spot for drinkers and smokers, which is very disrespectful.” A teenager (name withheld) said, “Until a few weeks ago, I did not know about the statue’s existence in our area. I came across a video on social media, which talked about it, and the next day when I was passing through, I noticed its degraded condition. It is sad because we learn about the man in school. The lack of maintenance and civic responsibility has transformed the area into a gathering spot for anti-social elements.” OfficialSeak Usman Shikalgar, Sub-engineer, BMC maintenance departmentThe memorial was originally made by MHADA and was never handed over to us (BMC); hence, we cannot do the maintenance of the structure. Regarding parking and other illegal activities, we are taking regular action. Though our workers tow away vehicles parked in front of the memorial, by the evening, those who drive for ride-sharing apps also park at the spot, which is difficult to manage every day.” Failure to act despite letters Sayyed said that after noticing the condition of the statue, he wrote letters to the ward office, the local police, and the RTO but has not received any response. However, Sayyed said, in an X post that he made on March 8, the Mumbai Traffic Police and the BMC M East ward replied, saying that the complaint has been taken into account, and both authorities said that they would look into the matter.
04 April,2026 09:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturOn World Drummers’ Day, celebrated annually to honour percussionists across the globe, the journey of Dr Seetharaman Iyer stands as a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering passion. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition, he lost his vision at the age of 25. What could have ended aspirations, strengthened his resolve to continue his medical career and his love for music. Dr Seetharaman Iyer during a mridangam performance “I chose perseverance. My parents always encouraged me to pursue a career where I could serve people. They supported my decision to become a doctor while helping me continue playing my instrument,” said Dr Iyer. Dr Iyer with Deepa Pillai and her brother during a counselling session. Pic/Ritika Gondhalekar Alongside his demanding profession, he has remained committed to the mridangam, refusing to let his disability define his limits. Today, Dr Iyer treats patients at Sion Hospital and runs a clinic in Ghatkopar with his wife, Dr Sanjana Iyer. Navigating the field of mental healthcare without vision, he relies on heightened sensory awareness, structured systems, and strong support from peers. “There is a concept in medical science, neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to reorganise itself through learning and experience. Fortunately, I benefited from it and was able to study effectively,” he said. Sudhir Kumar Singh April 4World Drummers’ Day Difficult task, strong ambition Dr Seetharaman performs with wife his Dr Sanjana Iyer Dr Iyer began losing his vision shortly after completing his MBBS in 2016. He took a two-year break following his diagnosis. In 2018, he chose to pursue psychiatry, not because of his condition, but because of his natural listening ability and communication skills. “When you treat a mentally ill person, you help the entire family. What better way to serve people?” he said. His journey was far from easy. Learning to listen Adapting his study method was one of his biggest challenges. Having relied on reading throughout his education, he now had to depend entirely on listening.“Initially, I was unsure if I could. But after completing the entire syllabus through audio lectures, I became confident,” he said. Doctor who is also a musician Beyond medicine, the mridangam remains central to his identity. “For many artists, including me, the inspiration is Padma Vibhushan Umayalpuram K Sivaraman. I have been his disciple for over a decade,” he said. He added that his guru encouraged him to excel in both music and medicine.
04 April,2026 09:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarThe Metro Line 9 rail service between Dahisar East and Mira Bhayandar will be inaugurated on April 6, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Friday. Speaking to reporters, he said the inauguration of the service got delayed over certain factors. “We were waiting for the safety nod first, which we have received...Now the inauguration date is set for April 6 for the inauguration of the route,” Sarnaik said. Once this starts, people in the region will be relieved as this was a long-pending demand, he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2026 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesDesign changes and upgrades to the upcoming greenfield Jogeshwari Terminus have delayed its completion by a year, but officials say the project will now be more purposeful and better equipped. Initially scheduled for completion by March 2025, the terminus is now expected to be ready in 2027. The new terminus is aimed at decongesting major terminal stations such as Bandra, Dadar and Mumbai Central. “There have been delays because of design changes and upgrades. Originally, there were three platforms; now we have widened the existing ones for better passenger convenience and added one more platform. It will be a significant terminus, along with a coaching depot for Vande Bharat trains. Work will be completed in the coming financial year,” said Divisional Railway Manager Pankaj Singh. Where is the new terminus? The terminus is located near Ram Mandir suburban railway station and is about 250 metres from the nearest Metro station, Jogeshwari East on Metro Line 7 via Ram Mandir Road (Lotus Corporate Park). It will include cab zones, auto stands, Ola/Uber pick-up and drop-off points, and a dedicated parking area. A bit of history The last full-fledged independent rail terminus in Mumbai was Kurla LTT, built 34 years ago in 1991. Since then, stations like Dadar (Western) and Panvel have been upgraded into mail/express termini, but no entirely new terminus has been constructed. What is the upgrade? The original plan featured three platforms — one island and one home platform, each 600 metres long. The revised design adds a fourth platform and widens the existing ones. Platform 4 will now serve as the home platform. The terminus will be able to handle 24-coach trains and accommodate 12 pairs of mail and express trains daily. Voices Mansoor Umer Darvesh, former member of the Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee‘This terminus will mainly benefit suburban commuters and reduce the load on Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus. It is very close to SV Road, making it easily accessible. Railways should start more long-distance trains from here for it to be successful. However, delays like these are frustrating. Every time there is a reason, costs double, and the common man suffers. The railways should complete the project on time as promised’ Rupak Dhakate, commuter‘The terminus can keep progressing, but daily users are struggling due to ongoing work near Ram Mandir station on the east side. The pathway is in poor condition. With a heavy office-going crowd using this route, the railways should at least fix the road outside the station’ Bridges . A 6-metre-wide foot overbridge (FOB) will connect to the existing FOB at Ram Mandir station, linking the terminal with the suburban station. It will include two escalators and a lift for senior citizens and divyang passengers.. A 12-metre-wide FOB will connect platforms 1 and 2 with platform 3. Station buildings . A ground-plus-two service building will house relay rooms and railway departments for smooth operations.. A ground-plus-three station building will include all key passenger amenities. Expected completion2027 Amenities . AC VIP lounge with bath, toilet, charging points and cafeteria/mini-pantry. AC waiting lounge with similar facilities. Retiring rooms (four AC double rooms and four non-AC double rooms). Separate dormitories for men and women (six beds each). Food plaza and entertainment zone. Rest area for 50 licensed sahayaks with basic facilities Circulating area The station will have a well-planned circulating area with designated pick-up and drop zones, Ola/Uber bays, taxi and auto stands, vehicle parking, VIP parking and EV charging points. Entry and exit will connect directly to the Western Express Highway. The nearest Metro station is about 500 metres away. Features The station will feature a self-supported proflex sheet dome structure, offering a modern architectural design distinct from traditional railway platform covers. Revised cost The project cost has increased from Rs 35 crore to Rs 69 crore
04 April,2026 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarAfter multiple plan changes, flight disruptions, and prolonged delays, Mumbai’s cruise professionals have barely managed to return home in time for the Easter weekend. The closure of key airports in West Asia has severely disrupted travel, making it difficult for hospitality staff to reach ships operating in the Caribbean and Europe. Work disruptions A Gorai resident with a decade of experience in the cruise industry said seafarers have not witnessed such uncertainty since the pandemic. “Many cruises have scaled down operations in Europe. Those working on Dubai routes are being sent home within months. Companies have also halted advance joinings” he said. Industry professionals added that with changing airspace dynamics, European deployment on cruises has gradually declined. Frequent flight rescheduling has led to uncertain joining and sign-off dates, forcing crew members to extend their time onboard beyond planned contracts. Personal toll “Since flights were cancelled, my reliever couldn’t reach the ship, and I had to stay an extra month. With a four-year-old daughter and my wife alone at home, it was difficult,” said Rakesh Zolar, the seafarer, who is now back in Mumbai and fishing with his brothers until his next contract. Many are still waiting for assignments, delayed due to limited flight availability. “Direct flights are too expensive, so companies avoid them. Now we are either asked to share the cost or wait till the situation stabilises,” said Julian Collins, another Gorai-based crew member who returned from Singapore in December. Rossi D’Souza, a Gorai resident, said, “My cousin was to return to Mumbai on March 29, but his reliever couldn’t reach the ship. He has now missed Easter with his family. While we worry about his safety, we hope things improve soon.”
04 April,2026 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarNathuram Sathvilkar’s first day on the job as a security guard ended in tragedy, after the 52-year-old fell into an open lift shaft in Vaibhav Laxmi Building No. 10 in Subhash Nagar, Chembur East, on April 3. The deceased, a resident of Ghatla in Chembur, was being shown around the premises by fellow security guard Dilip Kadam around 6.50 am before the mishap occurred. “As a precaution, I warned him not to walk ahead as the shaft of the lift in the parking area was open. I turned around for a moment, and when I looked back, he had already fallen inside,” said Kadam. People gathered after Kadam screamed for help. Chembur police officers reached the spot by 7 am and, with the help of fire brigade personnel, they got Sathvilkar out of the shaft and took him to Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. 6.50 amTime incident occurred on Friday Illustrations/Uday Mohite 1 Security guard Dilip Kadam shows Nathuram Sathvilkar around on his first day of work on Friday morning. 2 They stand near the car lift shaft used to move cars. Kadam warns Sathvilkar not to walk ahead, as the shaft is empty 3 As Kadam turns around, he sees Sathvilkar proceeding and accidentally falling down the shaft The aftermath The police have registered an accidental death report, and following the investigation, this may be converted into an FIR if negligence is suspected. PoliceSpeak PSI Ajit Shinde, Chembur police station‘Despite the building being fully constructed and residents living there, no CCTV cameras were installed around the parking area. We also found that safety barricading around the lift shaft was missing’By: Vaishnavi Shetty
04 April,2026 08:46 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentAfter Alphonso mangoes, it’s now the humble ‘nimbu’ that’s burning pockets. In a spike over three weeks, lime prices have nearly doubled across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. At the APMC wholesale market, limes are now selling at Rs 5 per piece, up from Rs 2-R3 just weeks ago. Retail markets are no better, with prices touching Rs 20 for two li, es, compared to four for Rs 20 earlier. Traders at APMC dismissed the recent unseasonal rain as the reason behind the surge, pointing instead to a clear supply-demand mismatch. Rs 10Current price of one lime Lime markets RetailCurrent price R20 for two limes3 weeks ago Rs 20 for four limes WholesaleCurrent price Rs 5 for one lime3 weeks ago Rs 2-Rs 3 per limes Reason for surge . High summer demand (March-June peak). Limited supply from Andhra Pradesh . No arrivals from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Added transport costs to retail markets Trend to continue? Traders say prices may stay high through April, which demand among customers is high, unless supply from other states resumes. Coolers turn up the heat From roadside stalls to small eateries, the price hike is forcing vendors to rethink pricing. Sunil Honrao, owner of Khanderaya Hotel, said, “Earlier, we used to give lime juice at Rs 15 per glass, but now we have increased it to Rs 20 due to rising lime prices.” Ajay Yadav, a juice seller from Nerul, added, “People rush for lime drinks during the summer, but now due to the price increase, we have doubled our rates from Rs 10 to Rs 20 per glass.” Youngsters beat the summer heat with nimbu pani. Pic/Abhitash Singh Homes feel pinch The price shock is now hitting kitchens across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Swapna Nelly, a resident of Vashi, said, “We used to use limes daily in dal and salads. Now we are using them only when needed.” Sunita Mishra, a resident of Nerul, added, “Earlier I would buy in bulk, now I just buy two to three limes. It feels expensive for such a basic item.”
04 April,2026 08:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash SinghRepent and Rise An actor portrays Jesus Christ during the enactment of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday at Sacred Heart Church, Santacruz. Whose record is it anyway? Bhumika and Tanvi Nemade; (right)Tanvi Nemade in action. Pics Courtesy/Aman Verma A rare spectacle unfolded at the Senior National Jumprope Championship in Nashik earlier this week. Athlete Tanvi Nemade from Kalyan smashed the women’s record, held by her sister Bhumika since 2022. Spectators who missed the fierce 192-skip run got a second chance a tad too soon. “Moments later, Bhumika stepped in, and clocked 197 skips, reclaiming the record. At least the record is still in the family,” said the duo’s coach Aman Verma. The good Khabar Lahariyas Back in February 2013, this diarist had received a call from a visiting faculty member at TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences). It was a request for a few women reporters from marginalised communities across Chitrakoot and Banda districts of Uttar Pradesh to visit the mid-day newsroom, and engage with its staffers. The team, who were in Mumbai for the launch of their website, worked for Khabar Lahariya (news waves: Bundeli), a hyper-local newspaper. The publication, established in 2002, helmed entirely by women had empowered them by letting their pens do the talking amidst numerous challenges, including backlash from the community, often in the form of unsupportive local administration, and lack of funding. For us city-bred journalists, who take much for granted, it was insightful and eye-opening. It’s why the news that The Good Reporter (Simon & Schuster), will release soon, brought a smile to our face. It has been written by members, Disha Mullick, Geeta Devi, Harshita Verma, Kavita Bundelkhandi, Lakshmi Sharma, Lalita, Meera Devi, Nazni Rizvi, Shyamkali and Suneeta Prajapati. The book takes the slow process of history-telling, with layered and contradictory memories. We hope this leher sweeps across bookshelves across India. Oh Sugar! Rayford is here Sugaray Rayford at the Mahim club. Pics Courtesy/Revolver Club; (right) Sugaray Rayford and Manu Trivedi There was magic in the air at Mahim, as American Blues singer and songwriter Sugaray Rayford dropped by at The Revolver Club on Monday. The Grammy Award-nominee was in the city for the recently concluded NCPA Soulful Blues concerts, and stepped out to get some record shopping. “He just popped in because he had heard that we stock vinyls and records. He was delighted to find that we had a few John Coltrane records, and spoke about him for a long time. In fact, he pointed out how jazz performers possessed a cool ‘attitude’ as performers. It was something he tries to recreate himself,” shared Manu Trivedi, co-owner, The Revolver Club. Chaas, but not the least A volunteer distributes buttermilk during last year’s summer initiative. Pic Courtesy/GYF Rising temperatures and false promises of drizzles have inspired a young group to take matters into their own hands. This weekend, volunteers from the Global Youth Festival (GYF)will head to spots across the city, armed with bags of chilled buttermilk for construction workers, policemen, sanitation workers, and hospital staff. “You are more than welcome to join us in helping the city cool down,” a member told us. Those keen to accept the offer can log on to @globalyouthfestival.
04 April,2026 08:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayBrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials shut the eatery operating from the rear of a mobile toilet for women in Fort on Thursday night, hours after mid-day began looking into why the shop was functioning in the absence of approvals, permissions, or licences. This reporter last spoke to MLA Rahul Narwekar, as his name had cropped up in the matter, around 6.12 pm on Thursday, and civic officials took action less than two hours later. The following day, the eatery was closed, and staff could be seen vacating the premises with perishable raw material. An official seizes equipment from the eatery on Thursday. Pic/By Special Arrangement; (right) The side door through which staff could be seen vacating the premises with cooking implements and perishable ingredients on Friday. Pic/Sarthak Mehta A BMC spokesperson said on Friday that officials from the civic body’s A ward had acted against the cafe on Thursday night and provided geo-tagged photos showing kitchen equipment being seized. The café’s manager, Geeta Mehar, who claims she works in the office of local corporator Makarand Narwekar, said, “We have closed the shop following directions of Makarand sir and staff of the NGO [that runs the toilet facility].” Several attempts were made by this reporter to contact the corporator, but he did not respond by press time. 8PMApprox time eatery was closed on Thursday mid-day’s investigation mid-day’s Friday report highlighted claims made by cafe manager Geeta Mehar, where she stated that she did not possess any licence or documents necessary for her business, but produced a reference letter from MLA Rahul Narwekar and stated that the required documents were in Makarand Narwekar’s office. The legislator, in a statement to mid-day, refuted her claims. Shopkeepers hail action Small business owners in the vicinity of the toilet appreciated the action against the eatery. “This café’s operators were notorious as they claimed to be associated with the powerful Narwekar family. We struggle to get permissions and operate in constant fear, while these guys had been functioning fearlessly for over a year,” said a shopkeeper on the condition of anonymity. NGO speaks Ulka Sadalkar, chief operations officer of Madhumalati Foundation, said, “Our NGO operates and maintains that mobile bus and many more like it with help from the BMC and CSR funds. Geeta was allotted the spot under our women’s empowerment initiative, where she was approved to sell only packaged food and drinks. We had strictly conveyed no cooking is allowed there as it’s a fire hazard. She must have been running this venture behind our backs. Earlier in the year, we told her to stop the packaged food business as well.”
04 April,2026 08:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Sarthak MehtaThe Thane-Borivli twin tunnel project is set to gain momentum with the launch of its first Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Nayak’ on Monday. The 11.84-km underground corridor is being implemented by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA)and executed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd. mid-day got an exclusive look at the preparations on site. Team behind TBMs ‘Arjuna’ and ‘Nayak’, which are being launched in phases at Manpada, Thane, on Friday Four of the largest TBMs used in Mumbai will be deployed, each equipped with a 13.2-metre cutterhead. These machines will excavate twin three-lane tunnels beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park, connecting Ekta Nagar in Borivali to Manpada in Thane at a depth of up to 23 metres. Cross-passages will be constructed every 300 metres for evacuation and maintenance. Tunnel boring machine ‘Nayak’, which is set to begin tunnelling for the Thane-Borivli twin tunnel project Authorities have planned measures to minimise disruption during construction. A dedicated corridor will be used for debris transport so that dumpers do not enter residential areas. Traffic will be regulated with limited vehicle movement, round-the-clock monitoring, and systems to control dust and noise. An inside view of tunnel boring machine ‘Nayak’ With more TBMs set to be deployed, the project is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Mumbai’s western suburbs and Thane while maintaining a strong focus on safety and environmental safeguards. Tunnel boring machine ‘Nayak’ positioned for launch at the Thane-Borivli twin tunnel project site 11.84 kmLength of underground corridor Work planned for monsoon Authorities have made provisions to ensure work continues during the monsoon. Dewatering pumps will be installed across the site to quickly drain accumulated rainwater. Round-the-clock workTunnelling will continue 24 hours a day, with around 300 workers deployed at any given time. Minimal disturbance to parkAs tunnelling will pass beneath the national park, methods are being used to keep vibrations negligible and avoid disturbing wildlife movement. Real-time monitoringA central control room will oversee TBM operations, supported by CCTV and live camera feeds for continuous monitoring. Project snapshotThane-Borivli twin tunnel project. First TBM ‘Nayak’ set for launch. Part of an 11.84-km twin tunnel corridor. Project by MMRDA, executed by MEIL. TBMs manufactured by Herrenknecht AG Key features . Four mega TBMs will be deployed, each with cutterhead measuring 13.2 metres in diameter. The twin tunnels span 11.8 km. There will be three lanes in each tunnel that links Ekta Nagar to Manpada. They have a maximum depth of 23 metres. TBM rollout plan . TBM “Nayak” to launch in the coming days. Second TBM “Arjuna” expected in about a month. Two more TBMs to be deployed from the Borivli side Traffic management . Dedicated corridor for dumpers, avoiding residential roads. Barricaded roads for residents. Maximum of eight dumpers per hour, in regulated batches. 24x7 traffic wardens and signal systems
04 April,2026 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar | Ranjeet JadhavADVERTISEMENT
