The traffic on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway was diverted after a highly inflammable gas leak following an accident involving a tanker was reported along the route near Adoshi tunnel at the Borghat stretch, officials said. Considering the volatile nature of the gas, traffic on the Mumbai-bound corridor was stopped as a precautionary measure by the Highway Security Police. According to the officials, to manage and prevent congestion, authorities later opened one lane of the Pune-bound corridor for vehicles heading towards Mumbai around 7.30 pm, while vehicles travelling towards Pune were allowed to use the remaining two lanes after shifting the median barrier. Light vehicles heading towards Mumbai were diverted at km 42/400, near Magic Point, via the old Khopoli highway. Traffic diversions were implemented under the supervision of the Highway Security Patrol team, officials said. Volatile gas leak forces shutdown of Mumbai-bound corridor A chemical gas tanker heading from Pune to Mumbai overturned on the Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway on Tuesday evening, forcing authorities to halt traffic for hours due to a hazardous gas leak. The accident occurred around 5 pm on Tuesday, near the Adoshi tunnel in the Borghat stretch. The officials said the tanker was carrying propylene gas, a highly inflammable substance. Following the mishap, the tanker sustained damage at three valve points, leading to gas leakage. Emergency services rushed to the spot After receiving alerts from patrolling teams, emergency response resources, including quick response vehicles, ambulances, fire-fighting equipment, Delta Force personnel and heavy machinery, were immediately deployed at the site. Additional fire tenders from Tata Steel and the Khopoli Municipal Council were also pressed into service.
04 February,2026 07:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavShiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on NCP working president Praful Patel, accusing him of being more aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) than with his own party, reported the PTI. Raut said Patel must act only in a manner acceptable to Maharashtra and the Marathi manoos. Addressing reporters, Raut said the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was founded and led by the Pawar family, not by Patel. “Praful Patel should do only what is acceptable to Maharashtra and the Marathi manoos. The NCP is a party of Pawars, not Patels. He is a bigger devotee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah than a leader of his own party,” Raut alleged, according to the PTI. He also claimed that NCP state president Sunil Tatkare was leaning towards the BJP. Remarks come amid NCP leadership uncertainty The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader's comments came a day after Patel said he was not in the race for the post of NCP national president, which fell vacant following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a tragic air crash last week. Praful Patel had also expressed displeasure over people not associated with the NCP commenting on decisions taken by the party after Ajit Pawar’s death, reported the PTI. However, opposition leaders have continued to target Patel, accusing him of harbouring ambitions to lead the party. BJP blamed for splits in NCP and Shiv Sena Sanjay aut further alleged that the BJP was responsible for engineering splits in both the original NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, and the Shiv Sena, established by Bal Thackeray, the news agency reported. Commenting on the Chandrapur mayoral elections, where no single party has secured a majority, Raut said Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has directed party corporators not to align with the BJP. In the 66-member Chandrapur Municipal Corporation, the Congress emerged as the single largest party with 27 seats, followed by the BJP with 23 seats and Shiv Sena (UBT) with six seats. The BSP and Shiv Sena won one seat each. (with PTI inputs)
04 February,2026 06:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Youth Congress on Wednesday staged a protest, urging the Centre to clarify its stand on the 2020 India-China Galwan Valley standoff and to allow the immediate publication of a book - Four Stars of Destiny book - by former Army chief General Manoj Naravane. The demonstration, led by Mumbai Youth Congress president Zeenat Shabreen, was held outside the Congress office at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan in South Mumbai, reported news agency PTI. Slogans critical of the Modi government were raised during the agitation, with Youth Congress workers expressing anger over what they described as the Centre’s “failure” to address national security concerns. Modi govt silent on security issues: Youth Congress According to PTI, the Youth Congress alleged that the Modi government has remained silent on key security issues and has “concealed” facts related to the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh. A violent face-off between Indian and Chinese border troops in the Galwan Valley had resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers. Shabreen questioned what Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “hiding” about the incident and demanded that the government provide clear answers to the nation on the China issue. Galwan clash: Govt delay led to soldiers’ sacrifice, claims Congress leader She also slammed the government for not allowing the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to speak in Parliament on the sensitive matter and for preventing him from quoting from Naravane’s unpublished memoir on the India-China standoff, reported PTI. Claiming that the government failed to take timely decisions despite inputs from the armed forces, Shabreen said this lapse led to the sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the Galwan clash. The Mumbai Youth Congress president demanded that responsibility be fixed and action taken against those responsible for the soldiers’ deaths. Stating that the sacrifice of the soldiers would not be allowed to go in vain, Shabreen said the Youth Congress would continue its agitation until the government responds to its demands, reported PTI. Claims of restricted quotation in Parliament Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that he had been informed that he was not permitted to quote from the memoir in the Lok Sabha, despite its relevance to national security and parliamentary debate. Citing the contents of the memoir, Rahul Gandhi alleged that when Chinese tanks reached the Kailash Range, then Army Chief Gen Naravane sought urgent instructions from the political leadership. According to Gandhi, Naravane first contacted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh but received no immediate response. He then reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, but again did not receive clear instructions. “When he called again, the Defence Minister said he would ‘ask from the top’,” Gandhi claimed, the news agency reported. Gandhi further alleged that there was a standing order from the highest level that Indian forces should not open fire on Chinese troops without prior political clearance, even if they had entered Indian territory. He said the Army leadership wanted to respond militarily but was constrained by the lack of clear approval. PM passed responsibility to Army Chief: Rahul Gandhi Quoting what he described as the key line from the memoir, Gandhi claimed Prime Minister Modi ultimately conveyed the message: “Jo uchit samjho woh karo” (Do what you think is appropriate), as per the PTI. Gandhi interpreted this as the Prime Minister passing responsibility to the Army Chief rather than taking a firm decision himself. “He told the Army Chief, ‘You do whatever you want; this is beyond me,’” Gandhi alleged, citing the memoir, according to the PTI. (With PTI inputs)
04 February,2026 06:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has stepped up enforcement against property tax defaulters, initiating the sealing of properties and disconnection of water supply as part of a special recovery drive. Property tax bills for the 2025–26 financial year have already been issued, the civic body said. To encourage advance payments, KDMC has announced a 5 per cent rebate for taxpayers who clear their dues by August 2025, while those paying between September and December 2025 will be eligible for a 4 per cent discount. Issued final notices Officials said repeated appeals were made to defaulters through SMS alerts and seizure notices prior to the issuance of final notices. However, in cases where property owners failed to respond, the civic body launched a special campaign involving the sealing of properties, attachment proceedings and disconnection of water connections. 236 properties sealed So far, 236 properties have been sealed, while 39 water connections have been disconnected due to non-payment of property tax. The corporation said the recovery process will be further intensified in the coming weeks. To facilitate payments, KDMC has provided an online payment facility on its official website and has kept civic utility centres open on all weekends and public holidays until March 31, 2026. Taxpayers opting for online payment will be eligible for a 2 per cent rebate. Appeal to citizens The Property Tax Department has appealed to citizens to clear outstanding dues immediately to avoid penalties of 2 per cent per month, disconnection of water supply, and attachment or seizure of property.
04 February,2026 05:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerRajya Sabha Congress member Akhilesh Prasad Singh on Wednesday raised serious concerns over the growing misuse of deepfakes and artificial intelligence (AI) in spreading misinformation and enabling cybercrime, urging the government to amend existing laws to tackle emerging digital threats. Speaking during Zero Hour in the Upper House, the Bihar-based MP warned that the unchecked use of AI technologies poses a grave risk to citizens, democratic institutions, and public trust. Entire World in Danger “Today, the entire world is in grave danger of the misuse of deepfake and artificial intelligence,” Singh said according to PTI. He noted that such technologies are being used to spread false information, impersonate individuals, influence public opinion, harass citizens, and weaken public confidence in democratic systems. According to Singh, deepfake tools/ or synthetic media capable of generating realistic audio, video and images —that realistically manipulate a person's likeness to make them appear to say or do things they never actually did have created unprecedented challenges for administrative, legal and governance frameworks. Highlighting the dangers, Singh said AI-driven manipulation threatens political identity, facilitates fraud and torture, and spreads large-scale misinformation. “The use of deepfakes on a global scale, the rapid theft of political identity, fraud, and the creation of social illusion is increasing rapidly,” he told the House. He added that the speed at which AI spreads false narratives makes it difficult for authorities to respond effectively. Though the technology has proved to have legitimate applications in entertainment, education and art, its rapid expansion in widespread misuse, particularly in harassment, fraud and political misinformation be it in India or globally cannot be ignored. Global Examples of Deepfake Misuse Citing international incidents, Singh referred to a European Commission report that estimates over 90 percent of online content used in cybercrime will be based on deepfakes. He pointed out that during Slovakia’s 2023 presidential election, AI-generated fake audio in a candidate’s voice was broadcasted just before voting, raising concerns over electoral integrity. Singh also mentioned the 2024 US election, where voters were urged through deepfake technology not to vote for then-President Joe Biden, prompting a government investigation. Similarly, Taiwan reported deepfake activities linked to foreign elements during its elections, he said. "These events show that AI is very fast at spreading false information. Fraud is happening all over the world. Even in India, the old law needs to be changed," Singh said according to PTI. Referring to the Indian context, Singh stressed the need for urgent legal reforms. He emphasized that without updated legal safeguards, citizens and institutions remain vulnerable to large-scale digital manipulation. (With PTI inputs)
04 February,2026 05:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) commuters have increasingly turned to the M-UTS (Mobile-Unreserved Ticketing System) Sahayak Scheme, the Central Railway stated in a press release. According to the Central Railway, 50,306 tickets were issued in January via M-UTS Sahayak Scheme to 72,569 passengers. Since the deployment of three M-UTS Sahayaks at Mumbai’s CSMT in November 2025, the initiative has helped over 1.97 lakh passengers secure unreserved tickets in just three months, highlighting the scheme’s impact in reducing queues and speeding up ticketing during peak hours. Under the scheme, trained M-UTS Sahayaks, equipped with mobile phones and Bluetooth-enabled printers, issue tickets near booking counters and in passenger circulation areas, providing commuters with greater accessibility, flexibility, and convenience. 803 ATVMs in Mumbai Division, 248 more to be installed for faster ticketing Alongside the M-UTS Sahayak Scheme, the Mumbai Division continues to strengthen its automated ticketing network, Central Railway stated. Currently, 803 automatic ticket-vending machines (ATVMs) are operational across 88 stations, with 248 new machines to be installed in the division, further enhancing ticketing efficiency for suburban travellers. Central Railway officials said the usage data reflects a growing preference for digital ticketing, with passengers benefiting from faster, hassle-free unreserved ticketing at CSMT.
04 February,2026 03:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe successful acquisition of the ASIC Authorized Representative license represents a major achievement for ZBXCX and a powerful validation of its compliance-driven strategy. This milestone underscores the platform’s dedication to operating responsibly, transparently, and in full accordance with international regulatory standards. As the global financial industry continues to mature, ZBXCX remains firmly committed to building a secure, innovative, and compliant trading ecosystem. With ASIC authorization now in place, the platform is better equipped than ever to deliver high-quality financial services and to support the long-term success of its global user community. A 39-year-old woman, Shabnam Shaikh, resident of Bandra, reportedly lost approximately Rs 23 lakh after investing through an international trading website that turned out to be fraudulent, according to the FIR. Shaikh told the police she trusted the platform because it featured photographs of a prominent Bollywood actress and a well-known singer, creating the impression that they endorsed the website. Shaikh, who has been running an NGO for the past 20 years and resides on Pali Hill Road, recently registered an FIR against an unidentified individual for allegedly duping her through a trading account created on the FXONET website. She claimed in the complaint that she invested Rs 23 lakh in the platform, only to later discover it was fake. The BKC Cyber Police have registered the FIR and begun an investigation. Screenshot of the website showing the victim’s profits Speaking to mid-day, Shaikh said, “On April 25, I came across a post on X and clicked on the embedded URL. Shortly after, I received a phone call from a woman identifying herself as Shaha, who claimed to be a representative of FXONET. She asked me to visit FXONET.com and log in to the platform.” “After opening the account, I was contacted by two individuals, Raghav and Sagar, who advised me to invest $232. Within just two to three days, my investment had doubled. Encouraged by the returns, I decided to invest more. By May 6, I had contributed a total of R23,45,517. I was also able to withdraw R1,63,000,” Shaikh explained. However, when she attempted to withdraw additional funds, her request was denied. She reached out to the individuals who had earlier guided her but received no assistance. Shaikh said, “When I tried to withdraw my Rs 23 lakh, the system kept showing that the transaction was processed, but nothing happened. I contacted the helpline and spoke to Shasha, Sagar, Raghav, and Maya. They told me I had to invest another Rs 10 lakh to withdraw my existing funds. The platform showed that my total profit had reached 23,000 USD.” “I realised it was a scam and immediately reported it to the BKC cyber police station. I filed an FIR against the unknown individuals running the fake international trading website. I was misled by what appeared to be endorsements featuring well-known celebrities,” she added. Senior Inspector Dattaram Chavan of the cyber cell said, “We have registered an FIR against unknown persons involved in cyber fraud and allegedly cheating Shabnam Shaikh. We are investigating whether the website is genuine or fake. We are also working with banks to trace the transactions. We urge citizens not to click on suspicious links.” The FIR has been registered under various sections of the BNS.
04 February,2026 03:35 PM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaThe Maharashtra legislative council's privileges committee has summoned stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare for a hearing over their alleged insulting remarks against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. BJP MLC Prasad Lad, who is the chairperson of the privileges committee, while talking to the media on Wednesday, said that the notice was issued to Kamra and Andhare 15 days ago, as per PTI. Prasad Lal also added that Kamra and Andhare have been asked to appear before the committee for a hearing at 2 pm on Thursday, January 5. The BJP MLC emphasised, "If they fail to turn up after two summons, the committee will decide on action against them." Earlier in March 2025, Kunal Kamra posted his video 'Naya Bharat', in which he sang a parody of Bholi Si Surat, a popular song from the Bollywood movie Dil To Pagal Hai. With this parody song, he allegedly targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, leading to multiple FIRs against him. Breach of privilege notice moved against Kamra BJP MLC Pravin Darekar had moved the breach of privilege notice against Kamra and Andhare for "derogatory remarks" against Shiv Sena leader Shinde, whose party is a constituent of the BJP-led Mahayuti. Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who has often courted controversy for his anti-establishment views, targeted Shinde in a song parody last year, indirectly referring to him as a traitor without naming him. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Andhare had allegedly supported Kunal Kamra over his remark on the Deputy Chief Minister. Kunal Kamra on his return as a comedian Although Kunal Kamra continued to engage with audiences through podcasts on his channel, he has not returned to stand-up since. He mentioned this in a statement shared on the social media platform Instagram earlier in December 2025. While taking it to social media, Kamra addressed questions about the future of his stand-up career. He requested people not to ask about his return to the stage, saying he himself does not know when that will happen. He also highlighted the exhausting legal process involved before performing a stand-up act. Kamra, while posting a story on Instagram, wrote, “It’s a question I ask myself. The answer is, I don’t think I’m ready to fight for this anymore. Every venue, every show, permissions from authorities, conditional declarations of what I can say and what I can’t, and the court cases that follow the jokes eventually. There’s no road for wanting to do stand-up in the true sense. There are two options: say what is allowed and adjust to invisible rules and non-existent laws, or just wait and enjoy the waiting.” (With inputs from PTI)
04 February,2026 02:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMixed Land Use Urban Planning is a modern approach to city development that blends residential, commercial, cultural, and recreational spaces into a single, well-connected environment. Instead of separating homes, workplaces, and services, this planning model creates compact neighborhoods where people can live, work, and socialize with ease. As cities continue to grow, mixed land use urban planning has become a key strategy for managing space efficiently while supporting long-term urban sustainability. There are many mixed land use urban planning examples found in successful urban centers around the world. Developments that combine apartments above retail stores, office spaces near public transit hubs, and green spaces integrated into commercial districts showcase how diverse land uses can coexist. These examples demonstrate how thoughtful design can create vibrant, walkable neighborhoods that remain active throughout the day and night. The mixed land use urban planning benefits extend beyond convenience and accessibility. This approach helps reduce traffic congestion by shortening commute distances and encouraging public transportation, walking, and cycling. It also supports local businesses by increasing foot traffic and strengthens community connections through shared public spaces. From an environmental perspective, mixed land use planning promotes more sustainable land consumption and lowers carbon emissions. By concentrating development within existing urban areas, cities can limit sprawl and preserve surrounding natural landscapes. Efficient infrastructure use also reduces energy and resource demands over time. Urban development initiatives such as Pape-Dawson land development in Atlanta highlight how mixed land use strategies can support balanced growth in rapidly expanding cities. Through integrated planning and design, these projects demonstrate how mixed land use urban planning can create resilient, livable, and economically strong communities for the future.
04 February,2026 02:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday expressed concerns that the India–US trade deal could adversely affect Indian farmers and the agricultural sector in the near future, news agency IANS reported. Baramati, Maharashtra: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar says, "It is sad, and politics should not be made out of it. Whenever an accident has happened in Baramati, I have personally gone to assess the situation. I am well aware of the place. This was just an accident." pic.twitter.com/YQgdOgYb8o — IANS (@ians_india) February 4, 2026 While the detailed draft of the agreement is yet to be fully disclosed, the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief, during a press conference in Maharashtra, stated that the information currently available is a cause for concern for Indian farmers. Addressing the media, Pawar highlighted specific "worries" regarding the bilateral trade deal, IANS reported. While the United States (US) has decided to reduce tariffs on goods exported from India, Pawar said he was unsure about the reciprocal arrangements. The former Union Minister further stated that current reports suggest the India-US trade deal will allow the US to export its agricultural products to India. "If they begin large-scale exports of specific agricultural commodities to India, it could destabilise the domestic market and hurt local farmers. The US is a powerful nation; if they start exporting to our markets, it will inevitably impact our agriculture," he added. While expressing concerns over the India-US trade deal, Pawar said that he would comment further once the full picture becomes clear in a few days. The veteran politician said that in his 58-year-long career—spanning the Maharashtra Assembly, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—he has never missed the presentation of the Union Budget. However, due to nephew and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s death, he was unable to travel to Delhi and missed hearing the Budget in person. Pawar expressed relief that no new taxes were imposed that would distress the common man. However, he noted that more concrete steps were expected to accelerate developmental growth, IANS reported. 'Do not wish to say anything regarding Sunetra Pawar's swearing-in' Speaking about Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra being sworn in as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister following her husband’s untimely demise, Sharad Pawar said, “I do not wish to say anything regarding Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in.” He added that he preferred to focus on national security issues and the situation along the India–China border. Speaking on the possible merger of the two NCP factions, Pawar—who said Ajit Pawar was expected to announce it on February 12—criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his remarks on the issue. (With IANS inputs)
04 February,2026 01:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA resident student of the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) was found dead near Hostel 4 in the early hours of Wednesday, sources said. The institute has not released any official statement so far. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police have launched an investigation into the case. In another incident on August 2, a Delhi-based master’s student had allegedly died by suicide on the institute’s premises. More details are awaited. Helplines Samaritans Mumbai (Monday to Friday, 10 am–4 pm): 84229 84527 Connecting NGO (10 am–8 pm): 99220 04305 / 99220 01122 Snehi (10 am–10 pm): 93768 04102 Ankahee (All days, 4 pm–10 pm): 86554 86966 iCALL (Monday to Saturday, 10 am–8 pm): 91529 87821 Hitguj Helpline (24x7): 022 2413 1212 1 Life: 78930 78930 Aasra: 98204 66726
04 February,2026 01:32 PM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarADVERTISEMENT
-1770204271552_d.png "Rajya Sabha Congress member Akhilesh Prasad Singh. Pic/X @akhileshPdsingh")
