Do you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for December 16. Aries March 21 – April 20Self-employed Ariens have loads of work coming in, keeping you too busy. A legality works out for you financially.Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to regularly get enough sleep at night. TaurusApril 21 – May 20Giving unconditional love draws in receiving it, too, after a point in time. Good karma draws in enviable situations and results. Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to clear clutter from personal spaces. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Issues to be resolved is a part of being human, but don’t deal with them using outdated ideas. Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to think things out first, not rushing into confused conclusions. Cancer June 22 – July 23Being aware of the root cause helps pinpoint clever mind games being played in an innocuous manner. Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to really listen to what a person is saying. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Expected documents may arrive later than time decided on. Enjoying financial abundance is due to good karma. Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to have more patience and not get offended easily. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23A discussion may seem too small a point for so much time to be spent on it. Remain generous after being proved right.Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to be less critical. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Trying to recreate the past is akin to wasting time since today is infinitely better. Work stress lessens.Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to make decisions quicker. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Some might go ahead with relocation plans. Leaving sensitive subjects alone is advisable (you don’t want it to spiral into a heated dispute). Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to be more easy-going. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Keeping communication light/non-critical is great for healing a difference of opinion. A new deal/ project/ is signed.Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to heighten a sense of responsibility. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20A job offer is a compliment to professional reputation. Rest adequately if recovering from ill health. Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to be kinder to yourself. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Being independent is fine, but there are limits to remember when this involves someone you love. Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to only commit to what you believe is possible to deal with. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20A relationship walks through steadier ground. It’s interesting meeting a long-lost friend of school days. Health is good after a diet change. Cosmic tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to not be so sensitive.
16 December,2025 02:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseA bike taxi rider was arrested in Kalyan area of Thane district in Maharashtra for allegedly molesting a 26-year-old woman passenger and stealing Rs 1,000 from her, police said on Monday. The 19-year-old accused, a Class VII dropout, was arrested on Sunday in connection with the incident that took place on Saturday, said an official. Diverted the scooter to a deserted place According to police, the woman had booked a ride from the Chickenghar area to her gym near Kalyan railway station at around 7 pm. However, instead of taking her to the intended destination, the rider allegedly diverted the scooter to a deserted and poorly lit stretch near the police colony in the Syndicate area, reported the PTI. When the woman objected, the accused reportedly stopped the scooter, grabbed her hand and behaved indecently. He also allegedly snatched her purse and took Rs 1,000 from it. The woman raised an alarm, following which local residents rushed to the spot, assaulted the rider and later handed him over to the police. He has been remanded to police custody till December 18. Rapido denies affiliation Meanwhile, bike taxi operator Rapido has denied affiliation with the suspect. An official statement, issued by Rapido on Monday, said, "We are aware of the extremely disturbing incident reported from Kalyan (Maharashtra) and appreciate the swift action taken by the police in apprehending the accused. The nature of the allegations is deeply concerning, and our thoughts remain with the victim and their family during this difficult time." "It is essential to clarify that the accused individual is not, and has never been, a Rapido Captain. His name was incorrectly linked to our brand in early reports. This individual applied to join Rapido, but we denied his onboarding because he utterly failed to meet our rigorous eligibility and verification standards. His rejection at the gate is a testament to the robust safeguards built into our system. As confirmed by the authorities, the complainant had booked a bike taxi ride on another platform on 13 December 2025," the statement said. It further said, "Rapido, as a law-abiding organisation, maintains a gold standard of safety across all operations. All captains registered on Rapido undergo rigorous onboarding protocols, including comprehensive background verification, strict KYC checks, mandatory training modules on conduct and safety, and immediate suspension upon receiving credible complaints." Safety standards in place: Rapido "We have further strengthened our safeguards with post-10 pm safety check-ins for women riders, 24×7 in-app SOS support with rapid escalation, and continuous prompts encouraging riders to verify captain and vehicle details before every trip. Passenger safety, especially the safety and dignity of women, is of paramount importance to us," the statement said said. It further said, "We reiterate, with absolute clarity: the accused has no affiliation with Rapido and has never been part of our captain fleet. His earlier rejection underscores the importance of stringent compliance across the industry. We urge all mobility platforms to strengthen due diligence and ensure that only verified and compliant individuals are allowed to operate for public service. Rapido will extend full cooperation to law enforcement whenever required. As always, we remain committed to fostering a mobility ecosystem rooted in safety, accountability, and respect.”
15 December,2025 11:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPolling for elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on January 15, with the results scheduled to be declared the next day, the State Election Commission (SEC) said on Monday. According to the election schedule, nominations can be filed from December 23 to 30, while scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on December 31. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is January 2, and election symbols will be allotted the next day. The Supreme Court of India has directed the SEC to complete all the pending local body elections by January 31, 2026. The municipal elections have been overdue since 2022. The BMC elections are expected to see a straight contest between two major political alliances in Maharashtra—the ruling Mahayuti and the Opposition’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Mahayuti, which currently governs the state, comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The principal opposition alliance, the MVA, includes the Indian National Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP–SP. Adding a new political dimension, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray have announced a joint fight in the BMC polls after nearly two decades. The Thackeray cousins came together following a controversy over the alleged imposition of Hindi in the state. The estimated budget of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for the year 2025-26 is Rs 74,427 crore, and the expenditure stands at Rs 43,162 crore, representing 58 per cent of the total budget allocated to development projects. This gigantic budget is unmatched by any other state or municipal corporation in the country, cementing the BMC's status as Asia's wealthiest civic body. Mumbai is the financial capital of the country, and as its key governing body, the BMC manages to oversee Infrastructure to health, roads to water supply, transport to power supply, education to sanitation. The elections, which were due in 2022, will be held in January 2026. After a setback in the Lok Sabha elections and victory in the Assembly polls in 2024, the Mahayuti will look to develop a stronghold over the BMC. The MVA will look to dent the Mahayuti's chances, making a comeback in Maharashtra's electoral politics. For this municipal election, the State Election Commission said that they will be using the voter list as of the notified date of July 1, 2025. The opposition has raised electoral fraud as an issue ahead of the polls. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray demanded that the Election Commission extend the days for raising objections to the draft rolls of the BMC elections. (With ANI inputs)
15 December,2025 10:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde on Monday announced several ambitious public utility projects for Thane, including the construction of an iconic tower-convention centre. Shinde said that the centre will be the country's tallest and will be inspired by the concept of 'mangal kalash'. The tower-convention centre will be built on a 50-acre plot by Kasarvadavali Creek and is set to be 260 metres tall, he said in a press conference attended by Mumbai civic chief Bhushan Gagrani and Thane Municipal Corporation commissioner Saurabh Rao. "It will be the country's tallest such tower. It is being built on the lines of the Eiffel Tower (which is 300 metres tall). It will have a viewing tower and a convention centre. The project has been conceptualised by architect Hafeez Contractor," said Shinde. The Deputy CM also stated that a 'Town Park' is being built on a 25-acre area in Kolshet on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis. It will feature an Agri Koli Museum, a science centre, an aquarium, and a sports complex. A 25-acre area in Kolshet will be dedicated to leisure, featuring an international-standard snow park, amusement park, and adventure park, added Shinde. Bird Museum to be built across 12.5 acres He further highlighted that the state government has provided Rs 10 crore to build a Bird Museum on a 12.5-acre area in Kolshet. Speaking about upcoming metro rail services, the Maharashtra Deputy CM said that this major development project will connect routes from Mhatredi Bullet Train station, Diva, Mumbra, and Kalwa, covering a total route of 9.8 kilometres. Shinde also asserted that the proposed extensions include a 4.1-km route connecting Mhatredi to Kopar to Dombivli and a 3.2-km route connecting Mhatredi to Taloja Metro Line-12. A 'Sports Arena' is planned on 50 acres of land, while there is a proposal to create a dedicated musical concert area on a 25-acre plot, the deputy CM of Maharashtra highlighted. Incidentally, polls for 29 municipal corporations, including Thane and Navi Mumbai, were announced during the day by the Maharashtra State Election Commission. While voting will take place on January 15, results will be declared on January 16. (With inputs from PTI)
15 December,2025 09:56 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway’s (CR) Mumbai Division has enhanced passenger amenities across several stations as part of its ongoing efforts to improve commuter convenience, safety and accessibility, according to a statement on Monday by Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Swapnil Nila. Multiple infrastructure upgrades were carried out in November, focusing on energy efficiency, improved passenger movement and better station facilities, the release stated. As part of the upgrades, six new escalators were installed, including three at Panvel Station, two at Neral, and one at Badlapur Station, easing passenger movement at busy locations. As per the release, 148 new Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) fans were installed at various stations. These fans consume 50 to 70 per cent less energy than conventional induction motor fans and operate with significantly reduced noise. In addition, two high-volume low speed (HVLS) fans were installed at the high-level booking concourse at Dadar Station to improve ventilation in large public spaces. The Mumbai Division also installed 391 new LED lights across stations, providing better illumination while reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs. Further upgrades include the replacement of 14 suburban train indicators at Ambarnath Station with new, visually enhanced display systems offering improved clarity. A new water cooler was also installed on platforms 2 and 3 of Lonavala Station to improve passenger convenience. GRP station relocation paves way for major upgrades at Dadar junction The relocation of the Government Railway Police (GRP) station from Dadar’s Platform 9 to a newly constructed building has finally cleared the way for long-awaited upgrades at the overcrowded junction. With the shift complete, the old GRP office on Platform 9A will now be demolished, allowing Central Railway to widen the congested platform, add a new staircase, and create more circulating space for commuters. “The move is expected to significantly ease crowding at one of Mumbai’s busiest railway hubs, improving passenger circulation and safety. The cleared space will also allow smoother integration with future plans, including better platform access and an elevated deck to manage peak-hour rush. This marks a key milestone in Dadar station’s decongestion project,” a railway official said. The new GRP station now operates from a multi-storey building above Platform 12. Until now, Platform 9 ended abruptly at the CSMT end with the police station, a toilet block, debris, and a small garden taking up critical space. Under the new plan, all of these will be cleared, and the platform will be widened and connected smoothly, similar to improvements done at Thane station. An elevated deck will later be built above the expanded platform. Following multiple mid-day reports highlighting how the narrow, slow line platform made crowd management nearly impossible, former Mumbai Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Rajneesh Goyal had initiated a master redesign of Dadar Station. His successor, DRM Harish Mina, has not interacted with the media since taking charge nearly a year ago.
15 December,2025 09:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a shocking incident outside the Bombay High Court in south Mumbai on Monday, a man allegedly attempted to set himself ablaze, causing panic in the busy Fort area, officials said. The incident briefly disrupted traffic movement near the court. The court staff, lawyers, police personnel, and bystanders rushed to help the man and managed to extinguish the flames, they said. He was immediately shifted to GT Hospital in a critical condition, said an official. Hospital officials stated that he has suffered 50 to 60 per cent burn injuries. His condition is described as serious, and he is under close medical supervision. Dispute may be linked to project According to the officials, preliminary information suggests that the man allegedly took the extreme step following a dispute. Police are verifying the exact circumstances and recording statements from witnesses. Authorities said he is a project-affected person from the Naradave Medium Irrigation Project in Kankavli, Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. The police officials were examining whether the dispute was linked to the issues. Police said that the exact circumstances and sequence of events leading up to the incident are being verified. Statements of witnesses present at the spot are being recorded as part of the investigation. Probe launched A case has been registered at Azad Maidan police station, and further inquiry is underway. Police are also checking CCTV footage from nearby areas and coordinating with hospital authorities to track developments related to his medical condition. Need help? below are suicide prevention helplines- Samaritans Mumbai (Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm): 84229-84527 Connecting NGO (From 10 am to 8 pm): 9922004305/9922001122 Snehi (From 10 am to 10 pm): 9376804102 1 Life: 7893078930 Aasra: 9820466726
15 December,2025 09:17 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilIn a major breakthrough, the Maharashtra Excise Department seized Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) worth more than Rs 1.82 crore in Navi Mumbai on Monday, news agency PTI reported. Thane Superintendent of State Excise Pravin Tambe said, “Based on a tip-off, a special patrolling operation was conducted on Mahape to Thane Road in Navi Mumbai on December 15, during which 1,550 boxes of Goa-made IMFL were seized from a vehicle." While briefing about the operation, he also highlighted that the vehicle's driver, identified as Bhagirathram Hiraram Godara, has been arrested, PTI reported. “The operation was carried out as part of a special enforcement drive undertaken by the department ahead of Christmas and New Year,” Tambe said. Illegal liquor worth Rs 20.65 lakh seized in Palghar Police have seized Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), valued at Rs 20.65 lakh, being transported illegally, and arrested three persons in Maharashtra's Palghar district, officials said on Tuesday. During routine surveillance earlier in November, a tempo was intercepted based on suspicion on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, Naigaon Police Station's Senior Inspector Sanjay Hazare said. "On inspection, we found it was transporting a large stock of IMFL without any valid permits. The liquor was being smuggled out of Maharashtra and headed towards Gujarat, where prohibition is in force," he said. Furthermore, the police seized the contraband and arrested Aziz Usman Dela (63), a transporter from Kashimira in the neighbouring Thane district; driver Nayeem Rafiq Bhai Payak (23); and Raju Lakhabhai Dudhwa (35), both from Bhavnagar in Gujarat, the official said. However, an FIR was registered against them under the Prohibition Act, PTI reported. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar had earlier announced that shops selling IMFL or country liquor must secure mandatory consent from registered housing societies before operating from commercial spaces within their premises. Pawar, who heads the excise department, has directed that the policy be enforced statewide. "Permission from registered housing societies will now be compulsory for both categories of liquor shops. The policy must be enforced uniformly throughout Maharashtra," Pawar told the Lower House of the state legislature while responding to a question raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Shankar Jagtap, who represents the Chinchwad Assembly Constituency in Pune District. (With PTI inputs)
15 December,2025 09:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe State Election Commission (SEC) has announced that elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on January 15, 2026. Polling will be held from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm on January 15 and the counting of votes will take place on January 16, 2026. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare made the announcement at a press conference in Mumbai. He said that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force from December 15, 2025, across all municipal corporation areas. Model Code of Conduct come into effect With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect in all municipal corporation areas. No policy decisions related to these areas can be taken during this period, except in cases of natural disasters or emergency relief. Municipal Corporations and term expiry Out of the 29 municipal corporations Jalna and Ichalkaranji are newly formed, the terms of five corporations ended in 2020 and the terms of 18 corporations ended in 2022. According to the officials, the terms of four corporations ended in 2023 and the BMC’s term ended in March 2022. Notification dates and voting time The election notification for the BMC will be issued on December 16, 2025, while notifications for the remaining 28 municipal corporations will be issued on December 18, 2025. Multi-member ward system According to the State Election Commission, except for the BMC elections in the remaining 28 municipal corporations will be held under a multi-member ward system. In the BMC, voters will cast one vote per ward In other corporations, voters may cast three to five votes, depending on the number of seats in the ward. Nomination process offline Although an online system is available, the SEC has decided that nomination papers will be accepted only offline for municipal corporation elections, considering demands from political parties and candidates. Caste validity certificate rules Candidates contesting from reserved seats must submit a caste certificate and caste validity certificate with their nomination papers. If the caste validity certificate is not available, candidates must submit proof of application and an undertaking to produce the certificate within six months of the election result. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of the election retrospectively. Voters, polling stations and EVMs According to the SEC, there are 3.48 crore voters across the 29 municipal corporations. To conduct the elections: - 39,147 polling stations have been set up - 43,958 control units and 87,916 ballot units of EVMs will be used - For the BMC alone 10,111 polling stations, 11,349 control units, 22,698 ballot units. Measures against duplicate voters The voter lists are based on Assembly constituency electoral rolls as of July 1, 2025. The SEC has taken steps to identify possible duplicate voters. Such names are marked with a special symbol in the voter list. Voters with duplicate entries will be allowed to vote only at the polling station selected after verification. ‘Matadhikar’ mobile app The SEC has launched the ‘Matadhikar’ mobile app to help voters -- search their name in the voter list, find polling station details and also view candidate information. "The app is available on the Google Play Store. Voters can search using their full name or EPIC number," said an official. The SEC has directed all municipal commissioners to run large-scale voter awareness campaigns to increase turnout. Facilities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities The poll officials said that special arrangements will be made at polling stations for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and women with infants. The facilities will include ramps, wheelchairs, drinking water, shade, electricity and toilets. "Mobile phones will not be allowed inside polling stations," said an official. Election staff and security - 290 Returning Officers - 870 Assistant Returning Officers - Nearly 1.96 lakh election staff have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the elections. Campaigning deadline Campaigning will end at 5.30 pm on January 14, 2026. No political advertisements will be allowed in print, electronic or social media after this time. The officials said that the Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMC) will be set up at municipal and state levels to certify political advertisements, monitor paid news and address complaints related to media coverage. Key election dates - Nominations: December 23 to December 30, 2025 - Scrutiny: December 31, 2025 - Withdrawal deadline: January 2, 2026 - Symbols and final candidate list: January 3, 2026 - Polling: January 15, 2026 - Counting: January 16, 2026
15 December,2025 08:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday alleged that the Maharashtra Government’s real intention behind introducing a regulatory framework for old “pagdi” system buildings is to evict their occupants from Mumbai and benefit landlords and builders, news agency PTI reported. He demanded that all tenants living in these structures be declared legal occupants and granted protection. “There have been instances where buildings are in a dilapidated condition and they are trying to throw the occupants out. The announcement by the housing minister was made for landowners and builders,” Thackeray said at a press conference, adding, “They want to drive away lakhs of Mumbaikars living in these pagdi houses out of the city.” Referring to the banners proclaiming a “pagdi-mukt Mumbai”, the Worli Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) said, “They want to drive them (occupants of these buildings) out of Mumbai.” He questioned the new policy, which states that occupants will receive the same carpet area after redevelopment, PTI reported. “Why should they not get more space if the building or residential premises get redeveloped?” he asked. Thackeray also criticised the government, saying, “This is not a people’s government,” and labelled the BJP as the “builder janta party.” 'High-frequency defence radars in Mumbai be shifted to facilitate redevelopment' He further demanded that high-frequency defence radars in Mumbai be shifted to facilitate redevelopment of surrounding areas, noting that existing norms were hampering growth. Last week, Deputy Chief Minister and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde had announced the new regulatory framework for redeveloping buildings under the “pagdi” system, calling it a “historic decision” aimed at eventually making Mumbai free of such properties. Shinde had said some structures had already been redeveloped, while several collapsed, and nearly 13,000 are awaiting reconstruction. Tenants in these buildings enjoy protection under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, while landlords claim they do not get fair compensation due to tenants’ extensive rights, Shinde had noted. The announcement, made ahead of the crucial BMC elections, is expected to benefit thousands of tenants. The pagdi system—a rent control arrangement—has shaped housing in much of south and central Mumbai for decades. Under this model, tenants are partial owners who pay nominal rent, can sublet or sell the property, and enjoy near-lifelong occupancy in exchange for an upfront payment. However, the system has been criticised for opacity and bureaucratic hurdles that stalled redevelopment of these structures. (With PTI inputs)
15 December,2025 08:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that the BJP and Shiv Sena will contest the upcoming civic elections together in most municipalities, reported the PTI. He said that the efforts were also underway to finalise seat-sharing arrangements among the Mahayuti allies, including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), in as many corporations as possible. Fadnavis stated that the prolonged rule by administrators in several urban bodies was against democratic principles. He welcomed the State Election Commission’s (SEC) announcement of the schedule for elections to 29 municipal corporations, including the cash-rich BMC 2026 polls in Mumbai. Mahayuti will work together CM Fadnavis said the Mahayuti alliance, which includes BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, will generally work together. However, in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP are likely to contest separately, in what he called a friendly contest, due to both parties being major players in the region, according to the PTI. "There will be a BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in most cities, while in some areas, BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP may contest together," CM Fadnavis said, as per the PTI. "In a few places, BJP and NCP might also form an alliance. Shiv Sena will remain part of the Mahayuti almost everywhere," he said. He expressed confidence that the Mahayuti coalition would secure a majority in municipal bodies, citing the development work carried out by the government over the last five years. Friendly contests in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad CM Fadnavis noted that in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, a separate contest between the BJP and NCP would be amicable, without any hostility. He highlighted the BJP’s contribution to urban development in these cities and said discussions with Ajit Pawar had ensured a cooperative approach, the news agency reported. Electoral concerns On concerns about electoral rolls, CM Fadnavis said discrepancies could not justify postponing elections. He mentioned that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process had begun to address these issues. He also suggested that in future, electoral rolls could be placed on blockchain to enhance accuracy and transparency, as per the PTI. Regarding Nagpur and Chandrapur, he noted that reservation quotas had breached the 50 per cent ceiling. Although the Supreme Court has allowed elections, results will be subject to final court decisions. Development projects and urban governance Speaking after inaugurating development projects worth Rs 3,000 crore, CM Fadnavis reiterated that the upcoming civic polls would give the public a chance to support continued urban development, the news agency reported.
15 December,2025 08:12 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentMumbai is set to get a world-class Central Park spread over 295 acres, combining the open space at Mahalaxmi Racecourse and the Coastal Road area. The proposal was presented to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on December 15, 2025. A presentation on the project was attended by Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and city's famous architect Hafeez Contractor, officials said. Shinde described the park as “the biggest gift for Mumbaikars”, ensuring no concrete structures will be built, and the historical heritage of the racecourse will remain untouched. Park features and sports complex The 125-acre Mahalaxmi Racecourse area will host the main Central Park, while the 170-acre Coastal Road area will complement it, making a total of 295 acres. Underneath the park, a 10 lakh sq. ft. world-class sports complex will be developed, offering facilities for international sports as well as traditional Indian games like Kho-Kho and Kabaddi, an official statement said. Shinde said that visitors could even see horses in the park, and the park surface will remain free of any structures except pathways. A 1,200-meter underground passage will connect the park to Mumbai Coastal Road, allowing smooth traffic flow. The project has a tender of Rs 550 crore, and the designs were prepared by Hafeez Contractor, the statement said. Central Park features - City Forest (12 acres): Reducing pollution and providing oxygen. - Gardens and Open Concert Grounds (77 acres) - Botanical Garden, Indoor Concert Arena, Convention Centre (31 acres) - Multi-Sport Arena beneath Central Garden: Including aquatics, boxing, skating, gymnastics, basketball, and other facilities for youth and sports enthusiasts. Connectivity and transportation BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani on Monday stated that the park will be connected to Metro 3’s Nehru Science Centre station via an underground corridor, which will extend along Annie Besant Road to Haji Ali and connect to Coastal Road. Coastal Road parking will have the capacity for 1,200 cars and 100 buses, ensuring proper traffic management. The Central Park will act as a 300-acre oxygen park, helping reduce pollution in Mumbai, said the officials. Shinde also noted that road concreting across the city will complete by May, and sewage treatment projects by 6 December 2026, fulfilling the government’s promises. Thane to get India’s tallest viewing tower and snow park Thane will see a 50-acre area developed with India’s tallest viewing tower, standing at 260 meters (Eiffel Tower is 300 meters). Other attractions include convention Centre at Kasarvadavali, 25-acre town park at Kolset, Agri-Koli museum, aquarium and science centre and an international standard snow park along with a amusement park, and adventure park, the official statement said. The park will also have a 12.5-acre bird museum, 25-acre musical concert centre and a 50-acre advanced sports complex, it said. Thane Municipal Corporation will develop an 18.4 km green corridor, connecting with Sanjay Gandhi National Park along Mira-Bhayandar border, it said. Shinde said these projects will enhance sports infrastructure, recreational facilities, and the quality of life for Thane residents. Most of these projects will be developed under BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model. The officials said that the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, previously accessible only to the elite, will now be open to the public. The Central Park will serve as Mumbai’s major oxygen park. They said that the complete layout of the park has been prepared by Hafeez Contractor and the tenders for the park are already underway. "The racecourse’s heritage will remain preserved," said the officials, adding that three interconnected zones over 120 acres will be linked underground for smooth traffic flow.
15 December,2025 07:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
