Candidates contesting the BMC Elections 2026 must maintain a daily record of their election expenses from the day they submit their nomination papers, officials said on Thursday. Assistant Commissioner (Assessment and Collection) Gajanan Bellale was speaking at a meeting of the Election Expenditure Monitoring Team held at the BMC headquarters. To ensure strict control over election spending, ward-wise Election Expenditure Monitoring Teams have been formed across Mumbai. Account officers and accountants from these teams attended the meeting, which reviewed procedures to check election-related expenses, public meetings, rallies and campaign activities, and to prevent any irregularities, an official statement said. Strict monitoring of campaign spending Bellale said that officials must closely examine candidates’ expenditure statements and ensure that spending limits are not violated. All activities related to election expenditure monitoring must be recorded in prescribed formats. The meeting also reviewed the functioning of expenditure observers, accounting teams, flying squads and video surveillance teams in Mumbai. Action against illegal and suspicious transactions Officials were instructed to keep a close watch on campaign-related expenses, monitor suspicious financial transactions and take immediate action to stop illegal expenditure during the election period. All departments were directed to work in coordination to ensure a transparent and fair election process. Election Commission guidelines to be followed As per the State Election Commission’s order dated February 15, 2024, candidates contesting local body elections are required to submit detailed accounts of their election expenses. According to these guidelines, all election-related expenses must be made through a separate bank account. Mandatory submission of expense details Candidates must submit details of funds received, including personal funds, party funds, donations, gifts and loans, in Form No. 1. Details of expenses incurred must be submitted in Form No. 2. These documents, along with an affidavit in Form No. 3, must be submitted within 30 days of the declaration of election results. Acknowledgement and record-keeping After submission of expense accounts, candidates must be issued an acknowledgement as per Form No. 4. Both candidates and concerned offices must preserve all documents and receipts carefully. Rate list prepared for campaign materials A standard rate list has also been prepared based on prevailing local rates for commonly used campaign materials and publicity items. Candidates must follow this rate list while calculating their election expenses.
01 January,2026 06:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA fatal accident occurred early on New Year’s Day when a wet-lease Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus collided with a private truck at Aarey Colony in Mumbai, leaving the truck driver dead and the bus conductor and driver injured. The incident took place around 6.20 am near Gate No 5 of Aarey Colony. The bus, attached to Vikhroli Depot and operating on route A-478 Sr 33 was en route to Borivali Station. According to officials, the private truck, coming from the opposite direction, lost control on the rain-soaked road. The truck’s tyre reportedly slipped, causing the vehicle to veer towards the bus and hit its front-right portion near the driver’s cabin. BEST driver's condition stable after head and leg injuries; conductor recovering from minor wounds BEST bus driver Mohammad Rafiq Shaikh (48) sustained a head injury on the left side due to the front windshield breaking, along with injuries to his right leg and knee. The conductor, Ravindra Pandurang Shembadkar (56), has suffered minor injuries to his left hand and left leg. The private truck driver, Cheharaj Thakur (30), a resident of Gujarat, sustained severe injuries and died during treatment. All the three—the bus driver, conductor, and truck driver—were immediately rushed to Trauma Care Hospital in Jogeshwari East. The BEST driver underwent a CT scan and is reported to be fully conscious and stable, while the conductor is recovering from minor injuries.
01 January,2026 06:01 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarWestern Railway’s (WR’s) new timetable for long-distance mail, express, and MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit)/DEMU (diesel electric multiple unit) trains came into effect on Thursday, January 1, 2026, marking a transformative moment for Mumbai’s railway infrastructure and connectivity. The changes introduced reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing the metropolis's ever-growing transportation needs while significantly improving punctuality and passenger convenience The Mumbai Central Division has emerged as a major beneficiary of these reforms, with substantial improvements across multiple operational parameters. The division has successfully accelerated 29 trains, collectively saving passengers 157 minutes every day. This acceleration is split between eight departing trains saving 72 minutes and 20 arriving trains saving 85 minutes, demonstrating a concerted effort to optimise travel times in both directions. Terminal changes at Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus reflect pragmatic infrastructure management. Due to platform blocking for construction work, trains 12925/12926 and 12903/12904 have been rerouted from Mumbai Central to Bandra Terminus. Similarly, train 22209/22210 now terminates at Nizamuddin instead of New Delhi, streamlining operations. Officials said these adjustments, while necessitated by infrastructure development, have been implemented with minimal disruption to passengers. The punctuality drive has resulted in careful schedule adjustments. Twenty-nine trains have undergone postponement at originating or terminating stations to improve on-time performance, including 15 upward and 14 downward trains, with adjustments ranging from 2 to 15 minutes. Notably, train 22949 from Bandra Terminus to Delhi has been postponed by 145 minutes, allowing for more realistic scheduling and improved reliability. Conversely, preponement measures have been applied to numerous services. Seven upward trains now depart earlier, with timings adjusted between 2 to 5 minutes, while nine downward trains leave ahead of their previous schedules, with adjustments spanning 5 to 30 minutes. Officials said these changes reflect data-driven scheduling based on actual operational patterns and passenger demand. New halts, faster services and operational upgrades enhance Mumbai’s rail connectivity Additional halts have been strategically provided to enhance connectivity. The Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express (20901/20902) now stops at Valsad, Navsari, and Anand stations, improving accessibility for passengers in these important commercial centres. The Bandra Terminus–Surat Intercity Express (12935/12936) has added a halt at Umargam station, serving the industrial corridor more effectively. The Mumbai Division has also implemented 46 trains with adjusted timings specifically to accommodate new services and suburban network changes. The Railways said this intricate choreography of train movements demonstrates the complexity of managing one of the world’s busiest railway networks while continuously improving service quality. Freight and passenger train segregation has been better managed through the utilisation of the sixth line at various stations, allowing for smoother operations and reduced conflicts between different types of rail traffic. This infrastructure optimisation is crucial for maintaining punctuality in a network that handles millions of passengers daily. Speed improvements are particularly noteworthy. Key services like the 19020 Haridwar–Bandra Terminus Express have been speeded up by 24 minutes, while the 22901 Bandra Terminus–Udaipur service has gained 10 minutes. Officials said even incremental improvements of 1–5 minutes across multiple services add up to significant time savings for regular commuters. The extension of services has expanded Mumbai’s connectivity footprint. Train 59040 from Vapi to Virar has been extended to Mumbai Central, providing better integration with the suburban network. The 12465/12466 Indore–Jodhpur Express now extends to Bhagat Ki Kothi, 14707/14708 Dadar–Lalgarh to Hanumanagarh, and 12490/12489 Dadar–Bikaner to Shriganganagar, offering passengers more destination options. From an operational perspective, officials said meticulous planning went into managing platform assignments, crossing points, and avoiding conflicts between trains. Adjustments made for the new JU–HDP 20495 service alone required modifications to 21 other train schedules, showcasing the intricate interdependencies in railway operations. Looking ahead, these improvements position Mumbai’s railway network for sustained growth and enhanced passenger satisfaction. The focus on punctuality, combined with strategic speed improvements and expanded connectivity, addresses the core challenges faced by daily commuters and long-distance travellers alike. As WR continues to modernise its infrastructure and operations, Mumbai stands to benefit from world-class railway services that match the city’s status as India’s financial capital. According to the Railways, the success of these initiatives will ultimately be measured by passenger satisfaction and sustained punctuality improvements. Early indicators suggest that the careful planning and comprehensive approach adopted by WR is likely to deliver meaningful benefits to millions of passengers who depend on these services daily.
01 January,2026 05:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai Police on Thursday said that it penalised over 13,700 traffic violators during its special drink-and-drive checks on New Year’s eve. According to the police, Mumbai Traffic Police carried out a law enforcement drive across the city on December 31, 2025. The operation aimed to ensure strict compliance with traffic rules and improve road safety during the festive period. Traffic police had set up checkpoints at major junctions, entry points and crowded areas across Mumbai. Drivers were checked using breath analysers to identify cases of drunk driving, police said. As part of the drive, cases were registered against 211 vehicle owners or drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol, it said. Over 13,000 e-challans issued In addition to drunk driving cases, action was taken against various traffic violations. A total of 13,752 e-challans were issued for offences such as riding without a helmet, jumping traffic signals, using mobile phones while driving, driving in the wrong direction, driving without a valid licence, triple-seat riding, not wearing seat belts and over-speeding and other traffic violations. Fines cross Rs 1.31 crore The total fine amount collected through these e-challans was Rs 1,31,14,850, officials said. The Mumbai Traffic Police appealed to citizens to strictly follow traffic rules, avoid driving after consuming alcohol and prioritise road safety. Officials said public cooperation is essential to make Mumbai’s roads safer for everyone. Over 17,000 cops deployed across Mumbai To ensure safety during New Year celebrations in Mumbai, the police had deployed more than 17,000 personnel across the city, officials said. The deployment includes 14,200 police constables, 2,790 police officers, 38 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 10 Additional Commissioners of Police and Mumbai Traffic Police personnel were deployed as part of the security arrangement. Additional forces from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Riot Control Police, Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and Home Guards have been stationed at various locations. Heavy police presence was on Wednesday night seen at major spots of the city such as the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Juhu Beach and Bandstand in Bandra west. Special security arrangements have been put in place to maintain law and order, officials said.
01 January,2026 05:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai civic body has set up 10,231 polling stations across the city for the upcoming BMC Election 2026 scheduled for January 15, officials said on Thursday. A total of 1,03,44,315 voters will exercise their right to vote in this election, they said. The polling stations for the upcoming elections have been designated at schools, colleges, government and semi-government buildings, cooperative housing societies, and private buildings. They have been planned after considering the population, number of voters and geographical conditions of each ward. Each polling station has been equipped with special facilities for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and women, along with amenities such as drinking water, restrooms and ramps. ‘Voter assistance centres’ will be set up near polling stations to help voters find their names on the electoral roll. Polling stations at govt and semi-govt buildings Of the 10,231 polling stations, 4,386 are located in government and semi-government buildings. This includes 2,387 polling stations in enclosed spaces, 880 in semi-enclosed spaces, and 1,119 in open spaces. Polling stations at cooperative housing societies A total of 702 polling stations have been arranged in cooperative housing societies. Of these, 181 polling stations will be in enclosed spaces, 312 in semi-enclosed spaces, and 209 in open spaces. In addition, a total of 5,143 polling stations will be set up in private buildings for upcoming elections. This includes 2,710 polling stations in enclosed spaces, 1,378 in semi-enclosed spaces, and 1,055 in open spaces.
01 January,2026 05:18 PM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSWith the Maharashtra civic polls 2026 scheduled on January 15, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has announced a special postal voting facility for its officers and employees appointed on election duty, ensuring that they are not deprived of their right to vote. As per a statement issued by TMC, a large number of employees working within the civic body limits are registered as voters in other civic areas such as Mumbai, Dombivli, Kalyan, Badlapur, Nerul, and Panvel, where they reside. As these employees have been deployed for election-related duties, the civic administration has made arrangements for them to cast their votes through postal ballots. Maharashtra civic polls 2026: Easing the voting process for officials on duty The facility has been introduced in view of the simultaneous conduct of municipal corporation elections across the state, which would otherwise prevent many staff members from voting at their registered locations. Deputy Commissioner Dinesh Tayade has been appointed as the nodal officer to oversee the implementation of the postal voting process. TMC said that under the arrangement, employees must fill out the prescribed postal ballot application form and submit it along with proof of their inclusion in the voter list of the concerned municipal corporation and a copy of their election duty appointment order. Once verified, the postal ballot will be sent directly to the employee’s residential address. Also, the TMC administration has appealed to all officers and employees on election duty to avail themselves of the postal voting facility and ensure that their democratic right to vote is not lost due to official responsibilities. The initiative is expected to make voting more accessible and convenient for civic staff participating in the election process. TMC installs 330 CCTV cameras to ensure transparent elections Ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra civic polls 2026, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has installed an extensive CCTV surveillance network to ensure transparency and security throughout the election process. According to a statement issued by the Thane civic body, a total of 330 CCTV cameras have been installed and made operational across key election-related locations within the civic limit. The surveillance camera installed in Thane will keep a check on election returning officers’ offices, strong rooms, EVM commissioning centres, election material distribution centres, sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations, counting centres, main strong rooms, and check posts.
01 January,2026 04:41 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentA Mumbai Traffic Police constable died after he lost his balance and collapsed on the platform at Mulund railway station on Wednesday evening, an official said, reported the PTI. The constable was travelling on a local train after completing his duty when the incident occurred, officials said. The deceased has been identified as Devidas Saste. He was attached to the Sahar Traffic Division of the Mumbai Police. Suffered from health issues According to police, Saste had serious cardiac health issues. He had four blockages in his heart and had been on medical leave from August 7 to November 25, as per the PTI. During this period, he underwent an angiography at Fortis Hospital in Kalyan. After his condition improved, he resumed duty on November 26. Collapsed at Mulund station After finishing his duty, Saste was travelling to his home in Kalyan, located in Thane district. He was standing on the footboard of the local train. When the train reached Mulund railway station, he suddenly lost his balance and collapsed on the platform. Two police constables who were with him immediately rushed him to Agarwal Hospital. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police officials said that Saste’s family has been informed about the incident. The police department is providing all possible assistance to the family. Cop's swift action saves train passenger's life Meanwhile, in a different incident, quick action by an alert Government Railway Police (GRP) constable saved the life of a passenger as he was about to fall off a moving suburban train in Thane district of Maharashtra in neighbouring Palghar, according to the PTI. The incident took place at the Kopar railway station on December 25. A release issued by the Vasai Road Railway Police station said police constable Ganesh Ramchandra Sakbhor was on routine local patrolling and checking duty in the Nalasopara section. As part of the duty, he reached Kopar railway station around 7.45 pm, as per the PTI. Constable rushed to help As a local train was about to depart from the platform, Sakbhor noticed a male passenger suddenly lost his balance and was about to fall off. The constable rushed to his help. "Demonstrating exceptional alertness and courage, Sakbhor immediately ran towards the passenger, caught hold of him and safely pulled him onto the platform," the GRP said in its statement, reported the PTI. The timely intervention prevented the situation from turning serious. Due to Sakbhor's promptness and presence of mind, a disaster was averted and the passenger's life was saved, it said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
01 January,2026 04:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the upcoming Maharashtra civic polls 2026, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has installed an extensive CCTV surveillance networkto ensure transparency and security throughout the election process. According to a statement issued by the Thane civic body, a total of 330 CCTV cameras have been installed and made operational across key election-related locations within the civic limits. The surveillance camera installed in Thane will keep a check on election returning officers’ offices, strong rooms, EVM commissioning centres, election material distribution centres, sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations, counting centres, main strong rooms, and check posts. Municipal Commissioner and Election Officer Saurabh Rao, while briefing about the installation of CCTV cameras, said that additional cameras would be installed wherever required. TMC further said that the CCTV operations are being implemented under the guidance of Additional Commissioner Prashant Rode, with Deputy Commissioner Manish Joshi appointed as the nodal officer. Cameras have been installed ward-wise in strong rooms and returning officers’ offices. Out of all the cameras that have been installed, a total of 295 cameras are currently operational at ward-level locations. 52 cameras at the Majiwada-Manpada ward office and New Horizon School strong room at Hiranandani Estate 43 in Vartaknagar 31 in Lokmanyanagar 25 at Wagle ITI 26 at Naupada-Kopri and Thane College 24 in Uthalsar 12 at Kalwa 21 and 19 in different Mumbra wards 42 across Diva wards Furthermore, TMC also stated that 30 cameras have been installed at the main strong room at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Bhavan near Bethany Hospital as well as the town hall distribution centre and check posts at Modella and Srinagar, taking the total count to 330. Special security arrangements for EVM Special security arrangements have also been made for EVM storage. As per the information released by TMC, returning officers and assistant returning officers have been provided separate user IDs and passwords for live monitoring of strongroom cameras. Eleven surveyors from TMC’s City Development Department have been deployed across all returning officers’ offices, while senior engineers have been appointed to supervise the technical system. Also, a central command centre will also be made operational at the TMC headquarters to enable live streaming of all cameras. Commissioner Rao said, “These measures would make the election process more secure, transparent and reliable, reinforcing public confidence in the electoral system.”
01 January,2026 04:05 PM IST | ThaneAs many as 32 of the 227 seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Elections are set to witness a direct contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)–Shiv Sena alliance led by Eknath Shinde and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)–Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) combine, with no strong third-front candidate in the fray, news agency PTI reported. This situation has emerged as the Congress–Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) alliance has not fielded candidates in these seats. While Mahayuti partners BJP and the Shiv Sena have joined hands for BMC Election 2026, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led MNS have come together, citing the need to “preserve” the Marathi language and culture. PTI sources said VBA faced difficulties in fielding candidates in 21 of the 62 seats allotted to it in Mumbai. According to party sources, the VBA decided against risking these seats by nominating unsuitable candidates in some constituencies, while incomplete documentation emerged as an issue in others. Realising the problem, VBA informed the Congress on Tuesday, December 30, that it would contest only on five of those seats, allowing the Congress to field candidates in the remaining 16 seats, the sources said. The Congress has so far announced 143 candidates in Mumbai. With the VBA contesting on 46 seats and six seats allotted to other allies, including Left parties and the Rashtriya Samaj Party, the Congress-led alliance has put up candidates in 195 seats, PTI reported. This arrangement leaves 32 seats without a third-front contestant, effectively ruling out a split in votes. “This situation could benefit the Thackerays as anti-BJP votes will not split,” a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said, adding that the final picture would become clear after the scrutiny of nominations. Meanwhile, the Congress and the VBA on Wednesday rejected reports of a possible rift within the alliance in Mumbai after 16 seats from the VBA’s quota were allegedly left uncontested by either party. BMC Election 2026: Congress and VBA deny rift over seat-sharing “Since the announcement of our alliance, the ruling side has been losing ground. There is absolutely no dispute between us. On the contrary, our workers and leaders remain in constant communication without any glitch,” Mumbai Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said. The VBA also dismissed reports of discord over seat-sharing. Party spokesperson Siddharth Mokle alleged that the ruling parties were behind such claims. “The Congress knew well in advance that the VBA would not contest those 16 seats. The Congress took appropriate action, and the reality will become clear to everyone once the scrutiny of nominations concludes,” he said. (With PTI inputs)
01 January,2026 02:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLT Gen Dr SP Kochhar, director general of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and a former signal officer-in-chief of the Indian Army, has written a letter to Dr Neeraj Mittal, chairman, Digital Communication Commission, and secretary, department of telecommunications, requesting intervention from the ministry regarding telecom arrangements at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). On December 26, mid-day reported about mobile network issues faced by passengers and visitors at the NMIA. Referring to the article, Lt Gen Kochhar wrote to the ministry that, as the operator Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIA) is a public entity, according to the provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 2023, and the Telecommunications (Right of Way [RoW]) Rules, 2024, it is statutorily obligated to provide RoW permissions in a non-discriminatory and time-bound manner. In his letter, Lt Gen Kochhar wrote that members of COAI — Bharti Airtel Ltd, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, and Vodafone Idea Ltd — had approached the NMIAL seeking permission to set up their telecom networks at the airport. “However, contrary to the statutory framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the RoW Rules, 2024, NMIAL has declined to grant the necessary permissions. Instead, NMIAL has directed telecom service providers (TSPs) to mandatorily utilise a network deployed by it, at exorbitant and commercially untenable charges,” the letter read. The exorbitant and commercially untenable charges the letter mentions are said to be approximately Rs 92 lakh per month from each TSP, which adds up to about Rs 44.16 crore per annum from the TSP. The letter further reads, “These charges are grossly disproportionate and significantly exceed the total capital expenditure ordinarily required for deployment of an independent IBS network [In-Building Solutions, i.e., infrastructure that enhances cellular signals].” Referring to the mid-day report, Lt Gen Kochhar pointed out that the statement made on notice boards by the NMIAL on the first day of operations is misleading and adversely affects the reputation of the licensed network providers, while the airport operators are yet to give permission for deployment of telecom infrastructure. NMIAL’s statement NMIAL said in a statement that it had consciously decided to install state-of-the-art IBS infrastructure for the mobile network as a neutral host based on “the learnings that certain important areas, such as baggage belt, utility buildings, and ATC, get neglected by TSPs in favour of passenger-heavy areas, thereby leading to passenger inconvenience and overall airport inefficiency.” Stating that the airport is a highly sensitive zone, NMIAL has said that it is best that they manage the frequent servicing, maintenance, and upkeep of the networks, with relevant security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and other security agencies. “The turnaround time for any third party to address any concerns with the network would be substantially more, leading to delays and passenger inconvenience,” the statement read. NMIAL further said that the RoW had not been denied to any TSPs as the COAI alleges, and that it had regularly communicated and discussed with the TSPs by offering the IBS services at charges in line with the existing industry standards, to which the TSPs are apparently yet to respond. It further said, “It is also important to mention that IBS has been procured and installed after multiple discussions with individual TSPs. In fact, the government-owned TSP BSNL is already in the advanced phase of testing for the use of IBS at the airport.” Addressing the current issue of cellular network not being available, NMIAL said that owing to the delay by other TSPs, NMIA was providing free, high-speed Wi-Fi services to provide connectivity to its passengers. “We are rigorously following up with TSPs to conclude the discussions. We welcome individual TSPs to discuss and mutually agree on rates. However, we will not give in to any cartelisation in this regard,” the statement read. Legislation cited Telecommunications Act, 2023: It replaces old telecom laws in India and governs networks, services, and spectrum, focusing on development, security, and innovation, introducing concepts like authorisation instead of licences Requests made >> Direct NMIAL to grant RoW permissions to licensed TSPs, enabling them to deploy independent 4G/5G and IBS infra at the airport premises >> Examine and take appropriate action against NMIAL as a UL-VNO licensee for conferring upon itself exclusive RoW for building IBS, violating the terms and conditions of its authorisation/licence >> Direct NMIAL to refrain from making false allegations against licensed TSPs regarding lack of network coverage at airport, when it is NMIAL that has not granted permissions
01 January,2026 01:29 PM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturThe New Year 2026 began on a rainy note for Mumbaikars, as several parts of the city witnessed heavy showers on Thursday morning. Instead of welcoming the year with the first rays of sunshine, much of Mumbai, particularly the island city, was greeted by rain. The showers began around 5 a.m., with some areas experiencing intense rainfall, while others saw only light drizzle. The rain gradually eased after 6:15 a.m. The downpour hit areas including Sion and Wadala, taking many residents by surprise. Other parts of the city, such as Borivli, Andheri, Bandra, Mahim, Vasai, and Thane, also recorded rainfall during the morning hours. While the rain caused minor inconvenience in some pockets, the light showers helped reduce pollution levels, offering brief relief from the city’s otherwise hazy air, as Mumbai rang in the New Year under cloudy skies. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai, the minimum temperature recorded at Colaba was 19.2 degrees Celsius, with 9.2 mm of rainfall. At Santacruz, the minimum temperature was 19.5 degrees Celsius, accompanied by 6.7 mm of rainfall. As per the Sameer app, the city's air quality index (AQI) stands at 104, which falls under the moderate category. This level may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, or heart conditions. AQI readings across the city are as follows: Bandra Kurla Complex: 114Borivali: 103Byculla: 129Andheri: 110Chembur: 94Deonar: 124Ghatkopar: 93 Delhi rings in New Year with chilly weather, 'very poor' air; light rain likely Chilly and cloudy conditions marked the New Year in the national capital on Thursday, with the minimum temperature settling at 10.6 degrees Celsius. The Met office also predicted light rainfall during the day. According to the IMD, trace rainfall was recorded at Palam early Thursday. Station-wise data at 8:30 a.m. showed minimum temperatures of 10.6 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung, 9 degrees Celsius at Palam, 10 degrees Celsius at Lodhi Road, 9.9 degrees Celsius at the Ridge, and 10.3 degrees Celsius at Ayanagar. Delhi ended 2025 on a biting note, recording its coldest December day in six years on Wednesday, with the maximum temperature plunging to 14.2 degrees Celsius. The previous record low maximum was on December 31, 2019, when it dipped to 9.4 degrees Celsius. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature of 14.2 degrees Celsius was around 6.2 degrees below normal—the lowest of the season—while the minimum stood at 6.4 degrees Celsius, slightly below the seasonal average. From January 3, colder conditions may develop as minimum temperatures are expected to drop further, with cold northerly winds from the Himalayan region moving towards the capital. Shallow fog was observed across Delhi on Thursday morning. Palam and Safdarjung recorded visibility of 500 metres at around 7:30 a.m., the IMD said. Meanwhile, the city’s air quality remained in the 'very poor' category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 10 a.m. stood at 371. Data from the CPCB’s SAMEER app showed that 28 stations recorded very poor air quality, while eight stations were in the severe category, with Sonia Vihar recording the worst AQI at 420. (With PTI inputs)
01 January,2026 11:47 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
