Almost a century since motor bus operations commenced in the city, Mumbai’s bus community has demanded that the Union Ministry of Culture bestow a heritage grant on the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Museum in Sion and save vintage double-decker buses by operating them for city events and heritage tours. Bus enthusiast Shubham B Padave has submitted a proposal to the ministry that calls for reviving Mumbai’s iconic double-decker buses as part of the city’s transport legacy. The proposal suggests restoring two or three old diesel-powered double-deckers as static museum exhibits or limited sightseeing buses for tourists, linking preservation with public engagement. Making these happen during BEST’s centenary celebrations in July 2026, he argues, would be a symbolic gift to the city and its commuters. The proposal also recommends tapping heritage funds through the Ministry of Culture and monetising retired BEST memorabilia via museums and online platforms. “Mumbai’s tryst with double-deckers dates back to the 1930s, when the city — then Bombay — joined global capitals like London in operating the towering red buses. For decades, they became inseparable from the city’s skyline, ferrying office-goers past Gothic buildings, sea-facing promenades, and bustling markets. Their gradual withdrawal in the 2000s marked the end of an era, prompting public nostalgia and farewell rallies that drew thousands. My proposal seeks to tap into that nostalgia by restoring two or three old diesel-powered double-deckers and operating them as static heritage exhibits or limited sightseeing buses for tourists,” Padave told mid-day. Official speak BEST officials said a few buses have been saved and restored in a static display under the JJ flyover. Also, there is a plan to explore the possibility of shifting the existing museum at Anik depot to a BEST plot near Ambika Mills in Worli, close to the Nehru Science Centre and its museum, so that it is closer to the tourist circuit. Exhibits at the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Museum at Anik bus depot in Sion East. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar Hundred years ago The first buses that arrived in Mumbai were similar to 20-seaters. BEST had been pondering about procuring motorised buses since 1913, but was wary of accidents involving London buses that had been widely reported. After years of debate, the company came to a decision on February 10, 1926, to start a bus service later that year, and Mumbai saw its first bus run on July 15, 1926, between Afghan Church and Crawford Market. There was initial opposition from cabbies and horse buggy drivers, but Mumbaikars received it with enthusiasm. Shubham B Padave, BEST bus fan The BEST Museum, located inside the Anik bus depot in Mumbai, showcases the history of BEST and the city’s public transport system, including the tram car. It displays the remains of old buses, old photographs, tickets, uniforms, and route maps that show how Bombay’s buses evolved over the decades. For transport historians and enthusiasts, the museum offers rare glimpses into how BEST shaped the city’s daily life, connecting neighbourhoods, livelihoods, and generations. How grant would help Such grants are given based on artefacts present in a museum, their intrinsic value, and the legacy of Mumbai's transport history. “We have studied and assessed the artefacts at the BEST museum at Anik, and they are eligible under the regulations to seek a grant from the Union Ministry of Culture. Thus, if BEST applies for a grant scheme to the Ministry of Culture, it will help to get finance for the museum and will reduce part of the burden for the undertaking,” former BEST Museum curator Yatin Pimpale said. Feb 10, 1926Day BEST administrators decided to operate motor buses in Mumbai
03 February,2026 06:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarResidents of Lokhandwala Complex in Andheri West have flagged serious civic and safety concerns linked to the ongoing Metro construction, alleging that construction material (girders) dumped along the stretch of road near Lokhandwala has damaged road surfaces and is also causing inconvenience to the pedestrians, including morning and evening walkers. Locals claim repeated complaints to the Mumbai Metro authorities have not yielded any results. The Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association (LOCA) has written to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee and other officials in this regard. The email to authorities also mentions that despite making complaints to the authorities concerned, no one has acted to resolve the issue. Apart from causing inconvenience, the girders have resulted in the area becoming filthy The email states that over a dozen I-section girders have been occupying a stretch of the Lokandwala back road since 2023, with around 350 metres of road length and two lanes blocked. “The site has become a mosquito breeding ground with trash dumped inside the crevices,” it states, adding that the entire road surface has potholes due to the nails dug in when barricades to carry out work were put up. Aarush Jotwani, 19, fitness enthusiast “The bridge over the Mogra nullah has been shut for access from one side since 2023. It has been over three years, and still your girder launching hasn’t been completed and no traffic marshal has been stationed at the spot to conduct smooth flow of traffic. Also, the road surface wasn’t maintained, and we had to go to the media to get the road free of potholes,” the e-mail reads. The I-section girders placed along the Lokandwala back road. PICS/SHADAB KHAN ‘Huge safety risk’ Vinati Makijany, 37, Lokhanwala resident‘This stretch has been left in a concerning and unsafe condition. The exposed concrete and trash are not only an eyesore but also pose a safety risk, especially as speeding vehicles have increased the likelihood of accidents. As a resident of Lokhandwala, I find this situation alarming and sincerely hope it receives immediate attention from the authorities concerned’ Aarush Jotwani, 19, fitness enthusiast‘The stretch from the new MHADA towers to Second Cross Lane has been encroached upon by Metro girders, forcing me onto the carriageway. I feel extremely unsafe with speeding vehicles approaching from behind, and I fear for my life’ Sunil Athale, senior citizen and Indralok Society residentWalking along the Lokhandwala back road has become a daily struggle due to the Metro girders lying unused for more than three years. Hawkers have occupied the space next to the girders, and vehicles are parked alongside, leaving hardly any room to walk. Every day, I fear being hit by passing vehicles. The authorities must remove these girders urgently’
03 February,2026 06:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavHat tip A woman appears engrossed with her smartphone at the Villoo C Poonawalla Indian Derby at Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Sunday A sitar-ry night in Worli Anoushka Shankar, Tom Farmer, and Sarathy Korwar perform at the Worli venue. PIC COURTESY/DOMEINDIA I’d rather be here, performing for you,” is what sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar had to say about ditching the 68th Grammy Awards to treat Mumbai to a musical evening at the Dome SVP Stadium in Worli on Sunday. The venue was chock-a-block with listeners — which, to our delight, included groups of teenagers. “I presented this band [Sarathy Korwar, Arun Ghosh, Tom Farmer] for the first time here in Mumbai three years ago, and we’re still going strong,” she revealed. While we learnt last morning that the Grammy eluded the sitarist for the 14th time, we’re sure Shankar has taken it in her stride. “What is it... 13 for nothing? That’s not a great record, is it?” she had quipped in good spirits onstage. No arm bands to mourn ex-BCCI Prez Bindra’s death India captain Suryakumar Yadav with Kuldeep Yadav during the fourth Twenty20 International against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam on January 28. Pic for representation/AFP Where are the black armbands, our in-house cricket nut asked as he caught the India vs New Zealand fourthT20 International action on television last week. “The BCCI lost one its most dynamic presidents in IS Bindra on January 25, and it’s insensitive if not surprising that they chose not to instruct their team to wear black armbands as a mark of respect,” he rued. Inderjit Singh Bindra. File pic Is it necessary to do that for a past president, we asked. “Of course,” he shot back, providing an example: “There was no series in progress when Jagmohan Dalmiya passed away in September 2015, but the Indian team were playing a Test in Antigua when Arun Jaitley died in August 2019, and Virat Kohli & Co had their black armbands on during Day Three of the Test.” We are not sure whether this is a case of not remembering to remember Bindra, or just insensitivity. Our man thinks it’s the latter. What our buildings tell us Neo-Classical Neo-Gothic architecture at Horniman Circle. Pic courtesy/Mustansir Dalvi Snippets of Mumbai can be unearthed through its diverse cityscape. Architect and academician, Mustansir Dalvi held a session on the same on February 1 at an event by Pint of View Mumbai, which hosts lectures in bars. “Take a walk down South Mumbai, and you’ll probably see structures with varying styles on either side, Neo Gothic to Classical. There are also buildings in areas like Girgaum and Bhuleshwar that weren’t built by the British, but by migrants from Gujarat and the Konkan region, amongst others, using varied methods,” Dalvi revealed to this diarist. All about the bonsai way of life Urvashi Thacker with a bonsai. Pic courtesy/IBFS In a city that rarely pauses, this unique plant demands that. Organised by the India Bonsai Friendship Society (IBFS), a Bonsai masterclass, on February 7 and 8 at Jamnabai Narsee School will explore techniques and styling demonstrations. Bonsai experts including Michael Morden from The Philippines, and Hayes Siaw Hui from Malaysia, amongst others, will guide attendees on caring for the plant, showcasing around 200 bonsai. IBFS vice president, Urvashi Thacker shared, “Bonsai, more than a plant, is a way of life that will teach you patience and responsibility.” Chairing history A sketch of the late Mahendra Doshi Ordinary objects like chairs can reveal a lot about history. Fine antique collection platform, Mahendra Doshi’s, will put up an exhibition, History of India Through Chairs in Wadala from February 28. A Savonarola chair. Pics courtesy/Mahendra Doshi’s; Vivek Gandhi “The legacy of collecting was initiated over 50 years ago by the late Mahendra Doshi. [We] understand the evolving yet deeply informed landscape of India’s material culture,” said his relatives Chiki Doshi and Anand Gandhi, partners of the House of Mahendra Doshi.
03 February,2026 06:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayDo 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 February 3. Aries March 21 – April 20Having endured a great many ups and downs in career; you know there is a better time coming. Cosmic tip: Flow with the karmic tide, allowing natural changes to evolve, without opposition from your side. TaurusApril 21 – May 20Some Taureans are born with the natural ability to empathise, offering advice. Stay away from cesspool of office politics.Cosmic tip: Accept your karmic path in this lifetime, not trying to take shortcuts. GeminiMay 21 – June 21A mini plateau phase is enough to upset plans for the morning. Some may be finally considering not dealing with a difficult client.Cosmic tip: Continue having faith and patience against all odds. Cancer June 22 – July 23A friend informs you about a vacancy in the office. Approaching a crossroads in career requires making well-considered decisions. Cosmic tip: Be visible when the boss assigns a project. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Having worked so hard to reach where you are; it’s annoying to hear a colleague grumble. Good projects are signed by those in the media and event management.Cosmic tip: Have faith in God. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Hoping to sign three new projects remains a wish as two potential clients are too finicky (you do sign one of the three). Relationships are happy.Cosmic tip: Use wisdom to deal with someone younger. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22By consciously remembering two new year resolutions made, you are able to remain true to them.Cosmic tip: Deal with an emotional issue minus the ego taking charge. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Two work-related trips are revealed. A last-minute change of plans makes you so happy. Try to eat only home cooked food.Cosmic tip: Don’t get stressed about matters/situations over which you have no control. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Keeping the home running is not easy as it seems, but you achieve all you set out to do. Casting off a legal issue was tough.Cosmic tip: Lighten this hectic lifestyle very gradually. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20An argument in the morning is nixed by your spouse/partner. By afternoon you’ve both forgotten about it. Cosmic tip: Spend a relaxed evening with someone special and/or family. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Business/career goes on the next high with a milestone being reached. The Tarot advises making regular investments for future financial health. Cosmic tip: Share your opinion with a practical mindset. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Students need to study more for an exam. Prepare thoroughly for a meeting. Modify the diet as advised.Cosmic tip: Appreciate constructive criticism and emotions it comes with.
03 February,2026 03:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseA battery of an electric two-wheeler exploded while it was being charged inside a flat in the Diva area near Thane district in Maharashtra on Monday, triggering a fire, civic officials said, reported the PTI. The incident occurred after 4 pm in a room on the third floor of Siddhant Regency Building No. 1 in Diva. Although no one was injured, the explosion caused extensive damage to the house. The fire quickly spread through the living room, damaging household items. Yasin Tadvi, Chief of the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), said a battery used for charging an electric two-wheeler exploded, leading to the fire, according to the PTI. “The sofa, furniture, and electrical wiring in the house were completely burnt and damaged. However, the fire has been fully extinguished,” Tadvi said. Fire brought under control quickly Firefighters rushed to the spot and managed to bring the blaze under control by 4.40 pm, preventing it from spreading to other flats in the building. Civic officials stated that the situation is now under control and that no casualties were reported. Tree catches fire near Ram Mandir in Thane Meanwhile, in an another incident, a tree caught fire near Ram Mandir, Gandhinagar, Kopri area in Thane East early on Monday, prompting an immediate response from the Disaster Management Cell and local firefighting unit. As per the Disaster Management cell, “Kopri Fire Station reported that the incident occurred at approximately 07:10 am. A team comprising one fire engine, one rescue vehicle, and personnel from the Disaster Management Cell in a utility vehicle reached the scene promptly.” The firefighters successfully extinguished the fire and no injuries were reported during the incident. The authorities further confirmed that the situation is now completely under control. Fire breaks out in Govandi hutments; no injuries reported In a separate incident, A Level-I fire broke out in the Govandi area of eastern Mumbai on Friday morning, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. According to the BMC’s Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), the fire was reported at around 10:01 am from New Gautam Nagar in Sonapur Lane, Bhim Wadi Road, near Jijamata Mandir in Govandi. Fire brigade officials said the blaze was confined to electrical wiring, electrical installations, furniture, household articles, ceiling fans and false ceilings in around eight to ten hutments. Firefighting teams were immediately rushed to the spot along with police personnel, staff from the concerned electricity distribution company and a 108 ambulance. The fire was brought under control and completely extinguished by 1:10 pm, officials said. No injuries have been reported in the incident. (with PTI inputs)
02 February,2026 10:33 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentDay after the presentation of the Union Budget 2026, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said that with two Bullet Train corridors Mumbai-Pune and Pune-Hyderabad are among Rs 23,926 crore, the allocations will give a major rail network boost in Maharashtra. Vaishnaw briefed the media on the record railway budget allocation of Rs 23,926 crore for Maharashtra for the financial year 2026. The briefing was held through video conferencing and organised by Central Railway in Mumbai. The Minister said this allocation is nearly 20 times higher than the average annual allocation of Rs 1,171 crore provided to the state during the period 2009-14. The Minister announced that seven high-speed rail projects have been included in the budget, out of which two new bullet train corridors will pass through Maharashtra and Hyderabad. - Mumbai-Pune: 48 minutes and - Pune-Hyderabad: 1 hour 55 minutes These projects are expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve inter-city connectivity, an official statement said. Massive infra development underway A total of railway works worth Rs 1,70,058 crore are currently under progress in Maharashtra. These include projects related to new track creation, station redevelopment, and safety improvements across the state. 132 stations to be redeveloped under Amrit scheme Under the Amrit Station Scheme, 132 railway stations in Maharashtra have been identified for complete redevelopment. Total investment: Rs 5,675 crore The redevelopment aims to provide modern facilities and improve passenger experience. Expansion of premium train services Travel efficiency in Maharashtra has improved with the operation of premium train services - - Vande Bharat Express: 12 pairs - Amrit Bharat Express: 5 pairs These services have enhanced speed, comfort, and connectivity. Rapid growth of railway network The Minister highlighted major achievements in railway expansion since 2014: Track construction: Around 2,400 km of new tracks laid, more than the entire railway network of Malaysia 100 per cent electrification: 3,744 km of rail lines electrified since 2014 Road safety: 1,228 flyovers and underpasses constructed Kavach safety system: Sanctioned for 4,971 route kilometres, with 576 km already commissioned and 3,617 km under tender or execution Senior railway officials present Senior officials were also present at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) during the press briefing among top officials present were Prateek Goswami, General Manager, Central Railway, Avanish Kumar Pandey, Chief Administrative Officer (Construction), Rajneesh Mathur, Principal Chief Engineer, Arvind Malkhede, Principal Chief Commercial Manager and Hiresh Mina, Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai Division.
02 February,2026 10:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray has stated that the party will have no alliance with the BJP in the mayor election of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a senior party leader said on Monday, reported the PTI. The announcement came during a meeting with MNS functionaries to review the results of the civic polls held on January 15, mainly in Mumbai and its satellite cities. During the meeting, MNS workers raised concerns about lack of cooperation from their ally, Shiv Sena (UBT), in some civic wards. They also expressed displeasure over being allotted “unwinnable” wards in Mumbai as part of the alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, according to the PTI. MNS functionaries said the party was given difficult wards in Mumbai, which has 227 seats, making it hard for them to win more seats. According to the MNS leader, Raj Thackeray asked party workers not to dwell on the past but to focus on strengthening the organisation. “Raj saheb has said there will be no truck with the BJP in the mayoral poll of the BMC,” the leader added, as per the PTI. MNS performance in BMC polls The MNS contested 53 seats in the BMC elections but won only six seats in India’s largest and wealthiest civic body. The BJP won 89 seats, becoming the single largest party in the BMC for the first time. Its ally, Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, secured 29 seats, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) won 65 seats. The BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance has 118 seats, crossing the majority mark of 114, which could allow them to elect their candidate as mayor easily. The date for the mayoral election has not yet been announced. Other parties’ performance Congress (with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi): 24 seats AIMIM: 8 seats NCP: 3 seats Samajwadi Party: 2 seats NCP-SP: 1 seat BJP appoints Ganesh Khankar as group leader in BMC Days after the conclusion of BMC elections of 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday appointed Ward 7 (Dahisar) corporator Ganesh Khankar as their party leader in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Apart from BJP, Shiv Sena has also appointed Amey Ghole as their leader in BMC. Ghole, during the recently concluded BMC elections, was elected as a corporator from ward 178, Matunga. BJP emerges as the single largest party in BMC elections 2026. The appointment of Ganesh Khankar comes after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded BMC elections 2026, winning 89 corporator seats. The announcement was made at the BMC headquarters during a formal meeting where both the BJP and the Shiv Sena registered their elected representatives. Shiv Sena’s Ghole offers administrative experience Amey Ghole, a two-time corporator from Shiv Sena, brings significant administrative and political experience to the role. During his previous tenure in the BMC, when he was part of the undivided Shiv Sena, he served as the chairman of the civic body’s Health Committee, where he also played an important role in shaping public health initiatives. Amey Ghole also holds the position of general secretary of the Yuva Sena, the party’s youth wing, and is known for his strong connection with grassroots workers and young party cadres in Mumbai and Maharashtra. (with PTI inputs)
02 February,2026 08:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSpitting, littering and illegally dumping construction waste in Mumbai will attract fines ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 25,000, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Monday. The Mumbai civic body notified the Solid Waste (Management and Handling), Cleanliness and Sanitation Bylaws, 2025, introducing fines for various cleanliness-related violations across Mumbai. Under the rules, spitting in public places will attract a penalty of Rs 250, littering garbage Rs 500, failure to segregate wet and dry waste Rs 200, and unauthorised transportation of construction or demolition debris Rs 25,000 per vehicle. The bylaws aim to strengthen solid waste management and sanitation across the city and suburbs and apply to all waste generators, including residential, commercial, industrial, government, educational, religious and public establishments. Citizens and establishments violating the prescribed norms will face strict penal action. Issued under the directions of Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, the bylaws are being implemented under the guidance of Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi and monitored by Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Kiran Dighavkar. Regular cleanliness drives, special campaigns ongoing The civic body said regular cleanliness drives and special campaigns are ongoing to ensure effective implementation. Dr Joshi said the bylaws have been framed in line with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, with the objective of regulating segregation, collection, storage and processing of wet and dry waste generated in Mumbai. The rules mandate waste segregation at source and define responsibilities of waste generators, municipal authorities, contractors and service providers. They also include provisions related to material recovery facilities, biomedical waste, e-waste, plastic waste and construction and demolition debris. The bylaws specify penalties for 21 types of offences, including public urination and defecation, feeding animals or birds in public places, washing clothes or utensils in public areas, burning waste, dumping construction debris at unauthorised sites, and failure to clean premises or drains. Organisers of public events who fail to clean the venue within four hours after an event may also face confiscation of their cleanliness deposit. The BMC has appealed to citizens, housing societies, vendors and establishments to strictly follow the new rules and actively participate in keeping Mumbai clean and hygienic. Thane Municipal Corporation launches cleanliness campaign in Kopri, citizens in large numbers join in Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Monday launched a large-scale 'deep clean drive' in the Kopri area under its Naupada-Kopri ward. Locals also turned out in large numbers to lend a helping hand in the special cleanliness drive. The campaign, led by mayor-designate Sharmila Pimpalolkar, began at 7.30 am from Ashtavinayak Chowk with a cleanliness pledge. Pimpalolkar said the initiative, launched with the slogan “Duty first, then charge of office,” would be expanded across Thane city and stressed the need for active public participation. Several corporators and senior civic officials were present during the drive, including Malti Patil, Namrata Pamnani and Bharat Chavan, along with Additional Commissioners Sandeep Malvi and Prashant Rode. Deputy Commissioners Madhukar Bodke and Deepak Jhinjad, Health Officer Dr Rani Shinde and other senior officials also took part.
02 February,2026 08:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe election for the Mumbai mayor will be held on February 11, officials said on Monday, adding that the nomination process for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayor will be in February 6. According to the election schedule, the process of filing nominations for the Mumbai mayoral post will begin on February 6. Candidates will be required to submit their nomination papers within the stipulated period as per election rules. The mayoral election will take place at the BMC headquarters in south Mumbai, where elected corporators will cast their votes to choose the new mayor. The BMC mayor holds a key ceremonial position in the civic body and plays an important role in presiding over meetings and representing the municipal corporation. BJP appoints Ganesh Khankar as group leader in BMC; Shiv Sena appoints Amey Ghole Meanwhile, on Monday, days after the BMC elections of 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday appointed Ward 7 (Dahisar) corporator Ganesh Khankar as their party leader in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Apart from BJP, Shiv Sena has also appointed Amey Ghole as their leader in BMC. Ghole, during the recently concluded BMC elections, was elected as a corporator from ward 178, Matunga. BJP emerges as the single largest party in BMC elections 2026. The appointment of Ganesh Khankar comes after the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded BMC elections 2026, winning 89 corporator seats. The announcement was made at the BMC headquarters during a formal meeting where both the BJP and the Shiv Sena registered their elected representatives. Shiv Sena’s Ghole offers administrative experience Amey Ghole, a two-time corporator from Shiv Sena, brings significant administrative and political experience to the role. During his previous tenure in the BMC, when he was part of the undivided Shiv Sena, he served as the chairman of the civic body’s Health Committee, where he also played an important role in shaping public health initiatives. Amey Ghole also holds the position of general secretary of the Yuva Sena, the party’s youth wing, and is known for his strong connection with grassroots workers and young party cadres in Mumbai and Maharashtra.
02 February,2026 08:27 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarMumbai began Monday, February 2, 2026, under a veil of cold and haze, with smog engulfing several neighbourhoods and sharply cutting down visibility. The murky conditions once again drew attention to the city's deteriorating air quality, an issue that has lingered since the start of the winter season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted mostly clear weather through the day, with temperatures likely to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius. Although temperatures have remained relatively steady over the past few days, pollution levels have been anything but consistent, triggering growing health concerns among residents. Data from the Sameer app showed Mumbai's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 138 on Monday morning, categorising it as 'moderate'. Pollution levels varied across the city, with Bandra Kurla Complex recording an AQI of 141, Borivali East 134, Byculla 161, Andheri East 146, Chembur 120, Colaba 131, and Deonar 160. Ghatkopar registered an AQI of 164, Kandivali East 124, Malad West 160, Mazgaon 115, while Mulund West reported the highest reading among key locations at 169. Meanwhile, according to the data, Mumbai’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 141 on Monday, placing the city in the ‘moderate’ category. This marks a sharp rise from Sunday’s AQI of 105, also in the moderate range. The worst pollutant is PM10, mainly attributed to construction dust and vehicle emissions. Monday’s reading is the highest AQI recorded in Mumbai in two months and three days. The city last recorded a similar level on 4 January, when the AQI was 140, while the last higher reading was 167 on 27 November. Delhi-NCR wakes up to dense fog with AQI in moderate to poor categories Meanwhile, several parts of the Delhi-National Capital Region woke up to dense fog on Monday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the moderate to poor categories, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per CPCB data, AQI levels were recorded at 242 in Anand Vihar, 222 in Bawana, 157 at Burari Crossing, 217 in Chandni Chowk, 158 at DTU, 240 in Dwarka Sector-8, 132 at IGI Airport (T3), 141 at IIT Delhi, 194 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, 116 at Lodhi Road, 232 at R.K. Puram, 207 in Patparganj, and 208 in Sonia Vihar. The Delhi-adjacent areas witnessed misty conditions in the early morning hours. Air quality in Ghaziabad remained in the ‘poor’ category, with an AQI of 259 recorded in the morning, according to CPCB data. In several parts of Delhi and NCR, visibility dropped to below 50 metres, severely affecting vehicular movement on major roads and highways. Officials stated that visibility conditions were likely to deteriorate further in the coming hours due to persistent fog. Major transit hubs, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport and several railway stations, reported delays as shallow to moderate fog continued well past sunrise. Commuters travelling on the DND Flyway and the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway were advised to drive cautiously, use fog lights, and maintain low speeds amid hazardous conditions. Delhi’s weather is expected to change in the coming days. From February 3, skies are likely to gradually clear. However, another western disturbance is expected to affect north-west India from the night of February 5, potentially bringing cloud cover and drizzle towards the end of the week. Morning fog is expected to persist for the next six days. During the first week of February, maximum temperatures may gradually rise to around 24-25 degrees Celsius, bringing a mild sense of warmth during daytime hours. North India, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, is also expected to witness notable weather changes as two western disturbances move across the region in quick succession, possibly leading to light rainfall in parts of north-west India later this week.
02 February,2026 07:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Monday launched a large-scale 'deep clean drive' in the Kopri area under its Naupada-Kopri ward. Locals also turned out in large numbers to lend a helping hand in the special cleanliness drive. The campaign, led by mayor-designate Sharmila Pimpalolkar, began at 7.30 am from Ashtavinayak Chowk with a cleanliness pledge. Pimpalolkar said the initiative, launched with the slogan “Duty first, then charge of office,” would be expanded across Thane city and stressed the need for active public participation. Several corporators and senior civic officials were present during the drive, including Malti Patil, Namrata Pamnani and Bharat Chavan, along with Additional Commissioners Sandeep Malvi and Prashant Rode. Deputy Commissioners Madhukar Bodke and Deepak Jhinjad, Health Officer Dr Rani Shinde and other senior officials also took part. The drive covered Kopri village, Kanhaiya Nagar, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk and Bara Bangla. Apart from garbage collection, roads were washed using treated water from sewage treatment plants. Students and teachers from multiple schools, including People’s Education Society School, Nanik English School, Shri Ma Balniketan, Vidyasagar Education Society and Jeevan Jyoti English Medium School, participated to spread awareness about cleanliness and segregation of wet and dry waste. Officials from departments such as gardens, water supply, encroachment, sewerage and education also joined the initiative. Students carried placards and raised slogans promoting cleanliness, including “Clean and beautiful Thane, let this be our resolve.” Civic officials said jetting machines, water tankers, two C and D waste vehicles, JCB dumpers and three 10-tonne RC compactors were deployed for the drive, with around 700 sanitation workers pressed into service. Aarey tribals flag garbage crisis Residents of tribal hamlets in Mumbai's Aarey Milk Colony have stepped up their demand for an effective garbage collection and disposal system. The lack of regular waste management has become a pressing concern, often forcing residents to dump trash outside their settlements. Locals warn that the mounting garbage is increasingly threatening the surrounding forest ecosystem and wildlife. Tribal leader Prakash Bhoir said there are around 2,700–2,800 voters across 27 tribal hamlets in Aarey Milk Colony, where indigenous residents have lived for generations, yet garbage collection remains neglected. “The BMC collects waste from slum pockets in Aarey, but our hamlets are ignored. We are appealing to candidates contesting the civic polls to ensure regular garbage collection and proper disposal in tribal areas so that waste is not dumped in the open, which poses a serious threat to wildlife,” Bhoir said. A site visit by Mid-Day revealed garbage dumped at multiple locations outside the hamlets due to the absence of nearby public dustbins. In contrast, garbage bins have been installed outside slum pockets in Aarey Milk Colony, from where the BMC collects waste daily. Dilip Jadhav, a resident of Vanichapada, said, “We want the corporator elected from our area to protect the forest from encroachment while ensuring daily garbage collection.” With no proper system in place, some residents are forced to dump waste at common points and later burn it once it accumulates, further contributing to air pollution.
02 February,2026 06:09 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
