Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil on Tuesday asked officials to fast-track Kunbi caste certificate applications filed by Marathas in all eight Marathwada districts, according the PTI. The move follows a September 2025 government resolution, based on the Hyderabad Gazetteer, allowing such applications across Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Dharashiv and Parbhani. An official release said that Vikhe Patil instructed officials to ensure that no application remains pending and asked them to work proactively at the village level to clear cases. Chairing a meeting of the Maratha Reservation Sub-Committee at the Mantralaya in Mumbai, he said clear government orders have been issued for granting Maratha Kunbi caste and validity certificates and stressed that the process must strictly adhere to the resolution, as per the PTI. He also directed divisional commissioners to regularly review the progress made by district administrations. High-level meeting on issue The meeting was attended by Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, former judge Sambhaji Shinde, and senior officials. Divisional Commissioner of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Jitendra Papalkar and collectors of all eight Marathwada districts participated via video conferencing. Sambhaji Shinde, who has been appointed to determine the methodology for issuing OBC certificates to Marathas, will visit districts in Marathwada to guide officials and help speed up the distribution of certificates. Number of applications processed Vikhe Patil said the number of applications processed and certificates issued since September 2025 remains low and must be increased. Chandrakant Patil said students from the Maratha community are receiving educational benefits and called for better inter-departmental coordination for scholarships and fee reimbursements. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse urged officials to immediately clear pending applications and address procedural gaps, according to the PTI. Officials also presented the current status of certificate distribution, stating that applications are being processed based on residence proof, family records and documents dated prior to 1967. Kunbi caste certificates to Maratha community In September last year, the state government announced the formation of a committee to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Maratha community members with historical evidence of Kunbi lineage. The Kunbi community, a traditional farming group, is classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in Maharashtra, making its members eligible for government reservations in education and employment. (With PTI inputs)
27 January,2026 08:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra has become the first state in India to introduce dedicated menopause clinics in government hospitals and urban health centres, an official statement said on Tuesday. The initiative aims to provide women with comprehensive care during menopause, a phase that is often overlooked in public healthcare. The programme is being implemented under the guidance of Minister of State for Public Health, Meghna Bordikar, and has received a positive response from women across the state, the statement said. Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, but it can bring physical, emotional and hormonal changes. Issues such as hormonal imbalance, bone disorders, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular risks and mental health concerns often remain unaddressed in the public health system. Recognising this gap, the Maharashtra government has taken a pioneering step by setting up menopause-focused services within the state’s healthcare network. One-stop care for women The new clinics offer a range of services under one roof, including expert medical consultation, mental health counselling, hormonal, bone and heart health assessments and treatment, medication and lifestyle guidance. Women who have visited the clinics have described the initiative as timely, respectful and empowering. Maharashtra is the first state in the country to launch such a structured, state-wide menopause care programme. The move is expected to set an example for other states to follow, the officials said. The programme was launched around Makar Sankranti, seen as a symbolic and meaningful gift for women’s health. Menopause is a natural phase Minister of State Meghna Bordikar said, “Menopause is not a disease, but a natural phase in a woman’s life. However, during this period, women require strong physical and emotional support. These Menopause Clinics have been established to ensure that every woman in Maharashtra receives proper medical guidance, treatment and dignity during this phase. When women’s health is strengthened, families, society and the state as a whole become stronger.”
27 January,2026 07:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarOn Tuesday morning, hundreds of people, including men and women, gathered inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) to oppose the demolition drive, leading to tense scenes in the protected area. The demolition drive sparked strong resistance from residents, which they claim have been their homes for generations. The protesters alleged that the move violates their traditional rights and ignores protections under the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The residents condemned the administration’s action of issuing eviction notices during a holiday period, leaving them little time to respond or seek legal remedies. Why the demolition drive in SGNP sparked protests The forest department launched the drive targeting families in the Navapada area of SGNP, previously resettled at Chandivali in Powai under a rehabilitation programme. Officials allege that some beneficiaries sold or rented out their allotted homes and later reoccupied forest land inside SGNP. Forest officials maintain that the action is part of legal measures to reclaim protected land. They cite violations by some families of the rehabilitation conditions. Residents claim the demolition affects long-standing local communities. Tensions escalated but no violence has been reported so far. Activists question eviction and rehabilitation process Activist Aslam Shaikh said that Adivasi communities are an integral part of SGNP, having lived in the area for decades with a traditional ecosystem-based lifestyle deeply intertwined with the forest. He questioned whether the government, while planning to relocate the Adivasis, also intends to relocate their entire ecosystem, asserting that the communities cannot be separated from their natural surroundings. Shaikh alleged that decision-makers lack an understanding of the Adivasi way of life and are unwilling to engage meaningfully with the community. Raising concerns over rehabilitation, he said there has been no proper research on how the Adivasi population will be resettled. He claimed that no comprehensive survey has been conducted, noting that only a small number of families have accepted rehabilitation housing in Chandivali, while residents from more than 10 padas are still awaiting accommodation. Despite this, Shaikh alleged that the government is attempting to evict all Adivasi residents from the national park. Activist flags legal and procedural lapses Aarey activist Amrita Bhattacharjee told Mid-Day that the dispute dates back to 1995, when a petition led to a court order directing the removal of what were termed illegal encroachments. She alleged that during that period, some Adivasi families were compelled to accept rehabilitation flats in Chandivali. Bhattacharjee pointed out that the original order predates the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which became applicable to forest areas under municipal corporations in 2015. She said tribal communities should not be treated as encroachers and relocated to slum rehabilitation buildings without due process under the FRA. She also questioned the role of the Tribal Development Department and its project office in Borivali, stating that the authorities should have conducted awareness programmes and facilitated the filing of forest rights claims. "Notices were served on January 22 asking residents to submit documentary proof by January 24, following which announcements were made that demolitions would begin from January 27," Bhattacharjee said. Bhattacharjee claimed that notices were issued to 10 out of 11 Adivasi padas in the area, affecting around 350 families. "The residents alleged that entire families were deemed ineligible for protection because one member had accepted rehabilitation decades ago," she said. SGNP gates closed temporarily amid tension Amid heightened tension in the area, the SGNP administration announced that the park’s main entrance would remain closed to tourists and the general public on Tuesday, January 27. “All concerned are hereby informed that today, on Tuesday, 27.01.2026, the main entrance of Sanjay Gandhi National Park will remain closed for tourists and the general public,” said an official notice issued by the Deputy Director (South), SGNP, requesting cooperation from citizens. According to forest department sources, the demolition drive was halted by afternoon. SGNP Director issues clarification on eviction drive The Conservator of Forests and Director, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, issued a detailed statement seeking to address what the administration termed “misconceptions” surrounding the eviction drive. The statement stated that in 1997, the Bombay High Court directed the removal of all encroachments on forest land within SGNP and laid down specific eligibility criteria for rehabilitation. Only those residing within the protected area and whose names appeared on the electoral roll as of January 1, 1995, were deemed eligible. Under Phase I of the rehabilitation programme, more than 11,000 eligible families were allotted tenements at Chandivali, Powai. However, 299 families could not be rehabilitated due to a shortage of constructed tenements and were earmarked for Phase II. High-Powered Committee and re-encroachment findings As the 1997 court directions were not fully complied with, a contempt petition was filed and remains pending. The High Court subsequently constituted a High-Powered Committee to oversee compliance and recommend measures to protect SGNP. The committee comprises former Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Dilip Bhosale, former Maharashtra Chief Secretary Nitin Kareer, former Maharashtra Director General of Police Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, and SGNP Director Anitta Patil as Member Secretary. During consultations with various government agencies and stakeholders, the committee found that around 385 families who had already received rehabilitation at Chandivali had allegedly re-encroached upon forest land within SGNP. The administration said such actions amounted to misuse of the rehabilitation scheme and that their eviction was ordered as a first step toward ensuring rehabilitation for other eligible families still awaiting allotment. Notices issued after the enquiry, says the administration According to the statement, SGNP authorities conducted detailed enquiries and provided hearings to the concerned families before identifying those who had allegedly re-encroached after rehabilitation. Eviction notices were published at relevant locations on January 17, 2026, asking occupants to vacate voluntarily. The administration stressed that unless such families are evicted, other eligible beneficiaries would continue to be deprived of rehabilitation benefits envisioned under the 1997 court order. Tribal status claim rejected by SGNP authorities The SGNP administration rejected claims that the eviction drive targets tribal communities, calling such arguments untenable. The statement cited a Bombay High Court judgment in Manik Rama Sapte vs State of Maharashtra, which held that original tribal inhabitants of the forest area were rehabilitated to Palghar in 1977 and that no original Adivasi population remains within SGNP. The administration maintained that the current occupants are governed by the 1997 High Court order, which has attained finality. Stating that the eviction drive is mandatory to uphold the rule of law, protect forest land and ensure equitable rehabilitation, the SGNP administration appealed for public support. The statement urged stakeholders to cooperate in safeguarding the forest ecosystem of the park and ensuring that eligible families awaiting rehabilitation receive their due benefits in accordance with court orders. What politicians have said An NCP (SP) spokesperson, in a post on X, raised concerns over the ongoing actions inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, alleging that Adivasi padas are being demolished without proper surveys or verification under the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The spokesperson claimed that basic services such as electricity and transport have been cut, children have been forced out of school, and families who have lived in the area for generations are being labelled as encroachers. Calling the actions “displacement without due process,” the post warned that if demolitions continue without adherence to the law, affected residents would be compelled to intensify democratic protests and seek legal remedies. What’s happening inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park needs to be on record.Adivasi padas are being demolished without surveys, without Forest Rights Act verification, and with basic services cut. Families who’ve lived here for generations are being labelled encroachers. Children… pic.twitter.com/9gULnm4At3 — Anish Gawande (@anishgawande) January 27, 2026 In a separate post, the spokesperson said he had written to the Forest Minister, urging an immediate halt to what he described as illegal evictions of Adivasi padas inside the national park without FRA verification. He reiterated that continued demolitions would leave no option but to escalate protests and pursue legal action. AAP Mumbai working president Ruben Mascarenhas also expressed concern in a post on X, alleging that Adivasi communities—whom he described as Mumbai’s indigenous people—are being unlawfully displaced from their padas within Sanjay Gandhi National Park and that their homes are being demolished. He said attempts to visit the padas along with AAP Mumbai leaders to move the court were hindered, describing the situation as chaotic. According to Mascarenhas, the area has been barricaded, water and electricity supplies disconnected, and public transport suspended. He termed these actions a gross violation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the principles of natural justice, asserting that Adivasis are the city’s original inhabitants and not encroachers, and called for an immediate halt to the demolitions. URGENT : Adivasis- Mumbai’s indigenous people are being wrongly displaced from their Padas inside SGNP, their houses are being DEMOLISHED.Tried visiting the padas with @AAPMumbai leaders, to move court. Situation is chaotic. SGNP has been barricaded, water supply and… pic.twitter.com/WI3MfSCDZc — Ruben Mascarenhas (@rubenmasc) January 27, 2026
27 January,2026 07:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Ronak MastakarThe Maharashtra Cabinet’s Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday approved a 35-kilometre metro line connecting Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, reported the PTI. The project is estimated to cost over Rs 22,000 crore, with a total outlay of Rs 22,862 crore, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office. The corridor will feature 20 stations, including six underground and 14 elevated stations. Land acquisition for the project is expected to cover 30.7 hectares, costing around Rs 388 crore. The 35-km route will include 9.25 km underground, from Mumbai Airport Terminal 2 to Ghatkopar East, while the remaining 24.63 km will be elevated, stretching from Ghatkopar West to Navi Mumbai Airport Terminal 2. Deadlines set for approvals, construction Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed that all land acquisition and necessary approvals be completed within six months, and that construction should be finished within three years of receiving approvals, according to the PTI. Other infra projects fast-tracked The committee also instructed concerned departments to accelerate the extension of the Samruddhi Expressway on the Nagpur-Gondia and Bhandara-Gadchiroli routes, ensuring that projects do not face delays, as per the PTI. In preparation for the upcoming Kumbh Mela, the committee approved the Nashik city ring road project, spanning 66.15 km, at a cost of Rs 3,954 crore. Highway upgrade in Gadchiroli Additionally, the panel cleared the upgrade of the 85.76-km Navegaon More-Konsari-Mulchera-Hedri-Surjagad highway in Gadchiroli district into a four-lane cement concrete road, aimed at improving mineral transportation. EV charging stations to be mandatory at MSRTC fuel outlets Soon, Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations will be made mandatory at Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) fuel outlets in the state, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. The Maharashtra minister asked officials to give priority to setting up EV charging stations at all proposed retail fuel outlets on MSRTC land in the state. According to the PTI, he said that a phased shift to electric buses is already in progress. The directions were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the minister, who also heads the MSRTC. Eco-friendly transport system Sarnaik said India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 must be supported by a sustainable and eco-friendly transport system. “Future travel will be based on electric energy, and the ST Corporation is committed to building the required infrastructure from today itself,” he said, reported PTI. Acknowledging that nearly 90 per cent of the existing ST fleet currently runs on diesel, Sarnaik said a phased transition to electric buses is underway and that e-buses will be prioritised in future procurements. “EV charging stations will be made mandatory alongside diesel and CNG facilities at fuel pumps to be established on MSRTC land through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. This approach will not only create a steady source of revenue for MSRTC but will also ensure the availability of both conventional fuel and electric charging facilities at a single location,” he said, reported PTI. Sarnaik added that the availability of both conventional fuel and electric charging facilities at a single location would give a major boost to the future transport system. “This is not just a matter of convenience, but a visionary step towards environmental protection,” the minister said. (with PTI inputs)
27 January,2026 07:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSoon, Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations will be made mandatory at Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) fuel outlets in the state, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Tuesday, reported the PTI. The Maharashtra minister asked officials to give priority to setting up EV charging stations at all proposed retail fuel outlets on MSRTC land in the state. According to the PTI, he said a phased shift to electric buses is already in progress. The directions were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the minister, who also heads the MSRTC. Senior officials and representatives of various fuel companies attended the meeting, according to an official release. Sarnaik said India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 must be supported by a sustainable and eco-friendly transport system. “Future travel will be based on electric energy, and the ST Corporation is committed to building the required infrastructure from today itself,” he said, reported PTI. Acknowledging that nearly 90 per cent of the existing ST fleet currently runs on diesel, Sarnaik said a phased transition to electric buses is underway and that e-buses will be prioritised in future procurements. “EV charging stations will be made mandatory alongside diesel and CNG facilities at fuel pumps to be established on MSRTC land through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. This approach will not only create a steady source of revenue for MSRTC but will also ensure the availability of both conventional fuel and electric charging facilities at a single location,” he said, reported PTI. Sarnaik added that the availability of both conventional fuel and electric charging facilities at a single location would give a major boost to the future transport system. “This is not just a matter of convenience, but a visionary step towards environmental protection,” the minister said. Immediate suspension for drunk on-duty drivers, says Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik Pratap Sarnaik last week directed officials to immediately suspend drivers and other employees found consuming alcohol while on duty, warning that no compromise would be tolerated on passenger safety. The directive came during a surprise inspection of the Parel bus depot in Mumbai, where the minister visited restrooms used by drivers and conductors. Officials reportedly found empty liquor bottles at several locations, while some staff members were allegedly under the influence of alcohol. A visibly upset Sarnaik reprimanded senior officials present at the depot over the lapse. “Providing proper facilities at restrooms for drivers and conductors posted away from their hometowns is a priority for the government. However, alcohol consumption at such places is not merely indiscipline but a serious offence that directly endangers passengers’ lives,” Sarnaik said. (With PTI inputs)
27 January,2026 06:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSeven people, including a two-year-old child, were injured in a fire after a gas cylinder explosion caused by a suspected leakage was reported in a chawl near Malvani Gate No. 8 in Malad (West) on Monday morning, leaving several people injured. According to preliminary information, the incident was reported at around 9.25 am on January 27 to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB). The blast occurred near A.C. Masjid, adjacent to Bharat Mata School, in the Malwani area. Officials said the explosion was so powerful that the first-floor slab collapsed, causing occupants to fall into the ground-floor house below. The fire was confined to the main valve of the cylinder, a gas stove, an LPG cylinder, AC sheets, and household articles including eatables and a mattress in a room on the first floor of a ground-plus-two-storey structure. Fire brigade personnel brought the blaze under control by 9.42 am. According to the officials, a total of seven people were reported injured in the incident. Of these, four were shifted to Aadhar Hospital, while three were taken to Care Hospital. At BDBA Hospital, Vijay Choudhary (54), Tausib Khan (18) and Ali Kasim (17) were treated and later discharged against medical advice (DAMA). At Aadhar Hospital, Julekha Bano Aftaf Ansari (60) suffered 55-60 per cent burns and was later shifted to Cooper Hospital. Adil Shaikh (2) sustained 20 per cent burns and was also transferred to Cooper Hospital. Roma (35) and Alisha (18), both with 35 per cent burns, are admitted and reported to be in critical condition. Emergency response teams, including personnel from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, local police, officials from the concerned electricity distribution company, a 108 ambulance service, and BMC ward staff, were deployed at the spot. Further details were awaited. 5 injured as balloon gas cylinder explodes in Maharashtra's Malegaon town In another incident, five people, including three women, were injured after a helium gas cylinder used for filling balloons exploded in Malegaon town of Maharashtra's Nashik district on Monday morning, police said. Four of the injured were in a critical condition, they said. The explosion took place near College Stop in the Malegaon Camp area at 10.10 am when a vendor was filling gas in balloons. Five people, including three women, received injuries in the cylinder blast, according to police. The injured were taken to a private hospital in Malegaon initially and later shifted to Nashik for advanced treatment, they stated. The balloon seller, Mohammed Sadiq Makbool Ahmed (33), a local resident, was taken into custody, a police official informed. A case was registered against him under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 125 (act endangering human life or personal safety of others), 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 288 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances), and the Explosives Act at the Malegaon Camp police station, he added. Ethanol-carrying tanker overturns and catches fire; no casualty Meanwhile, a tanker transporting ethanol from Solapur in Maharashtra to neighbouring Gujarat caught fire after it overturned in Georai tehsil of Beed district in the wee hours of Saturday, police said. The incident occurred on the Dhule-Solapur highway around 2 am, they said. "The tanker going to Gujarat veered off the road and hit the divider as its driver lost control over it. It overturned and immediately caught fire," a police official said. After being alerted, a fire brigade team of the Georai Municipal Council rushed to the spot. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours and brought it under control around 6 am, he said. The tanker driver and his assistant escaped unhurt as they jumped out in time, but the vehicle was completely gutted in the fire, he added. The incident led to a traffic jam on the highway, but the route was soon cleared by the police.
27 January,2026 06:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a yellow nowcast warning for Mumbai and Thane, forecasting light spells of rain over the next three hours. The alert, issued at 7 am IST, advises residents to take necessary precautions as intermittent rainfall may affect parts of the region during the morning hours. Mumbai recorded mild overnight temperatures today, according to the IMD. Colaba registered a minimum temperature of 22.4 degrees Celsius, while Santacruz recorded a minimum of 22.6 degrees Celsius. According to the Sameer app, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stands at 121, which falls in the moderate category and may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, and heart ailments. AQI across Mumbai Bandra East – 108Kurla – 114Malad West – 146Mazgaon – 147Mulund West – 77Powai – 96Bhandup West – 96Kandivali East – 116Ghatkopar – 133Deonar – 135Colaba – 121Chembur – 106Andheri East – 178Byculla – 95 Meanwhile, Thane reported an AQI of 124, and in Kalyan, the AQI is 124, categorised as moderate, while Navi Mumbai recorded a satisfactory AQI of 94, which may cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive individuals. Yellow alert across Maharashtra The IMD has issued a yellow alert amid the winter season, indicating signs of unseasonal rainfall across several parts of Maharashtra. In Dhule, the region may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, light rainfall, and gusty winds ranging between 30 and 40 kilometres per hour at isolated places, the IMD said. Apart from Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Sambhajinagar, Jalna, and Parbhani are also under a yellow alert today. AQI in districts of Maharashtra Dhule – 108Nashik – 93Nagpur – 172Pune – 118Jalgaon – 133Parbhani – 98Akola – 87Amravati – 179Malegaon – 125Latur – 89Sangli – 65 ‘Moderate’ AQI unacceptable, says Bombay High Court Earlier, last week, the Bombay High Court expressed dissatisfaction over Mumbai’s air quality remaining in the “moderate” category, observing that such levels are not acceptable for the city. The court said it would take up the issue of air pollution in the financial capital. The observations were made during a hearing held on January 23, when the court reviewed the city’s prevailing air quality situation. The High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of Mumbai’s deteriorating air quality nearly three years ago and has since repeatedly directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to implement effective pollution-control measures. A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Suman Shyam sought an update on the current AQI levels. Senior advocate S U Kamdar, appearing for the BMC, informed the court that Mumbai’s AQI was hovering between 100 and 140, which falls in the moderate category.
27 January,2026 06:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid the BMC mayor race, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday claimed that Mumbai is likely to have a BJP mayor and that it was unlikely that the post would be shared the saffron party's ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, reported news agency PTI. Nearly two weeks after the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance secured a win in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, uncertainty still surrounds the mayoral choice. Speaking to reporters, Sanjay Raut said that even if the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was unhappy over not getting the post, it had no options. He added that the Shinde-led Sena would be given a few other positions in the civic body after taking up the matter with the BJP’s central leadership. “They (the BJP) will have their mayor in Mumbai,” the Rajya Sabha MP said, reported PTI. Leaders of the Shinde-led party have maintained that the mayor should be from the Shiv Sena, as 2026 marks the birth centenary of Bal Thackeray, founder of the undivided Shiv Sena. In the high-stake BMC Election 2026 held on January 15, the BJP won 89 seats, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 65, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena got 29, Congress won 24 seats, and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena secured six seats, among others. No single party secured a majority in the 227-member civic body. Mumbai mayor’s bungalow to be renovated after lying shut for four years After remaining shut and unused for nearly four years, the Mumbai Mayor’s bungalow, located inside the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo at Byculla, is set to undergo renovation and restoration ahead of the appointment of the city’s next mayor. The bungalow has remained vacant since 2022. Civic officials said renovation work is now being taken up on priority to ensure the residence is ready for occupation. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was unable to float tenders earlier due to the model code of conduct, which came into force after the civic elections were announced on December 15, 2025. As a result, while the renovation work has now commenced, the final costing of the project will be done post facto. What will the renovation include?>> The restoration work is scheduled to be completed within 60 days and will include:>> General cleaning of the premises as well as the replacement and upgrading of upholstery>> Repair, polishing and restoration of heritage furniture>> Replacement of damaged seating>> Waterproofing, wherever required>> Painting of the bungalow When was bungalow last used?>> Former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar of the Shiv Sena (UBT) last used the Byculla bungalow as her official residence during her tenure until 2017.>> The property was vacated after the completion of the BMC general body’s term for 2017 to 2022, following the end of the mayoral tenure in March 2022.>> Prior to this, the Mumbai mayor’s official residence was located opposite Shivaji Park, overlooking the sea at Dadar beach. That bungalow was vacated in 2018 by Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, who served as mayor between March 2017 and November 2019.>> The memorial of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray now stands on the site of the former mayor’s bungalow at Shivaji Park. (With PTI inputs)
27 January,2026 05:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Tuesday clarified concerns over the design of a flyover under construction in Mira Road, stating that the transition from four lanes to two lanes is a planned feature and not a structural or design flaw. In an official statement, the MMRDA said the flyover has been designed keeping in mind existing road-width constraints and long-term network planning. The authority refuted claims that the structure “suddenly narrows,” explaining that the present configuration reflects phased connectivity planned for the Mira–Bhayander region. The flyover does not “suddenly narrow.” The transition from 4 lanes to 2 lanes is not a design flaw, but is based on available road width constraints, and future network planning.As per planning, the flyover has been designed with two lanes for Bhayander East and future… https://t.co/hZrsBl9SAR — MMRDA (@MMRDAOfficial) January 27, 2026 Phased connectivity planned for Bhayander East and West According to the MMRDA, the flyover has been designed with two lanes for Bhayander East and provision for two additional lanes towards Bhayander West. As the Bhayander East arm appears first along the alignment, the current four-lane stretch transitions into two lanes. The remaining two outer lanes are proposed as part of a future extension across the Western Railway line towards Bhayander West. Golden Nest Circle section built with 2+2 lanes and slip roads Up to Golden Nest Circle—one of the busiest junctions in the area where five major roads converge—the flyover has been constructed with a 2+2 lane configuration. This section is integrated with the Metro corridor and includes slip roads on both sides to facilitate effective traffic dispersal amid high vehicular volumes. Right-of-way constraints lead to 1+1 lane design ahead Beyond the junction, towards Bhayander East, the available right-of-way reduces as per the Development Plan (DP). Consequently, a 1+1 lane flyover with dedicated upward and downward ramps has been constructed along the median to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow towards Railway Phatak Road, the authority said. Future widening and safety measures planned The MMRDA maintained that the design allows for smoother movement across one of the most congested intersections in the Mira–Bhayander belt while addressing on-ground spatial constraints. Provision has also been made for future widening of the flyover. The authority said the outer sides of both carriageways are planned to be extended by an additional 1+1 lane to strengthen east–west traffic continuity. This proposal is currently at the planning stage and will be taken up in coordination with the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) after securing approvals from the competent authorities. At present, the flyover is primarily aimed at reducing congestion and improving traffic dispersal in the region. The MMRDA said multiple safety measures have been incorporated, including rumble strips, delineators, adequate signage, retro-reflective tags, directional boards and anti-crash barriers. The authority added that guidance from traffic police is being actively sought to assess any additional vehicular safety measures before the flyover is opened for public use.
27 January,2026 02:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA three-year-old girl was killed in a tragic accident in Mumbai’s Vikhroli area after a loudspeaker installed for Republic Day celebrations collapsed on her, police said on Monday. According to reports, the incident occurred in the Ambedkar Nagar locality of Tagore Nagar. CCTV footage of the mishap has since surfaced, indicating that the accident was triggered when a man carrying rugs inadvertently pulled down the loudspeaker. The loudspeaker fell directly onto the child, leaving her critically injured. She was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment but was declared dead on arrival, as per the reports. The CCTV visuals show a man walking with rugs balanced on his head, while the young girl is seen playing a short distance behind him. As he passes beneath the installation, the rugs appear to get entangled in the speaker’s wiring, causing the structure to topple. The speaker then crashes into the child. People in the vicinity are seen reacting in shock, while the man continues walking away from the spot. Moments later, a boy is seen lifting the injured child and running towards help, accompanied by other children, as per the reports. Police said a case has been registered in connection with the incident, and an investigation is underway to ascertain responsibility and possible negligence related to the installation of the loudspeaker. Accused held in 12 hours for professor's murder at Mumbai's Malad railway station In another case, the Government Railway Police (GRP) have arrested a 27-year-old daily-wage labourer in connection with the fatal stabbing of a professor at a crowded railway station here within 12 hours of the crime, an official said on Sunday. According to the Borivali GRP, the accused, Omkar Eknath Shinde, was apprehended from the Kurar area of the western suburb for the murder that took place on Saturday evening. A minor argument between the victim, Alok Kumar Singh, a professor with NM College, and Shinde while they were alighting from a local train escalated into a brutal attack, the official said. Shinde, a labourer engaged in metal polishing work, stabbed Singh in the stomach on platform no 1 of Malad railway station. He fled the scene, leaving the victim in a pool of blood. Singh was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead. The accused took advantage of the crowd and escaped from the spot, but was identified and apprehended with the help of CCTV footage, the official said. Shinde has been arrested under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway, he added. (With inputs from Agencies)
27 January,2026 02:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThousands of farmers and tribal residents were marching towards Mumbai from Nashik on Tuesday to press for land rights and other demands, even as the Maharashtra government invited their delegation for talks later in the day, a representative of the protesters said. The protesters, carrying red flags and led by the CPI(M)-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), began the 'long march' on Sunday after an agitation outside Dindori tehsil office in Nashik district failed to elicit any concrete assurance, former MLA J P Gavit told reporters. Protesters decide to take demands directly to state government They then decided to take their demands directly to the state government by marching on foot to Mumbai, and have also made arrangements for food, grain, firewood and other essential supplies needed for the duration of their protest. The marchers, comprising a large number of farmers, covered nearly 60 km over the past two days and began their descent through the Kasara Ghat on Tuesday morning. They have now left Nashik and entered the neighbouring Thane district, Gavit said. State government invites delegation for talks in Mumbai He claimed that sustained mobilisation and publicity of the march in the media prompted the state government to invite a delegation of the protesters for talks at the Mantralaya (secretariat) in Mumbai on Tuesday. Gavit said the delegation, comprising himself, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and AIKS national president Ashok Dhawale, Kisan Sabha national joint secretary Ajit Navale and MLA Vinod Nikole, will hold discussions with the chief minister and other ministers concerned. Tribal farmers highlight land, irrigation and forest rights issues "Tribal farmers from Peth, Surgana, Kalwan and Trimbakeshwar talukas are participating in the agitation to draw attention to unresolved issues related to land rights, irrigation and forest claims," he said. These areas are drought-prone and farmers have been demanding the construction of large check dams on west-flowing rivers and their tributaries to ensure irrigation water for local agriculture. Traffic disruption reported during agitation in Dindori The protesters are also seeking regularisation of cultivation on encroached land up to four hectares, issuance of land records, re-examination of rejected forest rights claims and procurement of agricultural produce from forest landholders at minimum support prices, Gavit said. Traffic was disrupted for the last two days in parts of Dindori, where protesters staged a sit-in, leading to congestion and diversion of vehicles through alternative routes. Gavit said a meeting has already been held with Nashik Collector Ayush Prasad, during which it was agreed that local issues would be addressed at the district level, while state-level demands would be taken up in Mumbai.
27 January,2026 12:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
