Every day without fail from 4.30 pm to 8 pm, Bharat Panchal, 85, mans his ‘post’ at Thakur Complex signal on the Western Express Highway in Kandivli East, managing traffic, preventing vehicles from entering the wrong lane, and urging motorists to wear helmets and seatbelts. Panchal, who claims he isn’t on any medication despite his advanced age, attributes his fitness to his volunteerism and says his only aim is to ensure that people follow traffic rules. The octogenarian resides with his wife in the Highway Park building at Thakur Complex in Kandivli East. Traffic police personnel, tea sellers, coconut vendors, and residents support Panchal daily by offering him tea and coconuts. The traffic police have also felicitated Panchal with gifts in appreciation of his remarkable work. Panchal said, “I have been doing this work for several years only to ensure everyone follows traffic rules. Nobody should break signals, as it increases the chances of accidents. I always carry a whistle and a torch. The traffic police have offered me a green reflector jacket, but I refused.” “I want to stay healthy forever, and that is why I chose this way of life. Managing traffic allows me to communicate with people, meet new faces daily, educate citizens about traffic rules, and prevent vehicles from entering the wrong lane,” Panchal explained. Panchal further said, “Because of this work, I am fit and fine. I have dedicated my life to helping the police manage traffic, and I will continue to do so. Many years ago, I noticed that the Thakur Complex junction on the Western Express Highway was always congested due to traffic violations. That is when I decided to take responsibility. I do not take money from any department for this work. It is my passion, hobby, and dream. In return, I receive love and respect from citizens. The traffic police also support me.” Cop Speak Senior Inspector Jagdish Bhopale of the Kandivli Traffic Division said, “Bharat Panchal is doing excellent work by managing traffic at this signal entirely on his own. We have informed him that it can be risky because vehicles travel at high speed on the highway, but he insists he is doing this so everyone follows traffic rules. The traffic division also presented him with a gift this Diwali. Very few people in Mumbai do such selfless work. Despite his age, Panchal’s energy is like that of a young man. We fully support him. We also offered him the role of a traffic warden, but he refused as he does not want any monetary benefit. We are fortunate to have Panchal at this junction, where he continues to do commendable work every day.” Traffic volunteer Bharat Panchal in action at the Thakur Complex signal on the Western Express Highway in Kandivli East. Pics/Shirish Vaktania Constable Sandip Jadhav of the Kandivli Traffic Division said, “I see this gentleman at his spot every day. He helps us regularly. I usually give him water and biscuits. I feel good seeing the fantastic work he does assisting the traffic police. We have told him several times that managing traffic is a tough and risky job, but he insists that he wants to do it for the greater good.” Constable Sunil Dabhade said, “I salute Panchal. He told me that he had received training at the Tardeo RTO office. We do not have official records confirming whether he worked with the RTO earlier, but his work is excellent. He works with the energy of a young man. Citizens also listen to him, and traffic violations at this junction have reduced because of his presence.” 3.5 hrsLength of Bharat Panchal’s daily ‘shift’
16 December,2025 11:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish VaktaniaA Thane court has acquitted nine persons booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in a 2016 dacoity case, noting their identification was unreliable and the prosecution failed to prove the charges against them, reported news agency PTI. The mandatory requirement of the offence of organised crime as defined in Section 2(1)(e) of the MCOCA has not been proved against the accused. "Therefore, mere collection of copies of previous charge-sheets and according to the sanction order u/s 23(2) of the Act are not sufficient to prove the offence under Section 3 of the MCOCA," Special Judge (for MCOCA cases) V G Mohite said in the order on December 12, reported PTI. The prosecution had alleged that the accused threatened a family, wrongfully confined them and stole cash and ornaments from their house at Talasari in neighbouring Palghar district on July 18, 2016. The accused were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 395 (dacoity), 397 (robbery or dacoity with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and provisions of the MCOCA. Court finds prosecution's evidence to be unreliable and legally deficient The Thane court found the prosecution's evidence, particularly the identification of the accused and recovery of stolen articles, to be unreliable and legally deficient. It observed that the presence of jail police during the identification parade raised doubts. "The possibility of tampering by them for the identification of the accused cannot be ruled out," the judge said, reported PTI. On witnesses seeing the accused at the police station, the court said, "In these circumstances, identification of the accused claimed by them loses its sanctity." Highlighting contradictions in eyewitness accounts regarding face coverings, it said, "If those robbers wore the masks and helmets, then it is not possible to identify them either in court or at the time of TI (test identification) parade," reported PTI. The judge also noted contradictions in the identification of the accused before the court. The nine persons acquitted in the case are Trimani Tangraj (38), Rakesh Babu Chalwadi (30), Kishor Shantaram Rumale Patil (39), Samadhan Pandit Sonawane (31), Sandip Brijlal Chauhan (30), Ashish Pandurang Devare (33), all from Thane district, Umesh Kakdya Farara (41), Sandeep Antya Thakre (34) and Shashikant alias Ganesh Ramdas Godse (47), hailing from Palghar, reported PTI. The case against another accused, Prashant Prakash Surve, was abated following his death during the pendency of the trial, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
16 December,2025 11:50 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentPolling for elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on January 15, with the results scheduled to be declared the next day, the State Election Commission (SEC) said on Monday. According to the election schedule, nominations can be filed from December 23 to 30, while scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on December 31. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is January 2, and election symbols will be allotted the next day. The Supreme Court of India has directed the SEC to complete all the pending local body elections by January 31, 2026. The municipal elections have been overdue since 2022. The BMC elections are expected to see a straight contest between two major political alliances in Maharashtra—the ruling Mahayuti and the Opposition’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Mahayuti, which currently governs the state, comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The principal opposition alliance, the MVA, includes the Indian National Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP–SP. Adding a new political dimension, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray have announced a joint fight in the BMC polls after nearly two decades. The Thackeray cousins came together following a controversy over the alleged imposition of Hindi in the state. The estimated budget of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for the year 2025-26 is Rs 74,427 crore, and the expenditure stands at Rs 43,162 crore, representing 58 per cent of the total budget allocated to development projects. This gigantic budget is unmatched by any other state or municipal corporation in the country, cementing the BMC's status as Asia's wealthiest civic body. Mumbai is the financial capital of the country, and as its key governing body, the BMC manages to oversee Infrastructure to health, roads to water supply, transport to power supply, education to sanitation. The elections, which were due in 2022, will be held in January 2026. After a setback in the Lok Sabha elections and victory in the Assembly polls in 2024, the Mahayuti will look to develop a stronghold over the BMC. The MVA will look to dent the Mahayuti's chances, making a comeback in Maharashtra's electoral politics. For this municipal election, the State Election Commission said that they will be using the voter list as of the notified date of July 1, 2025. The opposition has raised electoral fraud as an issue ahead of the polls. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray demanded that the Election Commission extend the days for raising objections to the draft rolls of the BMC elections. (With ANI inputs)
16 December,2025 11:07 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Monday questioned the logic behind holding elections to 29 civic bodies without correcting "irregularities" in the voters' roll, reported news agency PTI. Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said the final rolls have not been released yet. "If there are mistakes in the final rolls, who will address them?" he asked. Polls for 29 municipal corporations, including the cash-rich Mumbai, will be held on January 15, and votes will be counted on January 16. Former Mumbai mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishori Pednekar alleged flaws in the voters' list. "People have not been told whether the electoral rolls have been rectified. How appropriate is it to announce polls when no correction has been made in the electoral rolls?" she asked, reported PTI. MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said polls are being held with faulty electoral rolls. "Raj (Thackeray) Saheb has told us about the treatment bogus voters deserved. Mumbai's mayor will be a Marathi manoos, and they (Marathi people) will vote in BMC polls with the same intention," Deshpande said, reported PTI. The opposition, especially cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, have been very critical of the electoral rolls and claimed several irregularities in the voters' list. The upcoming BMC elections 2026 will be a crucial political showdown between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in major urban centres, a year after the assembly polls. This will also be a do-or-die battle for the Thackeray cousins and test the utility of 'Brand Thackeray', which took a massive beating in the assembly polls. Ahead of the polls, Uddhav Thackeray mended ties with his once-estranged cousin Raj and both Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS are expected to join hands to put up a united fight. Mahayuti, Oppn MVA to face-off on Jan 15 in 'Maha' battle for Mumbai, 28 other civic bodies High-stakes polls to 29 municipal corporations, including the cash-rich Mumbai, on January 15 will see the ruling Mahayuti and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) battling it out for electoral supremacy in Maharashtra's major urban centres. The poll schedule announcement was made by Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Monday in compliance of an order from the Supreme Court fixing January 31 next year as the deadline for holding the long-pending local body elections in the state. The court in September this year had also censured the SEC for its "failure to take prompt action" and adhere to earlier timelines. The January 15 elections, involving 2,869 seats and over 3.48 crore voters, set the stage for a crucial political showdown between the Mahayuti comprising BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the MVA coalition of Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and Sharad Pawar-headed NCP (SP). (With inputs from PTI)
16 December,2025 11:03 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter a delay of almost three years, exactly 34 months, elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will finally be held on January 15, 2026, with counting on January 16. The previous five-year term ended in February 2022. Along with Mumbai, municipal elections will also be held the same day in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira Bhayandar, Vasai Virar, Panvel, Kalyan Dombivli, Pune and 20 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra. The State Election Commission (SEC) announced the schedule on Monday. Including the BMC’s 227 seats, a total of 2869 seats will go to the polls. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare confirmed that the model code of conduct comes into effect immediately. The Raj Thackeray-led MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT) had objected to more than 11 lakh duplicate names in the voters’ list and demanded that polls should not be held until corrections were made. Graphics/istock Asked whether the anomalies had been fixed, Waghmare said, “The poll schedule has been announced only after addressing issues that political parties raised before the commission.” The SEC said BMC officials removed several duplicate entries through field verification and software checks. “If there are any remaining duplicates, they have been marked with a star. This will help identify voters with multiple entries on voting day,” the SEC said. EC had set up a ‘pink booth’ at Sir JJ School of Art in 2024. FILE PIC Nominations will be accepted from December 23 to December 30, with scrutiny on December 31. Withdrawals must be made by January 2. The final list of candidates and symbols will be released on January 3. The last BMC elections were held in 2017. Though the term ended in 2022, fresh polls were delayed due to a seat reservation case pending in the Supreme Court. The court has now directed that all pending local body elections in Maharashtra, including the BMC, must be completed before January 31, 2026. Reacting to the poll announcement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “I am sure people will once again vote for development and progress.” A kite flying challenge Mumbaikars cast their vote during BMC elections in Jogeshwari in 2017. File pic/NIMESH DAVE The January 15 polling date could create a hiccup for the BJP, as a large section of Mumbai’s Gujarati community traditionally travels to Surat and Vadodara for Uttarayan, the kite flying festival, on January 14. Families usually spend two to three days celebrating, and with the festival and polling falling back-to-back, many voters may be out of Mumbai on voting day. While older voters may stay back, younger and first-time voters are more likely to prioritise travel, raising concerns about turnout among a demographic considered part of the BJP’s core support base. Dates to remember Voting DayJanuary 15 (Thursday) Voting time7:30 am to 5:30 pm Counting DayJanuary 16 (Friday) CampaigningCampaigning ends 48 hours before polling; all political ads prohibited after 5:30 pm on Jan 14, 2026 Stats for BMC Polling stations10,111 Control units11,349 Ballot units22,698 Other dates >> Nominations December 23-30, 2025>> Scrutiny December 31, 2025>> Withdrawal January 2, 2026>> Symbol allotment and final list January 3, 2026 Mobile phonesNot permitted inside polling stations Pink polling stationsTo be staffed entirely by women, in areas with high women voter turnout. Information available on the Matadhikar app Total seats2869 Including227 seats of BMC Rs 15 L Voter Assistance‘Matadhikar’ mobile app (voter details, booth info, candidate lists). Details also on: https://mahasecvoterlist.in/ Source: State Election Commission (SEC)
16 December,2025 10:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarThe city and its suburbs will experience mainly clear skies on Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting maximum and minimum temperatures of around 34 degrees Celsius and 18 degrees Celsius, respectively. The minimum temperature in Colaba was 21.7 degrees Celsius with no rainfall recorded (0.0 mm). In Santacruz, the minimum temperature was 17.0 degrees Celsius. However, air quality remains a concern. According to the Sameer app, the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) is 109, falling under the moderate category. This level may cause breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, and heart conditions. AQI across key city areas: Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC): 145Borivali: 82Byculla: 136Andheri East: 99Chembur: 128Colaba: 113Deonar: 126Ghatkopar: 134Kandivali: 99Kherwadi, Bandra East: 144 Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained dangerously high on Tuesday, with the overall AQI at 378 at 8 am, placing the city in the ‘very poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This marks a slight improvement from Monday, when the AQI had peaked at 427 in the ‘severe’ category. Despite the marginal dip, large parts of the capital were still shrouded in thick, toxic smog, reducing visibility and causing discomfort for residents, reported news agency ANI. Prominent areas recorded alarming pollution levels: India Gate registered an AQI of 380 and Sarai Kale Khan 359, both in the ‘very poor’ range. Ghazipur and Anand Vihar fared worse, with AQIs around 410, categorised as ‘severe’. According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. Meanwhile, a tourist grappling with Delhi pollution explained his situation, saying to ANI, "The situation here is very serious because of pollution. I arrived in Delhi last evening from Indore. Compared to Indore, I am experiencing difficulty in breathing. Visibility here is very poor; we cannot see the India Gate properly. It is affecting our health." Air quality levels varied across other major Indian cities. Ahmedabad recorded an AQI of 117, Bengaluru 104, Chennai 135, Hyderabad 103, and Mumbai 109, mostly in the 'moderate' to 'satisfactory' range. Jaipur (187), Lucknow (158), Patna (156), and Pune (194) reported 'moderate' air quality, reported ANI. Meanwhile, the first meeting of the Expert Committee constituted by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for in NCR and adjoining Areas to address air pollution from vehicular emissions was held on Monday under the Chairmanship of Ashok Jhunjhunwala and Co-Chaired by Prof Randeep Guleria. The meeting focused on broad discussions on key issues related to vehicular emission sources in Delhi-NCR, CAQM said in a post on X. "Deliberations covered assessment of segment-wise vehicular emission contributions, exposure risks, EV readiness and infrastructure needs," CAQM said. According to ANI, the committee will present concrete, actionable recommendations to reduce vehicular emissions at upcoming meetings. This comes as the national capital battles with severe air pollution, with AQI crossing the 450 mark, reaching the 'severe plus' category, prompting CAQM to impose stage IV restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). In view of the severe air pollution levels in the national capital, the Delhi Government issued a circular directing schools to shift to online mode from hybrid for students up to class 5. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining in the severe category, the government has directed schools to switch to online mode for these grades until further notice. (With ANI inputs)
16 December,2025 10:00 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA vehicle overturned on the Ghodbunder Road in Thane near Gaimukh Chowpatty on Tuesday, officials said. Despite the incident, traffic movement has not been severely affected, with two lanes remaining operational alongside the overturned vehicle. Authorities said vehicular flow in the area is moving smoothly and no major congestion has been reported. "At Gaimukh Chowpatty on the Ghodbunder Road in Thane, a vehicle has overturned. Two lanes beside the vehicle remain operational, and traffic is moving smoothly," Thane Police said in a post on X. घोडबंदर ठाणे वाहिनी गायमुख चौपाटी या ठिकाणी सदरचे वाहन पलटी झाले असून गाडीच्या बाजूने २ लाईन पास होतं आहे. वाहतूक सुरळीत चालू आहे. pic.twitter.com/0bByNsqmDM — ठाणे पोलीस.. Thane Police (@ThaneCityPolice) December 16, 2025 Cop injured after two trucks crash on Ghodbunder Road in Thane In another incident, in August, a Thane traffic police constable was injured after two container trucks crashed on the Ghodbunder Road in Thane district of Maharashtra, officials said. The accident occurred near the Gaimukh Traffic Police Chowki early on Wednesday morning, they said. According to the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the accident took place at around 7:39 am when one of the container, travelling from Vapi (Gujarat) to Nhava Sheva, lost control near the Gaimukh Ghat and collided head-on with an another container coming from Mumbai towards Surat. One of the trucks was carrying 23 tonnes of plastic bags, while the other had 16 tonnes of imported machinery. The collision caused heavy oil spillage on the road, creating a major hazard for motorists, the officials said. They said that Police Constable Tadvi, from the Kasarvadavali Traffic Division of Thane Police, who was on night duty at the Gaimukh Traffic Post, was seriously injured in the incident. "He suffered injuries to his left leg and head, and was immediately taken to Titan Hospital on Ghodbunder Road. Hospital officials confirmed he received five stitches on his leg and three on his head," said an official. Thane civic body holds meeting, reviews urgent measures to ease traffic on Ghodbunder Road Earlier, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) held a meeting to address the long-standing traffic problems on the busy Ghodbunder Road in Maharashtra. The meeting was chaired by local MP Naresh Mhaske and attended by Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, along with officials from the MMRDA, Public Works Department, and the Regional Transport Office. According to a civic statement, Mhaske said the launch of the Delhi-Mumbai Freight Corridor in March 2026 is expected to greatly reduce congestion on Ghodbunder Road, as a large portion of container traffic from Jawaharlal Nehru Port will be diverted to the new route. Mhaske also stressed the need for constructing the missing link between Khaniwade and Amne, which he said would further ease traffic pressure. Rao assured that the corporation is ready to take over the road’s maintenance once the agencies currently responsible bring it up to the required standard. Members of the 'Justice for Ghodbunder Road' citizens’ group were also present at the meeting.
16 December,2025 09:58 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Monday reacted to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's remarks on seat-sharing in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, saying any stand taken by the Chief Minister would have been made after due consideration and would be final for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reported news agency ANI. "If the Chief Minister has said this, he must have said it after careful consideration. The Chief Minister is the supreme leader of the BJP in Maharashtra. Whatever he has said will be final," Pawar said, responding to Fadnavis's indication that the BJP and NCP may contest the civic elections separately in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, reported ANI. Pawar underlined that the NCP's immediate focus would be to strengthen its organisation and ensure a strong performance in the twin civic bodies. "As far as the NCP is concerned, we will make every possible effort to ensure the party's victory in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Regarding alliances with other parties, no decision has been taken yet. A final decision will be made before filing nominations," he added. The remarks come a day after the Maharashtra State Election Commission announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16. Speaking earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis said the ruling Mahayuti alliance was working to contest the civic polls together in most parts of the state. However, referring specifically to Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, he noted that discussions with Ajit Pawar had already taken place and that both parties may opt to contest against each other in the region. "Ajit Pawar and we cannot contest together in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. If we do, it benefits a third party. We will contest against each other, but it will be a friendly fight," Fadnavis said, asserting that there would be no bitterness between the allies despite direct contests, reported ANI. Ajit Pawar slams anti-Modi slogans, calls for decorum in political discourse Reacting to controversial slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress rally, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday urged political parties to maintain dignity and decorum, saying such remarks go against Indian culture and democratic values. "The late Yashwantrao Chavan taught us the value of respect. In politics, there are always differences between the ruling party and the opposition, but when making statements against anyone, one must maintain a certain level of decorum and dignity. After all, he is the Prime Minister of the country," Pawar said. He added that derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister were inappropriate and those responsible should introspect and apologise. "Ultimately, Modi ji is the Prime Minister representing 140 crore people of the country," he said while addressing the media in Pune, reported ANI. Pawar's reaction comes in the wake of sharp political controversy triggered by slogans raised at a Congress rally held at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan against alleged "vote chori" (vote theft). (With inputs from ANI)
16 December,2025 09:18 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentReacting to controversial slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress rally, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday urged political parties to maintain dignity and decorum, saying such remarks go against Indian culture and democratic values, reported news agency ANI. "The late Yashwantrao Chavan taught us the value of respect. In politics, there are always differences between the ruling party and the opposition, but when making statements against anyone, one must maintain a certain level of decorum and dignity. After all, he is the Prime Minister of the country," Pawar said. He added that derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister were inappropriate and those responsible should introspect and apologise. "Ultimately, Modi ji is the Prime Minister representing 140 crore people of the country," he said while addressing the media in Pune, reported ANI. Pawar's reaction comes in the wake of sharp political controversy triggered by slogans raised at a Congress rally held at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan against alleged "vote chori" (vote theft). During the rally, Congress leader Manju Lata Meena reportedly said, "Modi teri kabar khudegi, aaj nahin toh kal khudegi" (Modi, your grave will be dug soon, if not today, then tomorrow), sparking widespread condemnation from the ruling BJP, reported ANI. Defending her remarks, Meena said she was merely voicing public anger over alleged electoral irregularities. She accused the BJP of forming governments through vote rigging and claimed the Election Commission was acting under the ruling party's influence. "There is so much anger among the public regarding vote rigging. The Prime Minister does not talk about employment, youth, women, or farmers. He distracts from real issues," said Meena, who is also the Jaipur women's Congress district president, reported ANI. Heated exchanges in Rajya Sabha The issue also led to heated exchanges in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, resulting in an early adjournment. Union Minister and BJP President JP Nadda strongly condemned the slogans, calling them derogatory and unacceptable. Addressing the Upper House, Nadda said the remarks reflected the Congress party's "thinking and mentality" and demanded a public apology from senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. "Sonia Gandhi ji should apologise to the nation for slogans raised against PM Modi at the Congress rally yesterday. Saying such things against a sitting Prime Minister is highly condemnable," Nadda said. (With inputs from ANI)
16 December,2025 08:59 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentCommon name: Orange-headed thrush, Scientific name: Geokichla citrina, Location: Andheri West Common name: Golden-fronted leafbird, Scientific name: Chloropsis aurifrons, Location: Tungareshwar Common name: Black-naped monarch, Scientific name: Hypothymis azurea, Location: Tungareshwar Common name: Red avadavat, Scientific name: Amandava amandava, Location: Andheri West Common name: verditer flycatcher, Scientific name: Eumyias thalassinus, Location: Tungareshwar Common name: Greater Flamingo, Scientific name: Phoenicopterus roseus, Location: Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. Representation pic/istock Common name: Bluethroat, Scientific name: Luscinia svecica, Location: Mumbai. Pic/Mahesh Yadav, naturalist and wildlife photographer Common name: Siberian stonechat, Scientific name: Saxicola maurus, Location: Vasai West Common name: Lesser flamingo, Scientific name: Phoeniconaias minor, Location: Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. Representation pic/istock
16 December,2025 08:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayThe debate over the relocation of the high-frequency radars has intensified. Days after the BJP-led Maharashtra government announced plans to shift radars from Juhu and Dahisar to other locations, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray urged Mumbai citizens not to trust the government. Aaditya stated that for long, he and his party had been demanding the shifting of radars to other locations, but the BJP, which was in power at the Centre for over 10 years, and that too in complete majority, did nothing. “What made the BJP wait for such a long time to decide on this issue. Now, a couple of days before the BMC polls, they (read as BJP) are talking about shifting the radars. This is nothing but an eye wash, and I urge Mumbai citizens not to trust the BJP and their announcement,” Aaditya said. On Saturday (December 13), the Maharashtra government announced plans to relocate high-power radar stations from Juhu (DN Nagar) and Dahisar as they were seen as a hurdle for redevelopment and new construction. While speaking to the media on Monday, Aaditya slammed the Mahayuti government, especially the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, over recent announcements, including the ones related to the housing sector. On December 10, mid-day reported that about 15,000 residents from nearly 200 Juhu housing societies plan to boycott the upcoming BMC elections. These societies lie within 500 metres of an Army wireless station, where redevelopment is banned due to security rules. Both Dahisar and Juhu currently have high-intensity radar centres. Due to safety restrictions around these radar installations, construction of tall buildings in nearby areas is not allowed. This has made redevelopment of old buildings in these localities almost impossible. Sena UBT leader switches over In a setback to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), former corporator Tejasvee Ghosalkar — wife of late party leader Abhishek Ghosalkar — quit the party and joined the BJP on Monday. She said the decision was taken after much personal pain, and to speed up development in her area. “I would also expect Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to help me with expediting Abhishek’s case, which is currently moving at a very slow pace,” she added. Her father-in-law and senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vinod Ghosalkar said he remains with the party. “If Abhishek were alive, this situation would not have arisen,” he said. Abhishek Ghosalkar, a former corporator and the son of Vinod Ghosalkar, was shot dead in Borivli in early 2024.
16 December,2025 07:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarADVERTISEMENT
