Around 200 unauthorised hawkers and illegal encroachments on footpaths along Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg (Irla Marg) in Andheri West were removed on Thursday by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) K West ward. Officials said unauthorised encroachments were found on the footpaths of Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg, which connects Swami Vivekananda Marg and Gulmohar Marg and is located near the entrance of the Cooper Hospital. Hawkers had set up illegal stalls, obstructing the movement of ambulances carrying patients in emergency situations to the hospital. The demolition drive was carried out using four encroachment removal vehicles, three JCBs, and other equipment. Nearly 100 BMC officers and staff, along with police personnel, were deployed during the operation. Joint drive clears illegal obstructions on three congested Andheri West roads Earlier on Wednesday, a joint drive by the Amboli police, traffic police, and the BMC brought major relief to residents of Andheri West, with three chronically congested roads finally cleared of illegal obstructions. Sawant Road, Veera Desai Road, and Duttaji Salvi Road — which routinely witnessed severe traffic snarls — were freed of illegal hawkers, abandoned vehicles, and unauthorised parking of dumpers, tankers, and JCB machines. As a result, commute time on these stretches has dropped sharply from nearly 25 minutes earlier to about 10 minutes now. Residents said repeated complaints to civic and police authorities in the past had failed to yield results. The breakthrough came after the Amboli police initiated a joint meeting with the BMC and traffic police, leading to coordinated enforcement on the ground. Sanjay Sawant, a resident of Gundecha Symphony Society on Veera Desai Road, said daily travel had become exhausting due to congestion. “Every day, we struggled to cross our own area. We were stuck for at least 25 minutes just to pass one lane. Tankers and JCB machines were parked everywhere. Despite several complaints, nothing changed earlier,” he said, adding that emergency services were frequently affected. “School buses and ambulances were often stuck. Now we can actually see the road. Earlier, all we saw were vehicles and traffic jams. More than 60 societies on this stretch were impacted. We are thankful to the BMC, traffic police, and Amboli police, and have even invited them for a felicitation,” Sawant said. Another resident, Nakul Vaid, said the situation had earlier turned unsafe. “There was no footpath left for walking as everything was encroached. Dumpers and tankers dominated the area, and residents were threatened whenever issues were raised. Traffic kept increasing, and public urination was common. We only hope this problem does not return,” he said. Suresh Makhija, a committee member of Gundecha Society, said the clearance had restored basic dignity for residents. “For years, heavy dumpers, cranes, and JCBs were parked here. Their drivers created a nuisance by bathing and urinating on the roads. For the first time in many years, the issue has been resolved. I am 76 years old and can finally walk safely on a footpath,” he said. SK Rout, chairman of Palash A and B Wing Cooperative Housing Society, said residents had noticed a visible change. “There is no unauthorised commercial vehicle parking, no roadside urination, and no antisocial elements gathering. Earlier, it took 25 minutes to cross Veera Desai Road. Now it barely takes 10 minutes,” he said. A senior police officer from Amboli police station said three FIRs were registered for illegal parking that posed a threat to public safety. “More than 150 illegal hawkers were removed. Earlier, only one lane was usable due to encroachments. All lanes are now clear. We have towed 37 abandoned vehicles and continue to tow 50 to 60 illegally parked vehicles daily,” the officer said. Senior Inspector Pramod Kokate of Amboli police station said the enforcement drive would continue. “We seized abandoned vehicles, JCBs, tankers, and trucks. Three FIRs were registered for dangerous parking that endangered lives. The action will continue in coordination with the BMC and traffic police to ensure congestion does not return,” he said.
30 January,2026 03:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai suburban system of Western Railway on Friday became one of the first sections of Indian Railways to get a 'Kavach' safety cover with the commissioning of the Virar to Vadodara section. The section from Virar to Dahanu falls under the Mumbai suburban section. Officials from the Western Railways asserted, "The installation of the Kavach System on Western Railway is being carried out at a very fast pace, and on January 30, 'Kavach' will be commissioned on the Virar-Vadodara section. Train No. 20907, Dadar-Bhuj Sayaji Nagri Express, will be the first train to run with the 'Kavach' system from Mumbai, departing from Dadar" 'Kavach' is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system in India designed to prevent train accidents by automatically applying brakes if the loco pilot fails to do so. Adopted as a national system, it enhances safety through collision avoidance (TCAS), speed control, and emergency SOS messaging. Western Railway to introduce four new 12-car locals on Mumbai suburban network Earlier on Thursday, Western Railway (WR) announced that they will be introducing four additional 12-car non-AC (air-conditioned) suburban services in Mumbai from February 1 to enhance commuter convenience and connectivity. With the addition of 12 new suburban trains, the total number of suburban services on WR will rise from 1,406 to 1,410. According to officials from WR, the expansion has been made possible following the completion of construction work on the sixth railway line between Kandivali and Borivali. Officials also highlighted that the commissioning of the new line has enabled the shifting of all Bandra Terminus-bound suburban services to the 5th and 6th lines between Borivali and Bandra Terminus, a move that will significantly improve operational efficiency and traffic management. Of the four new suburban services on the Western Line, two will operate in the UP direction and two in the DOWN direction. UP direction trains Bhayandar to Bandra, departing at 11:39 am Bhayandar to Churchgate, departing at 12:14 pm DOWN direction trains Bandra to Bhayandar, departing at 4:30 am Bandra to Bhayandar, departing at 1:21 pm In its official statement, WR also said that the induction of these services will also lead to minor changes in the timings of certain existing suburban trains. WR has appealed to passengers to take note of the revised schedules to avoid inconvenience. The introduction of these additional services is expected to ease congestion, improve connectivity, and provide smoother travel for thousands of daily commuters across the WR suburban network.
30 January,2026 02:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) has started its probe into the plane crash in Baramati that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, an official said on Friday. The state police have issued orders about the CID probe into the accidental death case registered at Baramati in Pune district, following the January 28 crash, a senior official told PTI. “The Pune Rural police registered a case of accidental death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which has now been transferred to the CID,” he said. Pawar (66), who had taken off from Mumbai, and four others on board a Learjet 45 aircraft died after it crashed barely 200 metres from the edge of the tabletop airstrip at Baramati, his hometown in Pune district, on Wednesday morning. Those killed in the tragedy included Captain Sumit Kapoor, who had 15,000 hours of flying experience, co-pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak with 1,500 hours of experience, Pawar’s personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, and flight attendant Pinky Mali. The official said a team of CID personnel has begun its work and will collect relevant documents from the Pune Rural police. The team will also visit the crash site near the Baramati airstrip, he added. The probe aims to rule out any sabotage to the aircraft before Pawar began his journey from Mumbai to Baramati. Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), functioning under the Civil Aviation Ministry, has also initiated a formal investigation into the crash. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 January,2026 02:42 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIMumbai Police on Friday arrested a taxi driver for allegedly cheating an American woman by charging her Rs 18,000 for a taxi ride of just 400 metres near the Mumbai International Airport. The case came to light after the victim shared her ordeal on social media, prompting swift action by the Sahar Police. According to police officials, the accused has been identified as 50-year-old Deshraj Yadav, a permit taxi driver residing in Sahar Village. The incident occurred on January 12, shortly after the victim, Argentina Ariano, arrived in Mumbai from the United States for work. Taxi driver accused of scamming woman near Mumbai Airport, video goes viral Police said that Ariano hired a taxi from the airport to travel to a five-star hotel located close to the airport. Instead of taking her directly to the hotel, the accused allegedly drove her around the Andheri (East) area for nearly 20 minutes, creating the impression of a long journey. He later dropped her at a hotel in the same locality and demanded an exorbitant fare of Rs 18,000 for the ride, which was actually less than half a kilometre in distance. The matter came to public attention on January 26, when Ariano shared a video describing her experience on social media platform X. In her post, she alleged that she was scammed shortly after landing in Mumbai and also shared the registration number of the taxi. The post went viral the same day, receiving more than 1,00,000 views and drawing widespread outrage. Argentina Ariano (ArgentinaAriano) said on X: "Landed in Mumbai recently and took a taxi to HiltonHotels. The driver and another guy took us to an unknown location first, charged us USD 200 (Rs 18,000), and then dropped us at the hotel which was only 400m away. Taxi No: MH 01 BD 5405 taxidriver mumbai RepublicDay2026 india." Mumbai Police arrested taxi driver after Airport video goes viral Based on the viral post, the Sahar Police initiated an investigation. As the police were unable to establish immediate contact with the victim, they registered a First Information Report (FIR) suo motu on January 27 and later updated it on January 28. The case was registered under Sections 318(4) (cheating) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Using the taxi registration number mentioned in the social media post, the police traced the accused to Sahar Village. The vehicle involved, a white Toyota Etios, was seized as part of the investigation. The Sahar Police arrested Yadav within three hours of registering the case. He has since been produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody. Police officials also revealed that two individuals were involved in the crime. While Yadav has been arrested, his associate, identified as Taufiq Shaikh, is currently absconding. A search operation has been launched to trace and apprehend the second accused. Senior police officials stated that the case highlights the importance of social media in bringing such incidents to light and reiterated that strict action would be taken against anyone found cheating or exploiting tourists. Further investigation is underway to determine whether the accused were involved in similar incidents in the past. Earlier Airport taxi, auto overcharging cases led to arrests in Mumbai On December 24, 2024, Australian NRI businessman D Vijay (49) fell victim to a taxi driver for overcharging Rs 2,800 for a 10-minute journey from the Mumbai International Airport to a Vile Parle hotel. Following an email complaint from Vijay after he reached Nagpur, Sahar police arrested the cab driver, Vinod Goswami (32). On December 14, 2024, Sahar police arrested an auto-rickshaw driver, Ritesh Kadam (26), for taking Rs 3,500 from a 19-year-old US-based chemical engineering student, Vishwajeet Patil, from Sangli when the fare to Chembur showed Rs 106 on his meter. Police said the student had returned on a college holiday from the US, and was travelling to Dadar railway station after landing at Mumbai Airport. (With inputs from IANS)
30 January,2026 01:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a touching and symbolic gesture on Republic Day, the Malad Police Station turned the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony into a powerful statement on dignity, equality, and respect for labour. Departing from convention, the police entrusted the honour of hoisting the national flag not to a celebrity or a senior political figure, but to Anil Soda, a sanitation worker who has been serving at the Malad Police Station for several years. The initiative was aimed at giving true meaning to 'Shram-pratishtha' the dignity of labour. According to the Malad police, Anil and his wife were invited to hoist the tricolour together during the Republic Day celebrations. Sanitation workers, whose contributions often go unnoticed and unacknowledged, were brought to the forefront through this simple yet deeply meaningful act. A heart-touching moment for Anil and his family For Anil Soda, the moment marked what was possibly the first recognition of its kind in his life. The honour left Anil and his wife visibly emotional. Tears welled up in their eyes, tears that reflected pride, gratitude, and years of silent struggle. For many present at the ceremony, those tears became the true essence of Republic Day. As the couple stood with moist eyes, their emotions seemed to echo the long-suppressed pain and neglect faced by countless marginalised workers. Several attendees, moved by their story and the gesture itself, found it difficult to hold back their own emotions. The moment served as a reminder that a nation can truly be called a republic only when every individual is respected as a human being first and when honour is accorded not based on status or position but on honest work.
30 January,2026 01:23 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanDeputy CM Ajit Pawar at the BMC headquarters with the then CM Uddhav Thackeray and former Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray, in January 2021. When Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar visited the BMC headquarters on January 28, 2021, to inaugurate the Heritage Walk, it marked the first time the 128-year-old civic building was opened to tourists. Pawar, a prominent and widely respected leader from the Maratha community, was told about the ‘Maratha Ditch’ — a deep trench built by the East India Company to protect British-controlled structures from possible Maratha attacks during India’s freedom struggle. The ditch existed in the Fort area before 1860. “We were standing on the deck above the entrance of BMC when I pointed to Mr Pawar the location of the erstwhile Fort of Bombay that was surrounded by the ditch,” said Bharat Gothoskar, founder of Khaki Tours, which conducts the heritage walks every weekend. Pawar later visited the BMC as part of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi, accompanying then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who officially inaugurated the Heritage Walk. “It is sad that he passed away on the fifth anniversary of the Heritage Walk,” Gothoskar said.
30 January,2026 11:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSSenior Central Railway officials at the zonal headquarters at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Wednesday recalled that in late 2025 and early 2026, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had emerged as one of the strongest drivers of railway infrastructure expansion in the state, with special focus on Pune, Beed and adjoining regions. According to officials, Pawar personally monitored several long-pending rail projects and consistently pushed for faster approvals and coordination between the Centre and the state. “Among his pet initiatives were three key railway projects close to his heart — the Daund-Baramati line, the Baramati-Phaltan-Lonand corridor, and the Ahilyanagar-Beed-Parli Vaijnath route,” a senior Central Railway official said. “These projects were aimed at plugging decades-old connectivity gaps in western Maharashtra and Marathwada, with Baramati envisioned as the central hub,” the official added. Railway officers said Pawar also took a keen interest in strengthening Pune’s suburban rail network, particularly the Pune-Lonavala section. The corridor is being developed under an Rs 5100-crore project, with the Maharashtra government committing to bear 50 per cent of the cost. In Marathwada, Pawar played a crucial role in pushing railway connectivity to Beed — a long-standing demand of the district that had remained unresolved for decades. “We explained to him how the Beed rail project had been stalled mainly due to land acquisition issues,” the official said. “He intervened to resolve coordination bottlenecks and ensured momentum.” Officials said the project is expected to significantly improve mobility, investment and economic opportunities in one of Maharashtra’s most historically under-connected regions. Rs 51K crCost of upgrading Pune-Lonavala section
30 January,2026 11:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarAs Maharashtra bid farewell to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, memories of his political legacy extended beyond power and administration to a quieter but deeply personal contribution — his consistent emphasis on women’s dignity, recognition, and empowerment, rooted in his native village of Katewadi. Long before the recent cabinet decision mandating the inclusion of mothers’ names in all government documents, Katewadi village in Baramati taluka had already set an example. In 2005, the village gram panchayat introduced mothers’ names alongside fathers’ names on all land ownership records. The decision, led by women members of the panchayat, aimed to formally acknowledge the role of mothers in family and community life. Roads in Katewadi wear a deserted look as residents left their homes to pay tribute to their beloved leader Ajit Pawar. Pics/By Special Arrangement Katewadi, the Pawar family’s native village, later earned national recognition for its progressive governance. In 2008, it was declared a ‘model village’ by the Maharashtra government and subsequently developed into the state’s first eco-village. Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, played a key role in planning and implementing several of these initiatives. Despite his demanding schedule, Pawar made it a point to visit Katewadi regularly. Village women recalled that he and Sunetra Pawar participated every year in the Bail Pola celebrations, where residents treated them as members of their own family. A leader loved by all Ajit Pawar’s association with women-centric welfare remained prominent throughout his political career. His Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched last year, emerged as one of the most popular schemes in Maharashtra, providing a monthly honorarium of R1500 to eligible women beneficiaries. The scheme found wide acceptance, particularly in rural areas, and became a defining element of his outreach during the Assembly elections. The campaign’s distinctive pink theme and emphasis on swift implementation strengthened his connection with women voters. Under the Women and Child Development Ministry, headed by Aditi Tatkare, operational hurdles were cleared on priority. Pawar repeatedly assured beneficiaries that funds would not fall short, reinforcing confidence in the scheme. An unfulfilled wish The emotional bond between Pawar and women supporters was most visible during his final darshan. As his mortal remains were brought to Katewadi ahead of the last rites, women from across Baramati and neighbouring villages gathered in large numbers to pay tribute to the leader they affectionately called ‘Dada’. One elderly woman, holding a rakhi in trembling hands, broke down in tears. “I came to tie this rakhi for him,” she cried. “This time my wish remained unfulfilled.” Similar scenes unfolded as several women struggled to accept the loss of a leader they viewed as a protective elder brother and a dependable pillar of support. In Katewadi and Baramati, many households observed mourning by not lighting their stoves, reflecting the depth of collective grief. Final journey from Katewadi Ajit Pawar’s funeral procession began from Katewadi on Thursday morning amid overwhelming sorrow. Thousands gathered from early dawn to pay their respects to the Pawar family. Senior leaders, including Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, were present as emotional slogans of “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” echoed through the village. The flower-decked vehicle carrying his mortal remains travelled nearly seven kilometres through Baramati’s main areas before reaching the Vidya Pratishtan campus. Along the route, mourners followed silently, many running behind the procession with tearful eyes. A heavy police deployment, traffic diversions and drone surveillance were put in place to manage the massive turnout. Legacy beyond politics Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise has left Maharashtra mourning not just a powerful administrator, but a leader whose connection with grassroots workers and women beneficiaries went far beyond political symbolism. From pioneering reforms in his native village to statewide welfare initiatives, his imprint on inclusive governance remains enduring. Silent stoves, sleepless nights In a rare collective gesture of respect, households across Baramati did not light their gas stoves on Wednesday and Thursday. Many residents remained outdoors through the night, refusing to return home as they bid an emotional farewell to their beloved leader.
30 January,2026 11:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana DahiwalColleagues, kin, neighbours, and several relatives huddled up at the Century Mills MHADA colony in Prabhadevi on Thursday morning as the mortal remains of 29-year-old flight attendant Pinky Mali were brought in from Baramati for her last rites. The budding air hostess lost her life in the shocking charter plane crash that also claimed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s life. Her parents, Shiv Kumar Mali and Maya Mali, sobbed seeing their middle child draped in cloth head to toe, while Karan and Preeti, Pinky’s siblings, gave them courage. A large number of Pinky’s relatives had arrived from Banaras, Uttar Pradesh, the Mali family’s native town, on Thursday, informed her aunt, Pushpa Mali. “She was a happy kid… she would visit our family every time she was in Banaras and always kept in touch,” she told mid-day. Many neighbours remember young Pinky as a happy, proactive child. “She moved to Kalwa after her marriage, but people always spoke very highly of her. She seemed satisfied with her career and new family, too,” said Sadhana Singh, a neighbour. Family and friends of Pinki Mali pay their respects. Pic/Shadab Khan “We all knew of Pinky, but we never imagined that this was how she would lose her life,” said another neighbour. Among the throngs of MHADA residents, media, and family friends were her aviation colleagues. One colleague, who has known Pinky for the past 10 years, recalled her experience of working with the budding stewardess. “I originally met Pinky during a short correspondence course. She was extremely jolly. Be it dance competitions or the ramp walk, she would always be a part of these events,” said her colleague on condition of anonymity. Pinky’s close friends shared how she also hoped to establish a modelling career. But in hopes of supporting her family and finding pride in hospitality, she chose the job of a flight attendant. According to neighbours and family friends, Pinky’s father was a staffer at an airport in his early days but lost his job. Soon after, he began working at the Century Mills and then lost stable income once again when the mills shut down. Pinky, in hopes of supporting her family and fulfilling her dad’s ambition, eagerly took up her profession. “Pinky was a very supportive girl and was good at her job. Not a single complaint was raised against her during her service time at the airlines,” said another co-worker. They stated that Pinky was the kind who was “always ready to fly”. Flying with VVIPs was a common work experience for them all. “She was willing to fly for 15-20 days without a break… she never said no,” added the other co-worker. On Thursday, the mortal remains of Mali were brought from Baramati to Kalwa, the residence of her in-laws. Soon after, she was carried to Century Mills MHADA in Prabhadevi at 11.45 am, where her close ones paid their respects. After a few hours, the family took her mortal remains to Shivaji Park for her last rites. 29Age of Pinky Mali Fatherspeak Shiv Kumar Mali, Pinky’s fatherThis has been absolutely devastating for our family. In a few days, we will be leaving for Nashik to immerse her ashes. We have asked for an inquiry into why we were never officially informed by the company about our daughter’s death. Had we not switched on the TV, we would have found out very late. We travelled to Baramati on our own buck and identified our daughter at the hospital.
30 January,2026 11:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarA section of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders believe that Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, the wife of the late Ajit Pawar, could potentially lead the party and join the state government as deputy chief minister or a minister and one of her sons, Parth and Jay, could be nominated to the Upper House in her place. According to party sources, it is too early to discuss what’s next for the NCP. But, a mid-rank party leader admitted that a section within the party (informally) was said to be weighing the need for continuity and stability after the leadership vacuum created by the demise of the deputy chief minister. With the BJP already gearing up for the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, recent municipal council and corporation polls have shown growing competition among the three Mahayuti partners, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s NCP, and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. NCP leader Sunetra Pawar interacts with a child while canvassing for votes in Pune in the run-up to state election in 2024. File pic Following Ajit’s passing, this battle of open one-upmanship is expected to intensify further, with the BJP likely to see an opportunity to assert itself in western Maharashtra, long considered a stronghold of the Pawar family. No wonder, with political equations in Maharashtra changing rapidly, all eyes are now on the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and its next steps in selecting leadership and decisions on key posts, including the deputy chief minister and the crucial finance and planning portfolio in the state government. On Thursday, mid-day shed light on how the BJP was eyeing a crucial finance portfolio as Fadnavis was always keen to keep this ministry with himself, as it plays a crucial role in the development of the state. Aware of the changing political scenario and need to move swiftly, many within the party believe that Parth or Jay do not have much experience in Maharashtra’s electoral or legislative politics yet, and in such a situation, Sunetra can step in to fill the gap and lead the party at the state level. “No one other than a Thackeray can lead the Shiv Sena. Similarly, for the NCP, only a Pawar will be accepted at the helm of affairs. It is only a Pawar who can keep the party intact and going. Hence, Sunetra Pawar can be a good replacement in Maharashtra. While one of their sons can be nominated to the Rajya Sabha in her place,” the leader added. The leader further stated that senior leaders like Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel are already based in Delhi and can guide the new Pawar generation at the national level. He also mentioned that besides Patel and Tatkare, senior leaders from other NCP faction, such as veteran leader Sharad Pawar (Rajya Sabha MP) and his daughter Supriya Sule (Lok Sabha MP from Baramati), also have vast parliamentary experience and could help guide one of Ajit’s sons in navigating politics in Delhi. ThreeNo. of seats won by NCP in BMC election
30 January,2026 11:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was cremated with full state honours on Thursday, around 12.12 pm at the Vidya Pratishtan campus in Baramati. His sons Parth and Jay Pawar lit the funeral pyre, even as his wife Sunetra broke down during the final rites. A testament to Ajit Pawar’s mass appeal was the staggering crowd of people who turned up. In one emotionally charged moment, an elderly woman, holding a rakhi in her trembling hands, broke down in tears. “I came to tie this rakhi for him,” she cried. “This time my wish remained unfulfilled.” Ajit Pawar’s Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched last year, emerged as one of the most popular schemes in Maharashtra. The atmosphere turned deeply emotional as a massive crowd gathered for the final farewell. Cries of grief and slogans of “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” and “Ajit Dada parat ya” echoed across Baramati, reflecting the profound public sorrow over the loss of the veteran leader. A sea of people can be seen at the Vidya Pratishtan campus in Baramati for the funeral of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was cremated with full state honours on Thursday Emotional farewell Ajit Pawar’s mortal remains were first kept for public viewing at his native village, Katewadi, on Wednesday evening. From the early hours of Thursday, supporters from across Maharashtra arrived in large numbers to pay their respects. The crowd swelled to such an extent that police personnel initially struggled to manage the situation. Order was later restored following an appeal by MLA Rohit Pawar. The body was later brought to the Vidya Pratishtan campus in Baramati, where his wife Sunetra Pawar, along with other family members, paid their last respects. Tragic death Ajit Pawar, 66, died on Wednesday morning in a plane crash at Baramati. He was travelling in a mid-size business jet that had taken off from Mumbai at 8.10 am and was scheduled to address rallies for the upcoming rural local body elections. Four others also lost their lives in the crash. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the incident, including an examination of the aircraft operator’s role and the condition of the Baramati airstrip. End of dynamic political era Ajit Pawar was widely regarded not merely as a political leader but as an institution of governance and development. Known for his discipline, decisiveness and deep connection with rural Maharashtra, his demise has left party workers and supporters deeply shaken. Many mourners were visibly emotional upon seeing the leader, known for his commanding presence and firm voice, lying still for the final time. A massive crowd gathers at the Vidya Pratishtan campus in Baramati for the funeral of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was cremated with full state honours on Thursday. Pics/By Special Arrangement Senior leaders attend funeral Several senior leaders from across the political spectrum attended the funeral. National leaders who made it included Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Ramdas Athawale and Praful Patel. State leadership included Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Chhagan Bhujbal, Sunil Tatkare, Jayant Patil, Sushilkumar Shinde, Ashok Chavan, Uddhav Thackeray, and Raj Thackeray, along with members of their families. Others present were Andhra Pradesh leader Nara Lokesh, actor Riteish Deshmukh, and several MPs, MLAs, and office-bearers from various political parties. Leaders across parties described Ajit Pawar’s death as an irreparable loss to Maharashtra. City, villages fall silent A pall of silence descended over Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad as the region mourned the sudden loss of its long-time leader and former guardian minister. Deserted roads all day As a mark of respect, the Pune District Auto Rickshaw Driver-Owner Association and several city rickshaw unions announced a complete suspension of auto services on Thursday. Services remained suspended from 8 am to 5 pm, with unions stating the shutdown was in remembrance of Ajit Pawar’s contribution to the development of Pune and its surrounding areas. Baramati reflects humanity Even as Maharashtra mourned, Baramati witnessed an extraordinary display of compassion and social responsibility. Thousands of supporters arriving from different districts were provided free food and accommodation by local residents, institutions, and traders. Despite personal grief, citizens ensured visitors faced no inconvenience. As news of Ajit Pawar’s death spread, waves of supporters poured into the town. Local residents and business owners joined hands to arrange meals, drinking water and shelter. Several organisations and volunteers set up food distribution centres across Baramati. Ajit Pawar’s mortal remains were kept at the Vidya Pratishtan grounds for public viewing late into the night. Despite the cold weather and emotional strain, volunteers continued distributing food and water. “Dada always taught us the value of humanity. Serving those who came to bid him farewell is the true tribute to his legacy,” said a local volunteer. At a time of intense political and personal grief for the Pawar family, the compassion shown by the people of Baramati stood out as a powerful reminder of collective humanity, illuminating the moment of loss with selfless service. 12.12 pmTime of cremation
30 January,2026 11:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana DahiwalADVERTISEMENT
