The closure of numerous civic schools across the city has been more than just an inconvenience. Dharavi resident Reshma Shaikh would send her two children — an 11-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter — to the New Mahim School, which was a 15-minute walk from her house. “My children’s admission was directly transferred to the Kapad Bazaar School earlier this year, after the school was declared dangerous. Now, it is a 30-45 minute walk one way to the new school,” said Reshma. Missing out Owing to the long distance and her chores at home, Reshma claims that she typically sends her children to school only twice or thrice a week. “Now, I am in the sixth month of my third pregnancy. My health does not allow me to walk as much, and I don’t think I can manage to send my children to school anymore. We are going to our native village for 15 days, after returning, I might get them out of school,” she told mid-day. New Mahim School, which has been declared a dangerous structure; (right) Sion Mumbai Public School. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Not far away, at Matunga’s Labour Camp, Sonal Dabhade has been worried about the education of her three children — an 8-year-old son, an 11-year-old daughter, and 12-year-old son — who were all enrolled in BMC-run Marathi schools. School-hopping Her eldest began his school journey at a civic-run Marathi school at Matunga’s Labour Camp. “The school was very short-staffed, and teachers would almost never show up for class. A single teacher would have to teach three classes, and, in fact, it was a few officials from the school who suggested that the New Mahim Marathi School was a better alternative,” said Sonal. After the 12-year-old completed his Std V exams, he was shifted to New Mahim Marathi School along with his siblings. They spent one year studying at New Mahim until Sonal was told that this school was to shut down, too, for repairs. Once again, the older children were moved to a Sion-based civic school, which is nearly 2 km away from Sonal’s residence. “My youngest son, who was in Std II, was initially assigned to the Mahim Police Colony School. However, that school appeared to be run-down and managing the commute was difficult, so I had to make my youngest one switch schools again. He now studies at the Sion school too,” Sonal said. This is how the three younglings ended up changing three schools within three years. Impossible without help Working as a housemaid, Sonal finds it difficult after a day of chores to walk all the way to get her children. But between daily wage and education, neither can be compromised. However, to her aid comes her neighbour, Razia Shaikh, who takes turns with picking and dropping off children. Razia sent her daughter to the Mori Road semi-English medium school until 2020. However, after being informed that the school was being demolished, her daughter, who was in Std IV, was moved to New Mahim Marathi School. After four years of education there, New Mahim was demolished too, and now she studies at the Sion-based civic school. “We cannot use buses as they are never on time, and we have household responsibilities to manage too. Had I known that this would be the fate of the school, I would have enrolled my daughter elsewhere to begin with,” Razia said. Official Speak “Administrative officers are looking into the matter. Our Marathi-medium schools in Dharavi and neighbouring areas can accommodate these students, even mid-year. We are collecting data on students who have been attending school intermittently, and I am looking forward to proposals of secondary students who need a bus arranged, so we can work on the same,” said Education Officer Sujata Khare. Expert Speak “Students who are suffering are already underprivileged. Giving them hope and taking it away can make them feel more insecure, while damaging their relationship with education itself. In future, when they are actually attending a stable school, they may end up being more careless because of their past experience,” said Dr Naazneen Ladak, a consulting psychiatrist.
09 December,2025 07:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarAmid the ongoing disruptions caused by IndiGo’s operational crisis, Pune Airport on Monday confirmed that all ten aircraft parking bays are currently vacant, with no IndiGo or other airline aircraft stranded on the apron. Airport officials said airside capacity remains fully available, ensuring smooth aircraft movement and optimal utilisation of resources. Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke said that all airlines are operating as per their approved schedules, with no impact on arrivals, departures, or ground-handling services. “Terminal operations, passenger facilitation, and overall airport systems remain stable, efficient, and uninterrupted,” he said. The airport continues to coordinate closely with all stakeholders to maintain operational continuity and ensure a seamless experience for passengers. Earlier on Monday, Pune Airport recorded steady passenger movement with 4652 arrivals and 4791 departures between 12.00 am and 09.30 am. A total of 58 flights — 29 arrivals and 29 departures — were operated by Air India, SpiceJet, AIX, Akasa Air, Star Air and Fly91. Of these, IndiGo had 14 arrivals and 13 departures, but experienced significant disruptions, cancelling 14 arriving and 14 departing flights. No other airline reported cancellations. Enhanced passenger support Officials said Pune Airport has strengthened its passenger support systems in response to the ongoing disruptions. Over 200 additional chairs have been placed across the check-in area, security hold area, and arrivals section, with priority seating for senior citizens and persons with reduced mobility. Airlines, in coordination with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), are providing refreshments, drinking water, and medical assistance to affected travellers. Additional terminal managers, helpdesk staff, and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel have been deployed to manage passenger flow. The airport’s 28 food and beverage outlets, including the budget-friendly Udan Yatri Café, are operating with sufficient stock and stable pricing. A dedicated Operational Control Room with a direct phone line is providing real-time updates and coordination, while Flight Information Display System (FIDS) screens are continuously refreshed. Housekeeping teams have been reinforced, and sanitary napkins have been stocked in all female washrooms. To manage aircraft parking more efficiently, coordinated arrangements have been made with IndiGo for handling stranded aircraft at other stations, ensuring the availability of bays for all airlines at Pune. Landside operations have also been bolstered with additional staff, shuttle buses, and traffic wardens. “Our priority is to ensure that every passenger remains supported and informed,” said the airport director. “All teams are working around the clock to maintain safe, smooth, and comfortable airport operations.”
09 December,2025 07:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana DahiwalIndiGo finally entered the new week on a steadier footing after days of unprecedented cancellations and four-digit delays, restoring most of its network on Monday even as passengers continued to grapple with a mounting baggage crisis that has outlasted the flight disruptions. Fewer cancellations By 7 pm Monday, the airline had cancelled 50 arrivals and 48 departures from Mumbai, a sharp improvement from last week’s disruptions. An IndiGo crew member, requesting anonymity, told mid-day, “Today has been less hectic than last week. Since the airline has restored about 91 per cent of connectivity, we are now dealing more with baggage delivery issues than cancellations.” An IndiGo spokesperson said, “Today, we are set to operate more than 1800 flights, connecting all stations. We have optimised our operations and reduced cancellations, which are being communicated in advance. Our on-time performance has improved to 91 per cent across the network.” Baggage delays pile up While many passengers initially believed baggage issues would stabilise, problems escalated from December 6. Several flyers said they had still not received their checked-in bags despite being assured delivery within 24 to 48 hours. Karina Ostwal, who flew from Mumbai to Bengaluru on December 5 after a 14-hour delay, said she is yet to receive her luggage. “It has been more than 48 hours, and I still have no update. I was given two contact numbers by the IndiGo staff, but no one is answering calls,” she said. Her engagement, already postponed once due to the delay, has been pushed further since her outfits and essential items are still missing. Another passenger, Shubham Mehta, has also been struggling. A relative told mid-day, “The staff told us the bags would arrive in 24 hours. Now they are not willing to commit to any date. We have come to the Mumbai airport for two days straight, and no one has any answers.” Shradha Shinde, in Pune, who was waiting for her daughter’s arrival, said, “My daughter missed her flight from Delhi to Pune due to the IndiGo crisis last week, and she had to book another one. Her new flight arrived almost on time, but there was a long delay retrieving her luggage. Passengers were even asked to wait inside the plane after landing without being told the reason.” Lost and found unaffected Despite the baggage chaos, the lost and found department at Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1 has seen no spike in unclaimed items. An employee said, “We are seeing the usual volume. We thought more passengers might lose belongings during the rush, but that has not happened.” IndiGo pilot’s open letter A pilot posted an anonymous open letter on social media alleging:>> Years of internal decay with fatigue, unsafe duty hours, poor pay and intimidation>> Toxic leadership that dismissed concerns with humiliation instead of support>> Severe manpower strain across pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground staff>> Weak regulatory backing during licensing delays, fatigue-rule changes and operational pressure>> Appeal for reform, urging the government to enforce minimum wages, staffing and fatigue rules, arguing IndiGo risks collapse not from higher pay but from neglect IndiGo updates >> More than 1800 flights operated on Monday, higher than about 1650 on Sunday>> On-time performance at 90 per cent, up from about 75 per cent the previous day>> Network coverage fully restored>> All Monday cancellations were executed on Sunday to ensure advance notice
09 December,2025 07:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturLack of administrative planning has once again disrupted examinations for law students in Mumbai. A group of 3-year and 5-year LLB students from Nalanda Law College in Borivli were unable to take their final year exams on Monday due to missing hall tickets. Despite receiving exam timetables well in advance, students said the exam portal links — used to access past results and download hall tickets — were sent only last Thursday. “Many of us were unable to log in to those portals. Over the weekend, our college officials kept reassuring us that the hall tickets would turn up,” said Shel Sarawgi, an LLB student. When the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) exams were scheduled at 10.30 am, students were asked to report to the college instead to collect hall tickets from the security guard. “While some students got theirs, we were told ours were on the way. Even at 10.45 am, we were waiting at our college gates instead of being at our exam centres,” she added. Students await answer sheet barcodes at Siddharth Law College. Pics/By Special Arrangement With the labour law exam slated for Wednesday and no clarity on hall tickets, students remain in limbo. “Many 5-year LLB students were sent to sit at their centres while teachers rushed with hall tickets. Even after that, they were asked to wait due to problems with the QR codes on answer sheets. My hall ticket never showed up, and it has left me troubled,” said another student on condition of anonymity. Change in login? When mid-day contacted authorities, Prof Milind S Gajadhane, local secretary of the college, said, “These are technical glitches that didn’t allow students to generate hall tickets. Students possibly changed their login passwords, which led to this problem. We are in touch with Mumbai University and will meet them tomorrow. We intend to resolve the issue before the next examination.” On the delayed answer sheet barcodes, Gajadhane added, “These are central administrative issues faced at centres across the city. We hope to smooth things out in the next examination.” Officials from Mumbai University said, “Their admission was not done on the university portal by the college; naturally, hall tickets could not be given.” Unfair on some In another part of the city, 5-year LLB students appeared for exams at Siddharth College of Law in Fort, but the barcodes on answer sheets — which carry student details — arrived late. “The students still had their answer sheets even after exam time ended, which could give others an unfair advantage. Many approached YuvaSena, and we will soon speak to university officials to address this mismanagement,” said Pradeep Sawant, YuvaSena member. Siddharth College officials said Mumbai University was to send around 170 students to their centre, and seating arrangements were made accordingly. Additional students were assigned just before exams, leaving the college unprepared. Despite this, all students were able to take their papers on Monday at the centre. Officials from Mumbai University said the delay in barcodes happened because the colleges concerned did not submit the necessary student data to the university on time.
09 December,2025 07:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarWhy the debate started A new tender for upgrading Sanpada car shed to maintain 15-car trains has triggered speculation that the Railways may be preparing to introduce 15-car locals on the Harbour line as well. mid-day first to report Central Railway is converting 20 existing 12-car rakes into 15-car rakes on the main line, marking one of the largest capacity boosts in more than a decade. Where the upgrade applies (Main line only)>> CSMT-Karjat>> CSMT-Khopoli>> CSMT-Kasara CR officials insist there is no plan to convert harbour line services to 15-car trains. Representation pic/Satej Shinde Operational impact of 15-car trains>> Longer clearance time for each section>> Changes in acceleration and braking patterns>> Need to revise schedules>> Higher risk of cascading delays if not managed well Purpose>> Modify overhead electrical equipment>> Enable handling of 15-coach rakes>> Support main line deployment of 15-car trains Infrastructure work under MUTP IIIAUpgrades at:>> Kurla car shed >> Kalva car shed>> Sanpada car shed ‘Good idea’ Subhash Gupta, Pravasi Sangh“The idea of 15-car trains on the Harbour line is good, but the priority should be the main line. We need longer trains beyond Thane and Kalyan first.” Ramika Yadav, commuter“The Harbour line is neglected. Any improvement is welcome. More 15-car trains overall will help ease crowds.” Janardhan Kumar Patel“The Harbour line needs better punctuality and frequency first. Crowding is severe beyond Kurla towards Panvel. The trans-harbour needs upgrades too.” Ravalnath Prabhu“We cannot keep extending trains endlessly. After 15 cars, there will be calls for 18 and so on. The system needs stability.” What Railways say about Harbour line CR officials insist there is no plan to convert Harbour line services to 15-car trains. “The Sanpada car shed also handles main line rakes, so it is being upgraded along with Kalwa and Kurla. The Harbour line has no space left for 15-car operations. Even the shift from nine-car to 12-car platforms was extremely difficult, so extending to 15-car is not feasible,” an official said. Final wordHarbour line will remain 12-car. The Sanpada tender relates only to the main line upgrade.
09 December,2025 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe municipal corporation elections have provided a push to the much-anticipated work of restoring the Mahim Fort, which is set to begin with the clearing of debris and seaside rocks to facilitate restoration work. Paving the way The first tender floated in five years aims to kickstart work with excavation and assessment of the seaside rocks of Mahim Fort. While this will not interfere with the structural integrity of the fort, the excavation work will pave the way for restoration. A senior civic official said, “We have roped in VJTI (Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute) to conceptualise the restoration work and draft a plan for the same. Work on the restoration plan is in progress.” Land levels have changed over the years, and several aspects of the fort are no longer above the surface. The present work plans to clear hurdles, caused by natural factors and also due to human intervention, to facilitate restoration work. Before the work, portions of the fort need to be evaluated due to the structure’s proximity to the sea, which likely caused corrosion to the heritage boulders. Clearing hurdles In 2020-21, the BMC decided to restore the fort, which was in a crumbling state with its seaside embankment encroached on by unauthorised residential structures. In 2023, BMC completed the dismantling of 267 slum structures, and shifted over 3000 residents from the area. In October this year, the customs department — with jurisdiction over the Mahim Fort — completed the demarcation of the fort's boundaries, paving way for the restoration. 800-year-old history This 800-year-old fort bordering the sea near Mahim Koliwada was a strategic defence position for the island of Mumbai back in the day. The Mahin Fort offered a coastal advantage to the city, along with the nearby forts of Worli and Bandra. Through time, it changed hands from the rule of Raja Bhimdev in the 13th century, to the Sultan of Gujarat in the 14th century, the Portuguese, and then the British. Each time, it saw changes made to the original structure. “The restoration will honour the structure as it is today,” a civic official said.
09 December,2025 07:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MSPrabhadevi station is once again slipping into stampede-like conditions after the shutdown of the Elphinstone Road bridge. With its staircases closed for demolition, thousands of commuters are now funnelling onto a single narrow foot overbridge to move between the east and west, causing severe crowding during rush hours. Immediate trigger The chaos began after both staircases leading to the Elphinstone Road bridge were closed. These staircases, used mainly by commuters headed to Parel in the east or Prabhadevi in the west, have forced people to walk northward to access the two remaining bridges. Sources said this surge should be diverted to the newly constructed south-end bridge to prevent the north-end bridges, which also serve Parel station, from becoming dangerously congested. Prabhadevi currently has three east-west bridges: two at the north end and one at the south end. Connectivity gap widens Even as Western Railway (WR) and Central Railway (CR) upgrade facilities, commuters say the closure of the Elphinstone bridge without a full alternative has left a large connectivity gap. Many called the move unfair and said the pressure on a single usable crossing has made weekday crowds unmanageable. Commuters queue tightly on Prabhadevi station’s narrow middle bridge after the Elphinstone bridge access was shut for demolition WR has now concentrated booking operations at the Dadar end of the station, where most passengers buy tickets. Officials said they are watching the crowding closely and may open extra ticket windows at the north end booking area if required. What Railways is doing 1 The Churchgate train shifted 50 metres behind usual halt so last coach aligns with the wider Dadar-end bridge 2 Large signage installed across platforms and entry points to guide commuters 3 RPF and GRP personnel deployed to divert crowd from the first six coaches toward the two north-end bridges, while commuters from the remaining six coaches are being guided toward the south-end bridge 4 Railways and the BMC studying whether an additional staircase can be built at the narrow west-side landing of the Churchgate-end bridge Commuter voices Yogesh Kokate said, “Extreme crowd on the middle bridge during peak hours. With the Elphinstone bridge gone, this exit is getting overcrowded. A mishap may occur any day.” Another commuter, Apeksha, said, “Absolute chaos at Prabhadevi around 10 am. Waited 10 to 15 minutes for the crowd to thin out. It didn’t. Have we learnt nothing from past incidents?” Shashank Manohar added, “Is the railway ministry waiting for another disaster at Prabhadevi? Why is there no Plan B when a key bridge is closed?” The Elphinstone Road stampede The 2017 Elphinstone Road stampede occurred after heavy rain, and overcrowding triggered panic on a narrow footbridge. Over 40 people died and many were injured. The incident exposed infrastructure gaps and led to demands for safer rail facilities. The central government later brought in the Indian Army to build new foot overbridges in record time.
09 December,2025 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarWhat was once dismissed as a seasonal cough or temporary breathlessness and dryness of skin, especially during the winter season, is now emerging as a much deeper health crisis for Mumbai. Medical experts warn that breathing difficulties are only the first visible symptom of a growing list of pollution-induced health problems affecting residents across age groups. With air quality frequently slipping into the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories, doctors are witnessing a surge in patients suffering from ailments that go far beyond respiratory distress. The vocal fold cyst developed by a 14-year-old Medical experts say prolonged exposure to polluted air laden with fine particulate matter, construction dust and vehicular emissions is triggering inflammation across multiple systems of the body. Doctors have noticed a rise in cases related to the throat and skin. Vocal cord issues Ehtesham P, the father of the 14-year-old boy, told mid-day, “About two months ago, our son developed severe throat pain. We first went to a local ENT who prescribed some medication. However, he did not feel any better. Later, we approached Dr Nupur Kapoor Nerurkar, who asked us if our son had been shouting or consuming a lot of oily and spicy food. But it wasn’t so. We just told her that he has a habit of reading out loud when studying for the SSC exam. But she said that this couldn’t be the sole reason. Then she asked us if there was a lot of dust near our home or his school. We then told her that a lot of construction activity was going on near our home, and we were traversing stretches where Metro work is taking place when dropping him off at school. That is when she said that elevated dust levels had resulted in cyst formation.” Dr Sonali Kohli, senior consultant, dermatology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Dr Nupur Kapoor Nerurkar, laryngologist, and voice surgeon (right) Dr Shareefa Isa Chause, MBBS, DDVL, who treated Ronak Shinde’s skin ailment. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT ENTs have explained that persistent inhalation of polluted air causes the vocal cords to dry out and swell, and saliva to thicken. Dr Nupur, laryngologist and voice surgeon at Bombay Hospital, said pollution can cause changes in the body where secretions, such as saliva and mucus, become thicker, leading to inflammation of tissues of the upper and lower airway. “We are seeing more patients with vocal fold cyst development. This means that due to inhaling a large amount of polluted air, the glands that produce secretion get blocked and thus the cyst forms. Similarly, thickening of secretions in the throat due to inhaling highly polluted air and causing inflammation of the mucosa can cause the Eustachian tube (which connects the back of the throat to the eardrums) to also get inflamed, resulting in problems in the ear and throat.” Skin can’t breathe Cases of contact dermatitis, eczema flares, unexplained rashes and pigmentation issues have also risen significantly over the past few months. Dr Sonali Kohli, senior consultant, dermatology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, said, “Over the past month, we have seen an increase in patients presenting with superficial skin infections and inflammatory flare. Many of these patients have reported new or worsening symptoms. In our clinic, we have seen an approximate 25 per cent rise in such patients. Pollution is a plausible contributing factor, but rarely the sole cause.” She added, “Particulate matter and gaseous pollutants lead to oxidative stress on skin cells, causing barrier disruption, an increased susceptibility to irritants, allergens, and pathogens; and inflammation, resulting in exacerbation of eczema/atopic dermatitis and acne-like flares.” Dr Kohli said other contributors, such as seasonal humidity changes, increased interpersonal contact, changes in hygiene practices, mask use, sweat/occlusion, and behavioural factors, often act together. “So it is reasonable to say pollution may be an important driver,” she added. Case study Ronak Shinde, who lives in Mankhurd and travels to the Mumbai airport daily by road, said his skin had developed extreme dryness around three weeks ago. “Despite no change in my routine or food intake, or travel habits, I suddenly began experiencing extreme itching and developing rashes that bled if I scratched a bit. After a few tests, my dermatologist explained that the skin’s dryness has increased massively. We soon realised that it had turned drier due to increased pollution levels. She then prescribed some creams and medication, and now the situation is a bit better,” said Shinde. His doctor, Dr Shareefa Isa Chause, MBBS, DDVL, said, “When particulate matter comes in contact with the skin, it creates oxidative stress, which sparks an inflammatory response. Skin has a trans-epidermal layer, which helps balance hydration levels. Particulate matter damages skin barriers, the foundational protective layers of our skin. This leads to infections and imbalances.”
09 December,2025 07:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarWomen traffic constables in Mumbai have begun going beyond their routine duties to enhance women’s safety on the streets by closely monitoring vehicles, such as cabs, and pedestrians, especially during late-night hours, while working informally alongside the Nirbhaya Squad. Apart from vehicle checks, constables have also been observed keeping a watch on women walking alone after dark, intervening when they sense discomfort or vulnerability. In some areas, women traffic personnel are positioning themselves near railway stations, bus stops, hospitals, office hubs, and poorly lit stretches — locations that see regular late-night movement. Their presence, officers say, helps deter harassment and ensures quicker assistance when required. Members of the traffic police squad that help keep women safe at night “We are stationed at crowded and busy spots where patrolling teams sometimes arrive a little late. Since we are already on traffic duty, keeping an eye out to ensure the safety of women commuters does not add much of a burden,” said Mrunali Kamble, a police constable posted at the Matunga traffic division. Senior traffic police officers confirmed that there is no official order or written directive mandating these safety checks, stating that the initiative has emerged voluntarily from women constables who often encounter distress situations during their daily postings. “We are on the roads all day and night. If we notice something unusual, we step in,” said another female traffic constable, adding that balancing traffic management with safety monitoring is challenging but necessary. Explaining the added pressures, Kamble said, “Traffic duty itself is demanding, and as women, we understand how difficult it is to manage one’s work, family, children, and health. That is why we try to look out for other women, so they can feel reassured and go about their lives without fear.” Mrunali Kamble (right) and a Mumbai Police colleague If a woman is found walking alone or in an isolated area, constables first check whether she requires assistance, including an escort or a drop. “If necessary, we use our motorbikes to drop them, sometimes to a nearby railway station or directly to their destination. Many women who cannot afford taxis or face a lack of bus services at night end up walking long distances. These are often late-night shift employees or women working in the catering sector. We try to ensure they reach wherever they need to go safely,” said a woman constable posted at the western suburbs. Women speak Shreya Balakrishnan, 32, a nurse who resides in Khar, said, “I work in Andheri and go home around 2 am to freshen up and feed my dog, before returning to work by 4 am. I usually travel by app-booked auto. Two weeks ago, I saw the Nirbhaya Squad vehicle, the pink one, but there were also two bikes marked Mumbai Traffic Police with their logo. They stopped the auto I was in, asked if I was feeling safe, and even offered to accompany me. I politely declined since I travel this route every day, but it was very reassuring to know they were there.” Mrunali Kamble, police constable posted at Matunga traffic division Jyoti Telang, 39, resident of Chembur, who works as an operations executive for a US-based firm in Bandra-Kurla Complex, said, “I usually travel home to Chembur by cab after late-night work. I already find Mumbai incredibly safe, but knowing that women traffic constables are actively looking out for us makes me feel even more reassured. I’m glad I decided to move here from Hyderabad. It’s comforting to see the city taking women’s safety seriously.” Words of appreciation Dr Priyanka Narnaware, IPS, additional commissioner of police, Mumbai Traffic Police, told mid-day, “We hear from many people how our women constables go beyond their duty and help others — be it women, children, or even senior citizens. They have assisted wounded and bloodied people on the roads, and we have seen them covered in blood, yet their determination remains undefeated. Much of the work they do goes beyond their primary duty, which is traffic. Fulfilling their responsibilities while ensuring the safety of women citizens is truly remarkable. We appreciate all their hard work on a timely basis.” Traffic cops give safety advice Dial the 112 for immediate police assistance. Approach the nearest police chowkie, whether it’s traffic police or city police. Note and share vehicle details (registration number, cab app details, driver name found in the app) if you feel unsafe. Use the cab app SOS feature or share live location with a trusted contact. Move towards well-lit, crowded areas and avoid isolated stretches. Important numbers Police Helpline: 100Emergency Helpline: 112Women’s Helpline: 1091Nirbhaya Squad: 103Mumbai Traffic Police: 8454999999MTP control room: 022-24940303 Traffic cops give safety advice 1 Dial the helpline number 112 for immediate police assistance2 Approach the nearest police chowkie, whether it’s traffic police or city police3 Note and share vehicle details (registration number, cab app details, driver name found in the app) if you feel unsafe4 Use the cab app SOS feature or share live location with a trusted contact5 Move towards well-lit, crowded areas and avoid isolated stretches 1091Emergency helpline for women 103Nirbhaya Squad
09 December,2025 07:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerThe LT Marg police have learnt that Vaibhav Thakar, a man nabbed by them on December 7 for allegedly cheating a Zaveri Bazaar jeweller of Rs 2.8 crore while posing as an officer from the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), had been previously arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in a Rs 200-crore gold trading case. After securing bail in that case last year, Thakar travelled to Goa, met its Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, and donated 31 laptops to the Goa Police — a gesture later acknowledged by the Goa CMO on its X handle. A bogus ID card portraying the ‘scamster’ as the PA of a Maharashtra legislator Thakar, who was produced in court on December 8, has been remanded in police custody till December 12, officers confirmed. Investigators said Thakar projected himself as a high-ranking state official to win the trust of jeweller Shailesh Jain. He allegedly claimed he could use his “official influence” to secure gold from Customs auctions, following which Jain transferred nearly Rs 3 crore. The police have registered a case against Thakar along with three others, but suspect that Thakar is the main accused in this matter. Fake ID According to the police, Thakar had also allegedly forged a bogus identification card in the name of an MLA’s personal assistant, possibly to gain entry to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Officers said this was part of his pattern of impersonation and influence-peddling to gain access to government premises, officials, and potential victims. Vaibhav Thakar, the accused Following the jeweller’s complaint, LT Marg police had been searching for Thakar for several weeks before arresting him on Sunday. Police suspect more victims may come forward and have appealed to citizens who may have been similarly cheated to contact the authorities. Officials added that several more fraudulent activities linked to Thakar may emerge as he remains under custodial interrogation. Senior Police Inspector Nitin Tadakhe said investigators suspect the accused may have cheated more individuals in a similar manner, and urged any such victims to immediately contact the LT Marg police.
09 December,2025 07:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilPaws and play Two dogs enjoy a ride down a slide at the Wagathon in SB Somani Park, Cuffe Parade Classics, all of them Shubha Mudgal performs at a previous event organised by Murty Classical Library of India. Pic courtesy/MCLI Audiences at Girgaon’s Royal Opera House were in for a classic jugalbandi of literature, theatre, and music on Monday. Poet Ranjit Hoskote (below) shared the stage with ace stage actors Denzil Smith and Joy Sengupta at the star-studded evening, courtesy The Murty Classical Library of India (MCLI), which celebrated 10 years of Murty’s Classics. For a decade now, the library has been reviving and presenting Indian classical texts to modern readers. As an apt ode to the efforts, Hoskote revisited sections from the Ten Indian Classics anthology from the library, while academician Amrita Sadarangani read from the original Naskh script of the Sindhi landmark text, The Risalo of Shah Abdul Latif. As veteran vocalist and composer Shubha Mudgal brought the evening to a musical close, MCLI founder Rohan Murty hinted at another happy ending. “By the end of 2025, the translation series will comprise 50 bilingual volumes drawn from 14 languages spanning 25 centuries, and edited by dozens of scholars around the globe,” he shared with this diarist. The city laid out, on screen A still from Adhrushya Niwasi (2020), highlighting housing issues faced by migrants. Pic courtesy/Adhrushya niwasi (nagari, 2020) Mumbai comes with its own set of struggles. As part of the Govandi Arts Festival, from December 10 to 14, five films from the Nagari Short Film Competition, by Goa-based Charles Correa Foundation (a centre for architecture and urbanism research), will be screened at Natwar Parekh Colony, Govandi, on December 13. Each depicts a different urban issue faced by inhabitants of the city. Curious to know more, this diarist reached out to Mansi Bhalerao (right), programme associate and co-ordinator of Govandi Arts Festival. “These selected films intend to bring attention to the physical environment and infrastructure in Mumbai. It’s a curation of urban challenges, essentially,” Bhalerao informed us. “Pipe Dream (2022) shows water accessibility issues; Jar Jar Ghar (2020) talks of century-old dilapidated structures in South Mumbai, which are on the verge of collapse, and how their residents refuse to leave, for fear of losing their homes.” Clean me a river Volunteers gather waste during the drive. Pic courtesy/Gully Classes Foundation Volunteers, including a large number of college students, were seen partaking in a clean-up drive of the Mithi River at Mahim on December 7. Abdul Munaf, founder, Gully Classes Foundation, which organised the drive, recalled, “Around 170 to 180 participants collected 150 bags of waste, from plastics to puja items. The river’s condition remains poor.” Something fishy is going on Meenakshi Tandel. Pics courtesy/No Footprints Mumbai The pomfret (also known as Chanderi paplet or Saranga) is on the decline in Mumbai’s markets. Travel platform No Footprints Mumbai showcased this issue in recent Instagram posts documenting one of their visits to the Sassoon Docks, Colaba. This diarist spoke with Harshvardhan Tanwar (above), platform co-founder, who explained, “Compared to five years ago, when you would see a pomfret of 350 grams, today you’ll see a single fish of merely 50 grams. Meenakshi Tandel, a fisherwoman we met, sold her boats, and now purchases fish from others, selling them at the docks. High demand drives unseasonal, unsustainable fishing, depleting supply. The onus is not just on fishing communities, but on us as consumers to understand the marine ecosystem as well.” Sonia’s pen against the sword Sonia Faleiro. Pic courtesy/ROBIN CHRISTIAN Journalist and author Sonia Faleiro has a brave new title in the works. Scheduled for a December 20 release, The Robe and the Sword (HarperCollins) will reveal how a religion associated with peace is being recast into a weapon, close to home in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. The author, who penned her 2006 debut novel, This Girl, as a student in Edinburgh, now takes on militant monks who transformed a tradition of nonviolence into a tool of terror. “This isn’t just about Buddhism — it reflects a global pattern of faith traditions being pulled from their founding principles,” she shared. Does that ring a bell?
09 December,2025 06:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayADVERTISEMENT
