Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde at the latter’s Nandanvan residence in Thane. 📍 #मुंबई |महाराष्ट्र नवनिर्माण सेनेचे अध्यक्ष राज ठाकरे यांनी आज नंदनवन या शासकीय निवासस्थानी सदिच्छा भेट घेतली.यावेळी त्यांच्यासोबत विविध विषयावर चर्चा झाली. तसेच नंदनवन या बंगल्याच्या हेरिटेज वास्तूचे वेगळेपण जपत केलेल्या सुधारणांचे त्यांनी विशेष कौतुक केले. या बंगल्यात… pic.twitter.com/og6mXc5SBO — Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) February 18, 2026 According to information from Shinde's office, the two leaders held discussions on various issues. This is the first meeting between the duo after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Elections. Shinde welcomed Thackeray with a shawl and bouquet. The two leaders were seen seated together, exchanging views in an informal setting at the bungalow. MNS had supported Shiv Sena in Kalyan-Dombivali, Nashik civic polls The visit is likely to generate speculation, especially after the MNS extended its support to the Shinde-headed Shiv Sena in the Kalyan-Dombivli and Nashik civic bodies to form the government. In the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC), where the Shiv Sena emerged as the single-largest party, MNS's five corporators played a key role in helping the Shinde-led party cross the majority mark. Similar backing was also extended in Nashik, causing strains in the Shiv Shakti alliance between MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT), which is being headed by Raj Thackeray’s cousin Uddhav Thackeray. Some voices from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) camp had described MNS’s support to the Shinde-headed party as sending "the wrong political message". More details are awaited on Wednesday's meeting between the two leaders.
18 February,2026 04:33 PM IST | MumbaiThe Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Wednesday commemorated the 350th martyrdom year of Guru Tegh Bahadur with a series of educational and cultural programmes under the ‘Hind Di Chadar’ initiative, witnessing enthusiastic participation from thousands of students across the civic body’s schools. The main events, scheduled to be held at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai on February 28 and March 1, were preceded by multiple activities across TMC schools aimed at spreading awareness about the Sikh Guru’s legacy of sacrifice and religious freedom. As part of the initiative, 365 schools organised a morning procession in which nearly 14,474 students participated. The rallies echoed with patriotic slogans, while students carried placards highlighting the Guru’s sacrifice and promoting social unity and communal harmony. An elocution competition also drew strong participation, with 2,751 students from 390 schools delivering speeches on the historical significance of the title ‘Hind Di Chadar’, the Guru’s supreme sacrifice for protecting religious freedom, and his enduring message of national integration. In another awareness drive, 16,301 students from 156 schools took part in rallies across various localities, spreading the message of brotherhood and social cohesion. The commemoration further featured a singing competition that saw 3,195 students from 200 schools present patriotic and devotional songs, underlining themes of courage, sacrifice and humanity. Civic officials said the large-scale participation reflected a growing awareness among students about India’s history and the importance of religious tolerance and unity. The series of programmes, they added, successfully reinforced the values of harmony, equality and brotherhood inspired by Guru Tegh Bahadur, revered as ‘Hind Di Chadar’.
18 February,2026 04:31 PM IST | ThaneThe Maharashtra government on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages for the collection and recycling of used PET bottles. This MoU marks a significant step towards promoting a circular economy. The agreement between the Maharashtra Government and Coca-Cola was signed during Mumbai Climate Week in the presence of State Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde. According to officials, this is the first time Coca-Cola has entered into such an MoU with a state government in India. As per the officials, the Environment and Climate Change Department signed the agreement with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages to roll out the “Maha-rPET Campaign” across the state. Furthermore, secretary Jayashree Bhoj and director of the State Climate Action Cell Abhijit Ghorpade formalised the agreements on behalf of the Maharashtra Government. Various initiatives to be launched in Mumbai for waste management Under the campaign, structured PET bottle collection systems, awareness drives and information-education initiatives on responsible disposal will be implemented in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed and Palghar. Collection facilities will be set up at retail outlets, hotels, workplaces and public places, with year-round coordination with schools, institutions and local self-governing bodies. Officials, while briefing about the MoU, said that the public-private partnership aims to create a practical and community-centred PET waste management model, aligning policy oversight with on-ground execution to enhance sustainability and climate resilience. State Climate Action Cell signs MoU with Climate Trade LLP The State Climate Action Cell signed an MoU with Climate Trade LLP to strengthen climate awareness, stakeholder engagement and capacity building, reinforcing implementation of Maharashtra’s State Climate Action Plan. During the event, Minister Munde also released two key guidance reports prepared by the State Climate Action Cell. A report developed in collaboration with the 'C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group' titled 'Net Zero Transition in Energy and Buildings in Maharashtra Cities' outlines a roadmap for climate-resilient urban development. Seven cities, including Mumbai, Amravati and Thane, have drawn up action plans focusing on net-zero municipal buildings and rooftop solar expansion. Another report, prepared with the Centre for Water and Sanitation, titled Climate-Responsive WASH Services, offers practical guidance on climate-aligned water and sanitation delivery, highlighting circular economy practices, energy transition and inclusivity based on urban experiences in the state. Officials said, “The agreements and reports will strengthen institutional capacity, improve inter-departmental coordination and position Maharashtra at the forefront of city-focused climate action, creating a replicable model for other states.”
18 February,2026 03:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA court in Thane has acquitted a 32-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl. The court, while passing the order, observed that the case appeared to arise from a personal dispute with the victim's mother over a marriage proposal. As reported by news agency PTI, special POCSO Court Judge D S Deshmukh, in the judgement on February 13, noted that the accused and the victim's mother were in a relationship, and when he refused to marry her, a quarrel ensued. The court also said, “The possibility of the victim being tutored could not be ruled out, and her testimony did not inspire confidence to establish sexual assault,” as cited by PTI. According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on August 11, 2019, when the 10-year-old victim and her mother were returning from a market in the Mumbra area of Maharashtra's Thane district. The accused, Mohammad Nashir Rain, a local tea seller, hugged the child from behind and made obscene advances. When the mother intervened, the accused assaulted her, resulting in a fracture, the prosecution alleged, reported PTI. The accused was charged under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. However, the defence argued that the complainant (the minor girl's mother) and the accused were in a long-standing relationship and that the legal action was retaliatory. Prosecution fails to prove “foundational facts” Thane court, while passing the orders, stated that the prosecution has failed to prove the "foundational facts" necessary to establish guilt. It also noted significant inconsistencies in the testimonies of the mother and the daughter. The court also mentioned, “The mother admitted to visiting a lodge with the accused twice, and that a dispute existed regarding the accused's refusal to marry her,” as per PTI. Thane court further said, “It appears that the girl's mother and the accused were in a relationship, and when the accused did not agree to marry her, a quarrel took place between them.” Considering the evidence on record and the circumstances, the court also noted, "The possibility of tutoring the victim can not be ruled out. In such circumstances, her evidence on record does not inspire confidence to hold that she has been sexually assaulted by the accused," as cited by PTI. The court also pointed out that while the mother claimed her hand was fractured in the scuffle, the medical evidence did not support the assertion. It further observed that variations in the victim's statements weakened the prosecution's case. The defence taken by the accused that he is falsely implicated in this case appears to be more probable, the court said while acquitting the man, who had undergone over three years of detention during the trial. (With inputs from PTI)
18 February,2026 02:42 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentDespite new Metro lines, buses, and app cabs, suburban railway remains the city’s transport lifeline, with weekday ridership on CR alone surging to 62 lakh passengers. Add WR’s daily 31 lakh riders, and Mumbai’s suburban network is now inching towards the 1 crore daily mark. Officials say rapid housing growth across MMR is pushing more commuters onto trains, intensifying crowding and safety concerns. Why local is preferred? “From CSMT to Kalyan, about 51 km, a local train takes roughly 75 to 80 minutes and costs around Rs 15. Even Karjat or Kasara, over 100 km away, can be reached in two to two and a half hours for Rs 30 to Rs 50 in second class. With season passes, the cost per trip drops to just a few rupees. Road travel takes longer in traffic and can cost hundreds or more, while metro lines do not reach these towns. That is why the suburban railway remains the cheapest and most practical option,” an official said. Voices Paresh Rawal, public policy expert“We can see the crowding on the ground. Passenger estimates based on ticket formulas may not reflect the real surge. Authorities must study growth corridors and increase services accordingly.” AV Shenoy, Mumbai Mobility Forum“The spike is linked to the housing crisis and rapid real estate growth in the MMR. With affordable homes scarce in Mumbai, people are pushed to distant townships but still rely on local trains to commute.” Why crowds keep rising >> Rapid real estate growth across MMR>> Workers living further from the city>> Limited new rail alternatives in expanding suburbs>> Local trains still cheapest and fastest option>> Transport experts say the numbers reflect City’s housing crisis Metro vs local trains Mumbai now has four Metro lines carrying about 9 lakh passengers daily Metro Line 14.5–5 Lakh Lines 2A & 7 combined2.5–3 Lakh Line 3 (partial)1.3–1.6 Lakh Total Metro ridership 9 Lakh Even combined, Metro usage is still a fraction of suburban railway traffic Ridership snapshot Central Railway weekday average62 lakh Central Railway 2025 weekday average45 lakh Western Railway daily average31 lakh Total suburban riders93 lakh per day Busiest day on record January 5, 2026CR ridership72.18 lakh WR ridership52.07 lakh Officials say the spike may be linked to the first working day after the holiday season and renewal of monthly passes. Why officials are concerned >> Rising passenger density is linked to:>> Overcrowding and platform congestion>> Passenger falls and injuries>> Increased commuter conflicts>> Pressure on train frequency and capacity>> Railway planners say weekday-only data gives a clearer picture than older averages that included quieter weekends
18 February,2026 01:56 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMumbai experiences hazy conditions at the start of the day, with partly cloudy conditions developing towards the afternoon and evening. The maximum temperature is likely to reach around 32 degrees Celsius, while the minimum may hover near 22 degrees Celsius, making it a warmer day. According too the latest forecast issued at 10 am, hazy conditions are expected across the city and suburbs. Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 77 on Wednesday morning, placing it in the ‘satisfactory’ category. According to the centre's SAMEER app, pollution levels decreased across different parts of the city on Wednesday. Bandra-Kurla Complex recorded an AQI of 77, Andheri east 86, Chembur 70, Colaba 60, Kandivali east 77, Bandra East 62, Kurla 77, Malad west 84, Sion 82, indicating steady air quality conditions In contrast, Worli recorded an AQI of 115, Shivaji Nagar 115 reflecting higher pollution levels within the city. Borivali east recorded an AQI of 49 and Byculla 50, placing it in a 'good' category. Delhi wakes up to light rain as AQI stays in 'poor' category Residents of the national capital woke up to light rain on Wednesday, a day after Delhi recorded the hottest day of the year so far, with the maximum temperature touching 30.9 degrees Celsius. The air quality also remained a concern, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 228 at 8 a.m., placing it in the ‘poor’ category. On Tuesday, Delhi’s air quality was in the ‘poor’ category, with the AQI recorded at 259, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted very light to light rainfall for Wednesday, accompanied by gusty winds with speeds ranging between 30 and 40 kilometres per hour during the afternoon. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 27 degrees Celsius and 14 degrees Celsius, respectively. Delhi has been witnessing unusual warmth for mid-February. Monday (February 16) recorded the highest temperature of the season so far, and on Tuesday (February 17) the mercury soared further to 30.9 degrees Celsius. This was around 6.5 degrees Celsius above the normal average for this time of the year, making it one of the warmest February days in recent weeks. According to the IMD, a yellow alert has been issued for Delhi, and cloudy skies have been predicted for the day. The weather agency has indicated the possibility of a spell of very light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places during the morning hours. In Noida, the IMD has predicted generally cloudy skies with light rain for Wednesday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to remain around 26 degrees Celsius and 11 degrees Celsius, respectively. For the next few days, mainly clear skies have been forecast for the region. Gurugram is also expected to witness partly cloudy skies, with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers likely during the day.
18 February,2026 01:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar has demanded that the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) in Maharashtra present a 'white paper' on the functioning of its property department. The BJP leader alleged improper use and leasing of civic properties in the city. As reported by news agency PTI, Kelkar raised the demand during a meeting with Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao on Tuesday, where a range of civic issues were discussed, a release from the legislator's office said. The Thane City MLA alleged that the civic body's property department controls hundreds of properties, many of which are being misused or rented out without proper transparency. The MLA demanded that such properties should be reclaimed, notices be issued to those concerned, and a comprehensive 'white paper' be published detailing the department's assets and transactions. Furthermore, the commissioner directed the officials concerned to take appropriate action on the issue. Slamming the authorities, BJP leader Kelkar also flagged the plight of a large number of contract workers engaged by the TMC, alleging that contractors were exploiting them and failing to pay minimum wages or provide mandated facilities, reported PTI. BJP leader Kelkar flags various issues He further highlighted the large number of pending inheritance rights (heirship transfer) cases in the civic body and demanded their speedy disposal. Kelkar also urged the Thane Municipal Corporation to expedite the proposed 'Colour Museum' project in Thane, saying a world-class facility could be developed in the city, reported PTI. The BJP leader said that he had been consistently pursuing the project for the past year and called for immediate steps to promote it. He also raised the issue of a 2017 incident in which a local resident died after a tree fell on him. He said, despite earlier assurances, the deceased's wife had not yet been given a promised job in the municipal corporation. The commissioner took note of the matter and directed officials to act. Kelkar further demanded strict implementation of the hawker policy, claiming that in the absence of enforcement, unauthorised hawkers had multiplied, leaving no proper space on roads and footpaths for pedestrians. (With inputs from PTI)
18 February,2026 01:48 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentTwo persons were arrested after a 74-year-old retired Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay staffer was cheated of Rs 4.62 crore through threats of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) action, with the money allegedly transferred to their bank accounts, news agency PTI reported, quoting the police. The complainant worked as a medical officer with IIT-Bombay, police said. They added that the two accused, Narendra Sinha and Gunjan Devkumar Dineshchandra, were arrested for allegedly providing their bank accounts to cybercriminals to route the defrauded money. "The victim first received a video call from a person posing as a telecom department official, followed by another accused impersonating an IPS officer, who alleged that her Aadhaar card had been misused to open a bank account used to launder Rs 6 crore," an officer said. She was told that the CBI had registered a case in this regard and that she was likely to be arrested. "Under pressure, the woman prematurely withdrew her fixed and recurring deposits and transferred Rs 4.62 crore between October 2025 and January 2026 into bank accounts provided by the cybercriminals. After realising she had been cheated, the woman lodged a police complaint," the officer added. According to the police, a case of cheating by impersonation as well as offences under the Information Technology Act was registered and transferred to the western region cyber cell for further investigation. The officers also highlighted that a probe into the money trail zeroed in on Sinha and Dineshchandra, who had opened multiple bank accounts and provided them to cyber fraudsters, reported PTI. Briefing about the investigation, the officer further said, "The amount that was deposited into these accounts was withdrawn by Sinha and Dineshchandra and handed over to cyber criminals in exchange for a commission. Based on these findings, the cyber cell arrested both the accused. Further investigation is underway to identify more persons involved in this case." Mumbai Cyber Police arrest three for Rs 48.5-lakh cyber fraud Earlier, the North Cyber Police in Mumbai had arrested three Pune-based men for allegedly cheating a Borivli-based businessman of Rs 48.50 lakh by luring him into fake share market investment schemes promising high returns. According to the police, the accused were engaged in different businesses but joined a cyber fraud syndicate in search of easy money and part-time income. They allegedly provided bank accounts to route the cheated money and earned commissions in return. (With inputs from PTI)
18 February,2026 01:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Rohit Pawar alleged that attempts were being made to protect aviation company VSR Ventures in connection with the plane crash incident that killed late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar. Objecting to Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu’s statement that there was “no security lapse” in the plane crash incident, Rohit Pawar argued that such a premature conclusion raises doubts about the seriousness of the investigation. Stating that a senior leader from Andhra Pradesh had attended the wedding of the VSR plane owner’s son in Rajasthan, Rohit Pawar pointed out that the party from the same state currently holds the Civil Aviation Ministry at the Centre. “Under these circumstances, one cannot expect a fully transparent and impartial probe, and reiterated his demand for an independent investigation mechanism,” the NCP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) urged. Ajit Pawar was killed in a plane crash on January 28 in Baramati, triggering demands from both the NCP factions and a section of the opposition leaders for an independent and thorough investigation. Rohit Pawar, in his presentation, stated that the probe should not remain limited to government agencies alone, and called for an independent panel comprising a retired judge, senior opposition leaders from both the Houses of Parliament, and representatives from NCP and other political parties. Ajit Pawar death: ‘Thief has been assigned the role of investigator,’ says Rohit Pawar In his media interaction, Rohit Pawar even alleged that the Layerjet aircraft involved in the crash could not have been legally registered in India. He claimed that it was “illegally registered” with the help of certain officials in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and that was the reason behind his demand for an international investigation. Rohit Pawar also argued that the DGCA itself cannot be trusted to conduct an impartial probe. “Why am I asking for an international agency and not the DGCA? Because the thief has been assigned the role of the police and the investigator,” he remarked. Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar, who replaced him as the Maharashtra Deputy CM had met CM Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the plane crash. Earlier, on February 11, Rohit Pawar had addressed a press conference demanding that the plane crash incident be probed by an international agency, claiming that the possibility of a conspiracy or a larger plot could not be ruled out. However, reacting immediately to the demand, CM Fadnavis urged everyone to place faith in Indian investigative agencies. The CM’s remarks clearly indicated that for now, there is no question of handing over the probe to any international body. Rohit Pawar also came down heavily on those trolling him for a probe. He said that it was even more disturbing that he was being trolled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sympathisers for raising questions and demanding a thorough investigation. “Why troll me? I am only asking for an investigation. Why should anyone object to that?” he questioned, adding that he would respond firmly to those targeting him online.
18 February,2026 12:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarDays after a portion of the under-construction Metro 4 Green Line collapsed onto LBS Road in Mulund, killing a man and injuring three others, commuters have alleged that hardly 200 metres away, another part of the corridor appears vulnerable and could collapse, potentially triggering another such accident. When mid-day visited the spot, opposite an Indian Oil petrol pump, most commuters were halting their vehicles to glance at the portion in question. While locals demanded that MMRDA should check all the slabs and repair them, no such precautionary measures have been taken. MMRDA did not respond to mid-day's messages by press time. MMRDA while briefing about the incident said, "MMRDA’s Engineering, Safety and Quality teams have jointly conducted a detailed site inspection and technical assessment. We would like to inform you that parapet construction activities are currently in progress at the site. However, we would like to assure you that the structure in its present stage of construction is stable, secured and safe in all respects. The parapet, its stitching and supporting system are as per approved drawings, quality control procedures and safety norms and are structurally sound. The observed minor misalignment is temporary in nature, arising due to construction stage sequencing and urgency to secure the structure and shall be rectified in the later phase of construction as planned." X user explains In the video shared on X, one Mayur flagged a portion of the concrete (parapet wall) on the Metro line over LBS Marg, expressing concerns about it the safety of commuters. The post went viral on social media, where people are questioning the contractor responsible for carrying out the work. Voices of concern Mayur, X user‘One more slab is about to fall from Mulund Metro. this one is from opposite indian oil petrol pump somewhere close to the Saturday incident @MMRDAOfficial @mybmc @MulundPS @Dev_Fadnavis @Devendra_Office @mihirkotecha (sic)’ Aryan Karia, film producer and Mulund resident‘I visited the petrol pump and found this slab in a dangerous condition. It looks like this may fall. MMRDA officials must visit the site and check all the slabs. I’m terrified to commute under such construction sites’ Sanket Ghuge, Kanjurmarg resident‘This looks very dangerous. Even after the video went viral, no safety measures have been taken by MMRDA. The BMC must look into this matter. We need safety.” Sanjay Redekar, Bhandup resident‘I am an engineer. This slab looks unsafe. The MMRDA should look into this and repair it before any incident takes place. It’s definitely an engineering fault.” Santosh Surya-vanshi, Chembur resident and auto driver‘There is no value for life. Those responsible never understand the grief of victims’ families. They should get the strictest punishment. The government must order a thorough inspection of all such work’ Biju Augustin, independent civil engineer‘This clearly shows carelessness and a serious safety risk. The precast parts are being moved and fixed into the jig using simple binding, so they are loosely held. If even a small corner is damaged, the jig can slip or collapse.”
18 February,2026 11:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirish Vaktania | Ranjeet JadhavA joint team of the Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) arrested one person in an alleged fake “Baba Bangali” poster racket operating on railway premises. The authorities arrested the ‘Fake Bengali Baba’ at Reay Road on Tuesday, February 17. Acting on instructions from the Senior Divisional Security Commissioner and based on inputs from informers, the joint team conducted an operation at Mira Ali Dargah in Darukhana, Reay Road. The operation was carried out by SIPF G.K. Rai (IT Cell, Mumbai), ASI P.K. Mishra of Central Railways, and SIPF S.K. Soni along with the Western Railway team. During the raid, officials apprehended Md Nazir Andari, son of Md Razul, who was found in possession of around 15,000 printed posters allegedly meant for display across railway premises. The posters were reportedly designed to promote the services of a self-styled “Baba Bangali". Upon interrogation, the accused admitted to running the promotional activity and using railway property for advertising without obtaining permission from railway authorities. A case has been registered at Wadala under Sections 144, 145(b), 147, and 166. Further questioning by the authorities revealed the involvement of other suspects who allegedly assisted in printing and pasting the posters inside railway coaches. Authorities also emphasised that financial transactions linked to the printing agency and individuals involved in pasting the posters are currently under scrutiny. Railway officials reiterated that unauthorised advertisements and promotional activities within railway premises are illegal and warned that strict action will be taken against violators.
18 February,2026 11:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarADVERTISEMENT
