A Zilla Parishad school in Sandap village, Dombivli East, is functioning without a principal and with just two teachers for 56 students, while repair work and infrastructure upgrades remain pending. With authorities passing responsibility between agencies, villagers have begun raising funds to keep the school running. Stuck between authorities The village was merged into the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, but the Zilla Parishad school remains under ZP control, leaving accountability unclear. Damaged infra at the Zilla Parishad school in Sandap village, where repair work is pending Villagers say requests for repairs bounce between the municipal corporation and the Zilla Parishad, with neither taking full responsibility. Two teachers, many roles Teachers Girish Thakare and Chitra Bhalerao manage all academic and administrative work. “We have repeatedly requested repairs, more teachers and digital tools, but there has been no response,” said Thakare. Bhalerao had earlier run the school alone for two years. (From left) Teacher Girish Thakare with alumnus Anant Tukaram Patil and teacher Chitra Bhalerao at the Sandap ZP school in Dombivli East “I handled multiple classes, paperwork, sports and parent coordination on my own,” she said. Two village women occasionally volunteer to help with lessons during exam season. Villagers funding repairs Former student Anant Tukaram Patil, 69, has led local fundraising to support the school. “When the walls deteriorated in the rains, authorities kept redirecting us. Finally, we raised about Rs 15,000-16,000 from temple funds to repair one wall,” he said. The Zilla Parishad school building in Sandap village, Dombivli East, which currently operates with limited staff and infrastructure. Pics/By Special Arrangement Patil said many successful professionals from the village studied in the same school. “This school shaped our lives. Without it, many of us would never have progressed,” he added. Fire-damaged classrooms A short circuit sparked a fire on the second floor, rendering two classrooms unusable. All students from Std I to VIII are now accommodated in just two ground-floor rooms. Push for outside help Anant’s son, Tejas Patil, is now seeking support from NGOs and local groups. “Better infrastructure will encourage families to continue their children’s education here,” said Tejas, a software engineer. What is working >> Mid-day meals continue>> Uniforms and textbooks provided annually>> Students still participate in sports events>> Despite limited facilities, one student recently represented the school at a sports meet in Gujarat. What the school urgently needs Infrastructure>> Structural repair and safety audit>> Classroom restoration after fire>> Electrical maintenancePainting and wall repair Learning support>> Digital equipment like projectors and screens>> More benches and classroom space School mail id: zpschoolsandap@gmail.com
18 February,2026 07:51 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerMaharashtra 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. Shinde’s son and Kalyan Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Shrikant Shinde was also present during the meeting. Thackeray reportedly admired the heritage architecture of the Nandanvan bungalow, including the rare and historic photographs preserved there. He shared memories associated with the building and commended Deputy CM Shinde for maintaining its historical and artistic value. Shinde informed Thackeray that the bungalow’s heritage look had been carefully preserved, while the surrounding area was designed to match its style, reflecting the city’s cultural and aesthetic heritage. An accomplished caricaturist and art enthusiast, Thackeray appreciated these efforts and praised the emphasis on art and heritage despite the demands of political life. 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".
18 February,2026 07:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday directed a Rs 50-lakh penalty on the contractor responsible for delays in the construction of the flyover between Dindoshi Court and Dadasaheb Phalke Film City, part of the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar inspected the ongoing work and instructed the contractor to accelerate construction to ensure the flyover is opened for traffic by May 31, 2026, ahead of the monsoon. The GMLR project, designed to ease traffic between Mumbai’s western and eastern suburbs, is being executed in four phases. Phase 3(a) includes the elevated flyover and rotary junction. The 1.26-km flyover currently has 31 pillars completed, with 20 out of 30 spans finished, accounting for 75 per cent of the work. BMC ramps up resources to ensure Goregaon-Mulund flyover, twin tunnel ready on schedule Bangar directed deployment of additional manpower and machinery to complete remaining spans and related works such as deck slab casting and access ramps on schedule. He also asked authorities to relocate utilities, including water pipelines, sewage lines, and Adani Power transformers, which are obstructing the flyover alignment. Following the inspection, Bangar also visited the site of the twin tunnel construction (‘launching shaft’) in Dadasaheb Phalke Film City. Two state-of-the-art tunnel boring machines will be deployed for the underground segment. Preparatory work for lowering the first TBM into the shaft is expected to begin by March 10. BMC officials said the project is crucial for providing faster, safer, and more efficient connectivity across the city, and all efforts are being made to meet the deadlines.
18 February,2026 06:54 PM IST | MumbaiThe Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Wednesday commemorated the 350th martyrdom year of Shri 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. Students showcase patriotic songs, honour Guru Tegh Bahadur’s legacy 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 06:37 PM IST | ThaneThe Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Wednesday said the debate over leadership of the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc has resurfaced and can no longer be brushed aside, signalling unease within the alliance and taking an apparent swipe at the Congress. The Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit pointed to murmurs from disgruntled Congress leaders and figures linked to the erstwhile United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, suggesting that the INDIA bloc’s leadership could be entrusted to West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, news agency PTI reported. “The decision has to be taken on Mamata, Stalin or someone else,” an editorial in the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana said. Instead of waking up only when elections are announced and then discussing the Opposition alliance, it is necessary to hold deliberations among partners and take considered decisions, the editorial opined. The Congress has been leading the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. ‘What happened to INDIA after Lok Sabha polls?’ asks Saamana “The issue of change in the leadership of the INDIA bloc has once again come to the fore. What happened to the INDIA bloc after the Lok Sabha polls? This question is before many. But has this question occurred to the Congress?” the editorial questioned. In West Bengal, the Congress is fighting against the Trinamool Congress led by Banerjee. In Kerala, it is up against the Left. In Maharashtra, the Congress chose to contest independently in the recent civic body polls, which benefited the BJP, it noted. “The question concerns not just the nation but also the political discourse. Whenever elections are announced, the INDIA bloc may wake up and hold talks. But taking a conscious decision by sitting together is wiser,” it suggested, reported PTI. “The decision has to be taken on Mamata, Stalin or someone else,” the Marathi publication reiterated. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has taken a firm stand that he remains unbothered if he is “thrown out of Parliament” or cases are foisted on him by the government, which reflects his fighting spirit, the editorial said. However, party workers become lethargic if they remain away from power and lose the hunger to regain it, the editorial added. Even though the BJP did not secure a majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and its government at the Centre survives with outside support, its “arrogance” has not diminished, the Sena (UBT) claimed. This is not the first time the Sena (UBT) has expressed disappointment with the Congress. Responding to a question by PTI in an interview last month on whether the INDIA bloc still exists, Thackeray said, “Probe a bit and check whether the INDIA bloc is there or not. It is true that we met only once after the Parliament polls at Rahul ji’s residence.” (With PTI inputs)
18 February,2026 06:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe 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 correspondentADVERTISEMENT
