The Himachal Pradesh Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosive Substances Act in connection with an explosion that occurred within the premises of Nalagarh police station in Solan district, even as a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited the site to assess the situation. According to the police, the blast took place at around 9:40 am on Thursday behind the police station's store room. The area was cordoned off immediately, and no injuries or casualties were reported. The explosion damaged the glass panes in the storeroom and shattered the windows of a nearby building. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) visited the site and collected samples, while multiple police teams were deployed to review CCTV footage from surrounding areas. Police said coordination has also been established with the Punjab Police and central agencies as part of the investigation. The development came amid claims circulating on social media by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and the Punjab Sovereignty Alliance (PSA), which alleged responsibility for the blast and described it as an IED attack. However, police have said the authenticity of the online post is yet to be verified. Following the incident, the Himachal Pradesh Police Headquarters in Shimla directed all district units to remain on alert. DIG (Southern Range) Anjum Ara said police would be able to confirm the nature of the explosion only after receiving the forensic report. "We will be in a position to say something conclusively once the forensic analysis is complete," she said. SP, Baddi police district, Vinod Dhiman, said the alleged press note attributed to the outfit was noticed only on social media. "We cannot comment on its authenticity at this stage. The investigation is being carried out from every possible angle," he said. Security agencies are reported to remain on high alert in the region as the investigation progresses. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
02 January,2026 10:38 PM IST | Shimla | ANIFor over twenty million Mumbaikars, the local train is not just transport — it is routine, resilience, and reliability. The suburban railway network here is more than infrastructure; it is the city’s pulse. Every morning before dawn, platforms fill with people chasing livelihoods and aspirations. Every night, the last local carries home a city that refuses to slow down. Keeping this vast system safe, reliable, and capable of handling rising demand is one of the most complex urban mobility challenges anywhere in the world. As the city grows denser and faster, Western and Central Railway are undertaking a quiet but determined transformation to expand capacity, modernise stations, improve safety, and make everyday commuting more humane. Over the last few years, we have undertaken one of the most intensive phases of upgradation in Mumbai’s suburban rail history — not through isolated projects, but through a coordinated, system-wide approach. Mumbai’s suburban railway operates at one of the highest densities globally. Western Railway (WR) runs over 1400 suburban services daily, while Central Railway (CR) operates around 1810 services across its Main Line, Harbour Line, and Trans-Harbour corridors. With limited land and ever-growing demand, capacity expansion requires precision planning. Expanding capacity Working towards realising the vision of the Prime Minister’s Viksit Bharat, all efforts are being undertaken to develop railway infrastructure in Mumbai. Multiple projects worth more than Rs 8,000 crore are currently underway to transform the way our esteemed commuters travel in our suburban system by adding critical capacity and extending reach across congested corridors. The Borivli-Virar and Virar-Dahanu Road expansions will segregate suburban and mainline traffic on WR’s northern stretches, enabling significantly more local services. The Panvel-Karjat corridor will create a vital link, reducing travel time by nearly 30 minutes while easing pressure on the main Central line. The Kalyan-Asangaon and Kalyan-Badlapur projects address critical bottlenecks where existing tracks operate beyond 150 per cent capacity. These multiple new infrastructure and network expansion projects are expected to create more than 30 per cent new capacity for our suburban commuters over the next four to five years. Stations that work Tracks and trains alone cannot solve congestion unless stations are redesigned for current realities. Many of Mumbai’s stations were built decades ago and today handle footfall far beyond their original capacity. Under MUTP-3A and the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, major stations across both railway zones are being comprehensively upgraded. The focus is on wide elevated decks, additional foot overbridges, escalators, lifts, better lighting, clearer signage, and smoother passenger circulation. Moreover, in 2024-25 alone, more than R500 crore was invested in enhancing and upgrading passenger amenities facilities across Mumbai divisions of CR and WR, with special emphasis on platform raising and extension, provision of lifts and escalators and other key facilities. Khar Road station on the WR has emerged as a benchmark, with its large elevated deck easing platform congestion. Similar upgrades are underway at Kandivli, Mira Road, Bhayandar, Vasai, Nallasopara, and Santacruz. On CR, stations such as Dombivli, Ghatkopar, Mulund, Bhandup, Chembur, Govandi, and Mankhurd are witnessing visible improvements. At Virar, a new home platform is being constructed to accommodate 15-coach trains, while stations along the Virar-Dahanu corridor are being upgraded with improved booking offices, foot overbridges, lighting, and amenities. Accessibility is essential Accessibility has become a central pillar of station development. Hundreds of lifts and escalators have been installed across suburban stations, making daily travel easier for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and families. Over 748 lifts and escalators are now digitally monitored through a centralised system, allowing real-time tracking and quicker restoration in case of faults. This shift from reactive to proactive maintenance has significantly improved reliability. Infrastructure improvements include the installation of ramps, tactile tiles at platform edges to prevent Divyangjan passengers from falling onto tracks, and dedicated Divyangjan and senior citizen compartments with signage painted on coach interfaces for easy identification. Recent station upgrades prioritise accessibility with features like disability-friendly counters and tactile pathways for seamless movement, representing ongoing efforts to transform one of the world’s busiest commuter networks into a more accessible system for all passengers. Over the last seven to eight years, there has been a renewed focus on building new as well as renovating old road overbridges (ROBs) and foot overbridges (FOBs) to provide more freedom and convenience of travel. In recent years, in collaboration with local authorities, we have dismantled and reconstructed 29 ROBs and 111 FOBs, and more are underway. Modern rolling stock Passenger safety remains paramount. The transition towards automatic doors on suburban trains, along with the induction of new-generation rakes, marks a significant step in reducing accidents caused by overcrowding and unsafe boarding. Mumbai's closed-door AC local trains represent a transformative upgrade for the city's 80 lakh daily commuters. The automatic door system dramatically enhances safety by preventing passengers from hanging on footboards or boarding moving trains — dangerous practices. Beyond safety, AC coaches offer superior travel comfort with regulated temperature, reduced noise, and protected interiors that shield passengers from extreme heat and monsoon conditions. The daily average AC local ridership in Mumbai more than doubled from 99,000 in 2022-23 to 2,48,000 in 2025-26, clearly underscoring the increasing patronisation by our esteemed commuters. The closed environment ensures cleaner air circulation and dignity during crowded peak hours. Given Mumbai’s growing population and commuter expectations, transitioning to a fully AC suburban system in a phased manner is considered to be an essentiality. It would standardise safety protocols across all services, provide consistent comfort regardless of ticket type, and position Mumbai’s railway network as a world-class transport system befitting India's financial capital. At the same time, non-AC services continue to be strengthened to ensure affordability and inclusivity. Digital tools Technology is quietly reshaping how commuters interact with the railway system. UPI and QR-code payments are now available at booking counters, ATVMs, and POS machines. The UTS on Mobile app has reduced queues and simplified ticketing during peak hours, and is now being integrated with the Rail One App. The Mumbai One app and Mumbai 1 Smart Card have taken integration a step further, allowing seamless travel across suburban rail, Metro, Monorail, and city buses. Real-time train indicators, improved public announcement systems, and centralised monitoring of amenities ensure commuters are better informed and issues are addressed faster. Ticket checking has also been reimagined. Initiatives such as the NAMASTE Abhiyan focus on combining firmness with dignity. Ticket-checking staff are equipped with hand-held terminals, while body-worn cameras and CCTV-monitored areas enhance transparency and safety, reducing friction between staff and passengers. Dedicated squads are ensuring that ticketless travel is discouraged both in AC and Non-AC services. Natural partner Mumbai’s expanding Metro network, particularly the fully operational Aqua Line 3, has emerged as a strong complementary mode. By absorbing short- and medium-distance trips through dense commercial corridors, Metro services help reduce pressure on suburban trains. Integrated ticketing ensures commuters experience public transport as one connected system. Road ahead Mumbai’s suburban railway system must continuously evolve to match the city it serves. Capacity expansion, modern stations, passenger amenities, digital convenience, safety upgrades, and Metro integration are not isolated initiatives — they are parts of one long-term vision, and we will strive to achieve them. It is always heartening to see the immense support we get from our passengers, and we expect this to continue. As users, we have a collective responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of our railway stations. Simple acts like disposing of waste in dustbins, not spitting on platforms, avoiding littering, and reporting unhygienic conditions can transform our stations into cleaner, healthier spaces. When we treat our railway stations with the same care we show our homes, we not only create a more pleasant commuting experience for ourselves but also demonstrate respect for fellow passengers, railway staff, and our city. Mumbai moves because its local trains move. Strengthening this lifeline remains our unwavering commitment — today and for the decades to come. (Vivek Kumar Gupta is the General Manager, Western and Central Railway)
02 January,2026 09:15 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentThe Indian Government on Friday issued a stern notice to Elon Musk-led social media platform X, directing it to immediately remove all vulgar, obscene, and unlawful content, particularly that generated by artificial intelligence (AI) app Grok, or face legal action, news agency PTI reported. The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) served the notice to the Chief Compliance Officer for India operations of X for failing to meet statutory obligations under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021. “X is hereby directed to remove or disable access, without delay, to all content already generated or disseminated in violation of applicable laws, in strict compliance with the timelines prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021, without vitiating evidence,” the order dated January 2 stated, according to PTI. The ministry also asked X to take action against offending content, users, and accounts, and submit a detailed action taken report (ATR) within 72 hours. The order cited complaints from the public and parliamentary stakeholders that certain content circulating on X violated laws related to decency and obscenity, PTI reported. It highlighted the misuse of the AI service Grok to generate fake accounts, create, publish, or share obscene images or videos of women, including targeting women who post their own photos or videos. “This reflects a serious failure of platform-level safeguards and enforcement mechanisms, and amounts to gross misuse of AI technologies in violation of applicable laws,” the ministry said. MeitY directs X to review Grok’s AI safeguards to prevent obscene, unlawful content MeitY directed X to immediately undertake a comprehensive technical, procedural, and governance review of Grok, including prompt-processing, output generation, image handling, and safety guardrails, to prevent the creation or dissemination of content containing nudity, sexualisation, sexually explicit material, or other unlawful content. The ministry reiterated that non-compliance with these directives may invite strict legal consequences against the platform, its responsible officers, and violating users, under the IT Act, IT Rules, BNSS, BNS, and other applicable laws. This follows earlier instructions on December 29, when MeitY asked social media platforms to review their compliance frameworks and act promptly against obscene and unlawful content, warning of prosecution for non-compliance. Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi had written a letter to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeking urgent intervention on increasing incidents of the AI app Grok being misused to create vulgar photos of women and post them on social media. (With PTI inputs)
02 January,2026 08:54 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentComing down heavily on his Mahayuti ally, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar on Friday alleged that during the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) tenure, the once-prosperous Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) was pushed into bankruptcy due to corruption. Pawar made the remarks while addressing a press conference in Pune as part of his election campaign for the Maharashtra civic polls. He had earlier announced that his party would tie up with the NCP (SP), led by his uncle and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sharad Pawar. The deputy CM alleged that the BJP was attempting to corner him by granting candidature to criminal elements in the city. During the nearly 45-minute press conference, Pawar claimed to have “exposed” the BJP with documentary evidence, detailing alleged corruption in various civic works, including the dog sterilisation programme. He questioned who was responsible for specific projects and who had allegedly siphoned off public money. Launching a sharp attack on the BJP’s governance in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pawar said the municipal corporation’s fixed deposits had steadily declined while bond loans were raised. “Deposits worth Rs 8,000 crore were broken. If that money was spent, then show the development works,” he challenged. Maharashtra civic polls: Ajit Pawar alleges cartelisation, tender irregularities in PCMC He alleged that tenders were fixed through cartelisation and that roads were repeatedly dug up and converted into cement roads, leading to severe traffic congestion. “During our tenure, there were no traffic problems. Today, the city is facing constant traffic snarls,” he said. Pawar further alleged that under the name of ‘urban streets’, roads had been ruined, encroachments had increased in some areas, and illegal collections were being made. He accused the BJP-led administration of large-scale tender irregularities and questioned how the properties of certain individuals grew rapidly, indirectly targeting Mahesh Landge without naming him. “We never indulged in arrogance when we were in power. But now there is an intoxication of power,” Pawar remarked. He also made serious allegations of corruption in the dog sterilisation programme and claimed to have presented evidence. “Corruption has hollowed out the municipal corporation,” he said, adding that for the first time in PCMC’s history, a sitting standing committee chairman, Nitin Landge, was arrested by the anti-corruption bureau. Highlighting the NCP’s past governance, Pawar said that during their tenure, the city’s reputation improved and development works were carried out without emptying the civic treasury or pushing the corporation into debt. He alleged that due to political patronage, an atmosphere of fear had been created in the city, citing incidents of vehicle vandalism and the rise of ‘koyta gangs’. “We have entered the electoral battlefield to burn down the monster of corruption. I love this city, and in this election, the clock and the trumpet will fight together,” Pawar said, referring to the symbols of the two NCP factions.
02 January,2026 08:18 PM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalA talathi, or village revenue official, has been arrested for allegedly taking a bribe in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district, the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) said on Friday. The accused, Bajrang Dattatray Chavan (51), was posted at Saza Chafe village, the ACB said in a statement. According to the complainant, he had purchased a plot of non-agricultural land in Agarnaral and submitted an application to the talathi office on October 9 to update the 7/12 extract, which reflects the land title, news agency PTI reported. Chavan allegedly demanded Rs 10,000 from him. Following a complaint, the ACB laid a trap at Chavan’s office on Thursday and caught him red-handed while accepting the money. A case has been registered at Jaigad Police Station, and further investigation is underway, PTI reported. Maharashtra: Government staffer caught taking bribe for land compensation in Jalna An official from Maharashtra’s Irrigation Department was caught allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh to process compensation for land acquisition, an official said on Friday. The accused, Rohit Pralhad Deshmukh (35), an executive engineer with the minor irrigation department, was caught red-handed by ACB at his office on Thursday following a complaint, PTI reported. According to ACB, the government had acquired the complainant’s agricultural land, and Deshmukh allegedly demanded Rs 7 lakh to process the compensation. The complainant initially paid him Rs 4 lakh, but the official allegedly continued to harass him for the remaining sum after the compensation of Rs 1.88 crore was credited in July last year. The accused also allegedly took blank cheques related to compensation for the complainant’s gaothan house. Frustrated by the continued harassment, the complainant approached ACB. A case will be registered against Deshmukh under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the official said. Palghar cop booked for bribe demand; industry inspector nabbed in Sindhudurg A police officer from Palghar District was booked for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 50,000, while an industry inspector in Sindhudurg was arrested for accepting Rs 22,000, the ACB said on Friday. The accused cop, Assistant Inspector Sahebrao Shivaji Kachre, was posted at Gholwad Police Station. A complaint filed on December 9 alleged that Kachre promised not to arrest the complainant’s brother-in-law, who was involved in a case, in exchange for a bribe. “Kachre has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act after it was established that he demanded Rs 50,000 to refrain from arresting the complainant’s relative and remove his name from a case file,” ACB said. The policeman may be arrested if required. Meanwhile, ACB’s Sindhudurg unit arrested an industry inspector on Wednesday while accepting a bribe of Rs 22,000, officers said. (With PTI inputs)
02 January,2026 07:21 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentShiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Member of Parliament (MP) Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday called for urgent government intervention over the growing misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) applications, particularly on Elon Musk-owned social media platform X, to sexualise women, news agency IANS reported. In a letter to Union Information Technology (IT) Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chaturvedi sought the introduction of strict “guardrails” for AI chatbots such as Grok to ensure social media platforms remain a safe space for women. She also stressed the need for better education of men from an early age to prevent such behaviour. “Have sought urgent attention and intervention of the IT Minister to take the issue of increasing incidents of AI apps being prompted to sexualise and undress women by unauthorised use of their images on social media,” Chaturvedi said in a post on X. Have sought urgent attention and intervention of Hon. IT Minister to take the issue of increasing incidents of AI apps being prompted to sexualise and undress women by unauthorised use of their images on social media. There have to be guardrails put in place by features such as… pic.twitter.com/pR5tKzDBwi — Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) January 2, 2026 “There have to be guardrails put in place by features such as Grok that do not violate women’s dignity; big tech firms need to take the onus. And I wish men indulging in such behaviour were educated better at their homes & schools so as to not become such sick perverts in their adulthood,” she added. In the letter, the Rajya Sabha MP flagged an emerging trend on social media, especially on X, where men operating fake accounts are allegedly misusing the AI feature Grok by uploading women’s photographs and prompting the chatbot to reduce their clothing and sexualise them, IANS reported. She pointed out that the misuse is not limited to photos shared through fake accounts but also targets women who post their own images online. Priyanka Chaturvedi urges govt safeguards over misuse of AI on X Describing the trend as an “unacceptable and gross misuse of an AI function”, Chaturvedi criticised Grok for “enabling this behaviour by adhering to such requests”. She termed such acts a breach of women’s right to privacy and a criminal offence, adding that similar incidents are going “absolutely unchecked” on other digital platforms as well, IANS reported. “I write to you as an active member of the Standing Committee on IT & Communication, to urge you as a minister to take this up strongly with X to ensure safeguards are built into their AI apps to make the platform a safe space for women,” she said. “Our country cannot be a bystander to women’s dignity being violated publicly and digitally with zero consequences under the garb of creativity and innovation. While we welcome AI and its role in making lives easier, we will not allow the proliferation of such demeaning acts towards women,” the MP added. (With IANS inputs)
02 January,2026 06:43 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentLeaders from both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) showed signs of unity during Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s visit to Beed district ahead of Maharashtra local body elections. Ajit Pawar was in Beed on Thursday to felicitate winners of the recent municipal council elections, the results of which were declared on December 21. Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction won municipal council elections in Beed, Parli Vaijnath and Dharur. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) secured victory in Majalgaon, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won in Georai and Ambajogai. At a public event, Beed MP Bajrang Sonawane from the NCP (SP) and MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar shared the stage with Ajit Pawar. Kshirsagar was also seen seeking the deputy chief minister’s blessings, a gesture that drew attention amid the ongoing political divide. After the programme, MP Sonawane also travelled in Ajit Pawar’s helicopter, further underlining the show of bonhomie between leaders of the two factions. Development works inaugurated During his visit, Ajit Pawar also inaugurated several development projects in the district. Addressing the gathering, he said that Parli MLA and former state minister Dhananjay Munde could not attend the event as he was on vacation. Rivals seen together The visit also witnessed political rivals coming together. Sahal Chouse, whose daughter-in-law Shifa Fatima Bilal Chouse was elected as Majalgaon civic chief on an NCP (SP) ticket, was seen alongside Majalgaon MLA Prakash Solanke, who belongs to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction. The developments have sparked discussion about improving ties between the two NCP groups at the local level. NCP-NCP (SP) alliance for civic elections Earlier, Ajit Pawar had announced an alliance between his NCP and the NCP (SP), led by his uncle Sharad Pawar, for the Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections, saying the "parivar" (family) has come together. "For the sake of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections, the 'clock' and the 'tutari' (trumpet) have united. The parivar has come together," he had earlier said. Pawar had urged party workers to work hard and refrain from making any controversial comments during rallies. "We are the ones who work for development. We will edge out those who tried to put this municipal corporation in debt," Ajit Pawar had said, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
02 January,2026 06:15 PM IST | Beed (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentAs many as 66 flights were cancelled at Delhi airport on Friday after dense fog and poor visibility disrupted air operations in the national capital, reported the PTI. Sources told the PTI that airlines cancelled both incoming and outgoing flights as safety conditions worsened during the morning hours. Of the total cancellations, 32 were arrival flights, while 34 were departures, affecting hundreds of passengers travelling to and from Delhi. Sources said several airlines took precautionary measures due to reduced visibility caused by fog. Flight operations were impacted despite improved infrastructure, as visibility levels dropped below safe limits for standard landings, according to the PTI. DGCA declares official fog period India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has declared the period from 10 December to 10 February as the official fog season for winter operations. During this period, airlines are required to strictly follow special operational guidelines to ensure passenger safety. Special aircraft and trained pilots mandatory Under DGCA norms, airlines must deploy CAT-IIIB compliant aircraft and ensure that pilots trained for low-visibility operations are rostered during foggy conditions. These measures help maintain flight safety when visibility is severely reduced. What is category-III landing system? The Category-III landing system is an advanced navigation technology that allows aircraft to land safely during heavy fog. Category-III A permits landing when the runway visual range (RVR) is up to 200 metres and Category-III B allows landings even when visibility drops to below 50 metres. Such systems play a crucial role in keeping airports operational during winter fog conditions. Dense fog and smog blanket Delhi Meanwhile, Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of smog and dense fog on Friday, sharply reducing visibility across many parts of the national capital. The poor weather conditions affected normal morning movement, even as Republic Day rehearsals continued at India Gate, as per the ANI. Drone visuals from Sarai Kale Khan around 7:15 am showed extremely low visibility. Ground visuals from areas such as AIIMS, Akshardham Temple and other localities showed roads, buildings and vehicles covered in fog and smog. Cold wave conditions further worsened the situation, making travel difficult for commuters, as per the ANI. Air Quality remains very poor Delhi’s air quality stayed in the ‘very poor’ category for the second day of the New Year 2026. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 348 at around 8:00 am, close to the ‘severe’ category. Several monitoring stations reported high pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 348, R.K. Puram 319, Rohini 315, and Mundka 324. Chandni Chowk stood at 340, while ITO recorded 292. Bawana and IGI Airport reported AQI levels of 227 and 219 respectively, indicating poor to very poor air quality across most areas. Weather update from IMD The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Delhi recorded a temperature of around 11 degrees Celsius on Friday morning. Very dense fog was observed during the early hours, and similar conditions were expected to persist through the day. According to IMD, the city’s maximum temperature is likely to remain between 15 degrees Celsius and 17 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may range from 9 degrees Celsius to 11 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperatures are expected to stay above normal, while maximum temperatures are likely to remain below normal. Weather conditions are expected to improve from Saturday. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
02 January,2026 04:56 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentCongress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday alleged that the Narendra Modi Government has failed to provide either clean water or clean air, leaving the common people to suffer, and said the Prime Minister (PM) remained silent on deaths caused by contaminated water in Indore despite repeatedly highlighting flagship schemes, news agency PTI reported. Kharge said PM Modi keeps trumpeting the Jal Jeevan Mission but has not spoken about the deaths linked to contaminated drinking water in Indore. “Narendra Modi ji, who never gets tired of trumpeting the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, is maintaining his usual silence on the deaths caused by drinking contaminated water in Indore,” he said. “This is the same Indore city that has clinched the 'Cleanest City' title for the eighth consecutive time in the central government's Swachh Sarvekshan survey. It's a shameful state of affairs that, due to the BJP's incompetence, people here are desperate for clean water,” he said in a post in Hindi on X. जल जीवन मिशन और स्वच्छ भारत अभियान का ढिंढोरा पीटने वाले @narendramodi जी, हमेशा की तरह इंदौर में दूषित पानी पीने से हुई मौतों को लेकर मौन हैं। यह वही इंदौर शहर है जिसने केंद्र सरकार के स्वच्छ सर्वेक्षण में लगातार आठवीं बार “Cleanest City” का ख़िताब जीता है। ये शर्मनाक बात है… — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) January 2, 2026 The Congress chief alleged that for the past 11 years, the country has been fed “long speeches, lies and deceit, empty promises, and boasts” about the so-called double-engine government, PTI reported. “When ministers are questioned, they resort to abuses and intimidation. Drunk on the arrogance of power, they turn the tables on the journalists. The entire machinery swings into action to cover up the misgovernance of BJP governments,” Kharge said. Indore water contamination deaths: Kharge alleges corruption in Jal Jeevan Mission He further claimed that government schemes were mired in corruption and irregularities, adding that 10 per cent of the Jal Jeevan Mission funds were earmarked for purifying contaminated water, PTI reported. “The Modi government and the BJP have failed to provide either clean water or clean air to the country. The common people are the ones suffering,” Kharge said. At least 10 people have died in a diarrhoea outbreak caused by contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore. On Thursday, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Madhav Prasad Hasani said laboratory reports from a city medical college confirmed contamination of the drinking water supply due to a leakage in a pipeline, though he did not share detailed findings. Officials said the leakage was detected in the main drinking water pipeline near a police outpost in Bhagirathpura, at a spot over which a toilet has been constructed. More than 1,400 people have been affected by vomiting and diarrhoea in the area over the past nine days. (With PTI inputs)
02 January,2026 04:38 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAmid growing discontent over candidate selection for the January 15 civic polls, a former corporator has accused former Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashok Chavan of granting tickets in exchange for money, news agency PTI reported. Chavan has firmly rejected the allegations against him. In Nanded city, Marathwada, Bhanusing Rawat, Chavan’s long-time associate, alleged that the former CM had accepted Rs 50 lakh to issue tickets to wealthy candidates. “By giving tickets in exchange for money, the party has sacrificed its loyal workers,” Rawat claimed, adding that faithful BJP members were sidelined despite years of service. Rejecting the allegations, Chavan told reporters on Thursday, “I have not asked for money from anyone. I have a long-standing career of 50 years in social life. I have never done anything like this.” Rawat, who has been politically active alongside Chavan since 1980, said he had sought a BJP ticket for his son from ward number 16, but the party denied the nomination at the last moment, PTI reported. Elections to the 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Nanded civic body, will be held on January 15, with votes to be counted the following day. Maharashtra civic polls: BJP workers lock candidate inside house to stop nomination withdrawal In a dramatic turn on the last day for withdrawal of nominations for the January 15 civic polls, supporters of a BJP candidate in Nagpur city reportedly locked him inside his house to prevent him from withdrawing his candidature on Friday. The BJP, in its AB form, had fielded Vijay Holey and Kisan Gawande as candidates from ward 13 (D), but later asked Gawande to withdraw from the race, PTI reported. The move angered a section of BJP workers who wanted representation from Hazaripahad, one of the localities under the ward. Gawande’s supporters locked him inside his home, raising slogans to stop him from meeting the returning officer. BJP MLC Parinay Fuke and local leaders intervened to calm the workers, after which Gawande finally withdrew his nomination. Speaking to PTI, Gawande said, “BJP workers from the area got upset, as they wanted me to contest. We understand the decision made by the party leadership, and hence, I have withdrawn my nomination.” Elections to 29 civic bodies, including the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, will be held on January 15, with counting of votes scheduled for the next day. (With PTI inputs)
02 January,2026 03:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project marked a major milestone with the breakthrough of the MT-5 mountain tunnel, the second tunnel completed in the state for the high-speed rail corridor. Spanning 1,480 meters (~1.5 km), the tunnel connects key points between Virar and Boisar in Palghar district. The tunnel excavation, carried out from both ends over 18 months, employed a cutting-edge drill-and-blast method, allowing real-time monitoring of ground behaviour and enabling the installation of support systems such as shotcrete, rock bolts, and lattice girders based on site conditions. MT-5 is part of the seven mountain tunnels in Maharashtra, contributing to a total tunnel length of 27.4 km along the 508 km high-speed corridor. Of this total, 21 km is underground, while 6.4 km runs on the surface. “All necessary safety measures, including ventilation, fire prevention, and access and egress protocols, were strictly followed during tunnelling activities,” officials said. The first underground tunnel, stretching 5 km between Thane and BKC, was completed in September 2025. With MT-5 now operational, the bullet train project moves closer to achieving its goal of high-speed connectivity along the Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday virtually witnessed the final breakthrough of the 1.5-km-long mountain tunnel of the bullet train project in Maharashtra's Palghar district from Rail Bhawan in New Delhi. "This 1.5-km-long mountain tunnel is among the longest in Palghar district and is located between the Virar and Boisar bullet train stations. It is the second tunnel breakthrough in Maharashtra, following the first 5-km-long underground tunnel between Thane and BKC, which was completed in September 2025," a Railway Ministry press note said. Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: India to get its 1st train on Aug 15 next year, says Ashwini Vaishnaw Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that India is likely to receive its first Bullet Train on August 15 next year, reported the IANS. He said the country will witness its first Bullet Train running on tracks next year, marking a major milestone in India’s transport history. "Buy a Bullet Train ticket on Independence Day in 2027. The country will get its first Bullet Train," Vaishnaw said. Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor India’s first Bullet Train project covers a total distance of 508 kilometres between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Out of this, 352 km falls in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, while 156 km lies in Maharashtra. The corridor will connect major cities, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi, Thane and Mumbai. Travel time to reduced to two hours According to the government, the Bullet Train will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to around two hours. This is expected to significantly improve inter-city travel and economic activity. Construction progress so far As per the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL), more than 85 per cent of the corridor, or around 465 km, is being built on elevated viaducts. Of this, 326 km has already been completed. (With Agencies' inputs)
02 January,2026 01:54 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
