Maharashtra is experiencing unseasonably warm and completely dry conditions in mid-February, with daytime temperatures soaring well above normal across most regions and no rainfall recorded anywhere in the state, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In its latest updates on Saturday, IMD highlighted that Amravati in Vidarbha is the hottest spot in the state, recording a maximum temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius, which is 4.3 degrees Celsius above normal, marking the highest maximum reported. Interior districts, particularly in Vidarbha, are seeing persistent above-normal daytime highs amid the ongoing warm, dry spell. In Pune (Shivajinagar), the maximum temperature stood at 32.7 degrees Celsius, which is 1.1 degrees Celsius above normal. The minimum temperature was recorded at 14.0 degrees Celsius, which is also above normal by 1.6 degrees Celsius. Pune’s Lohgaon recorded a maximum temperature of 34.1 degrees Celsius, while the minimum stood at 18.6 degrees Celsius. In Solapur, the mercury touched 34.8 degrees Celsius, while Ahilyanagar posted the state's lowest minimum at 13.7 degrees Celsius. No rainfall recorded across Maharashtra; interior districts see above-normal temperatures Coastal Konkan and Goa also witnessed elevated heat, with Ratnagiri reaching 35.7 degrees Celsius, which is 4 degrees Celsius above normal, followed by Mumbai suburbs (Santacruz station) at 33.8 degrees Celsius and Mumbai City at 32.6 degrees Celsius. Panjim recorded 34.9 degrees Celsius. In Marathwada and Vidarbha, the maximum temperature ranged between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius, with Akola recording 35.4 degrees Celsius and Chandrapur at 34.0 degrees Celsius — both above normal and contributing to the persistent dry weather. No rainfall was recorded at any station in the state. Relative humidity readings in Pune showed a sharp drop from 81 per cent at 8.30 am to 27 per cent at 5.30 pm, indicating drier conditions by evening. For Sunday, the IMD has forecast mainly clear skies with morning haze for Pune, with temperatures expected to be around a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 14 degrees Celsius. This warm, rain-free pattern reflects a broader shift toward early summer-like conditions in parts of Maharashtra, with interior districts bearing the brunt of the heat while coastal humidity keeps nights warmer. No significant change in weather conditions is indicated in the latest bulletin.
14 February,2026 09:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndian Railways has rolled out the first two key reforms under its forward-looking initiatives announced on Saturday, aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and strengthening rail-based freight movement across the country. The reforms focus on improving on-board services to ensure a cleaner travel experience and promoting seamless multi-modal logistics through the expansion of Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs). Reform 1: Cleaner, accountable on-board services The first reform seeks to prioritise a clean and hygienic travel environment while establishing clear responsibility and accountability for service providers deployed on trains. Railways said the initiative aims to engage professional and proactive agencies that exceed customer expectations, while leveraging technology for monitoring, feedback and performance management. A key feature of the reform is the integrated cleaning, linen and petty repairs model, under which multi-tasking and cross-skilled staff will serve as the primary passenger interface. Leading service providers with proven track records will be engaged, and real-time monitoring systems will be used to track performance. The model also allows flexibility in deploying route-specific teams, particularly for long-distance trains. The implementation will be carried out in phases over two years, with periodic reviews. The scope covers all coaches, including general coaches, with attention to toilets, wash basins and garbage collection. Minor repairs, coordination for water filling and checking of safety equipment will also be included. Trained supervisors and service staff will oversee operations. In the initial phase, 80 long-distance trains across various railway zones have been brought under the new framework. Reform 2: Strengthening freight through Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals The second reform focuses on enhancing rail-based logistics by expanding cargo infrastructure under the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Policy 2022. The policy introduced clear timelines for approval of terminals, eliminated staff charges for GCT operators and allowed terminals to be set up on railway land. It also enabled development of common user facilities at railway cost and simplified the approval process for operators. Over the past three years, 124 multi-modal cargo terminals have been developed across 18 states and Union Territories, with a traffic potential of around 200 million tonnes per year and estimated revenue generation of nearly Rs 20,000 crore. Under the updated framework, cargo-related facilities such as warehouses, grinding units, processing and aggregation centres can be developed on spare railway land. Underutilised goodsheds can also be converted into GCTs. The policy further simplifies migration of private freight terminals and sidings to the GCT model, expands the definition of common user facilities to include Y-connections and rail-over-rail infrastructure, and lays down a clear methodology for multi-GCT connectivity. Standard terminal layouts have been incorporated into the policy, while a simplified dispute resolution mechanism has been introduced with delegated powers to divisional railway managers (DRMs). Long-term contracts of up to 50 years will be granted for GCT and cargo-related facilities. Railways said the reforms are expected to transform India’s freight landscape by strengthening integration between rail and other modes of transport, reducing logistics costs and generating substantial revenue through enhanced cargo handling. The initiatives underline Indian Railways’ commitment to modernising infrastructure and services for the benefit of passengers and the broader economy.
14 February,2026 08:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOpposition parties in Kerala on Thursday alleged a deliberate delay by the state government in filing charge sheets in the Sabarimala gold theft loss case, claiming it allowed the accused to secure statutory bail. Leader of the opposition in the assembly, VD Satheesan, said the bail granted to the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, was part of a larger conspiracy. “There is a conspiracy to ensure that all the arrested persons are released, and the bail granted to Potty is part of it,” he told reporters. Satheesan also claimed that delays in the investigation could lead to evidence being destroyed. “When all the arrested persons come out of jail, the evidence collected will be destroyed,” he warned. Satheesan further alleged that CPI(M) leaders arrested in connection with the case would also soon be released on bail. “If these persons had remained in jail, more senior leaders who were next in line would also have gone to jail. This conspiracy is meant to prevent that, and our allegations are proving to be correct,” Satheesan added. Sabarimala gold theft case: CPI (M) State Secretary denies claims CPI(M) State Secretary MV Govindan hit back at the opposition, accusing Satheesan of misleading the public. “Knowing that the case is moving towards senior Congress leaders, they are making deliberate interventions,” he said, adding that it was the opposition leader who had raised questions about the SIT and demanded a CBI probe. BJP state vice-president B Gopalakrishnan also weighed in, alleging that the arrest of Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru was meant to protect a minister. “It is an attempt to suppress an awakening Hindu society,” he said, claiming CPI(M) leaders were now focusing only on the Tantri while ignoring the actual accused, including Potty and former MLA Padmakumar. “For them, there is only one accused—the Tantri. This is a conspiracy to protect the real accused,” Gopalakrishnan added. The Sabarimala gold theft cases relate to the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames at the Lord Ayyappa temple following the replating of claddings on the artefacts. The Kerala High Court had constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the cases. (With PTI Inputs)
14 February,2026 08:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentUttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed that deaths caused by “Chinese manja (razor-sharp kite strings)" be treated as murder. He also ordered the strictest possible action against those found guilty. The directive comes after a motorcyclist in Lucknow allegedly died when a kite string slit his throat, amid a rise in similar incidents across the state capital. Adityanath's office said in a post on X that he has “taken serious note of fatalities linked to Chinese manja” and instructed authorities to act against its manufacture, sale, and use. “Taking cognisance of accidents caused by Chinese manja, the chief minister has directed strict enforcement against it and ordered a statewide campaign along with a high-level review. The deaths due to this should be treated under the category of murder,” the post added. Adityanath stressed that the UP government is fully committed to protecting public life. Fatal kite string incident in Lucknow On Wednesday, 34-year-old Syed Shoaib, a medical representative from Sitee Bihar in Dubagga, died after a Chinese manja allegedly cut his throat on the Haiderganj overbridge in Lucknow’s Bazarkhala area. Police said the kite string, sharp and strong, severed a major vein while Shoaib was riding his motorcycle. Losing control, he fell onto the road. Bystanders rushed him to a trauma centre in an e-rickshaw, but doctors declared him dead due to excessive blood loss. In another recent incident, metro services in Lucknow were disrupted when a kite string fell on a high-tension line, forcing trains to halt mid-route. Previous instances In a similar incident, 45-year-old Bharat Kadam was seriously cut by manja on the Andheri flyover, though his windpipe was spared. The life of a five-year-old in Hyderabad was claimed due to nylon kite strings. They cause multiple deaths annually. In Gujarat, four people, including children, died during Uttarayan, and emergency cases rose 33 percent due to kite strings, falls, and electrocutions. Activists have called for stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns. During Makar Sankranti, Mumbai NGOs had rescued over 50 injured birds. A sub-adult macaque was critically injured after getting entangled in a kite string near Sanjay Gandhi National Park on January 27. Multiple cases like these surface and despite bans, glass, Chinese, and nylon manja continue to be used, harming animals and humans, said Advocate Pawan Sharma of RAWW. (With PTI Inputs)
14 February,2026 08:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSecurity forces killed three terrorists in two separate counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The encounters took place in Udhampur and Kishtwar districts and came ahead Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the region. BJP MLA Shagun Parihar praised the security forces and called the operations a major achievement. She said, "This is a huge achievement for our security forces. We are getting this good news on the occassion of the Union Home Minister's visit. I congratulate the people of Jammu & Kashmir that these terrorists were neutralised." She also appreciated Amit Shah’s role, saying he has consistently worked for the interests and expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and has remained closely connected to the region’s issues. "This is great news. Whenever they have come, they have lived up to the expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He has always kept J&K close to his heart...," she told ANI. Home Minister's visit brings renewed hope for people, says National Conference Tanvir Sadiq, chief spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, said the Home Minister’s visit brings renewed hope for the people. Speaking to ANI, he said, "Whenever the Home Minister visits, a ray of hope emerges that he will announce a good package. Most importantly, people want the restoration of statehood, which he promised us in Parliament. The time has come to fulfil that promise. Regarding the attacks happening on Kashmiris outside the state, the time has come to take serious notice of this and put an end to it." He further emphasised that residents are waiting for the restoration of statehood and also urged the Central government to take serious action against attacks on Kashmiris in other parts of the country. Congress criticises Centre’s security claims Jammu and Kashmir Congress President and MLA Tariq Hamid Karra strongly criticised Amit Shah, accusing him of presenting an overly positive picture of the security situation in the Union Territory. According to Karra, militant activities have been reported in several districts over the past few months, but it is not being shared with the public. He claimed that the Home Minister’s security reviews are routine exercises that ignore ground-level concerns. Karra also accused the BJP of putting party interests ahead of national interest and called for a review of its policies in the region. While he said the killing of terrorists is necessary and important, he questioned the government’s earlier claim that militancy had ended after 2019. The continued presence of terrorist activity, he said, raises serious questions about those assertions. (With ANI inputs)
14 February,2026 05:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCongress leaders, along with civil society groups, economists and grassroots activists, organised a meeting on February 9 in Ranchi to discuss the future of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), amid concerns over its proposed replacement by a new central scheme. The meeting focused on preserving the law’s core guarantee of providing 100 days of wage employment on demand to every rural household. Congress leaders said that the MGNREGA has had a measurable impact in villages by generating jobs, creating durable assets such as ponds and roads, and reducing seasonal migration. In Jharkhand, women reportedly hold 52 per cent of job cards under the scheme. They further expressed apprehension over the Centre’s proposed Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G. Further arguing that it could dilute the legal right to work and shift decision-making away from local communities, Congress leaders slammed the VB-G RAM G. The gathering in Ranchi also put forward several demands, including no deletion of job cards without Gram Sabha approval, timely wage payments, issuance of muster rolls at the panchayat level, guaranteed work on demand, and stronger social audits through the Kaam Mango Abhiyan. Jharkhand’s Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Dipika Pandey Singh shared data from the Kaam Mango Abhiyan conducted between February 2 and 5 across 4,080 panchayats. Impact of MGNREGA in Jharkhand According to the figures, 174,245 people participated, over 1 lakh registered work demands were made, nearly 18,000 new job cards were issued, and more than 40,000 workers completed e-KYC. The state has generated over 1,017.65 lakh person-days under MGNREGA so far. Among those who addressed the meeting were economist Jean Drèze, activist Nikhil Dey of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Dayamani Barla, James Herenz of MNREGA Watch, and Sandeep Dixit of Rachnatmak Congress. The leaders also highlighted concerns about preserving the rights-based character of the programme and ensuring transparency and accountability. Furthermore, Congress in-charge K. Raju outlined organisational steps, including setting up a state-level MGNREGA Task Force, appointing district coordinators, conducting training sessions and block-level meetings, and strengthening social audit mechanisms. The meeting concluded with a joint commitment by political leaders and civil society members to continue coordinated efforts aimed at safeguarding MGNREGA’s rights-based framework and rural livelihood protections.
14 February,2026 02:57 PM IST | Ranchi | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu. The bridge inaugurated by PM Modi spans over the Brahmaputra River that connects Guwahati and North Guwahati. As reported by news agency IANS, the 2.86-kilometre-long bridge was built at a cost of around Rs 3,030 crore. The 6-lane extradosed prestressed concrete (PSC) bridge connects Guwahati with North Guwahati and is the first extradosed bridge in Northeast India. The Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu Bridge cuts down travel time to 7 minutes It will cut travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to 7 minutes. Considering the high seismicity of the region, the bridge incorporates base isolation technology using friction pendulum bearings. The advanced technology bridge has been built with high-performance stay cables that have been used to ensure durability and long-term structural performance. To make this an architectural marvel, a Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS) has also been incorporated for real-time condition monitoring. The bridge also incorporates early damage detection and improved safety and service life of the extradosed bridge. PM Modi inaugurates Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Dibrugarh Earlier today, PM Modi inaugurated an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the National Highway in Moran in the Dibrugarh district—the first such facility in the entire northeastern region. PM Modi also witnessed an air show by the Indian Air Force soon after the ELF was inaugurated. The air show included Rafale, Sukhoi and MIG fighter aircraft, as reported by IANS. The fighter planes successfully took off and landed on the highway strip. According to officials, at least 1 lakh people gathered to witness the historic occasion today. Located in Upper Assam, the ELF is being viewed as a major strategic addition to India’s military infrastructure in the Northeast. This will offer the Indian Air Force enhanced operational flexibility in a region that has witnessed heightened tensions in recent years. The Moran ELF has been designed to function as an alternative landing option in situations where Dibrugarh Airport or the Chabua Air Force Station becomes unavailable due to operational constraints or emergency scenarios, reported IANS. For the Indian Air Force, this facility significantly strengthens its ability to respond swiftly to contingencies near sensitive border areas. (With inputs from IANS)
14 February,2026 02:47 PM IST | Guwahati | mid-day online correspondentDuring his day-long visit to Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu across the River Brahmaputra connecting between Guwahati and North Guwahati on Saturday. The 6-lane extradosed Prestressed Concrete (PSC) bridge, built at a cost of around Rs 3,030 crore, connects Guwahati with North Guwahati and is the first extradosed bridge in Northeast India. It will cut travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to 7 minutes. Considering the high seismicity of the region, the bridge incorporates base isolation technology using friction pendulum bearings. High-performance stay cables have been used to ensure durability and long-term structural performance. A Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS) has also been incorporated for real-time condition monitoring, early damage detection and improved safety and service life of the extradosed bridge. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the National Data Centre for North Eastern Region at Amingaon in Kamrup district of Assam. The state-of-the-art Data Centre, with a total sanctioned load of 8.5 MW and an average rack capacity of 10 kW per rack, will host mission-critical applications of various government departments and also function as a Disaster Recovery centre for other National Data Centres. This will enable governments in the Northeast to digitally facilitate the delivery of essential citizen-centric services. Aligned with the vision of Digital India, National Data Centre for North Eastern Region has been envisaged as a strategic intervention to strengthen the region's ICT backbone and ensure robust, secure and always-available digital infrastructure. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the temporary campus of IIM Guwahati, which will give a major fillip to higher education and management education in the North-Eastern Region. The Prime Minister will also flag off 225 electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme in Guwahati (100), Nagpur (50), Bhavnagar (50) and Chandigarh (25). With the launch of e-bus operations under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme in these four cities, more than 50 lakh citizens are expected to benefit through access to clean, affordable and reliable public transport services, contributing to improved urban mobility and enhanced quality of life. 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
14 February,2026 12:32 PM IST | Guwahati | AgenciesSecurity forces arrested three militants belonging to two proscribed outfits in Manipur, police said on Saturday. All the arrests were made on Friday, they said. Two active cadres of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Apunba) were apprehended from Imphal West and Imphal East district, while a member of the PREPAK was nabbed from his residence at Moirang Khunou in Bishnupur district, a police statement said. During an operation on Friday, the security personnel also recovered arms and ammunition from the Khulsaibung hill range in Tengnoupal district. The recovered arms include a single-barrel gun, two pistols and eight IEDs, the statement said. 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
14 February,2026 12:30 PM IST | Imphal | PTIA girl student reportedly died after falling from the fourth floor of a coaching centre near AIIMS Patna, officials said on Friday. Independent MP Pappu Yadav from Purnea visited the family and condemned the incident, raising concerns over law and order in Bihar. Speaking to the media, he said, "No one's sister or daughter is safe. The Home Minister gives long speeches. You've got a good position, use it. Eliminate all the criminals." Yadav further gave reference to the recent NEET aspirant death incident, saying, "The SIT harassed the NEET student's family. If I weren't there, no one would have raised a voice for the student in Parliament." Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun its investigation into the case of an NEET aspirant who died in Patna last month, according to sources. Police said that the NEET aspirant died during treatment in Patna. While there were reports of an alleged sexual assault, the police said that the doctors have not confirmed sexual or penetrative assault in the case. Meanwhile, the parents of the deceased student joined others in protesting at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on February 8, demanding justice. Speaking to ANI, the father said they had been forced to come to the national capital because justice had not been served in Bihar. On January 31, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said that the government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has urged the Central government to hand over the investigation to the CBI. Last month, parents gathered outside the Patna hostel, alleging that the hostel authorities were not cooperating and that students were unable to resume their studies following the incident. Additionally, the Patna Police suspended two officers in connection with the case. The suspended officers are the station house officer of Chitragupta Nagar police station, Roshni Kumari, and the additional station house officer of Kadamkuan police station, Hemant Jha. The Patna Police had released a press statement providing this information. According to the statement, the suspension is due to delayed action and failure to collect intelligence in a timely manner. Senior officers of the Patna Police suspended both officers on these grounds. "During the examination conducted by the FSL, traces of human sperm were found on an undergarment allegedly worn by the deceased at the time of the incident. A DNA profile is being prepared from this sample," the press release read earlier. The sample was said to be used to match the DNA of the arrested accused and the suspects identified by the Special Investigation Team to uncover further details. 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
14 February,2026 12:29 PM IST | Patna | ANICongress MPs on Friday held a protest in Parliament House complex demanding the resignation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri after his name figured in the ‘Epstein Files’ released in the United States. Several Congress MPs lined up outside the Parliament building and raised slogans against Puri, while demanding answers from him. They also held a big banner with pictures of Puri and Jeffery Epstein. Puri had on Wednesday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for “passing innuendo” against him, asserting that he had met Epstein on a “few occasions” but his interactions with him had nothing to do with the crimes the convicted American sex offender was involved in. 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
14 February,2026 09:29 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
-1770280741777_d.png "Security forces killed three terrorists in two separate counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. Representational Pic")
