For 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)
03 January,2026 07:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Vivek Kumar GuptaThe Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh government, on Saturday, appointed Kshitij Singhal, a 2014 batch IAS officer, as the new Commissioner of Indore Municipal Corporation days after several people lost their lives after drinking contaminated water. A notification for the appointment of Kshitij Singhal as the new Municipal Commissioner of Indore was issued by the State Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, as cited by news agency IANS. The 2014 batch IAS, Kshitij Singhal, has replaced Dilip Kumar Yadav, who was transferred from Indore on Friday. The major development came a day after the Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, ordered the suspension of the Indore Additional Commissioner, Rohit Sisoniya, and Sanjeev Shrivastava, who is the Superintendent Engineer in charge of the Public Health Engineering department. Indore district administration started a survey to check water quality After various people in Indore died due to allegedly drinking contaminated water, the Indore district administration on Thursday started a survey to check the water quality being supplied through tankers in Indore's Bhagirathpura area. Apart from various people losing their lives, more than 200 people are still admitted to multiple hospitals across the city. Along with an extensive checking of water quality, teams of district administration are also making residents of the Bhagirathpura area aware of the use of safe drinking water to ensure the safety of people, especially children and senior citizens, who were the most affected due to the contaminated water supply tragedy in Indore. The awareness campaign and inspection led by the Indore District Collector Shivam Verma began early morning on Saturday, and it will continue till the evening. During the door-to-door visit, officials from the Indore district administration are also inspecting water stored in underground and rooftop tanks built in the area. Speaking to the media, District Collector Verma said that multiple teams of staff members have been deployed to conduct door-to-door inspections in Bhagirathpura. District collector Verma emphasised, "Our team is continuously conducting investigations. Wherever cases of food poisoning have been reported and patients have tested positive, we have instructed all departments to carry out thorough inspections in the surrounding areas. Along with this, our water supply lines are also being checked," as cited by news agency IANS. Over 200 people are still admitted to hospital after drinking contaminated water in Indore The District Collector also said that people admitted to hospitals are being provided better treatment and are recovering fast. He said that the condition of two out of 27 patients admitted to ICU wards was critical till Friday; however, they recovered on Saturday. Over 200 people are admitted to more than 30 hospitals -- both government and private healthcare institutions in different parts of Indore, reported IANS. On the other side, more than 22 teams of medical staff are conducting health checkups through camps in the Bhagirathpura area. (With inputs from IANS)
03 January,2026 06:00 PM IST | Indore | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the Maharashtra local body elections, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday shared the state's vision for Sangli region and said that an airport, flood control and development was in the list, reported the PTI. CM Fadnavis said that his government’s approach to urban development is long-term and future-oriented, aimed at building modern and sustainable cities. Addressing a public rally ahead of the January 15 elections to the 88-member Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation, CM Fadnavis appealed to voters to give the BJP-led alliance a clear majority to ensure continuity in development works, according to the PTI. Plans for a modern and clean sangli The Chief Minister said the government is committed to transforming Sangli into a clean and well-upgraded city. He announced that work on the pre-feasibility report for a proposed airport in Sangli is currently underway. In addition, CM Fadnavis promised the development of a truck terminal in Sangli, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving logistics infrastructure. Cultural projects for Miraj Highlighting Miraj’s rich musical legacy, the Chief Minister announced plans for a music heritage park and a musical instrument museum in the city, intended to preserve and promote its cultural identity. Slum redevelopment and ownership rights Fadnavis said the state government has decided to regularise encroachments, enabling slum dwellers to receive ownership rights as part of redevelopment projects. He said the move would provide long-term security and dignity to residents living in informal settlements. Flood mitigation and water diversion plan Addressing recurring flood concerns, the Chief Minister said a flood diversion project for Sangli and Kolhapur is being planned. Under the proposal, excess floodwater will be diverted to drought-prone regions of western Maharashtra and Marathwada, helping mitigate floods while addressing water scarcity. Only Marathi compulsory in Maharashtra, no other language: CM Fadnavis Meanwhile, Fadnavis on Friday asserted that only Marathi is compulsory in Maharashtra and no other language will be imposed. Speaking at the inauguration of the 99th Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan (All-India Marathi literary meet) at Satara, he, however, also said it was wrong to oppose other Indian languages while rolling out the red carpet for foreign languages such as French and Spanish, as per the PTI. Last year, the BJP-led government revoked its decision to introduce Hindi as a third language from the first standard in schools in Maharashtra following intense protests, and set up a committee to examine the issue. Language issue compulsion being widely debated The issue of language compulsion is being widely debated, Fadnavis noted in his speech. "As chief minister, I want to clearly state that in Maharashtra, only Marathi is compulsory. No other language is compulsory. However, there were differing opinions regarding the three-language formula. Students have the freedom to learn any Indian language of their choice. The only question was from which standard the third language should be introduced," he said, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
03 January,2026 05:57 PM IST | Sangli (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentIn fresh action against real estate giant Amrapali Group, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 99.26 crore for fraudulently diverting and misappropriating homebuyers’ funds, an official said on Saturday. As reported by news agency IANS, the immovable properties attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, include the office and factory land and building of Mauria Udyog Ltd. Mauria Udyog Ltd is one of the entities of the Sureka Group, whose promoters are Navneet Sureka and Akhil Sureka. The investigation agency, while issuing a statement, said that the aggregate fair market value of the seized office and factory land and building was Rs. 99.26 crore as of December 30, 2016, as per IANS. The ED has now passed a total of six Provisional Attachment Orders, including the present one, under Section 5(1) of the PMLA, 2002, attaching properties having a cumulative value of Rs 303.08 crore. The ED, Lucknow Zonal Office, initiated the investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered at different police stations in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, and EOW, Delhi Police, and also pursuant to a Supreme Court order. Earlier, on July 23, 2019, the Supreme Court passed the order in the Bikram Chatterji versus Union of India matter that was related to petitions filed by aggrieved homebuyers. Allegations on Amrapali Groups The allegations were that the Amrapali Group collected huge sums of money from homebuyers, failed to deliver possession of flats within the stipulated time, and fraudulently diverted and misappropriated the homebuyers’ funds by adopting a criminal conspiracy involving bogus transactions, forgery and cheating. As per IANS, the investigation agency also revealed that the accused persons, their associates and promoters, namely Anil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar, directors of the Amrapali Group, in connivance with Navneet Sureka and Akhil Sureka, directors of Mauria Udyog and Jotindra Steel and Tubes Ltd, diverted homebuyers’ funds through non-genuine and fraudulent transactions under the guise of procurement of TMT bars and construction material. The ED also said that the funds that were misused by the accused were layered through a complex web of shell entities and bogus suppliers, withdrawn substantially in cash and irreversibly dissipated, thereby generating and laundering the Proceeds of Crime (POC). However, it has been established that an amount of Rs 110.39 crore was diverted to Mauria Udyog, representing POC generated from the money collected from Amrapali homebuyers. As the original proceeds of crime were dissipated and no longer available for direct attachment, the ED has attached the immovable properties of Mauria Udyog on the principle of “value thereof” under the PMLA, 2002, in order to secure the POC. So far, the ED has filed six prosecution complaints in this case, arraigning 33 individuals and entities as accused, as per IANS. (With inputs from IANS)
03 January,2026 05:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSindhudurg Airport in Maharashtra has received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to operate 24 hours a day in all-weather conditions, officials said on Saturday. The development marks a major milestone for aviation connectivity in the Konkan region of the state, the officials said. The airport, operated by IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd, has been certified for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations, allowing aircraft to take off and land even during low visibility and adverse weather. Advanced navigation systems for safety As part of the approval, satellite-based Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures have been published, along with the availability of a backup navigation aid. These systems provide pilots with accurate instrument approach guidance and a reliable non-satellite alternative, ensuring safer and more dependable landings throughout the year. The upgrade allows all types of aircraft to operate more reliably, improving overall safety and operational efficiency at the airport. Passenger traffic shows strong growth Sindhudurg Airport has recently recorded significant passenger growth. In December, the airport handled nearly 11,000 passenger movements for the first time. With rising footfall, the airport is now expected to feature among India’s top 75 airports in terms of monthly passenger traffic. To support this growth, aircraft parking capacity has been doubled, with the number of parking stands increased from three to six. Boost for tourism and regional development Speaking on the development, Capt. Jai S Sadana, Chief Adviser and Head of IRB Sindhudurg Airport, said the approval would greatly improve the airport’s reliability and encourage airline confidence. He added that the upgrade would support sustained traffic growth and contribute to economic and tourism development across the Konkan region. He also said that the Mumbai-Sindhudurg route under the State regional connectivity scheme is expected to begin in the coming months, further improving travel convenience for residents and visitors.
03 January,2026 03:22 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarUnion Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for a two-day visit from January 2 to 4. He was warmly welcomed at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Sri Vijaya Puram on Friday by Lieutenant Governor (LG) Admiral DK Joshi, Chief Secretary of the islands, senior officials, and local PRI members. "Hon' @HMOindia@AmitShahji on his two-day visit to New Andamans from 02 - 04 January 2026, was accorded a warm welcome today at Veer Savarkar International Airport, Sri Vijaya Puram by @Admiral_DK Joshi, alongwith CSANI @DGPANIslands, Snr. officers of @Andaman_Admin and PRI members," Lt. Governor's Secretariat, Andaman and Nicobar Islands wrote on X. #Gateway2IndoPacific#IndianOceanRegion Hon’ @HMOindia @AmitShah ji on his two-day visit to #NewAndamans from 02 - 04 January 2026, was accorded warm welcome today at #VeerSavarkarInternationalAirport #SriVijayaPuram by @Admiral_DKJoshi, alongwith #CSANI @DGPANIslands, Snr.… pic.twitter.com/hASGziBDCn — Lt. Governor's Secretariat-Media Cell, A&N Islands (@MediaRN_ANI) January 2, 2026 Shah will chair a meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Saturday as part of his day-long visit to the Union Territory. The Consultative Committee meeting will be held on Saturday morning at the Hotel Sea-Princess in Wandoor, Andaman, where Members of Parliament from both Houses, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, will discuss key issues within the ministry's purview with the Home Minister. After chairing the Consultative Committee meeting, Shah will later in the day inaugurate an exhibition on the Naveen Nyaya Sanhita at the ITF field in Sri Vijaya Puram. He will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects of the Andaman and Nicobar administration at a function to be held at Netaji Stadium in Sri Vijaya Puram. The Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs serves as a forum for informal interactions between Members of Parliament and the Home Minister, along with Ministers of State, on the ministry's policies, programmes and implementation. The committee functions as an advisory body, facilitating dialogue on issues related to internal security, governance, border management, cybercrime and criminal justice reforms. The committee comprises 30 Members of Parliament, including 14 from the Lok Sabha and 16 from the Rajya Sabha. Amit Shah is the chairman of the committee. Ministers of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and Bandi Sanjay Kumar will also participate in the meeting. 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
03 January,2026 11:56 AM IST | Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar) | ANIThe snowfall at Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand has covered the temple premises and surrounding areas in a thick white blanket of snow as winter showed its full impact with the onset of the New Year. Heavy snowfall since Friday afternoon has blanketed the entire region, intensifying the cold and beginning to affect daily life in and around the shrine area. The weather at Kedarnath Dham remains harsh, with biting cold due to continuous snowfall. The ongoing reconstruction work at Kedarnath Dham is also facing delays due to extreme cold and snow accumulation, which have significantly slowed construction. In October, Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) visited the Kedarnath Dham and inspected ongoing construction and development work. The portals of the world-famous eleventh Jyotirlinga, Kedarnath Dham, were ceremoniously closed for the winter season at 8:30 am on October 23, 2025, coinciding with Bhai Dooj (Kartik Shukla Saptami, Anuradha Nakshatra). Before the closure, the temple was decorated with flowers, and the temple complex resonated with devotional music played by the Indian Army band and chants of "Jai Baba Kedar." Despite the cold weather, around 10,000 devotees gathered to witness the occasion. Following the rituals, the swayambhu Shivling of Lord Kedarnath was adorned with local sacred flowers, including Kumja, Bukla, Rakh, and Brahmakamal, along with dried flowers and leaves, symbolically giving it a samadhi form. The sanctum doors were then closed for the winter season amid chants of "Jai Baba Kedar." Meanwhile, the portals of Shri Badrinath Dham were closed for the winter season on November 25, 2025. Badrinath is one of the holiest shrines for Vaishnavites among the 108 Divya Desams and is also part of the Panch Badri temples, which include Yog Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri and Vriddha Badri. The Badrinath temple, approximately 50 feet tall, features a small cupola topped with a gold-gilt roof. The shrine is divided into the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum), Darshan Mandap and Sabha Mandap. The Garbha Griha houses idols of Lord Badari Narayan, Kuber, Narad Rishi, Udhava, Nar, and Narayan, for a total of 15 idols in the complex. Opposite the main idol, the seated idol of Garud, the vehicle of Lord Badarinath, is placed in a prayer posture. 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
03 January,2026 11:54 AM IST | Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand) | ANIThe Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday ordered a preliminary enquiry after a cricketer from south Kashmir wore a helmet with the Palestinian flag during a private cricket tournament match in Jammu, a police spokesperson said. A video and photos of the cricketer, Furqan Ul Haq, were circulated online after he was seen displaying the flag on his helmet during the Jammu and Kashmir Champions League here on Thursday. “Yesterday, a video circulating on social media showed a cricket player, Furqan Ul Haq, resident of Tangipuna, Pulwama, playing cricket at K C Door in Muthi, while displaying a Palestine logo on his helmet,” the spokesperson said. He said that in view of the “sensitivity of the matter and its potential public order implications”, a 14-day preliminary enquiry under Section 173(3) of the BNSS has been initiated at the Domana police station to ascertain the facts, intent and background of the individual and “any possible linkages”. 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
03 January,2026 09:59 AM IST | Jammu | AgenciesCity Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava on Friday said he has received information about 10 deaths due to a diarrhoea outbreak caused by contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area of the city. However, local residents have claimed that 15 individuals have died due to the health crisis. The health department has not confirmed this claim.“According to health department data, four people have died due to the diarrhoea outbreak in Bhagirathpura. However, I have received information about 10 deaths due to this outbreak,” Bhargava said. To a question about suspected cholera spread in the area, the mayor said only the health department could provide information on the matter. More than 1400 people have been affected by vomiting and diarrhoea in Bhagirathpura over the past nine days. A health department official, citing the situation till Thursday night, said that 272 patients were admitted to hospitals in the area, of whom 71 have been discharged. The official said 32 of the 201 patients currently hospitalised are undergoing treatment in intensive care units. Leakage from toilet Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani said on Thursday that laboratory test reports from a city medical college had confirmed that the drinking water from the locality was contaminated due to a leakage in a pipeline. Officials said a leakage was found in the main drinking water supply pipeline near a police outpost in Bhagirathpura, at a spot over which a toilet has been constructed. They claimed the leakage from the toilet led to contamination. Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey said, “We are closely examining the entire drinking water supply pipeline in Bhagirathpura to find out if there is any leakage elsewhere.” He said after inspection, clean water was supplied to households in Bhagirathpura through the pipeline on Thursday, though as a precaution, people have been advised to use the water for drinking only after boiling it. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered disciplinary action against senior Indore Municipal Corporation officials, including the immediate transfer of an additional commissioner from the city. Family rejects compensation A child born after 10 years of fervent prayers and vows died within days due to water contamination that has claimed several lives. The family claims it has rejected the government's compensation for the death of the child. The government has announced an ex-gratia of R2 lakh each to the families of the deceased persons. An eerie silence prevailed in an alley in the Marathi Mohalla of the Bhagirathpura area, where six-month-old Avyan Sahu lived with his family. 1400No. of people affected PM Modi silent on deaths: Congress Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi keeps trumpeting the Jal Jeevan Mission but was silent on deaths caused by contaminated water in Indore. He alleged that the “Modi government and the BJP failed to provide either clean water or clean air to the country.” “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,” Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP’s double-engine government and said PM Modi is always silent whenever the poor die. Gandhi alleged that Madhya Pradesh has become the epicentre of misgovernance and cited various instances of casualties reportedly due to cough syrups, poor hygiene at government hospitals and now due to contaminated water. “Not water, but poison was distributed in Indore, and the administration remained in deep slumber,” he said in a post on X.
03 January,2026 09:54 AM IST | Indore | AgenciesThe 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 | ANIThe 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 correspondentADVERTISEMENT
