The air quality in Mumbai has shown a notable improvement this year compared to the same period last year, according to official data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Last year, from December 1 to 16, the city’s air quality index (AQI) ranged between 158 and 167, while during the same period in 2025, the AQI remained in a range of 105 to 138. Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Avinash Dhakne has attributed the improving AQI levels to the sustained measures taken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). He urged citizens to refer only to the official CPCB data for air quality monitoring, available on https://cpcb.nic.in as well as the ‘SAMEER’ mobile app, to avoid misinformation. Measures taken by Mumbai civic body The BMC has been implementing a range of multi-level interventions to improve air quality across the city, which include: Deep cleaning of roads using water tankers at 376 locations between December 1–16 Spraying with misting machines at 253 locations Issuing ‘show-cause’ notices to construction sites violating guidelines in 353 cases Issuing ‘stop-work notices’ in 121 cases. These efforts have contributed to an improvement in air quality, which currently falls in the moderate category, said Avinash Kate, deputy commissioner of environment and climate change, BMC. Daily AQI comparison (December 1–16) Date 2025 AQI 2024 AQI Dec 1 105 167 Dec 2 126 174 Dec 3 128 129 Dec 4 138 139 Dec 5 124 154 Dec 6 116 148 Dec 7 113 126 Dec 8 120 125 Dec 9 115 112 Dec 10 101 131 Dec 11 105 139 Dec 12 112 137 Dec 13 115 128 Dec 14 131 134 Dec 15 122 159 Dec 16 113 158 Citizens urged to cooperate Authorities have again appealed to citizens to avoid burning waste or engaging in similar activities that increase pollution. Compliance with the civic corporation and CPCB guidelines is essential to sustain the positive trend in air quality and ensure a healthier environment in Mumbai, the BMC said. On Wednesday, the city’s AQI remained moderate at 129, as per the SAMEER app. Experts have advised that people with respiratory or heart conditions, including asthma, may experience mild discomfort.
17 December,2025 08:32 PM IST | MumbaiThe Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has made significant progress on infrastructure works at Badlapur railway station to enhance commuter safety, improve passenger amenities, and support the proposed 3rd and 4th railway lines between Kalyan and Badlapur, an official statement said. Several key facilities have already been commissioned to improve passenger movement and control trespassing. These include a 330-metre-long home platform, opened in February 2024, a 6-metre-wide Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at the Karjat end, opened in December 2022, connecting all platforms for east-west access and two new 12-metre-wide FOBs, opened in March and June 2025. Construction is ongoing for an elevated deck connecting both 12-metre-wide FOBs over platforms 1 and 2. A major portion of the deck was commissioned in March 2025, and the remaining section is now under construction following the removal of an old middle FOB, the official statement said. Recent milestone During a six-hour night block from 13-14 December 2025, MRVC successfully launched all 17 remaining girders, including major cross girders, for the elevated deck. The work involved 40 personnel, a 150-tonne crane, and two 15-tonne Faranas. Despite congested site conditions, the work was completed safely and efficiently, the official statement said. Passenger facilities in progress MRVC is gradually improving passenger convenience across platforms: - Platform 1: Four staircases and one escalator operational; one lift and an additional escalator planned. - Platform 2: Three staircases and two escalators functional; one lift and one more staircase to follow. - Platform 3: Three staircases operational; two escalators to be added within 30-40 days, with a lift and two more escalators later. Additional facilities, such as a new booking office and public toilet at the Kalyan end of Platform 1, are expected to be completed in six to seven months. Future plans MRVC also plans to build another 6-metre-wide FOB at the Kalyan end, connecting public skywalks for seamless commuter movement. A new skywalk, elevated booking office, station building, and circulating area are planned as part of the 3rd and 4th line works, the statement said. All ongoing works are scheduled for completion within 5-6 months, with additional line-related projects to be finished alongside the commissioning of the new railway lines, it said.
17 December,2025 08:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA fire broke out at the entry point of the Mumbai Coastal Road on Wednesday evening, officials said, adding that following the incident the traffic has been diverted. According to the officials, Mumbai Coastal Road's northbound entry point was temporarily closed after a fire broke out at the spot. "The reason for the blaze is suspected to be due to a short circuit," said an official. Authorities confirmed that the fire caused safety concerns, prompting them to shut the road for immediate action. Motorists heading north have been diverted via Babubhai Pedder Road towards Haji Ali. Traffic police have advised commuters to follow the diversion and expect delays. कोस्टल रोड बोगद्याच्या उत्तरवाहिनी प्रवेशद्वारा वर शॉर्ट सर्किट मुळे आग लागल्याने उत्तरवाहिनी बंद करण्यात आली असून सदरचा मार्ग तात्पुरत्या स्वरूपात बाबुलनाथ पेड्डर रोड मार्गे हाजीअली करीत वळवण्यात आला आहे . #MTPTrafficUpdate — Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) December 17, 2025 Firefighters responded promptly to control the blaze, and no injuries so far have been reported in the incident. Further details are awaited. Two injured in gas cylinder blast at Mumbai's Mankhurd Meanwhile, in a different incident, two people sustained burn injuries after a gas cylinder blast in a chawl at Mankhurd area of the city on Tuesday evening, civic officials earlier said. According to the officials, the blast took place in a room of a chawl located on 30 Feet Road in Janata Nagar area of Mandala. The explosion damaged a portion of the roof of the affected room, officials said. The incident was reported to the Mumbai Fire Brigade at around 6.50 pm. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), local residents acted swiftly and shifted the injured persons to LTMG (Sion) Hospital before emergency services arrived. Doctors later confirmed that both victims were admitted to the burn ward for further treatment. The injured have been identified as Prithwipal Jaspal, 40, who suffered around 30 per cent burns to his face, hands and chest and Rajesh Khichad (25), who sustained about 25 per cent burns to his face, hand and leg. Teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, Adani Energy, and local ward staff were rushed to the spot following the incident. The situation was brought under control, and no further danger was reported. Officials said the exact cause of the gas cylinder blast was being investigated.
17 December,2025 08:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs Maharashtra gears up for civic elections, key urban bodies across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) are set to go to the polls together on January 15, 2026. The MMR, comprising Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and parts of Raigad district, has nine municipal corporations, making the upcoming elections crucial for urban governance in the region. Mumbai, the state capital, remains the largest civic body in MMR. The city has a population of 12.44 million spread across 6,328 sq km. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a budget of Rs 74,427 crore for the 2025–26 financial year. Its previous elected term ended in 2022, and the civic body has 227 corporator seats. The Thane Municipal Corporation governs a population of 1.84 million over an area of 147 sq km. For FY 2025–26, it has proposed a budget of Rs 85,645 crore. The corporation’s last elected term ended in 2020, and it has 131 seats. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation serves a population of 1.12 million across 109 sq km. Its proposed budget for FY 2025–26 stands at Rs 85,684 crore. The previous term concluded in 2020, and the civic body has 111 seats. Panvel Municipal Corporation, covering 110 sq km, has a population of about 5.09 lakh. Its budget for FY 2025–26 is Rs 83,873 crore. The last term ended in 2022, and the corporation has 78 seats. Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation governs 1.52 million residents over 67 sq km. It has proposed a budget of Rs 83,361 crore for FY 2025–26. The previous term ended in 2022, and the civic body comprises 122 seats. Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation serves a population of 5.06 lakh across 28 sq km. Its budget for FY 2025–26 is Rs 7,988 crore. The previous term concluded in 2022, and it has 78 seats. Bhiwandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation covers 26 sq km and has a population of 7.09 lakh. Its proposed budget for FY 2025–26 is Rs 1,097 crore. The last elected term ended in 2022, and the corporation has 90 seats. Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation governs a population of 8.09 lakh across 79 sq km. It has proposed a budget of Rs 72,694 crore for FY 2025–26. The previous term ended in 2022, and the civic body has 95 seats.
17 December,2025 07:15 PM IST | MumbaiMumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad and anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania on Wednesday demanded the immediate removal of Maharashtra Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate from the state cabinet after a sessions court upheld his conviction in a cheating and forgery case. Gaikwad accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government of protecting the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader despite the court confirming his two-year jail sentence in a case dating back to 1995. ‘Arrogance of power’: Gaikwad Gaikwad said Kokate’s continuation as a minister reflected the “arrogance of power” and questioned whether the state government was deliberately turning a blind eye to the court order. She also alleged that the ruling alliance was following double standards while dealing with convictions of opposition leaders and those in power. In a post on social media platform X, Gaikwad asked why swift action is taken against opposition leaders but not against ministers in the government. “Action is taken within 24 hours when opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Sunil Kedar are convicted. Why is a different yardstick being applied in Kokate’s case?” she wrote. Damania questions Manikrao Kokate’s reported admission at hospital Anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania on Sunday questioned Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate’s reported admission to a Mumbai hospital. In a post on social media platform X, Damania referred to Kokate as an "economically weak" minister and raised doubts about how he accessed treatment at a premium hospital. She further pointed to details mentioned in Kokate’s election affidavit, stating that it declares assets worth Rs 48.35 crore, and remarked sarcastically on the claim of economic vulnerability. आर्थिक दुर्बल मंत्री माणिकराव कोकाटे हे श्रीमंतांच्या लिलावती रुग्णालयात कसे काय दाखल झाले? बरं ह्या आर्थिक दुर्बल कोकटेंच्या निवडणुकीच्या प्रतिज्ञापत्रात फक्त ४८.३५ कोटीची संपत्ती आहे. किती आर्थिक दुर्बल आणि गरीब आहेत हे. — Mrs Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) December 17, 2025 Her comments have triggered fresh political reactions online, with opposition voices amplifying questions around public representatives’ declarations of assets and access to elite healthcare facilities. There has been no official response from Kokate at the time of reporting. Minister absent from cabinet meet Kokate was not present at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, though no official reason was given for his absence. Gaikwad said the rule of law was being compromised for political convenience and reiterated her demand for Kokate’s immediate dismissal from the cabinet. Court upheld conviction In a major setback for Maharashtra Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a court in Nashik on Tuesday upheld the two-year prison sentence awarded to him in a cheating and forgery case dating back to 1995, reported the PTI. The case relates to the alleged submission of fake documents to obtain flats under the state government’s quota. A magistrate’s court had on February 20 convicted Kokate and his brother Vijay Kokate, sentencing both to two years’ imprisonment and imposing a fine of Rs 50,000 each. On Tuesday, Nashik District and Sessions Court Judge P M Badar upheld the jail term awarded by the magistrate’s court. The judge observed that the flat obtained by Kokate was not as per prescribed norms and that the state government had been deceived in the process, according to the PTI. Earlier, on February 20, a magistrate’s court had convicted Kokate and his brother Vijay for submitting false documents to obtain government quota flats. (with PTI inputs)
17 December,2025 05:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved the promulgation of an ordinance to amend the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, making the decision of the election returning officer on nomination papers final in district council and panchayat samiti elections. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The amendment seeks to ensure that elections to zilla parishads and panchayat samitis are conducted within stipulated timelines, as prolonged legal proceedings have been causing delays. Under the existing provision in Section 14(2) of the Act, candidates whose nomination papers were accepted or rejected could file appeals before district courts. However, such appeals often remained pending for varying periods across districts, leading to delays in the election process. The State Election Commission had proposed the removal of this provision to enable timely conduct of elections. Following this, the Cabinet approved the issuance of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, empowering the state government to frame rules for such elections and declaring the decision of the Returning Officer on nomination papers as final. Cabinet approves panel to curb encroachments at state-protected monuments In another key decision, the Cabinet approved the formation of a state-level committee under the chairmanship of the Cultural Affairs Minister to prevent and remove encroachments at state-protected monuments, on the lines of existing measures for forts. The decision expands the scope of a government resolution issued on January 20, 2025, which dealt with the removal of encroachments on forts, to now include state-protected monuments. The Maharashtra Cabinet has cleared the constitution of a state-level committee to oversee the removal of existing encroachments and prevent future ones at forts and protected monuments across Maharashtra. Apart from the Cultural Affairs Minister as chairperson, the committee will include the Revenue Minister, Rural Development Minister, Tourism Minister, Public Works Minister, Forest Minister, Ports and Development Minister, along with senior officials such as secretaries, principal secretaries or additional chief secretaries of the concerned departments. The cabinet also approved the inclusion of four special invitee members in the state-level committee and four non-official members in district-level committees. These members must be experts in forts and monuments, or individuals and organisations working in the field of heritage conservation and preservation. At the district level, the responsibility of removing encroachments at forts and state-protected monuments will rest with the district collectors, who will carry out the action in coordination with departments owning the land. Expenditure for such activities will be met from the District Planning and Development Fund, the Cabinet decision stated.
17 December,2025 05:25 PM IST | MumbaiAMID growing focus on BMC-run schools and their infrastructure, the civic body plans to open nine standalone school buildings for students in the 2026–27 academic year. These new facilities are spread across Ghatkopar, Govandi, Andheri, Juhu and Malad. Except for a newly built CBSE school in Andheri East, all the buildings are redeveloped structures constructed on the sites of former municipal schools. Civic officials said the reconstruction of these schools took between three and five years, with the Juhu school taking the longest, as it falls within the Coastal Regulation Zone. The new buildings will also temporarily accommodate students from neighbouring municipal schools that are currently undergoing redevelopment. Kondivita Mumbai Public School in Andheri East will function as a standalone CBSE institution, as affiliation norms allow only one school per building. Other redeveloped schools will operate under the Maharashtra State Board. Several of the new buildings are equipped with modern facilities such as libraries, virtual classrooms, computer and science laboratories, art and craft rooms, multipurpose halls and disability friendly washrooms. “All these areas are witnessing a steady rise in student population. These new buildings will help us absorb more students into the BMC school system,” a civic official told mid-day. MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS: AT A GLANCE (Some schools to run in two shifts) Kondivita Mumbai Public School (CBSE) Location: Andheri East Classrooms: 28 Students: 320 Board: CBSE Medium: English Tilak Marg Municipal School Location: Ghatkopar East Classrooms: 36+2 balwadi rooms Students: approx 1520 (around 40 per class) Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: Hindi, Marathi Shivaji Nagar Municipal School No.4 Location: Govandi Classrooms: 32+2 balwadi rooms Students: 1360 Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: Urdu, English Sainath Nagar Municipal School Location: Ghatkopar Classrooms: 29 Students: 800 Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: English Juhu Gandhigram Municipal School Location: Juhu Classrooms: 15 Students: 1118 (multiple shifts) Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: English, Marathi, Hindi Govindnagar Hindi School Location: Malad East Classrooms: 47 Students: approx 1400 Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: Hindi, English, Urdu Liberty Garden Municipal School Location: Malad West Classrooms: 51 Students: approx 1200 Board: Maharashtra State Board Medium: English, Tamil, Hindi
17 December,2025 04:24 PM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarA day after overcrowding at the IIT Bombay's Mood Indigo, the institute on Wednesday announced that it has cancelled all pre-registrations for events linked to its annual cultural festival, for Wednesday and Thursday. In a post shared on X, the institute said that entry for outsiders has been stopped for the next two days. Only competition participants and IIT Bombay residents will be allowed to enter the campus during this period. All pre-registrations for Mood Indigo events at IIT Bombay are cancelled and entry for any outsider (except the competition participants and IIT Bombay residents) is stopped for today and tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/CbBTZ5hIgA — IIT Bombay (@iitbombay) December 17, 2025 The reason for the decision was not officially informed by IIT Bombay but the announcement came in amid concerns over large crowds and traffic congestion in and around the Powai area, particularly on the Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) on Tuesday evening. The festival had attracted a massive turnout, leading to severe traffic snarls and inconvenience to commuters. Mood Indigo is one of largest college cultural festivals and draws hundreds of visitors at IIT Bombay. Motorists and residents complained of traffic snarls on Tuesday Commuters travelling on the Jogeshwari–Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) in Mumbai on Tuesday evening faced severe traffic congestion near Powai, with many reporting delays of several hours. Traffic on the busy stretch came to a near standstill reportedly as large crowds gathered for IIT Bombay’s annual cultural festival, mood-indigo. Traffic officials said the spillover of students and visitors attending the event led to heavy congestion in and around Powai. According to officials, the traffic jam began in the evening and continued for several hours before easing late at night. "Heavy congestion occurred along the JVLR due to a large influx of students attending the Mood Indigo festival at IIT Bombay. The Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) is experiencing significant delays due to poor crowd management," Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA) posted along with a video of traffic snarls on X. Heavy congestion occurred along the JVLR due to a large influx of students attending the Mood Indigo festival at IIT Bombay. The Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) is experiencing significant delays due to poor crowd management pic.twitter.com/uD4x7MNmVL — Chandivali Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA) (@ChandivaliCCWA) December 16, 2025 Traffic Police stepped in “We already have traffic police on site and now things have begun to normalise,” a traffic control official said, adding that additional personnel were deployed to manage the situation. The Mumbai Traffic Police also confirmed on social media that traffic movement was slow due to a college event at IIT Bombay’s main gate near Sakinaka. कॉलेज विद्यार्थ्यांच्या कार्यक्रमामुळे पवई आयआय टी मेनगेट ( साकीनाका ) येथे जाणारी वाहतूक संथ गतीने सुरू आहे.Traffic Movement Is Slow At Powai IIT MainGate (Sakinaka) Due To Collage student event#MTPTrafficUpdate — Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) December 16, 2025 Commuters report matter on X Several commuters expressed their frustration over the long delays. A Powai resident said it took him over an hour to travel from Rambaug Chowki to IIT Bombay on a two-wheeler, a journey that usually takes much less time. "It took me 1.25 hrs to travel from Rambaug Chowki to IIT Bombay, on a two wheeler," a Powai resident had told mid-day on Tuesday night.
17 December,2025 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai is gearing up for its biggest civic battle. With 227 seats up for grabs, millions of voters, and strict spending limits for candidates, the stakes have never been higher. From ward-wise distribution to key voter statistics, understanding the numbers behind the polls gives a clearer picture of what’s at play in Asia’s richest civic body. After a delay of 34 months, elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will finally be held on January 15, 2026, with counting scheduled for January 16, 2026. The previous five-year term ended in February 2022. The State Election Commission (SEC) announced the schedule, confirming that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect immediately. Including the BMC’s 227 seats, a total of 2,869 seats across 29 municipal corporations will go to the polls. Along with Mumbai, municipal elections will also be held on the same day in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar, Panvel, Kalyan-Dombivli, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi-Nizampur city and 20 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra. We break down the seats, voters, spending limits, ward details and all the essential statistics you need to know ahead of the 2026 BMC elections. Key figures for BMC polls Polling stations: 10,111 Control units: 11,349 Ballot units: 22,698 Election officers: 290 Assistant election officers: 870 Total staff required: 1,96,605 Overall polling infrastructure (all 29 civic bodies): Polling stations: 39,147 Control units: 43,958 Ballot units: 87,916 Key voter statistics: Male voters: 1,81,93,666 Female voters: 1,66,79,755Other voters: 4596 Total voters (29 corporations): 3,48,78,017 In Mumbai alone, there will be a total of 1,03,44,315 voters spread across all 227 wards of the city. Seat breakup: OBC: 759 ST: 77 SC: 341 Women reserved: 1,442 Others: 250Total seats: 2,869 Important dates Election notifications: BMC – Dec 16, 2025; Other corporations – Dec 18, 2025 Nominations: Dec 23–30, 2025 Scrutiny: Dec 31, 2025 Withdrawal of nominations: Jan 2, 2026 Symbol allotment and final list: Jan 3, 2026 Spending limits (per candidate) BMC and A-class: Rs 15 lakh B-class: Rs 13 lakh C-class: Rs 11 lakh D-class: Rs 9 lakh (Source: State Election Commission) Notes: Mobile phones are not permitted inside polling stations. Pink polling stations, staffed entirely by women, will be set up in areas with higher female voter turnout. Nomination forms can be filled online but must be submitted offline. Caste validity certificates must be submitted within six months of the results; failure will cancel the election retrospectively. The Raj Thackeray-led MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) had raised objections to over 11 lakh duplicate names in the voters’ list, demanding necessary corrections before polling. The SEC said BMC officials removed several duplicate entries through field verification and software checks. “If there are any remaining duplicates, they have been marked with a star. This will help identify voters with multiple entries on voting day,” the SEC said. The BMC polls are expected to witness a direct contest between two major alliances in the state: the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Mahayuti, which currently governs Maharashtra, comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The main opposition alliance, the MVA, includes the Indian National Congress, the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, and the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the NCP-SP. After remaining politically apart for nearly two decades, the Thackeray brothers—Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray—have reunited. The move is being seen as a significant development in Mumbai’s political landscape, with the alliance expected to reshape electoral dynamics in the civic polls. The last BMC elections were held in 2017. Reacting to the poll announcement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “I am sure people will once again vote for development and progress.
17 December,2025 04:06 PM IST | MumbaiThe State Election Commission (SEC) has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), on January 15, 2026. Polling will be held from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and counting of votes will take place on January 16, 2026. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force on December 15, 2025, across all municipal corporation areas. Political parties have already begun preparations, with criticism, praise, and rivalry heating up ahead of the elections. Below are answers to frequently asked questions: ● What is the BMC election? The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election selects members to govern Greater Mumbai, India’s largest city. ● When is the BMC election? Polling: January 15, 2026 (7:30 am – 5:30 pm)Counting: January 16, 2026 ● How many voters from Mumbai will be voting for the BMC Elections? There will be a total of 1,03,44,315 voters spread across all 227 wards of Mumbai. ● Who is eligible to vote and how to register? Eligible voters must be Indian citizens, at least 18 years old, and ordinary residents of the concerned area. Only names on the Voter List (Electoral Roll) are eligible to vote. Voters can find details on polling booths, candidates, election dates, and EVM procedures. ● How to check voter registration status? Check your name on the Electoral Roll at: https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in ● How many corporations will be contested? Elections will be held for 29 municipal corporations. ● How do I use an EVM? EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) will be used. [Click here for a guide on using EVM/VVPAT.] ● What identification should I carry? Accepted photo IDs include: EPIC (Voter ID), Passport, Driving License, PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Government Service ID, Bank/Post Office Passbook with photo, MNREGA Job Card, Health Insurance Smart Card, Pension document with photo, or official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs. Photo voter slips alone are not valid. ● What is the voting process? Elections are conducted by a hierarchy of officials, including: Election Officer and Returning Officer Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, Polling Officers Supporting staff: Assistant Election Officers, Election Supervisors, Inspectors, Clerks Duties include finalising ward boundaries based on census data, publishing authenticated ward-wise electoral rolls, and overseeing the election process from polling to result declaration. ● Which parties are contesting the BMC elections 2026? The elections are expected to be a contest between: Mahayuti (ruling alliance): BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), Ajit Pawar-led NCP Maha Vikas Aghadi (opposition): Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Sharad Pawar-led NCP–SP ● What is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)? The MCC is a set of guidelines by the Election Commission to regulate party and candidate conduct during elections. It came into effect with the election announcement. No policy decisions can be made in these areas during this period, except for natural disasters or emergency relief.
17 December,2025 04:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Mumbai police constable has rescued a 9-foot-long python from a duct outside a park in the city's Dharavi area, an official said. A video of the rescue has gone viral on social media, and the city police also uploaded it on their X account. Fearless in Uniform: PC Sachin More Rescues 9-Foot Python in Dharavi.A python was discovered during wire repair work inside an internet duct near a natural park, within the jurisdiction of @DharaviPS Upon receiving the alert, Police Constable Sachin More, who is also a… pic.twitter.com/YVuaky5osB — मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) December 16, 2025 A worker spotted the snake during wire repair work inside an internet duct near Dharavi depot on December 13, a police official said. After being alerted, constable Sachin More, who is also a trained snake rescuer, rushed to the spot. He rescued the python and handed it over to the forest department, a police official said. More is attached to the police's local arms unit. Two Indian Giant Squirrels, rescued a few months back, released into wild Meanwhile, two Indian Giant Squirrels, rescued a few months back, have been released into the wild after treatment at a rehabilitation facility, reported PTI. The Indian Giant Squirrel, also known as Shekru in Marathi, is the state animal of Maharashtra. They are facing threats to their survival due to habitat loss and fragmentation in their native range, a wildlife expert said. The forest department had rescued two squirrels in separate instances and handed them over to the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) for their treatment and rehabilitation, reported PTI. After being treated for nearly three months, they were declared fit and released into the wild last week, RAWW founder Pawan Sharma said on Tuesday. Leopard rescued from well in Nagpur The forest department rescued a leopard from a well located in a farm at in Nagpur district of Maharashtra on Tuesday, officials said, reported PTI. The feline had fallen in the well at Dorli Gangaji village in Kalmeshwar range, around 40 km from Nagpur. After receiving information, Forest Range Officer P R Shirpurkar rushed to the spot and called the Rapid Rescue Team from Nagpur, reported PTI. After hours of hard work, the one-year-old leopard was rescued from the well without injury, it said. Meanwhile, a female wild elephant sustained serious injuries to its mouth after allegedly consuming explosives in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, a forest official said on Monday, reported PTI. The five-year-old elephant was spotted in a forest area of the district on the morning of December 12 and was later tranquilised and shifted to a nursery in the Similipal North Division, Divisional Forest Officer (Baripada) Gobinda Chandra Biswal said, reported PTI. The animal had entered the Baripada forest range from the Nilagiri area of neighbouring Balasore district, he said. With severe injuries to its tongue, the elephant was rescued on December 13 and is currently undergoing treatment under the supervision of a dedicated team of veterinary doctors, the DFO added. (With inputs from PTI)
17 December,2025 02:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
