In a bid to carry out essential maintenance work, including track repairs, signalling adjustments, and overhead equipment servicing, Western Railway has announced a five-hour Jumbo Block between Santacruz and Goregaon stations. The block will take place on Sunday, 12th January 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. According to a press release issued by Shri Vineet Abhishek, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the disruption will affect both the UP and DOWN Fast lines. During the block period, all Fast line suburban services will be diverted to the Slow line between Goregaon and Borivali stations, leading to potential delays. Additionally, some suburban trains are expected to be cancelled, while a few services originating from Andheri and Borivali will be operated up to Goregaon on the Harbour Line. The maintenance work is crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of services, and passengers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly. Western Railway has urged commuters to check with the concerned Station Masters for detailed information regarding train schedules and specific cancellations. The authorities are working to minimise inconvenience, but passengers should remain aware of the altered train schedules during the block period. This maintenance initiative is part of Western Railway’s ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure, ensuring smooth and safe operations for the growing number of daily commuters in Mumbai. Mumbai local train update: Central and Western Railway to operate mega block on Sunday, check details The Central and Western Railway, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, said a mega block will be will operated on its sections to carry out various engineering and maintenance works on Sunday, January 5. The Central Railway said that there will be a mega block on Mumbai Division on the Main Lines (UP & DOWN between Matunga and Mulund) from 11:05 am to 03:55 pm and the Harbour Lines (UP & DOWN between Panvel and Vashi) from 11:05 am to 04:05 pm. The Central Railway also shared the details of the services those would be affected during the block period. It said that the DOWN slow line services departing CSMT Mumbai from 10:14 am to 3:52 pm will be diverted on DOWN fast line between Matunga and Mulund stations halting at Sion, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Bhandup and Mulund stations and further re-diverted on DOWN slow line at Mulund station and will arrive destination 15 minutes behind schedule. The Central Railway said that the UP slow line services departing Thane from 11:07 am to 3:51 pm will be diverted on UP fast line at Mulund, between Mulund and Matunga stations halting at Mulund, Bhandup, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar, Kurla and Sion and further re-diverted on UP slow line at Matunga station and will arrive destination 15 minutes behind schedule "Please check train schedules during this period and plan your travel accordingly," the Central Railway said.
10 January,2025 01:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA case has been registered against unidentified individuals for allegedly stealing stones and water from the Atkoli dumping ground in Bhivandi, located within the Thane Municipal Corporation's jurisdiction. The theft was reported after the individuals accessed the plot, which is designated for scientific waste management, and unlawfully extracted around 5,410 brass of stones and approximately 10 to 15 tanker loads of water daily. The state government allocated a 34-hectare area in Atkoli, Bhivandi, to the Thane Municipal Corporation for the preparation of a project involving the scientific management of solid waste. As part of the initial phase of the project, the authorities had received complaints about illegal mining activities at the site. In response, the municipal corporation had blocked all access routes to the site. On January 3, Municipal Deputy Commissioner for Solid Waste Management, Manish Joshi, along with Health Officer Dr. Rani Shinde and other officials, visited the site for an inspection. During their visit, they discovered that the previously closed access routes had been unlawfully reopened. Furthermore, illegal stone mining was taking place at the location. Following a report by the Municipal Officer Santosh Agiwale, it was determined that approximately 5,410 brass of stones had been mined. Additionally, local residents revealed that water from the natural water source at the site had been siphoned off, with 10 to 15 tanker loads of water being stolen each day. Acting on the directives of Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, Assistant Commissioner of Solid Waste Management, Sunil More, filed a formal complaint at the Padgha Police Station regarding the illegal stone mining and water theft. As a result, the police have filed a case under sections 303(2) and 329(3) of the Indian Penal Code, 2023. The police are continuing their investigation into the matter. Thane: Mumbai Municipal Commissioner inspects key water supply facilities Mumbai’s water supply system, a critical infrastructure that ensures the city’s daily needs, received a detailed inspection today from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner and Administrator, Bhushan Gagrani. His visit took him to two key water management centers: the Pise Water Pumping Station and the Panjarapur Water Treatment Plant, both located in the Thane district, near Bhiwandi. During his visit, Gagrani reviewed the daily operations of these facilities, engaging in discussions with the officials, workers, and staff present. He also conducted an on-site inspection of essential infrastructure, including the electrical sub-stations, dams, purification plants, and water quality monitoring systems, ensuring that everything is functioning smoothly and efficiently. Gagrani praised the hard work and dedication of the officers, workers, and employees involved in providing uninterrupted, clean water supply to Mumbai, acknowledging their vital role in sustaining the city’s water needs. The inspection was accompanied by Water Engineer Shri Purushottam Malwade and other concerned officials, who were present to provide updates on the operations and progress of the various projects in place.
10 January,2025 01:38 PM IST | MumbaiThe Bombay High Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking guidelines to prevent black marketing and ticket scalping at major events in the backdrop of the alleged foul play in the ticket sale process for British band Coldplay's concert in Navi Mumbai this month, PTI reported. A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar said the concerns raised in the plea related to legislative domain, and hence, the court cannot interfere. "This is a legislative and executive decision. The court cannot interfere. The government is at liberty to formulate legislation addressing the concerns raised in the petition," the court said. The bench further said that in the absence of a clear statutory framework mandating the reliefs sought in the petition, it cannot order legislation to be enacted or laws to be amended in a particular manner, PTI reported. "However, in the event that the competent authority (of the government) considers it necessary, they remain at liberty to take appropriate legislative or executive measures to address the concerns highlighted by the petitioner," the court said. It allowed the petitioner to make a representation before the competent authority. The petitioner, Amit Vyas, an advocate, alleged that there are several irregularities and illegalities during the sale of tickets for major events such as concerts, live shows and so on. Vyas, in the petition, claimed that such irregularity and illegality were witnessed when tickets for the Coldplay's India's concert were made available on the online platform BookMyShow, PTI reported. It also said that such illegal means were widespread during the IPL matches, the cricket World Cup matches in 2023 and the concerts of singers Taylor Swift and Diljit Dosanjh. The petitioner claimed that organisers and ticketing partners exploit fans by listing the tickets on secondary websites at sky-high prices. He claimed such irregularities were seen last month when tickets were sold on BookMyShow for the Coldplay concert scheduled this month. "The sale of online tickets was apparently manipulated by the BookMyShow platform in such a manner that even before mid-noon on the day the tickets were made available, people got logged out and were not allowed to access the website to purchase tickets," the PIL alleged. It further claimed that within minutes, the tickets for all the three shows were shown as sold out on BookMyShow, though they were later found available on a secondary website at high prices. Vyas filed a complaint about this matter with the municipal police's economic offences section last year, and an investigation is currently underway. The lawyer said that such illegal acts violated people's fundamental right to have equal opportunity to public entertainment, PTI reported. The PIL said, "The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 mandate e-commerce entities to ensure fair and non-deceptive practices. However, in the absence of effective regulations in the ticketing sector, entities such as BookMyShow are not complying with the rules." (With PTI inputs)
10 January,2025 01:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn an unusual turn of events, a case has been filed against a deceased man for allegedly defrauding a group of investors out of Rs 82.5 lakh in Thane, Maharashtra. According to the city police, the case was filed after a complaint was lodged by the victims with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The accused, whose identity has been withheld, passed away on December 4, 2024, while the investigation into the fraud was still ongoing. Despite his death, police proceeded to register the case on Wednesday in relation to the alleged cheating that occurred over a period of five years, from August 2019 to December 2024. As per the official details, the deceased individual is accused of duping a total of nine investors by promising them high returns on their investments in various schemes. The victims were lured into the scheme under the impression that they would receive lucrative returns. However, after collecting large sums of money from them, the accused neither returned the principal amount nor paid any returns on the investments. The police have now filed a First Information Report (FIR) based on the victims’ complaints. The report outlines the fraudulent actions committed by the accused and highlights the financial losses suffered by the investors. As per PTI reports, the accused person was reportedly known to the victims and gained their trust before persuading them to invest their hard-earned money in his schemes. Despite the fact that the accused is no longer alive to face charges, the police investigation continues as they aim to trace the details of the fraudulent operation and recover any lost funds. The case has drawn attention due to the involvement of a deceased individual in a financial crime, a rare scenario in the realm of white-collar crimes. The Thane Police are reportedly making efforts to provide support to the victims and are seeking to understand how the accused managed to deceive them over such an extended period. They are also examining whether other individuals were involved in the scam or if it was solely the work of the deceased person. (With inputs from PTI)
10 January,2025 01:10 PM IST | MumbaiFour members of a family, including two minors, were injured in an explosion in a flat where they were trying to change the expiry dates on perfume bottles in Palghar district in Maharashtra, an official said on Friday, PTI reported. The accident took place on the night between Thursday and Friday in Room no. 112 of Roshni Apartment in Nalasopara, on the outskirts of Mumbai, he said. Police identified the victims as Mahavir Vadar (41), Sunita Vadar (38), Kumar Harshvardhan Vadar (9) and Kumari Harshada Vadar (14), PTI cited. As per initial rep[orts, the official said that the blast took place during an attempt to alter the expiry dates on perfume bottles, an act that might involve flammable substances. Kumar Harshvardhan is receiving care at Life Care Hospital in Nalasopara, while the others are being treated at Oscar Hospital in the same area, official said, PTI cited. Washing machine explosion causes fire in Vasai home, no injuries reported On Monday, a washing machine explosion led to a fire in a residential building in Vasai near Mumbai. The explosion occurred in the kitchen duct area of one Thomas Mathew's flat in the Dosti Coral housing society in Vasai. A bigger catastrophe was averted by the washing machine's placement in the duct area. Nevertheless, the washing machine and other items in the duct were destroyed by the fire. A woman was present in the residence when the explosion occurred, but she escaped uninjured. The quick response of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation's fire department ensured that the fire was kept under control, saving more damage. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is likely to occur. This tragedy serves as a reminder of the risks associated with household appliances, as well as the significance of regular maintenance. One dead, two injured in compressor explosion in Satara One person died and two others sustained injuries after a compressor exploded at an automobile service centre in Satara city of western Maharashtra on Wednesday afternoon, said police. The incident took place in the Guruwar Peth area of the city, stated an officer. The victim was identified as Mujammil Palkar who ran a chicken shop next to the service centre. The injured have been identified as Harun Bagwan and Umar Bagwan, news agency PTI reported. The impact of the explosion was so great that the window panes of houses and shops in the area cracked, the police officer said, adding that a probe was on. (With PTI inputs)
10 January,2025 01:00 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondentTrain services on the UP line between Gholwad and Dahanu in Maharashtra’s Palghar district were disrupted for approximately two hours on Friday morning due to a technical fault, as per PTI reports. The incident caused inconvenience to commuters during the busy morning hours. The disruption began at 6.38 am, with several passenger trains affected. According to a Western Railway official, the issue stemmed from a malfunction in the overhead equipment (OHE) wire, which plays a critical role in powering electric trains on the network. Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) issued a statement confirming the nature of the problem. “A technical issue with the overhead equipment wire resulted in a halt to train operations on the UP line. Our teams worked diligently to resolve the issue and prioritised the safety and convenience of passengers,” said the CPRO. The repair work was swiftly undertaken by railway personnel to minimise delays and restore normalcy. After concerted efforts, services were fully restored by 8.30 am, ensuring the smooth movement of trains along the route. The two-hour disruption, occurring during peak travel hours, led to delays in several local and long-distance trains, inconveniencing daily commuters and long-haul travellers alike. Passengers expressed frustration over the unexpected delays, with some resorting to alternate modes of transport to reach their destinations. According to PTI, the Western Railway authorities have assured the public that additional checks will be carried out to prevent such incidents in the future. They also acknowledged the cooperation of passengers during the disruption and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused. Overhead equipment wires are critical components in India’s railway network, providing power to electric trains. Malfunctions in these systems can result in significant delays, as seen in this incident. Train services on the Gholwad-Dahanu route are essential for connecting commuters in the Palghar district to broader parts of Maharashtra. The disruption serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and quick response mechanisms to ensure smooth and reliable railway operations.
10 January,2025 12:40 PM IST | MumbaiMotorists travelling via the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) towards Andheri via the Western Express Highway (WEH) can look forward to seamless travel without stopping at the Vakola signal. The elevated connector road passing over the WEH is expected to open for traffic by May. The crucial construction of the girder over the northbound stretch of the Kalina-Vakola flyover on WEH has been completed, and the girder launch over the southbound stretch of the WEH and Kalina-Vakola flyover is scheduled for completion by January 20. “The work on the connector, including the cable-stayed bridge passing over the WEH and Kalina-Vakola flyover, will be completed by May, after which it will be opened for traffic. The launching of the girder over the northbound stretch of the Kalina-Vakola flyover is complete, and the 40-metre girder work over the southbound carriageway will start next Saturday and finish by January 20,” said an MMRDA official. During a recent visit to the site, this reporter observed that the girder over the northbound carriageway has been completed. The structure will feature a cable-stayed bridge over the Western Express Highway and Kalina-Vakola flyover. This elevated connector is notable for incorporating India's first sharp curvature span with an orthotropic steel deck supported by cable stays. The landing ramp, including safety walls, has been completed, and street lamps are currently being installed. The orthotropic steel deck (OSD) of the connector weighs 1,780 tonnes, measures 215 metres in length, and has a width of 17.5 metres, taking into account a 7.5-metre-wide carriageway. The cable-stayed bridge stands 22 metres above ground and nine metres above the Vakola flyover. Currently, motorists travelling from the SCLR to the Vakola junction via the Western Express Highway face significant traffic congestion near the Vakola signal due to the ongoing construction and traffic signals. Once completed, the bridge will enhance connectivity from the Vakola nullah to Panbai International School on WEH and provide faster access to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
10 January,2025 11:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavThe Rs 1,000-crore Torres scam could have been prevented if Mumbai police had acted on early warnings flagged by Shivaji Park police station. Despite suspicious activities being identified in June 2024, followed by notices from Navi Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in October, no action was taken, allowing the fraud to escalate and dupe thousands over six months. Assistant Police Inspector (API) Vinay Mane of Shivaji Park police station confirmed to mid-day that he issued a notice to Torres company directors on June 29 after observing suspicious activities during routine patrolling. “I informed my superiors and was asked to issue a notice. I have no idea what happened after that,” Mane said. Posters uploaded on social media by Torres announcing cash prize The Navi Mumbai police also issued a notice to Torres on October 24, followed by another from the Income Tax Department on November 14. Copies of these notices were submitted by Tausif Reyaz, a wanted accused and self-proclaimed whistleblower, in his complaint to multiple agencies, including the Mumbai police commissioner and the CBI. Reyaz alleged the inaction enabled the scam to grow unchecked, with several foreign nationals involved fleeing the country. “It has come to our notice that your company attracts customers by promising high returns on investments in jewellery made from Moissanite (American Diamond), claiming they yield better profits than traditional jewellery,” read the October 24 notice from Navi Mumbai police’s EOW. The notice asked the company to present business documents by October 28 at the commissioner’s office. Sarvesh Surve the company director arrested by the cops. Pics/Ashish Raje The scam came to light when angry investors visited Torres’ Dadar office earlier this week, only to find its directors had fled. Shivaji Park police have since arrested three suspects, including two foreign nationals, and the case has been transferred to the EOW, which suspects the fraud exceeds Rs 1,000 crore. How scam started Reyaz claims the scam began in February 2023, orchestrated by Ukrainian nationals Oleksandra Tverdokhlib, Oleksandr Borovyk, Olena Staion, and Oleksandr Zapichenko, who partnered with a consultant named Armen. They launched a company, Platinum Hern Private Limited, using Indian directors as fronts while they operated as silent partners. The first Torres showroom opened in February 2024, attracting customers through an MLM-style cashback scheme promising weekly returns and referral bonuses. Daily seminars marketed the scheme, expanding the customer base. Reyaz alleges the group smuggled gold and silver without documentation, sold overpriced jewellery, and transferred Rs 200 crore abroad using cryptocurrency. Pradeep Vaishya, investor, shows diamond given by the company Reyaz also accused the group of coercing him and his colleague into signing fraudulent loan documents under threats of violence. He claims his photograph was falsely circulated on social media, identifying him as the company’s CEO to mislead authorities and protect the masterminds. Efforts to reach DCP Ganesh Gawade of Zone 5 for comments remained unanswered at the time of press. Search conducted The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police, investigating the Torres scam, conducted searches at the company’s premises on Thursday. During the operation, they seized various investment documents, cash, promotional pamphlets, and stones from the store. Investors outside Shivaji Park police station on Thursday “This appears to be a Ponzi scheme combined with a multilevel marketing scam that lured people with lucrative schemes. We are doing our best to protect the interests of the investors. A dedicated cell has been set up at the Shivaji Park police station where investors can register their complaints,” said Sangramsinh Nishandar, DCP, EOW. Torres, on their official Instagram page, claimed that they had provided all necessary details about the company, including its operations and business activities, after receiving the notice from the Shivaji Park police station in July following the notice from the police station in June 2024. Torres blames CEO and CA In a press release, Torres, accused Reyaz, alias John, and Gupta of damaging the company’s reputation. The statement alleged that Gupta forced the company to pay Rs 25 lakh and later Rs 40 lakh, claiming it was to settle the matter with the IT Department. Investors gathered outside the Torres Jewellery store in Dadar “Gupta, who was handling the IT inquiry, used the name of Deputy Commissioner Neeraj and extorted money from us. Then, he, John, and Sarvesh Surve turned around and reported Torres to the same officer, pretending to be whistleblowers,” the press note claimed. Torres further alleged that Gupta and Reyaz began demanding large sums of money after October 24 to “settle” issues with the authorities. The company also dismissed claims by Gupta, John, and Surve that they are whistleblowers. “In June last year, we noticed suspicious behaviour by the company and requested them to produce their documents. However, the company never disclosed anything about their fraudulent schemes. An ACP-level inquiry has now been initiated to investigate what actions were taken,” a DCP rank officer told mid-day. - Apoorva Agashe
10 January,2025 11:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued 1,342 commercial pilot licences (CPLs) in 2024, a 17 per cent dip from the 2023 figure of 1,622. While DGCA hasn’t clarified the reason for this, the Government Aviation Training Institute’s MD has attributed it to a shortage of certified flight instructors. The situation is bound to create a bottleneck as aircraft ordered by various commercial airlines are on their way. Captain Jati Dhillon, managing director of the Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI), explaining the drop in the number of CPLs issued told mid-day, “The major factor in play is the shortage of instructors in India. The DGCA takes too long to make an instructor. It takes eight to 10 months to become an instructor. Also, many airlines have come up and lots of experienced people have left flying schools to join them, reducing the number of instructors in the country.” Commercial aircraft at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. File Pic/Satej Shinde He added, “In other parts of the world, it takes three to four months to make an instructor.” Explaining the time required to get a CPL in India compared to other countries, Captain Dhillon added, “It takes a year to get a CPL in other countries whereas it takes two years in India. The reason for this is again the shortage of instructors and aircraft in India. In India, CPL exams are held every three months whereas abroad, the exams are held practically every day. Overseas, it is an on-demand examination with an online process to fill up the form and request an examination. Whenever one wants to take a CPL exam abroad, one has to go to the examination centre and appear for the test. The authorities in India have now started holding exams every month but there are only 50 seats available at a time.” Instructor tests According to Captain Dhillon, approximately 70 aspiring instructors are waiting to be tested. “This is exactly where the problem lies. Surprisingly, these individuals have been waiting for more than three months. This has a cascading effect. We will have few instructors and it will take longer for them to become CFIs [certified flight instructors] and CFI-Cs [certified flight instructors-commercial]. And without CFIs, flight schools cannot function. Apart from this, the DGCA is not even transparent about the number of CFIs at flight schools. They should make a dashboard, which updates every month with the current number of Instructors and CFIs with each flight school. If a flight school has one CFI, they can only operate for eight hours due to the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTLs) but if there are more, they can be rotated in shifts so that the flight school can function for longer.” More pilots needed The GATI managing director stated that India needs to produce 2,000 CPL-holding pilots every year for the next ten years considering the number of aircraft ordered by airlines to meet the demand. This means, India needs to produce 20,000 pilots to meet the demand in the next 10 years and provide relief to existing pilots. Hemanth D P, CEO of Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy, said, “India can actually cater to local demand and even foreign countries by adopting deregulation and the best global practices.” He added that would help in the speedy induction of training aircraft which, can take up to six months due to multiple NOCs and approvals from regulatory bodies. “More slots and speedy clearance are also required for class I medical exams and certification,” he said. Aspiring pilots need to clear an examination for radio telephony proficiency, which used to be conducted by the Department of Telecommunications. Now, the examination will be conducted by DGCA. “The move will ease pilot certification processes and support the increasing demand for aviation professionals,” Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said in an X post last month. Other factors An aviation industry analyst, on the condition of anonymity, said “Shortage of spare parts and aircraft, disruption in aviation gasoline supply in March and April among other factors, slowed down training at flying schools in the country. This, in turn, impacted the number of licences issued last year.” The analyst added, “When the new aircraft start coming in, they will require pilots to fly them. This is when passengers will be affected as well. If the number of pilots is inadequate, flights will be delayed as the pilots who are supposed to land at a particular airport will need time for pre-flight briefings as well as other aviation criteria that need to be met before a flight. They need to accept a certain amount of fuel before flights, which happens only when pilots reach the airport. At some airports, refuelling is done by fuel trucks, which means that it takes more time. The cabin [cockpit] needs to be prepared for flights as well. Apart from this, pre-flight checklists as well as aircraft inspection need to be done by pilots before flights. If any of these procedures are delayed, there could be cascading effects.” An email query sent to the DGCA went unanswered by press time. Aircraft demand and supply >> Since 2018, Indian airlines have ordered 1,742 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, of which 78 have been received with the rest likely to start arriving from mid-2025. >> IndiGo ordered the most aircraft, 1,000, in April 2024. They are expected to arrive from Airbus between mid-2027 and 2032. Air India placed an order for 570 aircraft in June 2023, and they are expected to start arriving from mid-2025 onwards. The order includes 290 Boeing and 250 Airbus aircraft. Akasa Air has placed orders for 226 aircraft. Between 2021 and 2023, the airline placed orders for 76 Boeing 737 MAX planes, of which 22 were received. The rest are expected to arrive between 2027 and 2032. Apart from the 76 aircraft, the airline also placed an order for 150 more 737 MAX aircraft, which are expected to arrive between 2027 and 2032. >> SpiceJet CEO Ajay Singh recently announced plans to buy 75 more aircraft, taking the fleet past the 100 mark. Orders, however, are yet to be placed.
10 January,2025 10:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariMumbai woke up to a misty morning with partly cloudy skies on January 10, as predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The city is experiencing a delightful winter-like atmosphere, with reduced humidity and mild temperatures offering some respite to its residents. Current weather in Mumbai Today’s temperature in Mumbai stands at 25°C. The forecast for January 10 predicts a minimum temperature of 24°C and a maximum of 31°C. The wind is blowing at a gentle speed of 6 km/h, and the relative humidity is 45%. The sun rose at 7:13 AM and will set at 6:17 PM. Looking ahead to Saturday, January 11, temperatures are expected to range between 22°C and 31°C, with humidity likely to rise slightly to 50%. The weather forecast for the coming days remains steady, with predominantly clear skies: Sunday, January 12: Minimum 21°C, maximum 32°C.Monday, January 13: Minimum 22°C, maximum 32°C.Tuesday, January 14: Minimum 22°C, maximum 33°C.Wednesday, January 15: Minimum 22°C, maximum 33°C. Air quality in Mumbai Mumbai’s air quality today has been recorded at an AQI of 123, which falls under the “moderate” category. While the air is not severely polluted, caution is advised, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues like asthma. Health experts suggest limiting outdoor activities during this time and recommend using masks or air purifiers for added protection. By being mindful of the air quality, residents can make better decisions to protect their health and well-being. What to expect As the week progresses, Mumbai is expected to maintain its winter charm with cool mornings and clear skies. However, the city’s air quality remains a concern. Taking precautions can help everyone enjoy the mild weather while staying safe and healthy. Stay tuned for more updates and plan your days wisely to make the most of this pleasant season.
10 January,2025 10:29 AM IST | MumbaiNationalist Congress Party (NCP) (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has lauded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for its unwavering commitment to its ideology and called upon his party workers to emulate this level of dedication for progressive ideals. Speaking to NCP workers at a meeting in south Mumbai on Thursday, the veteran politician emphasised the importance of building a strong cadre base rooted in the thoughts of progressive leaders such as Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Dr BR Ambedkar, and former Maharashtra stalwart Yashwantrao Chavan. According to PTI, Pawar acknowledged the loyalty of the RSS cadre, stating, “The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has workers who remain steadfast to their ideology without deviation. We, too, must create a cadre committed to the progressive principles upheld by these great leaders.” Reflecting on the party’s poor performance in the recent Maharashtra assembly elections, Pawar admitted that complacency after the success in the Lok Sabha elections had cost the NCP dearly. "We became complacent after our Lok Sabha election success, while the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti took proactive steps to address its shortcomings from the parliamentary polls," he remarked. The NCP (SP) had performed admirably in the Lok Sabha elections, winning eight out of ten seats it contested in Maharashtra. However, it suffered a significant setback in the November assembly polls, securing only 10 out of nearly 90 seats. Pawar also highlighted the party’s failure to effectively communicate its contributions towards the upliftment of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a key voter base. He noted the pressing need for social engineering to bridge caste divides, particularly in Marathwada, a region grappling with the Maratha reservation movement and incidents of caste-based violence. Pawar cited his own leadership during the Marathwada University renaming controversy as an example, recalling how he engaged with all stakeholders to defuse tensions. “Such efforts of direct engagement and inclusive strategies are essential now,” he stressed. The NCP (SP) chief announced that 50 per cent of the party’s tickets for upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra would be allotted to fresh faces. Additionally, he hinted at a restructuring of the organisation to revitalise the party and bolster its prospects. Pawar, who leads the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), is a key figure in the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress. His remarks reflect a determination to rebuild the party’s standing and reinvigorate its appeal among voters. (With inputs from PTI)
10 January,2025 10:05 AM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
