Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said he was unaware that Sunetra Pawar would be sworn in as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, asserting that there had been no discussion between them on the matter. Speaking to reporters, Pawar said Sunetra Pawar’s appointment was a decision taken by her party, the Nationalist Congress Party, and that he was not consulted. He added that he had no clarity on the reasons behind the party’s decision to move ahead with the swearing-in so swiftly. Sharad Pawar also said that both factions of the NCP were expected to come together on February 12, but in light of recent developments, the process of reunification is now likely to slow down. Sunetra Pawar reaches Mumbai Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar, who is set to be sworn in as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister in place of her late husband and NCP chief Ajit Pawar in the state cabinet, reached Mumbai early Saturday. She arrived at Devgiri, the official residence of her late husband in south Mumbai, in the wee hours, accompanied by her son Parth. The 62-year-old leader, who is not a member of either House of the Maharashtra legislature, is expected to be elected leader of the legislature wing of the Nationalist Congress Party at a meeting in Mumbai later on Saturday. She is also set to take oath as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister. Until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sunetra Pawar had largely kept a low political profile. She contested the Lok Sabha polls from Baramati as the candidate of her husband’s party but was defeated by her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule, the sitting NCP (SP) MP, in a high-profile contest. Sunetra Pawar was later elected to the Rajya Sabha.
31 January,2026 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarAfter two green days on Wednesday and Thursday that offered some respite to Mumbaikars from poor air quality, Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 127 on Friday, January 30, placing it in the ‘moderate’ (yellow) category. Friday also ranked among the five worst AQI days recorded so far this January. PM10 was the worst pollutant on Friday. On Wednesday, the city recorded an AQI of 70 — the lowest this month — falling in the ‘satisfactory’ category. This was followed by an AQI of 94 on Thursday, which also remained in the satisfactory range. On both these days, CO2 was the worst pollutant. With Friday's spike, the usual areas known for poor air quality have recorded the worst AQI, with the highest near Mumbai Airport, at 197. This was followed by Sion at 153, Deonar at 149, Chakala and Malad at 147 each, and Kurla at 144. The Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) reported an AQI of 128. However, during the winter months this season, January has so far recorded eight green AQI days. In comparison, December 2025 saw only two green AQI days. By contrast, during last winter, both December and January recorded no bad AQI days. 127AQI on Friday Jan. 30
31 January,2026 08:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSIn a stern action to curb rising air pollution, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has sealed seven construction sites in the Sanpada and Turbhe areas for failing to comply with mandatory pollution control measures. The action follows directives issued by the Bombay High Court in a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL No. 3 of 2023), which ordered immediate and effective steps to tackle escalating air pollution levels. As per the HC’s order dated December 24, 2025, civic bodies were instructed to strictly enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) at construction sites to prevent air, noise, and dust pollution. Accordingly, NMMC had earlier issued notices to developers, warning that failure to implement pollution control measures would invite stop-work action. However, during an inspection conducted by NMMC chief Dr Kailas Shinde on January 24, several serious violations were found. Officials noted that mandatory 30-foot-high metal barricades were either missing or inadequate, buildings under construction were not fully covered with green wet jute sheets, and water fogging during material loading and unloading was not being carried out. Additionally, construction workers were without safety gear such as masks and goggles, while no water sprinkling systems were operational to control dust within a 500-metre radius of the sites. Vehicles transporting construction material were also not covered, leading to dust dispersion on surrounding roads. Alarmingly, no site supervisor or representative was present during the inspection at several locations. Taking note of these lapses, NMMC sealed five construction sites on January 27 and two more on January 29.
31 January,2026 08:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Amarjeet SinghIn a disturbing incident highlighting the threat posed by Chinese manja to urban wildlife, a sub-adult male bonnet macaque was found critically injured after getting entangled in the kite string in Mulund West, near the periphery of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). On January 27, the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) received a distress call about the injured animal and rushed to the spot, which falls under the jurisdiction of the territorial forest. The animal was safely rescued and taken to a veterinarian for treatment. Advocate Pawan Sharma, founder and president of RAWW, told mid-day that despite a ban by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and directions from the Bombay High Court, glass, Chinese, and nylon manja continue to be widely used, claiming the lives of humans and animals alike. He said stricter enforcement is needed as kite flying continues through most of the year, not just during Makar Sankranti. “We need to change as a society and at the same time need a better action plan at the preventive as well as execution front. People involved in the sale, purchase, and use should be dealt lawfully. These manjas lead to air, water, and land pollution and are like live death traps,” said Sharma. Dr Kirti Sathe, associate veterinarian with RAWW, who is treating the injured monkey, said the manja caused a deep cut on the macaque’s left leg. “The wound has been sutured and is being treated with antibiotics and painkillers. If the manjha had entangled more, the animal’s throat and intestines could have been slit, and it would have died. Timely intervention by locals and the rescue team saved the animal’s life,” she said. January 27Day when the injured animal was found
31 January,2026 08:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavDespite the Mahayuti alliance comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena winning 118 seats in the 227-member general body of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), it will control less than half of Mumbai’s 18 ward committees. Of the 18 ward committees, nine are likely to have chairpersons from Opposition parties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT), Indian National Congress (INC), and AIMIM, while eight committees are expected to be headed by the BJP. One committee is likely to see a tie. Prominent city areas such as Worli-Prabhadevi, Lower Parel, Dadar, Mahim, Bandra East and West, Colaba-Byculla, Jogeshwari, Malad East and West, and Kurla are expected to go to the Opposition due to the number of elected representatives in these jurisdictions. Meanwhile, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has retained control in its stronghold areas, including Malabar Hill, Andheri, Goregaon, Kandivli, Borivli, Dahisar, and Ghatkopar. AIMIM is likely to secure the ward committee chairmanship in Govandi. Ward committees, which function as ward-level equivalents of the standing committee, enable closer engagement with local communities. They address hyperlocal civic issues such as sanitation, waste management, water supply works, and minor infrastructure projects. “In the particular ward, if ward committee chairman is from the ruling party, funds and works are more likely to get channelled to areas with corporators from the ruling party. It is better than there are more ward committees with chairman's from the opposition, to ensure uniform development of the entire ward, curbing favouritism to a big extent. The hope is that seats allotted for citizens representatives are actually given to citizens, instead of those people who lost in the elections from the area,” said Nikhil Desai, a resident of Matunga and associated with AGNI(Action for Good Governance and Networking in India). 227No. of electoral wards in BMC What is a ward committee? Mumbai’s 26 administrative wards have been grouped into 18 ward committees. These statutory bodies comprise elected corporators from the respective electoral wards and up to three nominated community representatives. Each ward committee comprises one or more administrative wards clubbed together. They handle local civic issues such as sanitation, street lighting, and minor infrastructure works, and have the authority to approve projects worth up to R5 lakh at the ward level. Each committee is chaired by a chairperson chosen from among the elected representatives of the grouped wards.
31 January,2026 08:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSA quarrel among commuters during peak hours on Friday led to three passengers falling onto the tracks at Sion station, triggering a temporary power shutdown and train delays. The incident occurred around 10 am when the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-bound slow local had just started from Sion station. During a fight among a few passengers, three men lost their balance and fell beside the tracks. “On receiving information at the control room, we immediately switched off power for about eight to nine minutes to ensure no trains entered from either direction till the three were rescued,” a Central Railway official said, adding that Sion is a non-operating station without a station master. An official statement said the overhead equipment (OHE) on both CSMT-bound and Kalyan-bound tracks was briefly switched off, and the injured were rushed to the hospital. Government Railway Police identified the injured as Afzal Chaudhari, 36, from Govandi; Sachin Vishvakarma, 21, from Nallasopara; and Jainil Sayyad, 25, from Kurla. They were admitted to Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Sion. Sources at the Sion Hospital said Afzal is critical and undergoing surgery for injuries to his stomach and hand. Jainil has fractures on his hand and around the waist, while Sachin has suffered facial fractures. Jan 30Day when the incident occured
31 January,2026 08:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar | Ritika GondhalekarWater dripping from elevated toilet blocks above the ticket booking offices at Masjid Bunder station has been falling directly onto passing local trains, leaving commuters angry and soaked. Passengers said the dripping water soiled clothes, especially those of people forced to stand at the footboard due to overcrowding. When mid-day visited the station on two consecutive days, it found water dripping intermittently onto trains running on the CSMT-bound harbour line, affecting commuters during peak hours. Passengers said such incidents highlight poor maintenance and lack of routine inspections, raising serious questions about accountability until an accident or injury occurs. “The things commuters are subjected to are unbelievable. Shouldn’t the railways be more careful about structures built above active railway lines? This is gross negligence. The ultimate sufferers are commuters,” said Akash Golwani, a daily passenger. What railway rules say According to Indian Railways’ engineering and safety norms, no water discharge, leakage or overflow is permitted from station structures located above active railway tracks, as it poses safety risks to passengers and can damage rolling stock. All overhead utilities, including toilet blocks, water tanks and pipelines, are required to have proper drainage systems that divert water away from tracks and trains. Railway safety guidelines also mandate regular inspections of station buildings, particularly those constructed above running lines, to prevent such hazards. CommuterSpeak “This incident shows how much importance commuters are given by the railways. Everything is done in the name of passenger amenities, but in reality, even basic safety is being ignored, leaving commuters in the lurch,” said Subhash Gupta, member of a commuter association. “We are already hanging at the footboard because of overcrowding, and now water is dripping on us from above. Our clothes get soaked, and nobody from the railways seems to care. Is this how passenger safety and dignity are treated every day?” said Rohit Mehta, a daily commuter. “This is not an accident; this is negligence. Structures above running trains should be checked regularly, but clearly, no one is doing their job. Only commuters pay the price for this apathy,” said office-goer Sunita Deshpande. “When water falls on a moving train, people can lose balance. Today it’s dirty water, tomorrow it could be something far more dangerous. Railways will act only after someone gets hurt,” said Harbour Line passenger Imran Shaikh. On Friday, engineering department officials visited the site to fix the problem. “The washbasin outlet pipe was broken, hence was leaking. It has now been disconnected and the leakage stopped. The pipe will be replaced shortly,” an official said.
31 January,2026 08:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarWith the Zilla Parishad poll dates rescheduled to February 7 from February 5, teachers who are to appear for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) have asked for relief from election duty. “CTET aspirants have been given February 7, 8 dates for the exam. The candidates also need to look into their commute and their accommodation as the centres allotted to teachers this time are far away,” said Sudhir Ghagas, from Shikshan Kranti Sanghatana. The CTET is administered centrally by the CBSE as a minimum qualifier for all school teachers from Std I to Std VIII. “The question that has now arisen is whether the candidates who have registered appear for the test that they have studied for or go for election duty,” wrote Ghagas. The Zilla Parishad elections were initially to be held on February 5 but were postponed due to the three-day state mourning following the demise of Maharashtra’s Dy CM Ajit Pawar. “While we see some circulars stating that the examination will be conducted on the 8th, the teachers still stand to fall into trouble as the centres allotted to them are far away,” said Mahendra Ganpule, former head of the Maharashtra School Principals’ Association. Following the requests, officials from the Zilla Adhikari Office have asked for the details of all teacher candidates who are to appear for the CTET on Friday.
31 January,2026 08:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi AlurkarMaharashtra politics could be heading for a big shake-up, with two important developments unfolding at the same time. On the one hand, the state will get its first woman deputy chief minister, with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) saying it will elect the late Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar as the legislative party leader. State Minister and senior party leader Chhagan Bhujbal confirmed this on Friday. On the other hand, there is growing buzz about a possible merger of the two rival Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions — a move that could significantly alter the state’s political landscape. Speaking to reporters, Bhujbal said, “It was decided among us that we will give Sunetra Pawar’s name as legislative party leader.” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “We will stand by whatever decision the NCP takes...We are standing by the family of Ajit Pawar and NCP.” Bhujbal said there was broad support within the party for Sunetra Pawar to step into the role. “Sunetra-tai should take charge. There is nothing wrong in her becoming deputy chief minister. Everyone wants this to happen. The final decision will be taken in the legislative party leader meeting today,” Bhujbal said. He added that if everything falls into place, the swearing-in ceremony could take place anytime soon. “As they say, the show must go on,” he remarked. However, a section of NCP leaders claimed that the meeting will be held only once Sunetra gives her nod to call the meeting. “The meeting may happen today or sometime next week,” the leader added. mid-day reported in its Friday edition that Sunetra was likely to be inducted as deputy chief minister. Ajit Pawar was the leader of the NCP legislative party and held key portfolios, including finance and planning. He died in a plane crash on January 28 in Baramati. Chhagan Bhujbal, senior NCP leader Earlier on Friday, NCP state president and member of Parliament (MP) Sunil Tatkare held a closed-door meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. While there has been no official statement on the meeting, NCP sources claimed that Fadnavis has assured full support to any decision taken by the Pawar family and the party. Speaking with the media in Mumbai, Tatkare stated that the Pawar family is currently engaged in customary rituals following Ajit Pawar’s death. “Once these rituals are completed, we will discuss the issue with all members of the Pawar family and party and take a decision accordingly,” Tatkare added. Possible reunion The possibility of a merger between the two factions of the NCP led by the late Ajit Pawar and the other headed by his uncle Sharad Pawar is gaining momentum. According to leaders from the NCP-SP camp, several rounds of discussions had already taken place with Ajit on reuniting the party. Senior NCP leader Jayant Patil, speaking with the media, mentioned that plans were in place to work out a possible merger after the zilla parishad elections that have been scheduled for February 2026. “There were plans to explore a merger of both NCP factions after the zilla parishad elections,” Patil said.
31 January,2026 07:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarAs many as 21 railway buildings, including key installations in Mumbai, have been awarded the prestigious ‘Shunya’ label by the Bureau of Electrical Energy for achieving energy self-sufficiency. These buildings generate their own electricity, primarily through solar power, meeting their annual energy needs without relying on external supply. In the list are two Mumbai-based facilities, including local train POH (Periodical Overhauling) workshop and Sanpada carshed, with surplus power generation enabling them to supply electricity to other railway installations. This puts them in the ‘Shunya+’ category. The certification is awarded to buildings that are energy self-sufficient, generating as much or more electricity than they consume annually, largely through rooftop solar and other renewable energy systems. Railway authorities said that achieving the ‘Shunya’ status requires sustained monitoring of consumption, efficient electrical equipment, and optimal use of renewable energy. The success of the Mumbai-based units is being seen as a model for replication across other divisions. “With high-energy-demand facilities now turning net energy positive, the Indian Railways believes the initiative will significantly contribute to its long-term goal of carbon neutrality while ensuring reliable power for critical suburban train operations,” an official said. TwoNo. of railway facilities in Mumbai that got ‘Shunya+’ rating
31 January,2026 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarPaw-fect support An indie tries to draw the attention of a man while two others wait by a street corner in Fort. Indian rock music revived yet again After almost more than four decades, the pioneering 1970s rock band Human Bondage, founded by Henry Babu Joseph (left, top) will come together once again with composer Rajeev Raja (left, bottom) for a tribute to the band’s final chapter in Mumbai on February 6. The shows revisit the band’s music through a contemporary jazz-fusion lens, celebrating India’s early rock movement and the city’s long-standing love for live performance. In conversation with this diarist, Henry Babu Joseph said, “This reunion has been incredibly emotional for me. Bringing Human Bondage’s music back has been a beautiful journey already. The set list will feature classics, like Bertha by Grateful Dead and Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience the energy.” Rajeev Raja concluded, “I’m thrilled to share the stage and bring their music alive again. Audiences can expect classic rock, rock and roll and the blues, rooted in the Human Bondage sound, and powered by the contemporary energy of my band, the Rajeev Raja Combine.” Craft beyond paper Kate Malone with her masterpiece; view of the studio in Byculla. Pics courtesy/Dot Line Space Art Foundation British ceramicist Kate Malone is all set to come to Mumbai on February 2 to lead a live demonstration, followed by a lecture and presentation at Studio White & Gray at Byculla, presented by Dot Line Space Art Foundation. Titled All things ceramics, the session will allow participants to engage directly with clay as a medium. The workshop foregrounds the clay festival initiated by the foundation before Covid-19, with the sole aim of reviving rural Indian pottery traditions. Gourmoni Das Known for her monumental ceramic works inspired by vegetables and fruits, Malone will discuss the possibilities of ceramics that move beyond fixed shapes and conventional forms. Gourmoni Das founder and director of Dot Line Space Art Foundation told this diarist, “It’s an honour to welcome Kate at the studio. This is our way of giving young ceramic enthusiasts the opportunity to learn and mould the medium in ways they choose.” Love is in the air Farhad J Dadyburjor There’s a new book in the pipeline that centres on queer romance, offering a refreshing piece of literary content for the discerning reader. City-based author Farhad Dadyburjor’s novel, Queerly Beloved (Penguin Random House India) is set to release on February 14. Amidst themes of trauma and tragedy that commonly mark queer stories, it offers a positive outlook. Set against the backdrop of upper-class Mumbai, with all its liveliness and glamour, the story is a romantic-comedy drama; its ‘big, fat Indian wedding’ trope for a queer couple is something new in Indian publishing. We can’t wait to see how this shaadi turns out. Art that withstood tremors (From left) Ruins to Resurgence by Ismail Khatri, The New Kutch, and The Day Everything Fell by Kala Raksha Foundation; a close-up of The New Kutch. Pics Courtesy/CSMVS Marking 25 years since the Bhuj earthquake, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) has opened Resurgence, a textile display exhibition celebrating the resilience of Kachchhi artists. The earthquake severely affected artists from textile centres like Bhujodi, Dhamadka, Anjar, and Khavda around Bhuj, resulting in the loss of their livelihoods. Alongside independent artists like Ismail Khatri and artists from Kala Raksha Foundation, the craft has been revived. “The textiles on view narrate stories of survival and resilience, while retaining traditional values. The works reflect deeply personal journeys of each artist. This exhibition is a way for them to uniquely narrate their journey, taking pride in their art, with stories rooted in the history of the region, their community, and the nation,” explained curator Nilanjana Som. Nilanjana Som A century amidst nature Untitled artwork; Nalini Mehta with her piece. Pics Courtesy/Namrata Shroff Carpe Diem, wrote the poet once upon a time, and Nalini Mehta is doing just that. The 100-year-old artist broke out of her 14-year-long hiatus to open her exhibition, A Passion Blossoms, at the Great Eastern Mills in Byculla yesterday. Curated by her granddaughter Namrata Shroff (inset), the exhibition captures Mehta’s lifelong love of nature. “Nature has always been my raison d’être. Flowers, plants, birds, and all living things stay imprinted in my memory so vividly that I don’t work with sketches. Even at this stage of my life, what keeps my passion alive is the quiet wonder I have always felt for nature’s endless beauty. As long as it continues to bloom, so does my desire to create,” she told this diarist. Namrata Shroff
31 January,2026 07:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayADVERTISEMENT
