A major road accident took place on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khopoli on Saturday, when a speeding container truck rammed into 22 vehicles. The collision has led to the death of a 58-year-old woman and left 18 people injured, two of whom are in a critical condition. All the injured have been rushed to MGM Hospital in Panvel, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Dr Kuldeep Salgotra, Director of MGM Hospital, provided further details about the condition of the injured and the emergency response. “We have a female patient with a head injury who is currently on a ventilator. Her CT scan shows significant bleeding in the brain. A child has also suffered serious injuries in the accident,” he said. Meanwhile, Raigad District Superintendent of Police, Anchal Dalal, told mid-day.com that the victim has been identified as Anita Ekhande. “Total 18 people are injured and two of them are critically wounded in the freak accident. They are recuperating at MGM Hopsital, Panvel,” said Dalal. “One 58-year-old woman Anita Ekhande, a native of Dharashiv, died in the accident,” Dalal told mid-day.com.
26 July,2025 08:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaSeveral districts of Maharashtra continued to receive heavy rainfall on Saturday, prompting multiple alerts across the state. In its latest weather update, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for state capital Mumbai and its neighbouring district of Thane, warning of “heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places”. For Sunday, the weather bureau has issued a yellow alert, predicting heavy rainfall for both the cities. An orange alert has also been issued for Raigad district for both days of the weekend. For Palghar, however, the weather bureau has issued a red alert for Saturday, indicating “heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places”. A red alert has also been issued for the Pune Ghat region as well as Chandrapur and Gondia districts, urging district administrations to remain vigilant. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are expected in Dhule, Nandurbar, and Jalgaon districts, and parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha. In the past 24 hours, Mumbai received 97.2 mm of rainfall, followed by Thane (85 mm), Gadchiroli (57.6 mm), Gondia (54.6 mm), and Raigad (53.5 mm). According to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), high tidal waves ranging from 4.2 to 4.7 metres are expected until July 28 across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Thus, the fisherfolk and small boat operators have been cautioned against venturing into the sea. Several rivers, including Kundalika and Savitri in Raigad and the Jagbudi river in Ratnagiri, have crossed the warning level. Residents in low-lying areas have been asked to stay alert. In Nashik, the Waghad dam has reached 98 per cent of its capacity, with potential water discharge expected into the Vaitarna river. Similar controlled discharges have been reported from Pavana and Khadakwasla dams in Pune district. Rain-related incidents in state Palghar district reported one rain-related death after a person swept away in the floodwaters. Heavy rainfall triggered a landslide on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khopoli. While the debris was cleared quickly, traffic movement was briefly affected on the highway. Mumbai, which experienced very heavy rainfall in isolated areas, reported tree falls at 27 locations and five instances of partial house collapses. No injuries have been reported in these incidents. In Gadchiroli's Bhamragad taluka, floodwaters damaged the bridge connecting Nimamabad and Gidalpur, though vehicular movement has now resumed. As a precautionary measure, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in some districts. A total of 18 NDRF teams and six SDRF teams have been pre-positioned across the state, including in Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad. Officials have advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from vulnerable structures, and follow updates from local authorities.
26 July,2025 06:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbaikars paid tribute to the valour and sacrifice of the armed forces on Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025. The day is observed annually on July 26 to mark India’s victory in the 1999 war against Pakistan in ‘Operation Vijay’. It stands as a symbol of the unmatched courage displayed by Indian soldiers who braved extreme conditions to reclaim Indian territory from infiltrators in the Kargil-Drass sector of Ladakh. Operation Vijay remains a shining chapter in India’s military history, showcasing the indomitable spirit of the forces who operated at altitudes of 16,000 feet under harsh weather conditions to secure the nation’s borders. To commemorate the 26th anniversary of this historic victory in Mumbai, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Tri-Services War Memorial in Colaba. The event honoured the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice during the conflict. The wreaths were laid by Lieutenant General Pawan Chadha, VSM, SM, General Officer Commanding, Maharashtra Gujarat & Goa Area; Vice-Admiral Ajay Kochhar, AVSM, NM, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command; and Group Captain SL Mahajan, Officiating Air Officer Commanding (Maritime Air Operations). Several veterans and senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force were also present to pay their respects. The ceremony served as a solemn reminder of the Indian Armed Forces' unflinching commitment to protecting the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also reaffirmed the collective resolve of citizens and the armed forces alike to remain steadfast in the face of any threat to the country. Various similar events were observed across the country to pay tributes to India’s bravehearts. Operation Sindoor: Maharashtra to open garden honouring armed forces in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, says minister A themed garden dedicated to ‘Operation Sindoor’ will soon be developed in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to honour the valour of the Indian Armed Forces, Maharashtra Minister Atul Save announced on Saturday. He was speaking at an event held to commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025 at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where a T-55 battle tank was unveiled for public display as a tribute to the soldiers who fought during the 1999 Kargil conflict, PTI reported. "Work is already underway on a Kargil War-themed garden in the city, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 6 crore. We’ve already acquired a tank, and an aircraft display is also in the pipeline,” said Save, who is the Minister for Other Backward Classes. “On similar lines, we will establish a garden based on Operation Sindoor. The municipal corporation needs to provide suitable land, and the state government will ensure funding,” he added. Operation Vijay, which culminated on July 26, 1999, marked India’s victory in the Kargil War, after nearly three months of intense combat at high altitudes in Ladakh. The day is observed every year as Kargil Vijay Diwas to honour the bravery and sacrifices of Indian soldiers. Speaking at the event, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s Municipal Commissioner, G Shrikant, said the Kargil Smriti Van, which is being developed at the site of a former dumping ground, is a matter of great pride for the city. “We are proud of this transformation. The municipal corporation will extend all necessary support to ensure that the garden dedicated to Operation Sindoor is completed at the earliest,” he said. (With PTI inputs)
26 July,2025 05:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a landmark step towards transparent governance, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has made 15 crore documents available for public on its official website — https://mhada.gov.in. Earlier in April, the state housing board had announced the decision to make documents public. The initiative has been implemented under the leadership of MHADA Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Jaiswal. The move has been carried out as part of disclosure under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to allow homebuyers to access records without having to file RTI applications. The uploaded documents are organised department-wise and include circulars, tenders, office orders, internal notes, approvals, and various other official communications. However, sensitive or confidential documents — such as those related to housing lottery processes — have been kept out of the public domain to ensure privacy and data protection, MHADA stated in a press release on Saturday. Jaiswal informed that care has been taken to ensure that there is no manual interference while accessing the documents. “The system has been designed to maintain transparency while protecting sensitive information. Confidentiality is ensured wherever applicable,” he said. Homebuyers can access the documents via the ‘Citizen Corner’ section on MHADA’s website. Registration is mandatory and requires details such as name, mobile number, gender, date of birth, a user ID and password, and agreement to the terms and conditions. Identity verification is done through Aadhaar or PAN, using OTP-based authentication. To ensure data security and prevent misuse, the platform does not allow users to download documents or take their screenshots. Users must also provide a reason for viewing any document, and all access logs are recorded for administrative purposes. All the documents available on the platform are digitally certified and the website is protected with SSL encryption. It has also cleared a full cyber security audit. MHADA also stated that its website has been redesigned for better user experience, and relevant services have been digitally notified under the Right to Public Services Act. The initiative has been undertaken in accordance with the directions of the Maharashtra Government to enhance public access to institutional services and promote citizen-centric governance. For more information, residents can visit: https://mhada.gov.in.
26 July,2025 03:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has claimed that some ministers in the Maharashtra government have switched off their phones out of fear that they are being tapped. Hitting back, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar demanded proof of the allegations. "Phone numbers of some ministers are not reachable. The whispers are that they have switched off their phones out of fear of being tapped. The coming days will tell whether this is a fact or mere whispers," Pawar stated on X on Friday. काही मंत्र्यांचे फोन बऱ्याचदा #not_reachable येत असून आपले फोन टॅप होत असल्याने मंत्री स्वतःहूनच फोन बंद ठेवततात, अशी चर्चा दबक्या आवाजात सुरुय. बघुया या केवळ चर्चा आहेत की वास्तव हे येत्या काळात कळेलच..! — Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) July 25, 2025 Rohit Pawar, a second-time MLA from Karjat Jamkhed, is the general secretary of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP). "Everyone has the right to make allegations, but while doing so, they should give proof to substantiate the allegations," Ajit Pawar told reporters. The phone tapping allegations surfaced amid claims by Shiv Sena (UBT) that a Cabinet reshuffle is on the cards and at least five to six ministers, most of them from Shiv Sena, headed by Eknath Shinde, may be sacked. Meanwhile, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Rohit Pawar on Wednesday claimed that an MLA's relative was allegedly involved in a firing incident at an art centre in Daund taluka in Pune district of Maharashtra. Pawar has demanded police action into the matter and alleged that there was political pressure on the police. According to the reports, a firing incident was reported at an art centre in Daund taluka on Monday. The reports suggest that the brother of a ruling party MLA from Pune district allegedly created a disturbance by opening fire inside the premises and a young woman was reportedly injured in the incident. In a post on X, Rohit Pawar wrote, "A young woman was injured in a shooting incident at an art centre in Daund by the brother of a ruling MLA from Pune district. It is being reported that instead of finding out who the indiscriminate shooters are, the police are trying to suppress the case due to pressure from the ruling party." Pawar further wrote, "Will action be taken against the culprits or not? Or will they leave him free just because he is in power? What kind of 'power spectacle' is this? The police should take action against those who violate law and order. The police should take action against those who violate law and order without succumbing to any pressure." (With inputs from Agencies)
26 July,2025 03:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has caused a flutter by revealing that Hinjewadi IT Park in Pune is "moving out" to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, reported news agency PTI. A video of Pawar's angry outburst while inspecting civic works in Pimpri Chinchwad has gone viral. "We are ruined. The entire IT park of Hinjewadi is moving out. It's going out of my Pune, out of Maharashtra to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, don't you care at all?" the Pune district guardian minister said while interacting with a local Sarpanch, Ganesh Jambhulkar. Pawar reached Hinjewadi at 6 AM to take stock of local issues like waterlogging and others. He visited several areas in Pimpri Chinchwad. While Pawar was inspecting the area, Jambhulkar confronted him and complained about local issues in the presence of the media. "Temples are displaced when dams are constructed. You can say whatever you want, I'll listen, but I will do what I want to. We have been ruined. The entire IT Park of Hinjewadi is moving out. It's going out of my Pune and Maharashtra to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, don't you care at all? Why do I come here for inspections at 6 in the morning? I don't understand. There's no alternative but to take strict action," Pawar said while asking media persons to switch off their cameras, reported PTI. Hinjewadi houses the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, a large tech and business park spread over 2,800 acres, built by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation. The business park has offices of over 800 companies. Meanwhile, in a significant infrastructure push aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving industrial connectivity in Pune and surrounding regions, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday unveiled a comprehensive new railway project spanning approximately 75 km. Speaking on the proposed developments, Pawar stated that the new railway line will run across multiple high-traffic zones and emerging industrial corridors. "As per the new proposed railway project, a line will be constructed from Talegaon to Chakan, then Chakan to Wagholi, followed by Wagholi to Uruli, and from Uruli to Solapur-Pune Road," he said. Additionally, another line is proposed to link Miraj Road with the existing Miraj railway line, enhancing regional connectivity in western Maharashtra. (With inputs from PTI)
26 July,2025 02:58 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe water levels in lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai have risen following heavy rainfall in their catchment areas. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, the combined stock in the seven reservoirs that provide water to the city now stands at 88.81 per cent. As per the BMC on Saturday (July 26), the collective water stock in these reservoirs is 12,85,419 million litres, which amounts to 88.81 per cent of their total capacity. The BMC supplies drinking water daily from Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vihar, and Tulsi lakes. Of these, Tansa has 98.85 per cent water stock, Modak Sagar 100 per cent, Middle Vaitarna 94.07 per cent, Upper Vaitarna 80.57 per cent, Bhatsa 87 per cent, Vehar 67.19 per cent and Tulsi 70.38 per cent. Lower (Modak Sagar), Middle and Upper Vaitarna lakes, along with Tansa, supply water to the western suburbs from Dahisar Check Naka to Bandra and to the western parts of the city from Mahim to Malabar Hill. Bhatsa, Vehar, and Tulsi together form the Bhatsa system. Water from this system is treated at the Panjarpur Water Treatment Plant and distributed to the eastern parts of Mumbai, covering the eastern suburbs from Mulund Check Naka to Sion and further to Mazgaon. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a generally cloudy sky with spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall across Mumbai and its suburban areas throughout the day. Residents are advised to remain cautious as occasional gusty winds are expected, with speeds reaching up to 40–50 kmph. Meanwhile, the IMD has issued an orange alert for the city, warning of intense rain at isolated locations. The IMD's Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 26.9 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Colaba observatory reported a high of 28 degrees Celsius and a low of 25.5 degrees Celsius, as per the latest Mumbai weather updates. Tidal activity may impact low-lying coastal zones, with a high tide of 4.67 meters expected at 13:20 hrs today. A second high tide of 4.11 meters is forecast for 01:17 hrs on July 27. Low tide is expected at 19:27 hrs today at 1.26 meters and again at 07:06 hrs on July 27 at 0.65 meters.
26 July,2025 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a generally cloudy sky with spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall across Mumbai and its suburban areas throughout the day. Residents are advised to remain cautious as occasional gusty winds are expected, with speeds reaching up to 40–50 kmph. Meanwhile, the IMD has issued an orange alert for the city, warning of intense rain at isolated locations. The IMD's Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 26.9 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Colaba observatory reported a high of 28 degrees Celsius and a low of 25.5 degrees Celsius, as per the latest Mumbai weather updates. Tidal activity may impact low-lying coastal zones, with a high tide of 4.67 meters expected at 13:20 hrs today. A second high tide of 4.11 meters is forecast for 01:17 hrs on July 27. Low tide is expected at 19:27 hrs today at 1.26 meters and again at 07:06 hrs on July 27 at 0.65 meters. The civic authorities remain on alert and have urged citizens to avoid seafronts and flood-prone areas during peak rainfall hours. Emergency services are on standby to handle potential incidents of waterlogging and travel disruption. Meanwhile, the water levels in lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai have risen following heavy rainfall in their catchment areas. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, the combined stock in the seven reservoirs that provide water to the city now stands at 88.81 per cent. As per the BMC on Saturday (July 26), the collective water stock in these reservoirs is 12,85,419 million litres, which amounts to 88.81 per cent of their total capacity. The BMC supplies drinking water daily from Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vihar, and Tulsi lakes. Of these, Tansa has 98.85 per cent water stock, Modak Sagar 100 per cent, Middle Vaitarna 94.07 per cent, Upper Vaitarna 80.57 per cent, Bhatsa 87 per cent, Vehar 67.19 per cent and Tulsi 70.38 per cent. Lower (Modak Sagar), Middle and Upper Vaitarna lakes, along with Tansa, supply water to the western suburbs from Dahisar Check Naka to Bandra and to the western parts of the city from Mahim to Malabar Hill. Bhatsa, Vehar, and Tulsi together form the Bhatsa system. Water from this system is treated at the Panjarpur Water Treatment Plant and distributed to the eastern parts of Mumbai, covering the eastern suburbs from Mulund Check Naka to Sion and further to Mazgaon.
26 July,2025 09:48 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGokul Jha, who was initially arrested for assaulting a female hospital receptionist, has now been taken into custody afresh in an older case where he stands accused of attacking the security guard of a building in Kalyan, Thane police stated on Friday, reported news agency PTI. The alleged incident, which took place in May 2025, came to light during the ongoing investigation into the receptionist assault, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende. Furthermore, a new case was registered against Jha for unruly conduct while he was being produced in court. Jha was first arrested on Tuesday after a viral video surfaced showing him kicking a receptionist at a paediatric hospital in Kalyan on Monday evening and subsequently dragging her by her hair. This occurred after she reportedly refused to allow him into the doctor's chamber without an appointment. Another video, which emerged later, indicated that the receptionist had struck Jha's sister-in-law prior to his attack, PTI reported. The video of Jha's actions sparked widespread outrage. The incident unfolded amid a broader controversy in Maharashtra concerning the use of Hindi and a few documented cases of migrants allegedly being assaulted or threatened for refusing to speak Marathi. During Jha's questioning, police discovered that a case had been registered against him at Manpada police station in the district. The case pertains to the alleged assault of Pintya David, the security guard of a housing society, with a sharp weapon on May 16 in the Adivali Dhokli area of Ambernath. According to PTI, Jha and three other individuals who were loitering on the building's premises allegedly called David over and enquired about the local "bhai" (gangster). When David responded that he did not know, Jha reportedly assaulted him and stabbed him before fleeing the scene. While the court remanded Jha to judicial custody on Friday after his police remand in the receptionist attack case concluded, the police promptly re-arrested him in connection with this older assault case, DCP Zende confirmed. Additionally, a new case was registered against him for obstructing government servants after he allegedly misbehaved while being taken to court. This included his refusal to mask to cover his face, which was provided by the police for security reasons, and threatening journalists outside the court premises, the DCP stated, as reported by PTI. The accused also has a documented criminal record at Vitthalwadi and Kolsewadi police stations within the district. (With inputs from PTI)
26 July,2025 08:08 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe illegal structures of the sea-facing Sun Beach Resort at Gorai in Borivli were razed to ground level by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday. In 2022, mid-day had reported that the resort was involved in major violations of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms by constructing unauthorised rooms, a swimming pool, a shed, and nearly 20 wooden shacks, while also allegedly encroaching upon a nearby government plot. Following the report, the resort owner was served a notice by the BMC, which was challenged in the city civil court and the Bombay High Court. In 2023, the court ordered the demolition of the resort on the grounds that it was built in blatant violation of Development Control Regulations (DCR) and environmental norms. Despite the court order, the resort owner made multiple attempts to regularise the structure. However, consistent complaints and follow-ups by social activist Chandrakant Gupta, former corporator and local BJP leader Shiva Shetty, along with relentless efforts by Borivli MLA Sanjay Udapdhyay to reclaim the encroached government land, finally yielded results. The resort was pulled down on July 24. Speaking to mid-day, local BJP MLA Sanjay Udapdhyay said, “From day one, my policy has been clear, no encroachment on government land will be tolerated. In this case, a large parcel of government land had been encroached upon. Moreover, the resort was built in stark violation of CRZ norms. I followed up with government agencies, the BMC, police, and the collector, and ensured that the illegal structures were demolished.” The Collector’s office conducted an inspection and issued a notice to the Sun Beach Resort owner. In its order, the administration categorically stated that the seating arrangement along the seafront, the swimming pool, and nearly 20 to 25 air-conditioned permanent rooms were built on land belonging to the state government. In fact, the BMC, in its notice, had cited unauthorised constructions including rooms on the ground floor with an additional floor above, a security cabin, open sheds near the swimming pool, a banquet area, seven wooden shacks (G+1), and 12 wooden shacks on the ground level. “This has all been possible due to the efforts of the sitting BJP MLA, the BMC administration, and Senior Inspector Mahesh Nivatkar, deployed sufficient manpower to carry out the demolition drive — something that was lacking earlier,” said one of the complainants. Meanwhile, resort owner Abdul Hamid Maphkhan Shah claimed that he himself had called for the demolition. “For me, my reputation and mental peace are a priority. Over the last few months, the litigation involving the resort has given me a bad name. Tired of defending myself against allegations and false narratives, I asked the BMC authorities to remove everything that they felt was not as per the norms,” Shah told mid-day.When asked what he plans to do next, Shah said, “As of now, I have not decided anything.”
26 July,2025 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarThe Mumbai Metro Aqua Line (Line 3), which commenced partial operations on May 10 this year, is already facing issues related to its infrastructure. Issues were first seen on May 26, merely 16 days after the launch, with the Acharya Atre Chowk station being flooded. This time, the issue is regarding glass panels at the Santacruz station, which is next to the Western Express Highway. The entry/exit point ‘A2’, which leads to Hanuman Tekdi and Maratha Colony outside, has a broken glass panel for the last four days. A police officer at the Metro station told mid-day, “The glass has been broken for four days, and we are assuming it was because of a rock that hit the glass as a car zoomed by on the road. The hole in the glass is small, but it has sent cracks throughout the panel.” The officer added that the damage could also have been caused due to fluctuating temperatures in the city. “It gets too hot in the city with temperatures going over 30°C, and suddenly mercury levels drop as it starts to rain. I think the glass could not bear such fluctuations, and a shockwave got sent through the panel the moment a rock or some hard object struck it,” he said. On July 25, local residents also caught a boy who lives near the Metro station playing atop the sloped A2 entry/exit way, sliding down the side. They informed a police officer present at the location, who gave the boy a stern talk. mid-day contacted Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) to comment on the development, but didn’t receive a response till the time of going to press.
26 July,2025 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturADVERTISEMENT
