The last leg of the 701-km Samruddhi Mahamarg was inaugurated at Igatpuri by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde on Thursday afternoon. Describing the project as an engineering marvel, Fadnavis said by connecting the expressway with the proposed Vadhvan port, the state government is planning to develop it as an “economic corridor”. A smart integrated traffic management system will be installed on the expressway soon, the chief minister said, adding they have given the ‘right of way’ to the Gas Authority of India Limited for laying the pipeline while making the access control road between Mumbai and Nagpur. Fadnavis said it is a moment of happiness and also an “accomplishment of the dream” for his Mahayuti government. “The Samruddhi Mahamarg is an economic corridor of Maharashtra’s prosperity,” Fadnavis said. Shinde, meanwhile, termed it a “game-changer” project for the state. On the road The inauguration of the crucial 76-km link between Igatpuri in Nashik district and Amane in Bhiwandi taluka marks the completion of the six-lane Mumbai-Nagpur expressway, and it is likely to be open for traffic soon, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRDC) said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was initially scheduled to inaugurate the stretch, which was constructed at a cost of R1182 crore, in early May, but the event was postponed due to security concerns following the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Motorists travelling between Mumbai, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur have been eagerly waiting to ply the stretch, which is expected to save time and fuel. The stretch between Nagpur and Igatpuri is operational for traffic. Motorists heading from Mumbai to Nagpur or Nashik via the expressway will have to travel 34 km from Mulund toll plaza on the Eastern Express Highway and reach Shangrila Resort and Water Park near Vadape in Bhiwandi taluka on the old Mumbai-Nashik highway, and then proceed towards Amane Interchange from where the Samruddhi Mahamarg starts. Earlier, motorists heading towards Nagpur had to travel up to Igatpuri via the old Mumbai-Nashik highway in order to get onto the expressway. With the opening of the 76-km stretch between Igatpuri and Amane, motorists will be able to avoid the Kasara ghat and the congested old Mumbai-Nashik highway. Who ensures motorist safety? The Highway Safety Police (HSP) is responsible for security on the Nagpur-Igatpuri stretch of the expressway. The MSRDC has assigned a total of 192 Maharashtra Security Force guards to work with the Maharashtra State Highway Police. A total of 16 patrolling vehicles have also been provided to the Maharashtra State Highway police by the MSRDC. The HSP have set up 15 traffic aid posts along the expressway. The MSRDC has deployed over 150 Security Personnel drawn from the pool of ex-servicemen to aid and assist at the TAPs set up by HSP. A total of 21 ambulances, 21 quick response vehicles, 15 cranes capable of lifting up to 30 metric tonnes and 15 patrolling vehicles are also deployed. With agency inputs 7.78kmLength of twin tunnels that run through Igatpuri-Kasara ghat section
06 June,2025 08:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavThe Shiv Sena (UBT) is shifting gears for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls scheduled later this year. The party has organised a meeting at Mahakavi Kalidas Natyamandir in Mulund on June 9 to reach out to grassroots workers. The UBT camp is leaving no stone unturned as this will be the first civic elections since the split in the Shiv Sena. “Local body elections will be a litmus test for our party and the poll needs to be won at any cost,” a Sena UBT functionary said, speaking on condition of anonymity. According to the party sources, Aaditya Thackeray will be addressing the gathering. Besides him, other UBT leaders, too, will deliver speeches that will decide the future course of the party’s line and action. “Every attempt would be made to keep the flock together. Hence, such a meeting has been organised. More such meetings will be conducted as elections near,” the party functionary added. The BMC was scheduled to go to polls in early 2022. But for over three years, there have been no elections for the 227 corporators due the OBC reservation case pending in the court. However, last month, the Supreme Court directed the Maharashtra government to conduct polls within four months. Now that polling draws closer, with the BJP gearing up to fulfil its dream of installing its mayor, the UBT camp is trying its best to retain power. For 25 years, the Sena (undivided) and BJP were in alliance and ruling the civic body. But in 2017, the BJP and the undivided Sena contested civic polls separately. The undivided Shiv Sena won 84 of the 227 seats, while BJP exhibited a strong show and managed to bag 82 seats (a massive jump from its tally of 51 in 2012). However, after a split engineered by Ekanth Shinde, the Shiv Sena camp has weakened. Such is the situation that of the 84 elected corporators, 43 of them have exited and joined the Shinde camp. No wonder, this civic election is a do-or-die battle for the UBT, especially when Shinde Sena is flexing its muscle in Mumbai and even the BJP has set a target of ‘mission 150’ for the BMC polls. Going by the recently conducted Assembly polls, the BJP seems to be in the driving seat in Mumbai as Shinde is likely to make a dent in the UBT vote bank. Last year, during the 2024 Assembly polls in Mumbai, of the 21 seats contested by the UBT camp, it could only retain 10, compared to 14 MLAs in 2019 (of the then undivided Shiv Sena). The BJP, on the other hand, won 15 of the 18 Assembly seats it contested in Mumbai. June 9Day Sena UBT meeting will be held in Mulund
06 June,2025 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarAs the junior Thackeray cousins Aaditya and Amit warm up to the idea of an alliance, all eyes are now on Uddhav and Raj Thackeray — on whether they are willing to bury decades-old differences and unite for the cause of Maharashtra and the Marathi people. On Thursday, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s son, Amit, stated that it’s up to the two brothers — Raj and Uddhav — to pick up the phone and talk if an alliance is to happen. “Alliances don’t happen through media soundbites or newspaper interviews,” Amit said, responding to a query about possible tie-up talks between MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT). MNS leader Amit Thackeray (in maroon shirt). File pic/Ashish Raje; (right) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. File pic/Kirti Surve Parade A few days earlier, Amit’s cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also signalled a willingness to reconcile. “In the interest of Maharashtra, we are open to joining hands with anyone,” he told reporters. In April, the Mahayuti government — comprising BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP — issued a controversial order making Hindi mandatory from standards I to V in all Maharashtra schools. The move, introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, made a three-language structure (Marathi, English, and Hindi) compulsory. The decision backfired, triggering fierce opposition from both MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT). The backlash reignited hopes of a Thackeray family reunion, as both Uddhav and Raj hinted they might come together for the welfare of Marathi-speaking citizens and the state. However, two months since those hints, there has been no concrete movement. With the BMC elections around the corner, chatter around a potential Thackeray reunion has once again gained momentum. Fight on for two decades The cousins have been at loggerheads for 20 years. Shiv Sena, originally founded in 1966 by Balasaheb Thackeray on the 'sons-of-the-soil' plank, split in 2005 when Raj Thackeray walked out due to differences with Uddhav. He launched the MNS in 2006 with a similar ideology. MNS had a strong debut, winning 13 seats in the 2009 Assembly polls and securing a 5 per cent vote share. However, the party’s influence has steadily declined — winning just one seat in 2014, and failing to open its account in both 2019 and 2024. Its vote share has now dropped to just 1.5 per cent. Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) has faced a similar crisis, particularly after the 2022 split led by Shinde. Of the 84 corporators Uddhav had in the 2017 BMC polls, 43 have defected to Shinde’s camp, making the fight to retain Mumbai’s civic body extremely challenging. With both political heirs struggling to keep their parties relevant, political analysts believe a reunion is not just desirable — it might be their only path to survival. Calendar of hope? While alliance talks remain stalled, hopeful party workers from both camps believe any of these symbolic dates could be a begining of a breakthrough:June 14 Raj Thackeray’s birthday June 19 Shiv Sena Foundation Day July 26 Uddhav Thackeray’s birthday
06 June,2025 08:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarAs Mumbai braces for the monsoon, mid-day visited ten prominent railway stations to check if platforms are adequately sheltered. The findings revealed that Central Railway is marginally better prepared than Western Railway this year, though both zones still have concerning gaps — especially where upgradation work is underway. Central Railway Dombivli station: Roof at platform 4 (CSMT-end) removed for new bridge work DombivliThe busy station is nearly rain-ready, barring a few patches. On platform 4 at the CSMT-end, the roof has been dismantled to make way for a new bridge, though a temporary structure is being put up. At the Kalyan-end of the same platform, the roof has been removed to install an escalator. Platform 5 also has a few partially exposed areas. Portion of platform 11 at Dadar (CR) remains uncovered. Pic/Kirti Surve Parade Dadar (CR)Most platforms are well-covered this year, except some small portions on platform 11. Kurla station: Roof missing over 2 platforms due to year-long escalator work Kurla Roofing is missing on platforms 5 and 6 due to prolonged escalator installation work. Platform 1 also has exposed sections where an old bridge was recently demolished. Roof removed for foundation work on platform 1, Ghatkopar station, leaving commuters exposed during rain. Photo/Atul Kamble Ghatkopar The roofing on Platform 1 is incomplete due to ongoing foundation work for the elevated station. The CSMT-end is being covered, but the Kalyan-end has been stripped of its roof at several places. platform 2 also has missing roof portions at the CSMT-end. Thane: platform 5 widened last year but still lacks full roof cover Thane Platform 5 remains partially uncovered after its widening last year by nearly 3 metres. While work to extend the roof is underway, the pace has been slow. The political party MNS even staged a protest demanding speedy completion. Smaller sections at the CSMT-end of platforms 9 and 10 also lack roofing. Western Railway Malad’s temporary steel platform 1 has no roof Malad A new steel temporary platform 1 is operational for commuters, but entirely without roofing. “A roof was essential. At least a temporary shade should have been put up,” said commuter Kshitija Jog. Western Railway’s Dadar station: Platform 4 has uncovered patches at both ends Dadar (WR)Platform 4 has uncovered patches at both ends. Kandivli station: Stretch on Platform 2 remains open amid upgrade work. Pic/Nimesh Dave Kandivli Although most of the station is roofed, significant stretches at both the Churchgate and Virar ends remain exposed due to ongoing upgradation. Temporary roofing work is underway but incomplete, even as monsoon sets in. West side of Bandra station’s foot overbridge lacks roof cover Bandra A section on the west side of the foot overbridge lacks a roof, soaking commuters during showers. “It’s just a small patch, but enough to drench everyone,” said one commuter. Roof missing over platforms 2–3 at Goregaon station due to staircase landing removal Goregaon A central section of platform 2 and platform 3 at Goregaon railway station lacks a roof as an old staircase landing is being removed. Commuters have demanded temporary cover to withstand the rain. Roof work incomplete on platforms 2 and 3 at Santacruz railway station Santacruz Roof installation at the Virar-end of platforms 2–3 is still in progress despite the arrival of June, leaving passengers exposed. Commuters unhappy ‘The skywalk that connected Bandra West to the foot overbridge was dismantled long ago. Despite tweets to WR, there’s still no roof. It rained recently, and it was terrible’ Ashley Lobo, commuter ‘Escalator work at Kurla has dragged on for almost a year, leaving platforms 5 and 6 without a roof. They promised completion before the monsoon but missed it. At the very least, the area should have a roof now. There’s no monitoring of deadlines’ Subhash Gupta, Yatri Sangh, Mumbai & Kurla commuter ‘Monsoon is on the way, and the Railway authorities are on their toes to complete pending shed work on platforms — showing better preparedness than last year. But, work at a few stations is still ongoing, and we are following up with the authorities to ensure it is completed’ Siddhesh Desai, Dombivli commuter and acitivist Official SpeakCR & WR Spokerspersons‘We intend to complete work shortly to avoid any inconvenience to passengers. Passenger convenience remains our priority’
06 June,2025 08:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarThe Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday produced 27-year-old Thane-based junior engineer Ravi Muralidhar Verma before the Thane district court, marking a new chapter in an ongoing investigation into an espionage case involving Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) and digital honey traps.To honey-trap Verma, the PIO had used multiple Indian SIM cards, registered allegedly under a bogus identity, at Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Verma, who was employed with a private firm linked to critical naval repair work in Mumbai, is accused of leaking sensitive military information to foreign handlers who manipulated him through emotional and romantic pretences on social media. Following the completion of his police custody, ATS officials requested an extension to continue their probe and examine new evidence. However, the court denied their plea and remanded Verma to 14 days of judicial custody. What initially seemed like a budding online romance has unravelled into a deep-rooted intelligence operation. Verma reportedly first came into contact with a woman named ‘Preeti Jaiswal’ through Facebook in late 2024. Their conversations quickly moved to WhatsApp, where affection blossomed and defence secrets allegedly began to leak. However, during court proceedings, Verma’s defence lawyer, advocate Rupali Shinde, raised eyebrows by challenging the ATS’s version of events. She highlighted ‘inconsistencies’ in the agency’s remand documents — particularly around the identity of the woman who contacted her client. “The ATS claims Verma was speaking with someone named Preeti Jaiswal, but our client insists it was a Jaspreet, reportedly based in Punjab,” Shinde told mid-day. ATS officials, however, dismissed the confusion, explaining that ‘Preeti Jaiswal’ was merely an alias — a fabricated digital persona created by the PIO network to lure targets. ‘Sir,’ a foreign-based handler also involved in the operation, was similarly masked behind a pseudonym. The investigators have since traced the operation to a network of mobile numbers, some registered in Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Multiple numbers According to ATS sources, the woman posing as Preeti maintained consistent communication with Verma using a number from Uttar Pradesh, while five mobile numbers were employed to reinforce the illusion of multiple individuals involved in Verma’s romantic and emotional life. These numbers, saved in Verma’s phone under names like ‘Preeti Friend’, ‘Jaspreet Nisha Friend’, ‘Jaspreet College Friend’, and ‘Akarti College Friend’, were part of a coordinated web of psychological manipulation. The mobile accounts had display pictures (DPs) featuring religious imagery — Lord Ram and Sita — and were geotagged to prayer sites, likely to avoid drawing suspicion or triggering security alerts. Calculated attempt The investigators at Maharashtra ATS believe this operation was far more than a one-off incident. “It was a calculated attempt to infiltrate Indian defence infrastructure through emotional exploitation and technological stealth,” said an officer privy to the investigation. Verma, while initially a victim, allegedly became a willing participant as the bond with his “romantic” contact deepened. By the time he realised the gravity of the situation, he had already leaked sensitive information about ship deployments, maintenance issues, and technical vulnerabilities. Despite his arrest, ATS officials remain tight-lipped about the broader scope of the operation. “The investigation is on the right track,” said an officer, adding, “But given the sensitivity, we cannot disclose further details at this stage.” With Verma now in judicial custody, the focus shifts to identifying the broader network behind this digital masquerade.
06 June,2025 07:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaThe Konkan Railway sought Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ intervention to deal with the issue of power grid failures of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd (MSEDCL) so that no train gets stranded inside tunnels and a back-up power supply is handy during the monsoon to keep trains moving. “We appealed for the chief minister’s intervention to avoid MSEDCL failures during the monsoon because we have so many long tunnels, and now that there are no diesel engines, in case of any such failure, electric trains will come to a standstill. The chief minister has taken it up quite seriously and issued directives to avoid any such failures and have standby power supply to keep trains running. We are in constant touch with the MSEDCL teams,” said Konkan Railway Chairman and Managing Director, Santosh Kumar Jha, explaining Konkan Railway’s elaborate monsoon preparation plans. Jha added that there will also be a diesel loco stationed every 250 km, to be pressed into service in case of any electrical failures. “The state electricity boards have been informed to provide advance alerts and back-up supply from Transformer Sub Stations (TSS). As emergency response, seven tower wagons with equipment and 15-20-member teams have been positioned every 100 km (i.e., at Mangaon, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Kankavali, Karmali, Karwar and Udupi) for quick response,” he said. According to Jha, Rail Maintenance Vehicles (RMVs) have also been stationed at nine key locations — Veer, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Rajapur Road, Kudal, Verna, Karwar, Bhatkal, and Udupi. “Emergency Communication (EMC) sockets have been installed every 1 km for immediate contact between patrolmen, watchmen, loco pilots, guards and other field maintenance staff with control offices during emergencies,” he said. MSEDCL denies failures Rubbishing the allegations, Chairman and Managing Director of MSEDCL, Lokesh Chandra said, “There is even not a single incident where such an issue has come to our notice. Unfortunately, Konkan Railway is misinformed, as traction supply is at Extra High Voltage (EHV) level. Also, the Konkan Railway is responsible for maintaining its power network and MSEDCL has no role to play.” 250 MDistance between diesel locos stationed for emergencies
06 June,2025 07:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarGlow in the dark The Bombay High Court and Rajabai Clock Tower cast a soft golden glow on a cloudy night near Oval Maidan. The ball is in our court A previous boccia workshop in the city. Pic Courtesy/Paraboccia Maharashtra If you’ve never heard of boccia before, it’s not really your fault. The Paralympic ball sport that offers persons with locomotor disabilities a shot at athleticism has no community to call home in the state of Maharashtra. That’s set to change with the Para Boccia Association of Maharashtra, a new organisation led by disability rights activist and psychologist Jahanvi Modi. For the uninitiated, the sport involves strategically landing a ball as close as possible to a target on a flat surface. Ahead of a workshop on June 14 in Ghatkopar, where the association will aim to promote the game among Mumbaikars, Modi told us, “After its introduction in the Paralympics in 1984, the sport has been slowly growing in India. It’s a fairly easy game to navigate for individuals with restricted movement. Unfortunately, it never picked up enough pace in Maharashtra despite the state being home to some star performers.” A moment from the Pattaya 2025 World Boccia Regional Championship. Pic Courtesy/Boccia India Among these stars is Modi’s 26-year-old daughter Kosha, who has already bagged a silver medal at the 2022 National Championship. “Playing a sport turned out to be extremely beneficial for her. Socialising in the community can get monotonous when there is no variation in the nature of these meetings. Taking up a sport is a great way to achieve a sense of accomplishment and productivity,” Modi added. The organisation is now turning to sporting communities, venues and patrons to help the game find its footing. Those keen to join the journey can log on to @paraboccia_maharashtra on Instagram. Jahanvi Modi It’s getting really hot in here Mahi Ghane in the music video. Pic Courtesy/Greenpeace India on Youtube The fire emoticons flooding the comments section of Kalyan-based rapper Mahi Ghane’s new track might be a tad ironic. Heatwave, the artiste’s new track, is an ode to the manual labourers who have been bearing the brunt of the city’s recent erratic weather patterns. “Climate change is usually looked at from an environmentalist perspective, but there’s much more at stake. Manual labourers with limited access to protective gear have already started dealing with the repercussions,” said Ghane. In collaboration with Greenpeace India, the video was shot across spots in the city and Ghane’s hometown in Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar). “I’m now looking forward to penning a new track on the lives of the homeless on Mumbai’s footpaths,” the rapper revealed to us. Bosses are back Untitled (Lost Continent), 2005, MF Husain. Pic Courtesy/Saffronart In 2005, MF Husain painted 21 oil on canvas artworks within two months from an apartment in London. Later this month, one of these will make its way to auction house SaffronArt’s Summer Auction starting June 18. Among Husain’s untitled work will be Jehangir Sabavala’s The Four Milk-Maids, SH Raza’s Bindu (Germination) and Flame Play by Anju Dodiya. “Many of these works not only represent significant milestones in the artists’ distinctive careers but also belong to noteworthy collections,” said Dinesh Vazirani, CEO and co-founder. MF Husain Mind the gap A previous brain health workshop. Pic Courtesy/Dementia India Alliance Being absent-minded is no laughing matter, especially if you’re above 60 years old, says Ramani Sundaram, executive director of the Dementia India Alliance. The Bengaluru-based organisation will bring a one-day workshop to a Matunga venue tomorrow to remind Mumbaikars of early dementia prevention. “Nearly 45 per cent of dementia cases can be prevented by regulating factors like diet, exercise, and social interaction at the right time,” revealed Sundaram. Senior citizens, caregivers and healthcare professionals keen to participate can call 9035025453 to register. Fitting finale for Andy’s art Andy Brown shows off his painting with Virat Kohli. Pic Courtesy/Andy Brown For Andy Brown, the victory for Virat Kohli’s Bengaluru franchise in the recently concluded IPL final was worth the long hours standing. The British artist has been following the IPL campaign across the country, painting moments from matches on his canvas. “Considering the career the gentleman has had and his work, it was a massive moment,” Brown shared. Naturally, the former India captain found his way into the canvas. “At the end of the match, I found Kohli. I shook his hands, showed him the work and wished him all the best,” the artist shared. While his works will be showcased by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Brown has eyes on the upcoming India tour of England. “Test matches are always fun,” he signed off.
06 June,2025 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-dayDo you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness today? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign for June 6. Aries March 21 – April 20Don’t allow yourself to be swayed by other people’s opinions or even moods. A contract delayed due to unavoidable circumstances is signed. Income increases gradually.Cosmic tip: Very consciously avoid foods that cause allergies. Taurus April 21 – May 20Let someone prove they are trustworthy before trusting them. Schedule goes a little off kilter because of a last minute meeting fixed.Cosmic tip: Take control of thoughts and emotions, living in the moment. GeminiMay 21 – June 21Being practical about how to manage finances reveals wisdom. A relationship decision is made after considerable soul searching. Cosmic tip: Be true to your own ethics as each person has their karmic path to tread. Cancer June 22 – July 23Family is open to at least listening to your point of view even if they personally don’t agree. A celebration is in the initial planning stages.Cosmic tip: Keep emotions under control and words too. Leo July 24 - Aug 23Singles in a new friendship need to be less judgmental, not comparing the person with a friend’s relationship. Health is good.Cosmic tip: Don’t talk about your biggest goals, allowing actions to speak instead. Virgo Aug 24 – Sept 23Control anger if someone inadvertently says something that annoys. New financial avenues are discussed with a professional who gives excellent advice. Get enough sleep. Cosmic tip: Incur positive karma one step at a time. Libra Sept 24 – Oct 22Taking good care of yourself helps remain at the top of the league, basking in success. Cosmic tip: Be willing to at least listen to another viewpoint even if not going to follow it. Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22Dealing with all challenges that come your way today leaves you feeling mentally tired. Meeting friends is your way of de-stressing. Get enough sleep. Cosmic tip: Don’t dwell obsessively on the past. Let go. Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 22Everyone is different and has a different agenda in life. Just accept this as a true fact of life. Unexpected expenses take you by surprise.Cosmic tip: Work harder to become better every day. Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20Work in silence. Celebrate in privacy, staying away from envy and negative vibes. Gentle exercise and a proper diet restores energy levels.Cosmic tip: Believe better times are just around the corner from now. Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19Leave home well in advance to reach the venue on time (for a business meeting) Cosmic tip: Take your time when dealing with a relationship decision, as once words are uttered, there’s no going back. Pisces Feb 20 – March 20Signing a contract takes longer than expected. Think through a financial decision before deciding.Cosmic tip: Enjoy physical comforts as these are a part of human existence (don’t be attached to them too).
06 June,2025 01:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Shirley BoseMaharashtra reported 98 Covid-19 cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections in the state since 1 January to 1,162, the state health department said. Of the new cases, 48 were recorded in Pune district, followed by 34 in Mumbai and six in Thane, an official confirmed. Additionally, two cases were reported in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) limits within Thane district, taking the cumulative total in that area to 15, PTI reported. Since the beginning of the year, 14,565 Covid-19 tests have been conducted in Maharashtra, of which 1,162 were detected positive. A total of 597 people have recovered from the virus, even as 17 fatalities have been reported across the state. Of these, 16 patients had pre-existing health conditions, PTI reported. “No deaths have been reported in the state due to the disease since Wednesday,” the official added. In Mumbai, the total number of cases since January stands at 575, of which 569 were reported in May alone, highlighting a recent uptick. In neighbouring Thane, the cumulative count has reached 131 cases. Of these, 101 patients have been discharged, 10 are hospitalised, 19 kept in home isolation, while one person has died, the official said. In the Kalyan-Dombivli region, Thursday’s new infections took the total number of cases to 15, PTI reported. According to an official release from KDMC, seven patients have recovered and been discharged, four are in home isolation, and one is currently admitted in a private hospital. Three people have died in KDMC limits in recent weeks, all of whom had significant co-morbidities. The release noted: "The situation is under control. Citizens must follow appropriate COVID-19 protocols and remain cautious." Covid-19 outbreak: India records 564 new cases in 24 hours India recorded 564 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday. The total number of active Covid-19 cases in India now stands at 4,866. However, concerns have risen owing to the seven Covid-related deaths reported during this period. Of these, three fatalities were reported in Maharashtra, while two each occurred in Delhi and Karnataka. Health authorities stated that six of the seven patients were elderly individuals with long-standing medical issues. The seventh fatality, however, was a five-year-old child with severe pre-existing respiratory conditions. Although officials have stated that the Covid-19 outbreak is not alarming, the mild surge has prompted heightened vigilance. (With PTI inputs)
05 June,2025 11:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Central Railway launched its new ‘Go Green’ initiative, alongside a series of environment-focused activities, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai on the occasion of World Environment Day 2025, commemorated annually on June 5. The initiative started with an ‘Environment Pledge’, administered by Central Railway General Manager Dharam Veer Meena, alongside all Principal Heads of Departments (PHODs), senior headquarters officers, and staff. The pledge was also broadcast via video conference by the Member of Traction and Rolling Stock (MTRS), Railway Board. In his address, Meena underscored the critical role trees play in sustaining life on Earth, both ecologically and environmentally. He highlighted the numerous benefits of trees, not only in providing oxygen, shade, and shelter but also in acting as natural protectors during thunderstorms by safely diverting electrical discharges away from populated areas. Following the pledge ceremony, Meena, along with senior officers, led a large-scale tree plantation drive. During this event, 100 saplings were planted on the premises, with plans to plant a total of 500 saplings in the coming days. This initiative is in line with Central Railway's broader commitment to increasing green cover and reducing carbon emissions. Meena also inaugurated an exhibition focused on eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. The exhibition featured edible cutlery made from pulses and displayed various types of plastics, educating visitors about the environmental hazards posed by plastic waste. The exhibition, aligned with the global theme of ‘End Plastic Pollution’, was designed to promote awareness and encourage behavioural change towards more sustainable practices. The day’s activities culminated in an awareness rally led by Meena at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, which saw the enthusiastic participation from railway staff, Bharat Scouts & Guides, and the Civil Defence team. Participants marched through the station precincts, spreading the message of environmental conservation and the urgent need to combat plastic pollution. A similar rally was organised at CSMT, where the station staff engaged with passengers, educating them on the significance of World Environment Day 2025 and urging them to adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily lives. Speaking on the occasion, Meena called on all railway personnel to adopt environmentally responsible practices, urging them to consider sustainable alternatives in their daily work. He reiterated that preserving nature is crucial not just for today but for the future generations.
05 June,2025 09:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA possible alliance between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led MNS is unlikely to affect the BJP's poll prospects, a ruling party functionary has said, citing an internal survey given the coming Mumbai civic body elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun preparations for polls to the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), as well as other major civic bodies, including Pune and Thane, likely to be held later this year. Cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with statements indicating they could ignore "trivial issues" and join hands nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways. While the MNS chief has said uniting in the interests of Marathi manoos (Marathi speaking people) is not difficult, Uddhav Thackeray said he was ready to put aside trivial fights, provided those working against Maharashtra's interests were not entertained. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the MNS offered support to the BJP in Maharashtra, but six months later, both parties fought the state assembly polls separately. "Given the political developments from the Thackeray cousins, the BJP undertook a detailed survey to evaluate the potential impact of a Uddhav-Raj alliance on Mumbai's electoral landscape," the BJP functionary said on Wednesday. According to findings of the internal assessment, their possible alliance is unlikely to dent the BJP's prospects in the city, he said. The survey indicates that the BJP retains a strong position in Mumbai owing to three key factors: the trust of its traditional voter base, the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the party's robust performance in the last state assembly elections, the functionary said. "Even in areas with a traditional Marathi voter base, the BJP's support remains stable. The survey suggests that an alliance between the Thackeray brothers would not adversely affect the party's seat count," the functionary said. The assessment further indicates that after the split in the Shiv Sena in 2022, Uddhav Thackeray's influence in Mumbai has waned, with nearly half of the party's corporators having joined the Eknath Shinde faction. Raj Thackeray's influence, meanwhile, is seen as limited, he said. The BJP stands to gain if it contests 150 seats (out of a total of 227) in the BMC elections, the functionary said. The party's preparations are being aligned accordingly, the functionary added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 June,2025 09:34 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIADVERTISEMENT
