Do you know what the stars hold for you in terms of love life, career, business and personal wellness? Well, read on to know your astrological predictions as per your zodiac sign. AriesMarch 21 – April 19Let any situation that is slow moving or stuck happen at it’s own pace. Take on any debt only if you are very sure you can pay it off on time.Career tip: Make the most of what is possible if you feel you are in a routine, slightly monotonous phase at work. Look at ways to improve your soft skills. TaurusApril 20 – May 20Those dealing with a legal situation must make sure they get advice from the right expert. Do not take financial decisions emotionally.Career tip: Right timing is important if you want to make any changes in your career trajectory or profile. Avoid getting into gossip sessions with colleagues. GeminiMay 21 – June 20Choose what you know will work best from a long term perspective, and don’t expect perfect answers. Those on a budget need to avoid unnecessary shopping.Career tip: Double check data and documents before sending them out. Make sure your professional network has the right people for your goals. CancerJune 21 – July 22This is a good time to review your investment portfolio and make any changes you might need to. Those who want to conceive a child are in a positive phase.Career tip: Make sure you keep receipts of all conversations with clients and colleagues. Self-employed businesspersons need to stick to budgets very strictly. LeoJuly 23 – Aug 22 Deal with any challenging situation promptly, and don’t make it more difficult than it has to be. Avoid spending time with people who are negative and complain all the time.Career tip: Remain on good terms with colleagues, but do not allow anyone to undermine the hard work you put in. Pay attention to details and double check work. VirgoAug 23 – Sept 22Speak your mind, but be diplomatic—harsh words will not make a situation better. Let go of what is not it your control.Career tip: Those with international projects or clients need to be very mindful about cultural differences and expectations. Maintain a professional attitude if you have to deal with difficult people. LibraSept 23 – Oct 22Handle any restrictive situation as best possible and in a very prompt manner. Listen to your intuition if you have to deal with any possible legal matters.Career tip: Focus on stability, even if it seems mundane and routine. A situation may not be exactly as it seems, and you should not take what colleagues say at face value. ScorpioOct 23 – Nov 21Be very clear about your expectations if you need to have a conversation with someone at home or with a very close friend. Avoid spending too much time on social media.Career tip: Do not let go of any opportunity just because they seem very small. This is a positive time for those working on international projects. SagittariusNov 22 – Dec 21Being around the right people is important, and you might want to step back from those who create stress. Make any new investments only after careful research.Career tip: Learning new skills would eventually pays off, even if it does not seem so at the moment. Avoid talking about your personal life with colleagues. CapricornDec 22 – Jan 19Those with multiple options need to make thought out decisions. Take extra care of yourself if you have heart or high blood issues.Career tip: Know what makes you fulfilled at work. Handle any overbearing seniors or colleagues in an intelligent manner. AquariusJan 20 – Feb 18Doing what is right may not always be the easy choice, especially if you feel you might lose out in some way. Make sure your accounts are up to date.Career tip: Go over the small details and nuances if you are working on a presentation. Do not let work pile up because you feel you have enough time to complete it. PiscesFeb 19 – March 21Walking away might actually bring balance into your life. This is a good time for singles who are sure about what they want.Career tip: Make any decisions only when you have all the information you need. Those working from home need to be extra disciplined and stick to timelines.
29 December,2024 12:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Aparna BoseChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday urged to expedited work on airport projects to boost air connectivity in Maharashtra. Fadnavis on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting of the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation Board in Mumbai. He called for accelerated work on airport projects to connect every region of the state by air and to expand existing airports. He assured that both the state and central governments would provide substantial support for these initiatives, an official statement said. According to the statement, Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that the significant potential for growth in air transport within the state. He urged a focus on developing airports through the central government's UDAN scheme and state funding. The development includes expanding airports, adding night landing facilities, increasing runway lengths, and providing modern amenities for passengers at airports. The Chief Minister also directed the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to take immediate action to bring airports currently under the control of Reliance into the state's ownership. This move is aimed at ensuring greater state involvement in airport management and improving overall air connectivity. To reduce the load on airports in major cities, the state-run Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation was instructed to speed up the development of smaller airports. This includes expanding and improving facilities at airports in regions like Ratnagiri, Shirdi, Amravati (Belora), Purandar, Karad, Chandrapur (Morwa), Solapur, Dhule, Phaltan, Akola, and Gadchiroli. Fadnavis also took a detailed review of the progress of several airport projects. He specifically discussed the 786.56-hectare land acquisition for the upcoming GMR Nagpur International Airport under the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport project. Fadnavis directed that the agreement for land acquisition be finalised as soon as possible, the statement said. CM Fadnavis reiterated the state government's commitment to creating a comprehensive air transport network that connects every corner of Maharashtra. These airport development projects are part of the broader efforts to modernize the state’s infrastructure, improve air quality, and promote tourism and business, it said. The meeting was also attended by senior government officials, including Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department Sanjay Sethi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department O.P. Gupta, Principal Secretary of Urban Development Asim Kumar Gupta, Managing Director of MADC Swati Pandey, Secretary of the Industry Department Anbalagan, and others.
28 December,2024 11:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariPassengers on Western Railway complained that the 3:26 pm Churchgate-Virar fast Mumbai AC local train skipped Marine Lines station inconveniencing them. "I was standing at Marine Lines. The 3:29 pm train from Marine Lines did not halt at the station. When it passed through the station, then it was announced that the premium train is cancelled. It is unfair,"Shailesh Goyal, former member, National Railway Users Consultative Committee, said. Goyal added that ironically it is the maximum businessmen from Marine Linea, Charni Road and Grant Road that use the AC local train. Meanwhile, the railway officials said there had been a signal issue earlier in the day near Jogeshwari and the train had been running late, hence was converted into double fast local train and its halts at Marine Lines, Charni Road, and Grant Road stations were cancelled and proper announcements also made at railway stations.
28 December,2024 09:10 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarActor Prajakta Mali on Saturday slammed BJP MLA Suresh Dhas for allegedly dragging her name in his attempt to target NCP minister Dhananjay Munde in the sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case, reported the PTI. The row began after Dhas spoke about "event management politics" and "Parli pattern" while attacking Munde. Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog, was abducted, tortured and murdered in Beed on December 9 for attempting to thwart an extortion bid on an energy firm. While several persons have been arrested so far, a political tussle is underway over Walmik Karad, an accused in the extortion case linked to the murder and who is reportedly a close aide of Parli MLA Dhananjay Munde, according to the PTI. Addressing a press conference, Prajakta Mali said Dhas' comments were in bad taste, entirely baseless and asserted women, especially actors, should not be made soft targets, as per the PTI. Prajakta Mali said that her silence over video clips and fake news circulating over the past one-and-half months on social media pertaining to her visit to Parli for a cultural event should not seen as "my consent". "Artistes choose to stay away from such mudslinging. But Suresh Dhas is an elected representative and what he says and the manner in which he says it have to be taken seriously. Dhas' remarks are false and baseless. His remarks linking me to Dhananjay Munde are derogatory," the actor emphasised. She said her family and friends believed in her when such negativity was being spread on social media but it needs to be taken seriously when an MLA makes such comments. Mali said she has sought a public apology from Dhas and is contemplating legal action against the Ashti MLA. "I had been to Parli for a cultural event, an award function. Artistes like me travel to several cities to entertain audiences. Why name just women? Haven't male actors attended such programmes organised by politicians? Dhas has used my name for his selfish interests," she said, the news agency reported. Asserting that such comments not only malign women but also show a person's mindset, Mali informed that she has lodged a complaint with the Maharashtra State Women's Commission. Dhas, meanwhile, said there was no question of apologising to Mali and asserted he had not said anything objectionable. "I don't know her and she is not my enemy. She should rewind and hear what I said yesterday," Dhas said, as per the PTI. The actor said she will meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking that social media platforms, portals and media be held accountable for maligning women. Incidentally, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule has asked Dhas to desist from publicly attacking Munde over the sarpanch murder case. "I will ask Dhas to share any information he possesses directly with the chief minister rather than going public. I will tell him not to make any comments which will hamper the (murder) probe, " Chandrashekhar Bawankule told reporters on Friday, the PTI reported. (with PTI inputs)
28 December,2024 08:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTo tackle Mumbai air pollution, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Saturday said it has decided to take action to combat construction dust and improve air quality in the city. In an official statement, the MMRDA said that under the leadership of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the guidance of MMRDA Chairman and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the MMRDA has issued stringent guidelines to curb dust pollution caused by construction activities. According to MMRDA, these measures are a step toward improving Mumbai’s air quality and ensuring sustainable urban development. The new guidelines outline immediate actions to control dust, monitor construction activities, manage debris, and regulate vehicle transport at MMRDA project sites. Key Measures Announced: Control of Dust: - Deployment of water sprinklers and fogging machines across all construction sites. - Regular water sprinkling during earth-moving operations and on stacked materials. - Use of mechanical power sweeping machines for roads around project areas. Monitoring and Management: - Frequent inspections to ensure compliance with existing guidelines. - Comprehensive monitoring and reporting mechanisms to assess progress. Debris Management: - Elimination of unauthorised dumping and optimized movement of construction and demolition (C&D) waste to minimize dust. Regulation of Vehicles: - Strict adherence to guidelines for vehicles transporting construction materials, including proper coverings and permissions. Prohibition of Waste Burning: - A complete ban on burning waste at project premises. - To ensure strict compliance, MMRDA has introduced a robust penalty structure for contractors failing to adhere to these guidelines. Non-compliance will attract fines starting from Rs 5 lakhs for the first instance, escalating to Rs 20 lakhs and work suspension for repeated violations. CM Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating, "MMR’s development must align with our environmental priorities. These measures reaffirm our government’s dedication to building a sustainable and healthy urban ecosystem for future generations." Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister said, "Improving MMR’s air quality is a priority for all of us. The stringent measures undertaken by MMRDA will be instrumental in controlling pollution caused by construction activities. While implementing developmental projects, we equally emphasize environmental protection. We are committed to building a cleaner and more sustainable MMR." Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, emphasized: "Ensuring clean air is a shared responsibility. These guidelines represent MMRDA’s proactive approach in balancing rapid infrastructure development with environmental stewardship. We urge all stakeholders to comply and contribute to a cleaner Mumbai."
28 December,2024 07:11 PM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentAhead of the New Year 2024, the Central Railway has imposed restrictions on sale of platform tickets to avoid the year-end public rush at major railway stations. In an official statement, the Central Railway said that in anticipation of a heavy rush during the year ending period, Central Railway has imposed temporary restrictions on the sale of platform tickets at select major stations. This step aims to manage crowding on platforms and ensure smooth passenger movement within station premises. The restriction of sale of platform tickets will be effective from 12.00 hrs of 29.12.2024 to 02.01.2025 Platform ticket sales are restricted at the following 14 stations: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Thane, Kalyan, Panvel, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik Road, Bhusaval, Akola, Solapur, Kalaburagi and Latur. Exemptions: Aged persons, senior citizens, ailing persons, children, uneducated persons, and woman passengers unable to fend for themselves are exempted from these restrictions to ensure ease of travel, the Central Railway said. "Passengers are requested to plan accordingly and adhere to the new regulations for a smooth and safe travel experience during the year-end period," the Central Railway said on Saturday.
28 December,2024 06:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarNavi Mumbai Police has warned citizens of taking strict action in cases of drunk driving during new year 2024 celebrations in the city. Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe held a press conference on Saturday and announced the security and safety measures being implemented for the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations. With the city set to welcome 2025, Bharambe assured residents that the police department is taking extensive precautions to ensure a safe and festive environment while urging the public to exercise caution, particularly with regard to drunk driving. Addressing the media, Navi Mumbai CP Milind Bharambe stated that the police would be vigilant across the city to prevent any untoward incidents during the New Year festivities. The Navi Mumbai Police will deploy multiple mega check posts across key locations in the city, particularly near popular nightlife hubs, party venues, and major roads. These check posts will be set up to conduct breathalyzer tests and check for any signs of impaired driving. Officers will also be stationed at strategic points to monitor the movement of vehicles, and violators will be penalized under relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, the police official said. Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe addressed the media about preparations for New Year’s celebrations. He also urged citizens to avoid drunk driving, highlighting that mega check posts will be set up across Navi Mumbai and strict action will be taken against… pic.twitter.com/EoKUKohczR — Mid Day (@mid_day) December 28, 2024 Bharambe warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found driving under the influence of alcohol. Mumbai Police plans to deploy thousands of cops on city streets Mumbai Police on Friday said that it has planned extensive security measures in city for New Year Eve 2024 and will deploy thousands of cops on city streets. The police said that on the occasion of New Year’s Eve, 31st December 2024, various public places, hotels, shopping malls, and other establishments in Mumbai will host special events to mark the arrival of the New Year. Citizens across the city will celebrate with enthusiasm and joy. To ensure law and order during these celebrations, the Mumbai Police have made extensive security arrangements. According to the police, under the guidance of the Commissioner of Police and the Special Commissioner of Police, and under the supervision of the Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), a robust police presence has been planned. "A total of 2,184 police officers and 12,048 police personnel will be deployed across the city, including senior officers like 8 Additional Commissioners of Police, 29 Deputy Commissioners of Police, and 53 Assistant Commissioners of Police. Along with this, specialized teams such as SRPF platoons, QRAT teams, BDDs teams, RCP platoons, and Home Guards will also be stationed at critical locations," said an official. To ensure a smooth and safe celebration, the police will set up checkpoints at various locations and conduct regular patrolling in crowded areas. "There will also be fixed-point security measures, especially in high-traffic zones," the official said.
28 December,2024 06:47 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanShiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray will meet the family of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, whose murder has sparked a huge political row, in the first week of January, reported news agency PTI. Thackeray will also meet the kin of Dalit man Somnath Suryavanshi who allegedly died in judicial custody after his arrest in connection with violence over the desecration of a replica of the Constitution in Parbhani. "The Sena (UBT) president will visit Parbhani and Beed to meet the families of Somanth Suryavanshi and Santosh Deshmukh, respectively," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Saturday, reported PTI. NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar met the families of Suryavanshi and Deshmukh last week. The leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also met Suryavanshi's family in Parbhani, reported PTI. Police have so far arrested four persons, including former tehsil chief of Ajit Pawar-headed NCP Vishnu Chate, in connection with the sarpanch Deshmukh's murder. Police are on the lookout for three others who have been named as wanted accused for kidnapping Deshmukh and brutally killing him on December 9. Preliminary investigation by police shows that Deshmukh's murder was a fallout of his bid to oppose extortion from a windmill company in Beed. Following Deshmukh's murder, there were protests across Beed, especially after photographs of his body with injury marks were shared widely on social media. Parbhani city in central Maharashtra witnessed violence after a glass-enclosed replica of the Constitution near Dr B R Ambedkar's statue outside the railway station was vandalised on the evening of December 10. Suryavanshi (35), who was lodged in the Parbhani district central jail after his arrest, died on December 15 at a state-run hospital after complaining of chest pain and uneasiness. Rahul Gandhi alleged that Suryavanshi was killed because he was a Dalit who was trying to protect the Constitution. (With inputs from PTI)
28 December,2024 02:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a bid to further enhance the commuting experience of passengers, the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has made significant strides in modernizing suburban railway stations with the installation of lifts and escalators. Up until 2023, MRVC had successfully commissioned 15 elevators and 16 escalators across various suburban stations in Mumbai. In 2024 alone, the corporation has installed 4 new lifts and 9 escalators, continuing its commitment to making travel safer and more accessible for passengers. Over the next few years, MRVC has ambitious plans to add 119 more lifts and 183 escalators by 2027, resulting in a total of 138 lifts and 208 escalators at suburban stations throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This is part of a larger initiative to provide greater convenience, especially for elderly passengers, women, and those with disabilities. These additions will not only improve the flow of commuters during peak hours but also enhance the overall travel experience, ensuring safer, faster, and more comfortable movement within stations. In addition to MRVC’s contributions, Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) have also undertaken similar projects at various suburban stations. They too have committed to expanding their lift and escalator facilities in the coming years, focusing on stations not covered by MRVC’s plans. CMD of MRVC, Subhash Chand Gupta, remarked, “At MRVC, our focus is on transforming the travel experience for Mumbai’s esteemed commuters. These initiatives not only promise greater accessibility but also ensure that our stations keep pace with the growing needs of the city’s dynamic railway network. We remain committed to providing safe, efficient, and comfortable travel for all.” The phased installation of lifts and escalators at various suburban stations (Station details are provided in the enclosed annexure) will significantly ease daily commutes for millions of passengers. With these ongoing and upcoming enhancements, MRVC is paving the way for a more efficient, accessible, and modern Mumbai suburban railway system.
28 December,2024 02:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarMumbai remains blanketed by smog, severely reducing visibility and pushing air quality indices into unhealthy levels. On Saturday, the city experienced a slight rise in temperatures, with the minimum temperature reaching 21 degrees Celsius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience a cloudy sky on Saturday, December 28, with temperatures ranging from a cool 18 degrees Celsius in the morning to a warm 32 degrees Celsius during the day. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai's Santacruz observatory in suburban Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 30.3 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. The weather department's data showed that the city observatory in Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 29 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 21.6 degrees Celsius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates by the IMD, the maximum temperature will likely be around 32 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature will likely be around 20 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity is 77 per cent. The sun rose at 07:11 AM and will set at 06:10 PM. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather update forecasts a "partly cloudy sky with haze" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI in 'moderate' category On December 28, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality remained in the 'moderate' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 160 at 9:05 AM. As per the SAMEER app dashboard, many areas across Mumbai showed 'moderate' AQI. Bandra Kurla Complex recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 167. Colaba, Chembur and Ghatkopar recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 129, 133 and 145, respectively. Borivali and Byculla recorded 'poor' air quality, with an AQI of 245 and 203, respectively. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 122, while Thane registered a 'moderate' AQI of 131. The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'. Meanwhile, as air pollution levels continue to rise in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revised guidelines issued last year for construction sites. The civic body will also form squads at the ward level to visit construction sites and act if guidelines are flouted. Sensor-based air pollution monitoring systems will be installed at all construction project work sites and immediate action to be taken if pollution levels are detected above the limit.
28 December,2024 10:07 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA fire broke out at scrap godowns in the Sakinaka area of Kurla on Saturday morning. The blaze has spread across an area of 1,000 x 500 square feet. No casualties have been reported so far. According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), the fire broke out at Wajid Ali Compound on Khairani Road in Sakinaka, Kurla West. The blaze is confined to scrap and plastic materials stored in the godowns. The Mumbai Fire Brigade has declared the blaze a 'Level-3' fire. "The fire is confined to scrap and plastic materials in the godowns, covering an area of 1,000 x 500 square feet on the ground floor and part of the first floor. A total of 10 small hose lines are in operation," the MFB said. Eleven fire engines, nine jet tanks, aerial work platforms, along with other firefighting machinery and an ambulance, have been deployed at the scene. Fire breaks out in scrap godown in Mankhurd A massive fire had broken out in a scrap godown in the Mandala area of Mankhurd, Mumbai, on Monday evening. The blaze was spread over a 1,000X1,000 square feet area. According to the Mumbai Fire Brigade, the blaze was confined to the electrical wiring, wooden scrap, and plastic materials in various scrap material storage units. MFB had declared the blaze a 'Level-2' fire. Four fire engines, 10 water jets and other firefighting machinery, along with an ambulance, were deployed at the scene. A team of the local ward of the Mumbai civic body was also at the spot. Water filling points were opened at Baiganwadi Signal in Deonar, Deonar Abettor, Panjarpol filling point in Chembur and Cheda Nagar in Ghatkopar. According to the official, the cause of the fire was not known. However, he said the fire was spreading rapidly due to the compostable materials stored in the godowns, adding that, as most of the structures was load-bearing and made of tin, it was risky to enter them, which was creating challenges during firefighting. Several incidents of fire have been reported from locality in the past.
28 December,2024 09:52 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
