In a harrowing turn of events on Sunday night, a 30‑year‑old commuter from Badlapur was left critically injured after a thief snatched his phone from a moving train near Ambernath station, causing him to fall onto the tracks and suffer a life‑altering leg amputation. Background/Context The incident unfolded on the Badlapur‑bound local that departed Thane station at 11:00 pm, a route frequented by thousands of daily workers. Mumbai’s rail network, the world’s largest, handles over 7 million passengers each day, making safety protocols and passenger vigilance paramount. In recent months, the city has seen a spike in petty thefts on trains, with…
Author: Lukman Isiaq
Thane resident loses ₹1.7 crore in online stock market investment fraud – how a Facebook message turned into a financial nightmare. Background / Context In the bustling suburb of Kasarvadavali, Thane, a 56‑year‑old businessman named Ravi Sharma found his savings evaporated after a series of online transactions that began with a seemingly innocuous Facebook message. The incident, which unfolded between November and December 2025, has drawn attention to the growing menace of social‑media‑based investment scams in Maharashtra and across India. With the stock market’s volatility and the allure of quick gains, many investors are turning to digital platforms for advice. Unfortunately,…
After a brief spell of cleaner winter air, the Mumbai AQI has surged to 128, placing the city in the moderate pollution band. The spike follows a period of satisfactory air quality, with levels hovering between 80 and 90 since Saturday. The most affected area is the Bandra‑Kurla Complex (BKC), which recorded an alarming AQI of 164, the highest in the metropolis. Background/Context Winter months in Mumbai typically bring a lull in vehicular and industrial emissions, often resulting in lower particulate matter concentrations. However, the city’s dense traffic, ongoing construction projects, and the recent heatwave have combined to reverse this…
In a striking turn of events, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s (MSRTC) iconic red “Lal Pari” buses have raked in over ₹2 crore in revenue during the recent municipal corporation elections, according to a senior MSRTC official. The figure, which eclipses the corporation’s usual earnings from regular routes, underscores the pivotal role public transport plays in ensuring smooth electoral processes across the state. Background/Context Municipal elections in Maharashtra are a logistical juggernaut, demanding the movement of thousands of polling officials, security personnel, and essential materials across sprawling urban and rural landscapes. The Election Commission of India (ECI) routinely requisitions special transport…
After three days of unusually clean winter air, Mumbai’s pollution levels have surged, pushing the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) into the moderate range at 128. The sharp rise follows a period of satisfactory air quality, with AQI readings hovering between 80 and 90 from Saturday through Monday. The spike has raised concerns among residents, health officials, and environmental groups, who warn that the trend could worsen if the underlying causes are not addressed. Background/Context Winter in Mumbai is typically marked by lower particulate matter concentrations, thanks to reduced vehicular traffic and cooler temperatures that limit the formation of…
Former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar has been elected as the leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a move that follows the Bharatiya Janata Party‑led Mahayuti alliance’s sweeping victory in the city’s civic elections. The decision, announced on Wednesday, marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Mumbai, ending the Thackeray family’s nearly three‑decade hold over the BMC. Background and Context The 2025 Maharashtra municipal elections saw the Mahayuti alliance secure 25 of the 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the prestigious BMC. In the 227‑member BMC, the Mahayuti crossed the majority…
Former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar has been elected as the leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a move that follows the Bharatiya Janata Party‑led Mahayuti alliance’s sweeping victory in the city’s civic elections. The decision, announced on Wednesday, marks a significant shift in Mumbai’s political landscape and signals a new chapter for the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction. Background/Context The BMC elections, held on 20 January, ended a nearly three‑decade reign of the Thackeray family over the city’s municipal body. The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde), and other partners, secured 118…
In a landmark move aimed at bolstering Maharashtra’s environmental governance, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MPCB Osaka MoU) with Osaka City, Japan, on Tuesday. The pact, signed in the presence of MPCB Chairman Siddheshji Kadam and Japan’s Consul General in Mumbai, Koji Yagi, promises a comprehensive exchange of technology, expertise and best practices across solid waste management, water and air pollution control, and carbon‑emission reduction. Background and Context Mumbai’s rapid urbanisation has strained its infrastructure, pushing the city to the brink of environmental degradation. In 2024, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered…
MPCB Osaka MoU – In a landmark move aimed at bolstering Maharashtra’s environmental governance, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Osaka City, Japan, on Tuesday. The pact, signed in the presence of MPCB Chairman Siddheshji Kadam and Japan’s Consul General in Mumbai, Koji Yagi, focuses on technology transfer, best‑practice exchange, and joint initiatives in solid waste management, water and air pollution control, and carbon‑emission reduction. Background and Context Mumbai’s rapid urbanisation has strained its infrastructure, leading to chronic air and water pollution, overflowing landfills, and rising carbon footprints. In recent years, the state has…
In a stark warning that has sent shockwaves through Mumbai’s academic circles, a sessions court today extended interim protection to nine Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) students who are seeking anticipatory bail. The judge cautioned that their involvement in a TISS students unauthorized event could permanently tarnish their professional futures. Background/Context On 14 October last year, a group of TISS students organized a gathering on the Deonar campus to mark the first death anniversary of Delhi University professor GN Saibaba, who had been incarcerated for alleged links to Maoist insurgents. Saibaba, who spent nearly a decade in Nagpur central jail,…