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Maharashtra: Injured golden jackal rescued near Junnar makes full recovery
A golden jackal found injured by the roadside in Otur Forest Range near Junnar has been successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. This took place after the jackal received a month of intensive medical care at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC), jointly run by the Maharashtra Forest Department and Wildlife SOS. The female jackal, believed to have suffered a road accident, had sustained severe fractures in the left hind leg. Due to the swift action of the Junnar Forest Division and the dedicated treatment provided by the Wildlife SOS team, the animal has made a remarkable recovery. A 2-year-old female golden jackal (Canis aureus) was first spotted by the Junnar Forest Division staff during patrolling, who saw visible injuries and promptly transported the distressed animal to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre for urgent medical attention. A thorough examination, including an X-ray, revealed a complete fracture in her left hind leg. The veterinary team, after mild sedation, carefully set the bone and applied a plaster bandage to support healing. Over the following weeks, the jackal was kept under close observation, receiving pain management, a controlled diet, and regular check-ups to monitor progress. As the weeks passed, the jackal displayed significant improvement, regaining strength and responsiveness. After a final health assessment confirmed the mammal’s full recovery, the Wildlife SOS and Maharashtra Forest Department teams released the jackal back into the wild. Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, remarked, “Rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals affected by human activity is at the core of our mission. This golden jackal’s journey from injury to recovery highlights the importance of rapid intervention and expert medical care in safeguarding India’s diverse wildlife.” Smita Rajhans, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of Junnar Forest Division, also commented, “Wild animals frequently face threats due to road accidents and human encroachments. This successful treatment and release effort underscores the importance of quick response and collaborative care in preserving our native species.” Mahendra Dhore, Project Manager- MLRC, Wildlife SOS said, “After arrival, the jackal was in a severely weakened state, and our first priority was stabilising her condition. The fact that she has now fully recovered and been released back into the wild is a happy moment for our team.”
14 April,2025 01:06 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Mumbai: Four years on, Yellow Line Metro 2B sees the light of day
The much-delayed Yellow Line Mumbai Metro 2B crossed a milestone on Sunday—four years after it was slated to be operational—when a 5.4-km stretch of the line between Diamond Garden in Chembur and Mandale in Mankhurd was live-charged. This means the overhead wires are now considered 'live'. Officials said the first train trials on the line will begin on April 16. The date coincides with the day trains first ran in Mumbai 172 years ago, an event regarded as the foundation day of Indian Railways. This will be the first new Metro to ply in the eastern suburbs in the past ten years after the Blue Line 1 had started operations from Ghatkopar. The other three lines cater to the western suburbs. Though the deadline for beginning operations had been given as December 2025, sources said the early beginning of train trails was pushed by Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, who has been reviewing the progress of all lines closely. Metro line work underway in Mankhurd, where the first train sets for the 2B line arrived in 2023 Sources said the line here had been heavily delayed due to rebidding of the systems tender and now a stretch of five stations—Diamond Garden, Shivaji Chowk, BSNL Metro, Mankhurd and Mandale Metro—are finally looking up and ready for the run. The line also crosses the Mumbai Monorail at a point in Chembur. The trains The significant development will ease local connectivity between Mankhurd and Chembur. The Yellow Line Metro 2B has high-end six-coach train sets from Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). mid-day, on November 11, 2023, was the first to report the arrival of the first train sets at Mandale depot in Mankhurd. Indigenously manufactured, the passenger train sets have all-steel integral rail coaches, with an energy-friendly regenerative braking system. The trains have four doors on each side and are also designed to allow commuters to travel with bicycles. It has amenities such as mobile charging points, an IP-based announcement system and state-of-the-art surveillance systems. The trials The basic integration train trials involve various checks, including those of rolling stock, signalling systems and track traction. Following this, there are also loaded trials which simulate operational conditions by loading the train with simulated passenger weight (with gunny bags), allowing for assessment of the train’s behaviour under load. Once all the trials are complete, a final trial is conducted under the supervision of the commissioner of Metro Railway Safety after which the train service is thrown open to the public. Once this stretch is ready, the 18.2-km phase two stretch with 14 stations from Diamond Garden in Chembur to DN Nagar in Andheri, where it meets Yellow Line 2A, is expected to be operational by December 2026. Commuter Speak Arindam Mahapatra, Commuter said, “It’s of no use to me as the line doesn’t currently connect to BKC. It would be helpful for those switching from VN Purav Marg to Mankhurd and vice versa. The real potential of this line will be realised once it connects to BKC at least so one can avoid the rush at Kurla.” Rajiv Ganatra, commuter said, “I don’t know how much of local trains’ burden will be eased by opening this stretch, but those who work in areas along the line can take the Metro. It has become difficult to enter local trains at Mankhurd station as it is extremely crowded nowadays” Five stations of first phase Diamond GardenShivaji ChowkBSNL MetroMankhurdMandale Metro
14 April,2025 12:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Mumbai: Western Railway completes Bandra bridge work
April 13, Sunday, marked a milestone with the Indian Railways' last remaining bridge on screw pile foundation at Bandra in Mumbai completely removed by rebuilding the bridge with brand new state-of-the-art abutments. The upgradation work on this historic bridge, located between Mahim and Bandra stations, is now fully complete. “The project to upgrade bridge No. 20 between Mahim and Bandra stations is complete. It marks a milestone in Western Railway history and is an end of an era of old cast iron screw pile foundation bridges on Indian Railways,” an elated Vineet Abhishek, Western Railway’s chief public relations officer said. “The cast Iron (CI) screw pile foundations are old-design foundation on bridges which give away suddenly without giving distress warning; hence it was decided by the Railway Board, as a policy matter, to rebuild all railway bridges to enhance safety,” he said. “There was only one Railway bridge left on Cast Iron (CI) pile abutments on Indian Railways, which was Bridge 20 on the Mithi River at Bandra in Mumbai under WR, which has been successfully upgraded today,” he said. Challenges: 1. Finalization of suitable scheme so as to have least possible impact on very busy Mumbai suburban traffic as both local and through lines were impacted. 2.Construction of coffer dam on both side (East & West side) of existing abutment/pier in Mithi River (having bi-directional flow due to high tides from coastal area). 3.No direct approach to bridge site was available; hence movement of all machinery and material done by blocking 03 Nos stabling lines. Execution: Tender was awarded on Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode in March 2023 and the work has been executed in two phases. Phase-I:(Completed on 26.01.25) -De-launching of existing steel girders by lowering and shifting OHE wire of 04 Nos suburban lines.-Launching of 4 sets of relieving girders (20.4 m).-Shifting of 2 Nos OHE portal from bridge pier.Phase-II:(Completed on 13.04.2025)-Dismantling of abutments on Cast Iron piles and Re-building the abutments.-De-launching of the restricted height girders.-Launching of existing steel girders.-Re-installation of Electrical and S&T gears. Now, Phase-II of work has been successfully completed in mega night blocks of 9 hrs 30 min each on two successive nights 11/12 & 12/13.04.25. The work has been executed by deploying 700MT crane (with one standby crane), 10 dumpers, Poclain, 02 JCB, tamping machine, 2 tower wagons, 10 bogie rail truck wagons and about 150 manpower. Work is completed well before monsoon as committed by WR. Benefits: The safety of the running trains is enhanced as the Cast Iron pile foundations collapse without giving distress warning.
14 April,2025 12:35 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Every bit of money should be recovered: Gitanjali Gem's Ex-MD on Choksi arrest
Santosh Srivastava, former Managing Director of Gitanjali Gems, has welcomed the arrest of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium. Srivastava demanded the government to ensure Choksi's swift extradition and complete recovery of the defrauded funds, reported ANI on Monday. "It's great news that Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium. As a whistle-blower in this case, who risked my life to try and expose it, I hope that the government brings him back to the country as soon as possible. Every bit of the money involved should be recovered," Srivastava stated. On Saturday, Choksi was arrested in Belgium after local authorities confirmed his presence in the country. According to ANI sources, the preparations were being made for his extradition to India. However, Choksi has started preparing for a legal battle, with lawyers looking to secure bail. Choksi's lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, stated on Monday that they will be filing an appeal to release the businessman from custody, citing his ill health and ongoing cancer treatments. "My client, Mehul Choksi, has been arrested in Belgium, and at the moment, he is in custody. We will be starting the process of filing an appeal against this, and then, as a process of appeal, we will be requesting that he be pulled out of prison. The major ground for the plea is his ill health and that he is undergoing cancer treatment, and ofcourse, he is not a flight risk at all," Choksi's lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal stated in Delhi, reported ANI. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who left India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. After the arrest, Punjab National Bank Scam whistle-blower Hariprasad SV informed that it would be very difficult for India to get Choksi back home as he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process. Hariprasad recalled how Choksi had previously managed to evade the legal process after being caught in Dominica, reported ANI. "Extradition is not an easy task. Choksi's wallet is full, and he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process like what Vijay Maliya has been doing. I don't think it is going to be easy for India to get him back," he said. (With ANI inputs)
14 April,2025 12:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai water crisis: Fed-up BMC to take over private tankers and water sources
Amid the ongoing strike called by the Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to take over most private tankers and groundwater sources under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, thereby ensuring that the supply of water via tankers resumes on Monday. The MWTA, meanwhile, told mid-day it is considering approaching the court to stay the civic body’s hand. Civic chief Bhushan Gagrani confirmed the development, telling mid-day, “The BMC is taking over the tanker water supply.” Despite efforts by the BMC, tanker operators refused to resume their services. As the city reels under the intense summer swelter, a serious question has arisen regarding essential water needs. Considering this situation, and in the public interest, the BMC administration has opted to implement the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to resolve this issue. Also, under Sections 34(a) and 65(1) of the Act, the BMC administration has decided to take over and manage the supply of essential services through private tankers, civic officials told mid-day. Unoccupied water tankers at a filling station near Mahim beach amid the standoff between the BMC and tanker lobby. Pic/Ashish Raje Civic officials said the transport commissioner had details about the 1800 tankers that supply water to the city and officers in every ward were aware of the location where they are parked. They added that contact numbers for citizens in need of water will be announced soon. Asked if the BMC could take over hypothecated movable vehicles, an official said the action was temporary. “We are not taking over the tankers for life. This action is for the immediate relief of citizens till the issue is resolved.” Questioned about the legality of such a move, senior advocate Abha Singh said, “As water is an essential commodity, the BMC can take over the tankers under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.” MTWA General Secretary Rajesh Thakur said, “We will explore the possibility of approaching the court against this action. If the BMC thinks we provide an essential service, why did it not listen to our demands? We are trying to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Most of our tankers are on loan. Who will pay the EMI?” Civic officials on Sunday said that the decision to take over tankers was taken as their operations did not resume even after BMC put a stay on its restrictions on borewell and ring well owners operating without new Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) licences until June 15. Rajesh Thakur, general secretary, Mumbai Water Tanker Association The CGWA made certain guidelines mandatory to obtain these licences and the BMC started issuing notices to borewell operators lacking them. From Thursday, April 10, the MWTA refused to supply water via tankers, saying it wanted to avoid legal complications. On Friday, Fadnavis had asked Gagrani to intervene in the matter, after which the BMC decided to stay till June 15 its restrictions on water extraction from groundwater sources. How civic body will take over tankers The civic body will figure out the number of tankers, drivers, cleaners and other staff required to provide water in each ward. The transport commissioner will appoint staff at the ward level and the operation will be monitored by the deputy municipal commissioner and deputy police commissioner. At every ward, a transport inspector, police inspector, engineer from the waterworks department, pesticide officer and health officer will oversee the water supply. Cocieties have to pay the amount charged by water tanker operators and an additional 25 per cent as ‘official expenditure’. Police personnel will be present at each groundwater source. Tanker operators can submit receipts at the ward office to receive their dues. The Disaster Management Act Section 34 deals with powers and functions of the district authority in the event of any threatening disaster situation or disaster. For the purpose of assisting, protecting or providing relief to the community, in response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster, the district authority may give directions for the release and use of resources available with any department of the government and the local authority in the district. Section 65 deals with power of requisition of resources, provisions and vehicles for rescue operations, etc, if it appears to the district authority or any officer as may be authorised by it in this behalf that any resources, premises or vehicle needed or is likely to be needed for the purpose of prompt response.
14 April,2025 11:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer Surve
Maharashtra Guv, Devendra Fadnavis pay tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar
Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday paid floral tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai on his 134th birth anniversary. Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, legislative council chairperson Ram Shinde, state cabinet ministers Ashish Shelar and Sanjay Shirsat also paid homage to Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi, the final resting place of the Constitution's chief architect, located at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai, reported PTI. The dignitaries also visited an exhibition of rare pictures of Ambedkar's life and times organised there by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Earlier, Fadnavis in a post on X said, "Salutations to an eminent economist, global icon of social justice and father of the Indian Constitution, Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary." NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule, who paid tributes at Chaityabhoomi earlier in the day, told reporters that Ambedkar laid the foundation stone of how a country's administration should be run. "His vision for social justice, power projects, education continues to guide the country," she said. Meanwhile, thousands of people on Monday morning arrived at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur to pay tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his 134th birth anniversary and take part in various programmes scheduled to mark the occasion. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution and social reformer, embraced Buddhism at Deekshabhoomi in 1956, making it a revered site for lakhs of his followers. People from across India started arriving in Maharashtra's Nagpur city from Sunday to pay respects to Ambedkar at Deekshabhoomi. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti trustee Vilas Gajghate said their organisation, the district administration and police department have made elaborate arrangements for the safety of people and proper management of the programme as lakhs of followers of Ambedkar will be visiting the venue during the day. Pandals have been set up in the premises for the people, he said. The samiti members will pay floral tributes at the statute of Dr Ambedkar and his 'asthi' (mortal remains) kept at Deekshabhoomi at 10 am, Gajghate said. On March 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Deekshabhoomi. He went inside the stupa at the site and paid homage to Ambedkar's 'asthi' kept there. He said building a "developed and inclusive Bharat" will be the true tribute to Dr Ambedkar. (With inputs from Agencies)
14 April,2025 11:53 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai: MHB police bust gang stealing ice cream carts, three arrested
The MHB Police have successfully dismantled a gang involved in the theft of steel ice cream carts, leading to the arrest of three individuals. The accused were allegedly stealing these carts from various locations and selling them in states such as Rajasthan and Kolkata. According to officials, the gang specifically targeted carts made of mild steel, which are commonly used by ice cream and falooda vendors. The arrested suspects have been identified as Jeetmal Madhu Lal Jaat (18), Kailash Bherulal Meghwal (22), and Lokesh Kumar Mangilal Meghwal (21). On April 11, a cart was stolen from Dahisar West. The owner, Hiralal Gujar (46), who owns three similar carts, realised the theft and immediately lodged a complaint at the MHB Police Station. Under the guidance of DCP Anand Bhoite (Zone 11) and Senior Inspector Mahesh Balwantrao, PSI Sandeep Gorade and his team began an investigation. The police were able to trace the vehicle used by the accused to transport the stolen cart. An officer from the MHB Police Station stated, “While tracking the vehicle, the driver received a call from one of the accused, who instructed him to transport another stolen cart to CSMT station. As the driver arrived at Hindustan Naka, the accused arrived with another stolen cart to load it onto the vehicle, at which point our team apprehended them red-handed.” During questioning, the accused revealed that all three were employed at an ice cream company near Hindustan Naka, Kandivali West. This is the same company from which local vendors purchase their ice cream. Police further discovered that the gang had already sent a stolen cart from Dahisar to Kolkata via a courier company using the railway network. They were also planning to recovered cart to Rajasthan. A second case has been registered at the Charkop police station. The stolen ice cream carts, valued between Rs 2 to Rs 2.5 lakh, were made from pure steel. “We are working closely with the courier company to obtain the delivery address of the consignment sent to Kolkata. The investigation is ongoing, and we are looking into whether more individuals are involved or if there are additional stolen carts in circulation,” said another officer. The three arrested individuals were produced before the court and have been remanded to police custody.
14 April,2025 11:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
“Choksi arrested, it's a big achievement”: MoS Finance on fugitive's capture
Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, has hailed the arrest of fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium as a “very big achievement” for the country’s law enforcement and justice systems. According to ANI, Choksi was apprehended by local authorities in Belgium on Saturday after his presence in the country was confirmed. The arrest is a result of continuous efforts by Indian investigation agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), who had issued extradition requests and arrest warrants since 2018. Speaking to ANI, Chaudhary reaffirmed the government’s determination to bring back those who have fled the country after allegedly looting public money. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already said that those who have looted the money of the poor will have to return it. And action is being taken against such people in the country. Mehul Choksi has been arrested; it is definitely a very big achievement,” Chaudhary stated. Choksi, who had been residing in Antigua since 2018, had travelled to Belgium last year, reportedly for medical treatment. Preparations for his extradition to India are now underway. However, Choksi’s legal team is expected to seek bail and oppose extradition on health grounds. The 65-year-old diamantaire is one of the key accused in the Rs 13,850 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud, alongside his nephew Nirav Modi. Both are wanted by the CBI and ED for allegedly defrauding the bank by fraudulently obtaining Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) between 2014 and 2017. These financial instruments were used without sanctioned credit limits or required collateral, and without proper entry in PNB’s central banking system. Multiple overseas banks including SBI (Mauritius and Frankfurt), Canara Bank (Manama), Allahabad Bank (Hong Kong), Axis Bank (Hong Kong), and Bank of India (Antwerp) disbursed loans based on these LoUs and FLCs. Due to non-repayment by Choksi’s firms, PNB ended up paying Rs 6,344.97 crore, including overdue interest, to the foreign banks. The ED has, so far, attached or seized assets worth Rs 2,565.90 crore in relation to the case. The court has approved the monetisation of these properties. Mehul Choksi had earlier fled India in January 2018 and acquired citizenship in Antigua in 2017. He was previously detained in Dominica under controversial circumstances, where he claimed he had been abducted. Though India sought his extradition then, Dominica deported him back to Antigua. Nirav Modi, meanwhile, remains in a London jail and continues to fight his extradition case. (With inputs from ANI)
14 April,2025 11:32 AM IST | Mumbai
Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde dismisses buzz of rift in Mahayuti
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has dismissed the speculation of a rift within the Mahayuti and said everything is hunky-dory in the ruling alliance, reported news agency PTI. The issues, if any, will be sorted out through discussions, Shinde told reporters on Sunday. "There is no bickering within the Mahayuti. Everything is hunky-dory. We work and don't complain. We are the ones who fight," he said, reported PTI. The Shiv Sena leader was reacting to reports that he has complained to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). "If Eknath Shinde has to say something, he will directly talk to me or the chief minister (Devendra Fadnavis). We share good relations," Pawar told reporters. Amid talk of Shinde raising contentious issues concerning the state's ruling alliance with Shah, BJP 's Sudhir Mungantiwar on Sunday also defended the Shiv Sena leader. "Eknath Shinde is a good leader. He would not use such ways to raise complaints before Shah. Shinde is such a leader who will not wait and raise it with Amit Shah. He would directly speak with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar," Mungantiwar told reporters. The ruling alliance comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. It retained power after a landslide victory in the state assembly polls held in November last year. Shinde, who was chief minister from June 2022, however, had to be content with the deputy CM's post in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government formed after the polls. During his visit to Maharashtra on Saturday, Shah attended an event at Raigad Fort to mark the 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. NCP MP Sunil Tatkare on Saturday also hosted lunch for Shah at his house in Raigad, and described it as a "non-political" interaction with the issue of guardian ministers not on its agenda, reported PTI. Local Shiv Sena leaders didn't attend the lunch, further fuelling speculation that all was not well in the BJP-led Mahayuti over the allotment of posts of guardian ministers in Raigad and Nashik. Notably, Sunil Tatkare's daughter and NCP MLA Aditi Tatkare is one of the contenders for the post of the Raigad district guardian minister, but is facing opposition from Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale. The Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government had to stay the appointment of Aditi Tatkare and BJP leader Girish Mahajan as guardian ministers of Raigad and Nashik and districts, respectively, in January this year due to opposition from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. (With inputs from PTI)
14 April,2025 10:53 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai weather: Hot and humid conditions persist; AQI remains in 'good' category
Mumbai has been witnessing a surge in heatwave days. The city continued experiencing hot and humid weather on Monday, with the maximum temperature reaching 33.6 degrees Celsius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience a clear sky on Monday, April 14. Temperatures will range from a cool 24 degrees Celsius in the morning to a warm 35 degrees Celsius during the day. The relative humidity is 76 per cent. The sun rose at 06:22 AM and will set at 06:56 PM. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Santacruz observatory in suburban Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 33.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. The weather department's data showed that the city observatory in Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 33.6 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 25.5 degrees Celsius. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather update forecasts a "mainly clear sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI in 'good' category On April 14, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality remained in the 'good' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 66 at 9:05 AM. As per the SAMEER app dashboard, many areas across Mumbai showed 'good' AQI. Bandra Kurla Complex recorded 'good' air quality with an AQI of 74. Colaba, Malad and Borivali recorded 'good' air quality with an AQI of 44, 56 and 56, respectively. Byculla, Vile Parle, Kandivali and Ghatkopar recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 42, 50, 78 and 56, respectively. Meanwhile, Deonar recorded 'moderate' air quality, with an AQI of 124. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'good' category with an AQI of 79, while Thane registered a 'good' AQI of 54. 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'.
14 April,2025 10:02 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Name game continues at Mumbai Central
Supporters of renaming Mumbai Central Terminus after railway pioneer Jagannath Shankarsheth have announced a protest outside the station on April 16. They’ve given authorities a deadline of July 31—Shankarsheth’s death anniversary—after which they plan to escalate their agitation. Though both the Railway Ministry and the Maharashtra government have formally approved the renaming, the proposal remains stalled with the Union Home Department. “It was due to Nana Jagannath Shankarsheth’s efforts that the railways came to India. The British even honoured him by embedding his bust in the structure of the iconic Mumbai CSMT building, acknowledging his role as director of the first railway company. What more proof is needed?” said Manmohan Chonkar of the Jagannath Shankarsheth’s Namkaran Sangharsh Samiti. “We’ve been fighting to rename Mumbai Central after him since 1996. Despite approvals, no government has acted. We will protest on April 16 and wait till July 31. If nothing happens, we’ll go ahead and rename the station ourselves,” he added. Who is Nana Shankarsheth? Jagannath “Nana” Shankarsheth was one of the two Indian founders and directors of India’s first railway company, alongside Sir Jamshetjee Jeejeebhoy. He was a special guest on India’s first train ride. His permanent stone bust is featured in the original design of the CSMT building, and his family visits the site every July to commemorate his death anniversary. Kurla Terminus already renamed after Lokmanya Tilak, Nana’s supporters believe Mumbai Central is a more fitting choice since his bungalow was located in nearby Girgaum. Born on February 10, 1803, into wealthy Murkute family of the Daivadnya community, Shankarsheth spearheaded several developmental projects. He helped establish JJ School of Art, the city museum, and Victoria Gardens. Foreseeing the need for mass transportation, he formed a steam navigation company and proposed the railways. He even offered part of his bungalow to host the ticket booking office of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, now known as Central Railway. Historian comment City historian R Venkatesh said Bombay Central name itself is historic as it became the large, centrally located terminus of BBCIR, after Colaba Terminus shut. BCT defined an urban marker for the city, intrinsic to the city's central areas, differentiated from several other stations in city. Removing a neutral name like this can be disruptive. However great social reformer, educationist, civic activist Nana Sankersett, being a promoter of first ever introduction of railways due to whom GIPR opened its service in Bombay, deserves a historic associative marker in his own right. It would be good to have a conjoined name like Jagannath Sankersett Mumbai Central (like metro names are often conjoined names). Talks on since 2020 March 12, 2020: Maharashtra Cabinet approves renaming of Mumbai Central after Shankarsheth 2021: Railway Ministry grants no-objection certificate 2024: CM Eknath Shinde confirms state approval along with renaming of seven other stations Pending: Final clearance from the Union Home Department
14 April,2025 09:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar