At least seven runners from the city are back in the heat and dust of sweltering Mumbai, after finishing the full marathon (42.2 km) at Pangong Lake, located in the Leh district of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. Pangong is one of the most famous lakes in Ladakh. Temperatures The full marathon race was run on Monday, February 24 at the Lake, made even more famous by the movie '3 Idiots'. Dr Neel Ashar one of the runners who battled intense conditions to complete in 6.08 minutes said, "You can say this was the world's highest full marathon. Pangong Lake has hosted half marathons for the past two years, in 2025 they made their hosting debut for the full distance." Ashar, who is a dentist practising in a western suburb said like most other runners, "this race went beyond timings. It was a brilliant experience. The challenge came in the form of weather from minus 15 degrees Celsius to minus 8 degrees Celsius and then going to minus 20 degrees Celsius during the last few km of the race. Some of us were wearing special shoes from Sweden. A lot of runners were wearing cleats (like spikes) to prevent slipping on ice. We also had at least three to four layers of clothing to battle the cold. The 'adversary' then was not just the challenging route but other factors. In the end, post-race, most of us were over the moon and then chilling out, literally and figuratively," he laughed. Goals Pangong Lake has a scenic beauty that, "no picture postcard can do justice to," said the runners as they recalled passing scenic vistas at the breathtaking locale. "Breath" is the operative word said finisher Pradeep Katrodia. The Borivli based fitness trainer said, "The high altitude, 14,500 ft above sea level, meant that we were running through extremely thin air, which is so challenging. In Mumbai, most runners were doing a lot of incline running in training to prepare for the race. Several landed in Leh-Ladakh at least 10 days ahead of marathon day to acclimatise." Kalpesh Doshi, athlete-businessman and finisher also from Borivli added, "The biggest goal for me for this race was finishing, it was not about timing. I have run so many marathons, I am also a six-time Ironman and yet, it was the conditions that made the Pangong Marathon so difficult. To run in Leh-Ladakh with a goal like reaching the finish line was a lesson in life. It is when you have a goal, that may not be in a race, but any area that you are focussed and you have direction. It was also enlightening to meet runners doing the full marathon from other corners of India and there were Koreans, runners from Australia too. I think there may have been 300 competing in this category." Most runners cautioned that one needed to be an experienced runner to run the full at Pangong, "to participate here, this is not for the impassioned novice who may have trained but needs to have a couple of races at least under his belt. Mental strength is huge too. Every marathoner experiences that unique, tingling thrill at crossing the finish line at the end of 42.2 km, yet, at Pangong we experienced a literal top of the world feeling," they finished, elated that they conquered not just the distance but all the conditions that makes Pangong Lake a stunning though daunting marathon venue demanding incredible reserves of endurance and will power.
01 March,2025 02:47 PM IST | Mumbai | Hemal AsharA fire broke out on the fifth floor of a six-storey residential building in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Saturday. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the fire broke out in a room on the fifth floor of a six-storey residential building, Vikas Apartment, located behind Pant Nagar Police Station in Ghatkopar East on Saturday afternoon. The incident was reported to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) at 12:43 PM. Emergency response teams, including the MFB, Mumbai Police, Adani Electricity, 108 Ambulance services, and municipal ward staff, were promptly mobilized to the site. The fire was successfully extinguished by 1:21 PM, according to MFB officials. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. More details are awaited. Fire erupts in Mumbai high-rise; none hurt, over 50 people rescued from upper floors More than 50 people stranded on the upper floors of a 57-storey residential building were rescued after a fire broke out in the high-rise in south Mumbai's Byculla area on Friday morning, officials said. There was no report of casualty in the blaze that erupted around 10.45 am on the 42nd floor in one of the twin buildings of Salette 27 on Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, an official from the fire brigade said. Teams from the Fire Brigade, Mumbai civic utility BEST, police, 108 ambulance services, and other agencies were mobilised immediately, an official said, adding the cause of the blaze was yet to be ascertained. After more than two-and-a-half hours of efforts, the Fire Brigade doused the blaze on the 42nd floor of the high-rise building around 1.10 pm, he informed. They also rescued 50 to 60 people who were stranded on the upper floors of the high-rise with the help of the building's security guards, said the official. The blaze was confined to electric wires, furniture, and other materials in a 2,500-square-foot room on the affected floor. The building's fire fighting system was operational and this helped in controlling the flames in time, he added. Plumes of thick black smoke emanating from the partial glass facade of the building were visible from afar.
01 March,2025 02:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra government has rejected the Opposition's allegation about charging a high fee for high-security registration plates (HSRPs), citing that the prices were on par with the other states. In a statement issued late on Friday evening, the government said due process was followed while awarding tenders for the registration plates, and a high-power committee had approved the rates. The opposition parties, NCP (SP) and Congress, on Friday, wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding a probe into the contracts awarded to companies for HSRPs. HSRPs are licence plates designed to curb theft and other fraudulent activities related to vehicle identification through enhanced security features. The government has made HSRPs mandatory for vehicles registered before April 1, 2019. It extended the deadline to fit HSRPs till April 30. As per the government's statement, the Transport Commissioner's Office issued orders for the fees based on the rates approved by the committee, and the charges include number plates and fitment charges. The government claimed that in other states, the HSRP rates excluding GST ranged between Rs 420-480 for two-wheelers, Rs 450-550 for three-wheelers and Rs 690-800 for four-wheelers and heavy vehicles. It pointed out that in Maharashtra, the charges excluding GST were Rs 450 for two-wheelers, Rs 500 for three-wheelers and Rs 745 for four-wheelers and heavy vehicles. State Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal and NCP (SP) state chief Jayant Patil have written separate letters to the chief minister, accusing the government of charging an exorbitant fee, and have sought a probe into the contracts awarded to companies for HSRPs. Maharashtra government to have single window system for approval process of 1660 petrol pumps A single window system will be set up at the collector's office in every district in Maharashtra to facilitate the approval of 1,660 petrol pumps, state revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Friday. The system is being implemented on the directives of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he added. The Union government has approved 1,660 new petrol pumps, and once operational, these will create approximately 30,000 jobs and attract investment of Rs 3,500-4,000 crore in Maharashtra, he said. "The approval process should be completed within three months. The revenue department has been tasked with developing a streamlined standard operating procedure (SOP) with minimal conditions and essential requirements. Divisional commissioners have been instructed to issue necessary directives immediately," Bawankule said in a statement. "The Maharashtra government plans to set up 2,000 new petrol pumps. To facilitate this, a single window system will be introduced at district collector offices, assisting fuel companies to obtain clearances from revenue department, police and Public Works Department (PWD). Since employment generation and investment promotion are key priorities, the single window system is being launched," Bawankule stated.
01 March,2025 02:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Congress has appointed four-time MLA Amin Patel as the party's deputy leader in the Maharashtra legislative assembly and Amit Deshmukh as its chief whip. The party, in a statement, said Vishwajeet Kadam has been appointed as the secretary of the party's assembly group, while Shirish Naik and Sanjay Meshram will be whips. Patel, a senior leader of the Mumbai Congress, is a four-time MLA from the Mumbadevi constituency. The Congress is down to 16 legislators, its worst-ever tally in the state legislative assembly. The party has appointed Satej Patil as the group leader in the state legislative council and has made Abhijit Vanjari the chief whip and Rajesh Rathod as the whip. The party has eight MLCs. Congress has already named Vijay Wadettiwar as the legislative party leader. The three-week budget session of the Maharashtra assembly begins on March 3. Harshwardhan Sapkal takes charge as Maharashtra Congress chief, says he will work to bring party back to power in state Newly-appointed Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal took charge of his post and said he would work to strengthen the party's organisation in the state and bring it back to power. Speaking at the party meeting after taking over from former state unit chief Nana Patole, Sapkal sought cooperation from party workers as well as leaders to revive Congress in Maharashtra. "If we don't try, we will not succeed," he said. He also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party over its drive to enroll one crore members in Maharashtra and its claim to be the biggest party, adding that it was actually weak in the state. "If it is the biggest political party, what was the need for it to break the Shiv Sena and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party), and take Congress leaders in its fold," he said. Sapkal said he wants honest and committed workers for rebuilding the party in Maharashtra. "I want to tell AICC (All-India Congress Committee) in-charge Ramesh Chennithala that I will not vie for any other post, including chief minister (CM). I don't want to become CM, MP (Member of Parliament) or MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly). I will work to ensure that the party returns to power and a Congress leader becomes chief minister," he said.
01 March,2025 01:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a major boost to India’s digital payments ecosystem, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has allotted a prime commercial plot in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for its global headquarters. The initiative, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was executed under the leadership of Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, in the presence of Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and IT & Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar. The decision was approved during MMRDA’s 158th Authority Meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, aligning with the state’s vision of positioning Mumbai as a global fintech hub. The possession letter for Plot C-44 & C-48 in G-Block, BKC, covering 6,019.10 square meters, was officially handed over to NPCI during the Mumbai Tech Week (MTW) 2025, an AI-focused event hosted by the Maharashtra government. The land has been leased for 80 years to facilitate the establishment of NPCI’s state-of-the-art headquarters. Milestone for India’s digital payments revolution NPCI, the backbone of India’s retail payment systems, has played a transformative role in revolutionizing digital transactions with platforms such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI), RuPay, IMPS, Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS), and National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC). With this strategic expansion, NPCI is expected to enhance domestic and international payment solutions, cementing India’s leadership in digital finance. The establishment of NPCI’s headquarters in Mumbai’s financial district is set to attract fintech startups, technology firms, and global investors focusing on AI-driven financial services, blockchain innovations, and cybersecurity solutions. The move is anticipated to drive job creation, foster digital innovation, and accelerate the fintech revolution in India. Leaders hail Mumbai’s rising fintech potential Welcoming the move, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated, "Mumbai is at the forefront of India's financial revolution, and NPCI has been instrumental in making India a global leader in digital payments. Establishing NPCI’s headquarters in BKC will not only strengthen Mumbai’s fintech ecosystem but also create new opportunities for innovation and job creation in the sector." Deputy CM & MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde highlighted MMRDA’s role in shaping Mumbai’s financial and fintech growth, adding, "MMRDA is committed to fostering India’s digital payments ecosystem. By allotting this prime commercial space to NPCI, we are reinforcing Mumbai’s status as a global fintech powerhouse." Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, emphasized the strategic importance of this move, stating, "BKC has evolved into India’s premier financial district, attracting leading institutions that drive economic growth. Allocating commercial space to NPCI aligns with our vision of strengthening Mumbai as a global fintech leader while ensuring world-class infrastructure support for pioneering organizations."
01 March,2025 01:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe groundbreaking ceremony for "Parivahan Bhavan," the new headquarters of the Maharashtra Transport Department, will take place on March 2 at 2 PM. The foundation stone will be laid by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, announced Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. The Transport Department of the erstwhile Mumbai State was established on March 1, 1940, to regulate road traffic, and the day is commemorated as "Transport Day." To mark this occasion, the state government is set to begin construction on the four-storey Parivahan Bhavan at Sir Pochkhanwala Marg, Worli, Mumbai. The new building will span 12,800 square meters and will include a four-storey underground parking system, accommodating 150 four-wheelers at a time. The project is expected to be completed in two and a half years. Interestingly, despite contributing a substantial Rs 15,000 crore annually to the state’s revenue, the Transport Department has functioned out of a rented building for the past 85 years. After assuming charge, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik made it a priority to secure a dedicated headquarters for the department. His consistent efforts have finally materialized, with Chief Minister Fadnavis set to lay the foundation stone for Parivahan Bhavan this Sunday. The new headquarters is expected to streamline the operations of the Transport Department, providing better facilities for staff and the public while marking a significant milestone in Maharashtra’s transport infrastructure development. Maharashtra govt sets up deputy RTO in Mira Bhayander The Maharashtra government on Friday set up a Deputy Regional Transport Office in Mira Bhayander area in Thane district with vehicle registration code MH-58, an official said. The government resolution (GR) issued in this regard directed the state transport commissioner to scout for land for the complex, allocate an interceptor vehicle as well as oversee staffing requirements for licensing, registration and taxation. State transport minister Pratap Sarnaik, who is an MLA from Thane district, said the new Deputy RTO complex will come up in Uttan and will be of great help to people of Mira Bhayander. With this, the number of deputy RTO offices in Maharashtra will rise to 34 from 33, apart from 24 RTOs, officials said. "The number of such offices in Mumbai Metropolitan Region has touched 11, comprising six RTOs and five deputy RTOs," he said. In October last year, deputy RTOs were created in Khamgaon in Buldhana district and Vaijapur in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The state government also set up five deputy RTO offices in Ichalkaranji (MH51), Chalisgaon (MH52), Phaltan (MH53), Bhadgaon (MH54) and Udgir (MH-55).
01 March,2025 01:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTaking swipes at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday likened him to "Nero who played the fiddle while Rome burned". Speaking at a 'thanksgiving rally' of his party, the Shiv Sena, at Junnar in Pune district, Shinde said he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he was born to bring golden days in the lives of common people. He wanted to make the common man "superman," said Shinde, who rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray and split the Shiv Sena in June 2022, bringing down the Thackeray-led Maharashtra government. "They feel happy when people quit (and label) those who quit as garbage and traitors. When Rome was burning, Nero was playing the fiddle. Their case is similar," Shinde said, targeting Thackeray, his former boss. "These people feel happy when the houses of other people burn, and also when their own house burns," Shinde added. He was referring to recent exits of several leaders including former MLAs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). Shinde also asked party workers to gear up for local body polls across the state which have been pending for almost three years now. Taking dip in Ganga won't wash away sin of betraying Maharashtra, says Uddhav attacking Shinde Taking a dip in the Ganga will not wash away the sin of betraying Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) president said on Thursday attacking Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Speaking at a party event on the occasion of Marathi Bhasha Gaurav Diwas, Thackeray also mounted a veiled attack on the BJP saying neo-Hindutvawadis need not teach his party the importance of Lord Ram. "I respect the Ganga but what is the use of taking a dip in it after taking 50 khokas (street lingo for crore). Here, you betray Maharashtra, take 50 khokas and then you take a dip. This does not wash anyone's sin. How will the tag of being a betrayer go even after numerous dips (in the Ganga)," Thackeray said without naming Shinde. After the split in 2022, the Shiv Sena (UBT) accused Shinde and 39 MLAs of taking 50 khokas (Rs 50 crore each) to revolt against the Sena leadership. Shinde's rebellion led to the collapse of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government. (With inputs from PTI)
01 March,2025 12:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA single window system will be set up at the collector's office in every district in Maharashtra to facilitate the approval of 1,660 petrol pumps, state revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Friday. The system is being implemented on the directives of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he added. The Union government has approved 1,660 new petrol pumps, and once operational, these will create approximately 30,000 jobs and attract investment of Rs 3,500-4,000 crore in Maharashtra, he said. "The approval process should be completed within three months. The revenue department has been tasked with developing a streamlined standard operating procedure (SOP) with minimal conditions and essential requirements. Divisional commissioners have been instructed to issue necessary directives immediately," Bawankule said in a statement. "The Maharashtra government plans to set up 2,000 new petrol pumps. To facilitate this, a single window system will be introduced at district collector offices, assisting fuel companies to obtain clearances from revenue department, police and Public Works Department (PWD). Since employment generation and investment promotion are key priorities, the single window system is being launched," Bawankule stated. Over 500 services of Maharashtra govt to be available through WhatsApp In a push towards digital governance, the Maharashtra government on Friday announced that more than 500 services from its 'Aaple Sarkar' portal will now be available through WhatsApp. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement during the inauguration of 'Mumbai Tech Week 2025', where an MoU was signed between the state's Information Technology Department and Meta, which owns WhatsApp. Additionally, an agreement was signed between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for allotment of land in the Bandra Kurla Complex for the NPCI's global headquarters. A 'Knowledge AI Hub' will be established in collaboration with TEAM to promote advancements in artificial intelligence, an official statement said. The government also announced the establishment of an Entrepreneurship Museum to inspire and support start-ups. (With inputs from PTI)
01 March,2025 12:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra government on Friday transferred 11 IPS officers, including ADG (Administration) Nikhil Gupta and ADG (Highway police) Suresh Mekhla. A state home department order said Gupta has been made ADG (Law and Order), while Mekhla has been posted as ADG (Economic Offences Wing). "Maharashtra Cyber's Special Inspector General Yashasvi Yadav has been promoted as ADG on the same post. Suhas Warke, who was IGP (Protection of Civil Rights) has been promoted and posted as ADG Prisons. Aswathi Dorje, who was IGP (Prevention of Atrocities against Women and Children) has been promoted as ADG on same post," the order said. "Chhering Dorje IGP (Law and Order) has been promoted as ADG (Special Operations), while KMM Prasanna, serving as IGP (Establishment) has been promoted and made ADG (Administration). Manoj Kumar Sharma, who was on Central deputation for the last five years has been made IGP (Law and Order)," it said. R B Dahale, who was Director of State Intelligence Academy has been transferred as Special IGP of Pune-based State Crime Records Centre, while Ashok Morale, who was IGP SRPF, is the new IGP of the Motor Transport Section in Pune, as per the order. DIG (SRPF) Rajiv Jain has been promoted as IG on the same post. "Abhishek Trimukhe has been made Additional Commissioner of Police (North Region) in Mumbai. Shrenik Lodha, additional SP in Aheri in Gadchiroli has been made additional SP in Buldhana," the order said. Over 500 services of Maharashtra govt to be available through WhatsApp In a push towards digital governance, the Maharashtra government on Friday announced that more than 500 services from its 'Aaple Sarkar' portal will now be available through WhatsApp. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement during the inauguration of 'Mumbai Tech Week 2025', where an MoU was signed between the state's Information Technology Department and Meta, which owns WhatsApp. Additionally, an agreement was signed between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for allotment of land in the Bandra Kurla Complex for the NPCI's global headquarters. A 'Knowledge AI Hub' will be established in collaboration with TEAM to promote advancements in artificial intelligence, an official statement said. The government also announced the establishment of an Entrepreneurship Museum to inspire and support start-ups. (With inputs from PTI)
01 March,2025 12:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday refuted allegations of irregularities in the tender process for the desilting of the Mithi River, stating that the claims circulating in the media are baseless. In an official statement, the civic body clarified that the tender conditions were designed to ensure efficient silt removal, considering the river’s varying width. “The Mithi River bed is significantly wide at several locations. To address this, the tender includes specifications for deploying a 35-meter-long boom and a 1.5 cubic meter bucket, facilitating effective desilting,” the statement read. BMC further said that the tender process has not yet been finalized. Additionally, some bidders have challenged the tender in the Bombay High Court, making the matter sub judice. The next hearing is scheduled for March 4, 2025, after which the municipal administration will act as per the court's directives. The civic body’s clarification comes in response to reports raising concerns over the transparency of the tendering process. However, BMC has assured that due legal procedures are being followed and that further steps will be taken in compliance with the court’s decision. BMC invites tenders for 3rd phase of Mithi River revamp Last month, the BMC invited tenders for phase three of the Mithi River rejuvenation project, which seeks to stop untreated sewage from entering the water body and mitigate flooding. The BMC will spend Rs 2300 crore on this phase, which includes sewage diversion, building a walkway along the river, and the development of floodgates between the CST bridge at Kurla and Mahim Creek. On February 13, mid-day highlighted how 21 per cent of Mumbaikars are not linked to the sewage network. The BMC began attempting to rejuvenate the Mithi River two years ago and invited a tender for the third phase one and a half years ago. However, it did not get a response from contractors, and encroachments also posed a challenge. Civic officials said 2000 huts have been razed since then. The tender includes the construction of protective walls with a total length of 6.7 km, deepening a 300-metre-long river stretch, building a 6.42-km service road and 8.85 km promenade.
01 March,2025 11:50 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai, known for its mild winters and humid summers, is experiencing an unusual heatwave in February, with temperatures soaring to 37-38 degrees Celsius. On Saturday, Mumbai recorded a slight drop in temperatures, with the maximum temperature at 35.3 degrees Celsius. On Friday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 38.4 degrees Celsius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience a clear sky on Saturday, March 1. Temperatures will range from a cool 21 degrees Celsius in the morning to a warm 34 degrees Celsius during the day. The relative humidity is 58 per cent. The sun rose at 06:58 AM and will set at 06:44 PM. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Santacruz observatory in suburban Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 35.3 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 22.7 degrees Celsius. The weather department's data showed that the city observatory in Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 31.4 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 24.7 degrees Celsius. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather update forecasts a "clear sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI in 'moderate' category On March 1, 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 117 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 131. Chembur, Ghatkopar and Malad recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 117, 116 and 118, respectively. Meanwhile, Colaba, Sewri and Sion recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 100, 88 and 99, respectively. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 124, while Thane registered a 'moderate' AQI of 108. 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'.
01 March,2025 09:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
