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Tuesday,16-September-2025
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Maharashtra

Shiv Sena UBT Struggles To Hold Ground Amid Wave Of Defections In Konkan & Marathwada; Key Meeting Held At Matoshree

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Mumbai: Days after witnessing a wave of defections from its traditional stronghold in Konkan, the Shiv Sena UBT held a crucial meeting in Mumbai with its leaders from Rajapur. The party, facing a threat due to local leaders shifting allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is now formulating a strategy to regain lost ground in the region. Meanwhile, the desertion trend has also spread to Marathwada, further weakening the party’s organisational strength.

Key Meeting Held At Matoshree

On Saturday, Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray convened a meeting of key leaders at Matoshree, where former MP Vinayak Raut was assigned the task of identifying new leaders for Rajapur. This move comes in the wake of former MLA Rajan Salvi’s defection to the Shinde faction, along with several other local leaders. Salvi had accused Raut of failing to support him, which he claimed led to his electoral defeat.

During the meeting, Raut reassured the leadership that the party still had strong support in Rajapur and the Konkan region. He emphasized the enduring influence of Balasaheb Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, stating that the people of Konkan remained loyal. Raut also announced plans for a series of public rallies, beginning in Sangameshwar and extending to other areas of Ratnagiri, including Chiplun and Lanja, as part of the party’s outreach efforts.

Row Around Bhaskar Jadhav’s Recent Remarks

Notably absent from the meeting was Bhaskar Jadhav, the Sena UBT’s only remaining MLA from Konkan. His WhatsApp status further fueled speculation about his dissatisfaction with the party leadership, according to the report. The video he shared depicted goats blindly following their shepherd into a river, accompanied by a Marathi film song.

Jadhav, who has long displayed a photograph of himself with Bal Thackeray as his display picture, commented that leaders should be courageous and determined. His remarks were seen as an indirect critique of Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, particularly regarding his own sidelining for key political positions.

Jadhav had earlier expressed disappointment over not being chosen as the leader of the opposition in the assembly, arguing that the party leadership should be more considerate of its cadre, especially during turbulent times. However, on Monday, he appeared to tone down his stance, clarifying that his previous comments were not aimed at any specific leader or party.

He stated that despite his 43-year political career, none of the parties he had been associated with had given him what he truly deserved. While he acknowledged Uddhav Thackeray’s approach of allowing discontented leaders to leave, he personally felt that such an attitude was not ideal for the party’s stability.

Party Struggling In Marathwada

Meanwhile, the crisis for the Sena UBT is deepening in Marathwada. Suresh Bankar, who had joined the party to contest the assembly elections from Sillod in Jalna, announced his return to the BJP, citing the interests of his constituents. Another assembly candidate from Aurangabad West, who had unsuccessfully contested against the Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Shirsat, is also rumored to be heading back to the BJP. Similarly, in Hingoli, Rupali Patil, who lost to the BJP’s Tanaji Mutkule, is reportedly unhappy with the party and may switch sides.

A Sena UBT leader from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar acknowledged that many local leaders, including Shinde and Rupali Patil, had been discontent for months and were likely to join one of the ruling parties. In the recent assembly elections, the party managed to secure only three out of 46 seats in Marathwada’s eight districts, despite the region being considered one of its strongholds. As defections continue, the challenge for Sena UBT is not only to retain its remaining leadership but also to rebuild its base in the face of an emboldened Shinde Sena and BJP.

Maharashtra

Traffic Update: Attention Commuters! Mumbai-Pune Expressway To Be Shut Today Near Bhatan Tunnel; Check Out Timings & Alternate Routes

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Mumbai: Due to essential work by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) on the Mumbai-Pune expressway near the Bhatan tunnel, vehicular movement will be completely halted on both carriageways for one hour on Tuesday from 2 PM to 3 PM.

The deputy engineer of MSEDCL, Motiram Rakh, clarified that the task involves installing a feeder and transmission line between the distances of 9.600 km and 9.700 km near Kon village, in Panvel taluka. To facilitate motorists during this interruption, alternative routes have been arranged.

Vehicles traveling from Mumbai to Pune will be redirected from Kalamboli Circle towards JNPT road to reach D-Point at Palaspe junction along NH-48. Additionally, vehicles will be diverted at the Khalapur toll plaza (32.200 km) and at Magic Point (41.200 km).

Vehicles heading from Pune to Mumbai will be rerouted from Shedung exit, allowing them to connect to the Mumbai-Pune highway (NH-48) at the Khopoli exit, enabling continued travel toward their respective destinations.

The traffic notification from the Office of the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) confirms that all vehicular movement, encompassing both light and heavy vehicles, will be banned between KM 9.500 and KM 10.000 near Kone Bridge during the specified timeframe. The closure will affect traffic in both directions, from Mumbai to Pune and from Pune to Mumbai.

To alleviate anticipated congestion, specific diversions have been proposed:
– For vehicles heading from Mumbai to Pune:
– Utilize the route via Konkanbhumi Circle → JNPT Road → D Point → Palaspe Phata to merge onto NH-48.
– Alternatively, exit at Shedung (KM 20.200) and join NH-48.

– For vehicles from Pune to Mumbai:
– Exit at Khopoli (KM 39.900) and proceed on NH-48 towards Mumbai.
– Exit at Khalapur Toll Plaza (KM 32.500) and use the Pali Bridge route to connect to NH-48.

Re-entry onto the expressway will be allowed at Khalapur Toll Plaza (KM 32.200) and Majik Point (KM 41.700). This advisory, enforced under the Motor Vehicles Act, will remain effective until the completion of the scheduled electricity work, as confirmed by Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) Praveen Salunkhe.

Additionally, on September 16, 2025, another traffic block in the Hadapsar–Dive Ghat segment will occur from 11 AM to 2 PM, necessitating further alternative routes for that section due to road widening activities involving blasting. Commuters are encouraged to plan their journeys to avoid delays during these periods.

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Crime

Mumbai: 62-Year-Old Man Arrested For Molesting 19-Yr-Old Woman At Dadar Railway Station

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Mumbai: The Dadar Railway Police arrested a 62-year-old man for allegedly molesting a 19-year-old woman while she was alighting at Dadar railway station.

The incident occurred on Saturday at 12.30 p.m. The accused has been identified as Darshankumar Makhan, a resident of Delhi.

According to the police, the victim was travelling with a male friend on a Kalyan–CSMT fast local train in the fourth general compartment from the Kalyan side. As they were getting off at platform number 12, Makhan allegedly touched the woman inappropriately, leaving her scared. She later filed a complaint with the Dadar Railway Police Station.

The police registered an FIR against Makhan under Section 74 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita the same day and subsequently arrested him.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: Water Levels In Seven Lakes Of City Hit 98.84% Capacity As Intense Downpours Persist

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Mumbai: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a cloudy sky with moderate to heavy rain for Mumbai on Tuesday, issuing a yellow alert for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and winds of 30–40 km/h. The IMD has issued a yellow alert, indicating heavy rainfall, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, and strong winds that could reach 30–40 km/h in certain areas.

From September 15 to 16, Mumbai recorded 39.35 mm of rainfall, raising lake water levels to 98.82% capacity, totaling 14,30,345 million liters relaxing water level issues in city. According to the latest report by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the total storage in the seven reservoirs supplying water to the city is currently at 98.82 per cent.

According to the BMC on Tuesday (September 16), the total water stock in these reservoirs is 14,30,345 million litres, representing 98.82 percent of their full capacity. The BMC provides daily drinking water from Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vehar, and Tulsi reservoirs.

Report of Lake Levels at 6:00 AM on 16-09-2025 shows various lakes along with their current levels, storage capacities, and rainfall data. Key lakes include Upper Vaitarna at 603.51 m, with a minor increase of 0.03 m and live storage of 225,119 ML. The related rainfall was recorded at 14.00 mm for a total of 2,257.00 mm this month.

Modak Sagar showed a level of 163.15 m and a consistent storage of 128,925 ML, with 6.00 mm rainfall today. Tansa Lake was at 128.50 m with a total storage of 145,080 ML, while rainfall measured 2.00 mm today. Middle Vaitarna’s current level is 284.50 m, registering 4.00 mm of rain today.

Bhatsa shows a level of 141.66 m with significant storage and 11.00 mm rainfall today, while Tulsi stays at 139.22 m with total storage of 8,046 ML and today’s rainfall of 25.00 mm. Overall, total lake contents are recorded at 1,430,345 ML for 2025. Noteworthy remarks include the overflow status of several dams, including Upper Vaitarna and Tulsi, and specific rainfall data for Bhandup Complex.

High tide is forecasted for 7:48 am with a level of 3.50 metres and once more at 7:27 pm at 2.90 metres. A low tide will happen at 2:06 pm at 2.27 meters, and the following low tide on September 17 is anticipated at 2:00 am at 1.44 meters.

During the 24 hours from 8 am on September 15 to 8 am on September 16, Mumbai experienced 39.35 mm of rainfall, the eastern suburbs saw 35.17 mm, while the western suburbs noted 40.34 mm.

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