Mumbai: As Mumbai prepares to welcome early signs of spring, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Tree Authority are set to host the Mumbai Flower Show 2026, a three-day floral celebration at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo (Byculla Zoo) from February 6 to 8.

The flower show promises to turn the historic botanical garden into a vibrant canvas of colours, fragrances and greenery. Entry to the festival is free, making it easily accessible for families, students, senior citizens and nature lovers across the city.

The exhibition will feature around 5,000 plants, including a wide variety of flowering plants, fruit-bearing trees and medicinal species. One of the key attractions this year will be the display of 13 national symbols recreated through floral arrangements, adding both visual appeal and educational value to the event.

Adding to the experience, stalls offering gardening tools, plants, fertilisers and related supplies will be set up, catering to gardening enthusiasts as well as those looking to begin their green journey. For citizens interested in hands-on learning, gardening workshops will be conducted on all three days, with a participation fee of Rs 1,000.

The arrangements for the flower show are being overseen by Deputy Commissioner (Parks) Chanda Jadhav and Parks Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi, ensuring smooth coordination and upkeep throughout the event.

With Mumbai slowly transitioning into warmer days, the flower show offers a calm, nature-filled retreat right in the heart of the city. The BMC has invited Mumbaikars to step into this floral haven, unwind amid lush surroundings, and reconnect with nature during the three-day celebration.

The flower festival has, over the years, grown into a much-awaited annual event for the city. Last year’s edition saw large crowds at the Byculla zoo, with visitors drawn to colourful floral installations and creative displays themed around India’s national symbols. The vibrant arrangements and lush settings had turned the botanical garden into a visual treat, making the festival a popular weekend outing for families and nature enthusiasts alike.

Mumbai: The Sahar Police on January 28 arrested a taxi driver for allegedly defrauding an American national of Rs 18,000 for a taxi ride of just 400 metres.

The accused has been identified as Yashraj Yadav alias Papuu (50). The police have seized the vehicle, and the accused is currently in judicial custody. Two accused were involved in the crime. One is Yadav, while his associate, Taufiq Shaikh, is absconding.

The case came to light after a social media post by the American national, Argentina Ariano, went viral. In her post, she alleged that she was scammed by a taxi driver shortly after arriving in Mumbai.

According to the police, the victim had arrived in India for work. The incident took place on January 12 at around midnight after she landed at the Mumbai International Airport.

She alleged that the taxi driver charged her Rs 18,000 for a trip to a hotel located barely 400 metres away. Yadav allegedly took the woman on a 20-minute drive in Andheri (East), returned to the same locality, dropped her at the hotel and collected the fare.

Nearly 15 days later, on January 26, she posted about the incident on social media. In her post, she wrote: “Landed in Mumbai recently, took a taxi to the Hilton Hotel. The driver and another man first took us to an unknown location, charged us $200 (Rs 18,000), and then dropped us at the hotel, which was only 400 metres away. Taxi No: MH 01 BD 5405.” She tagged Mumbai Police and the Traffic Police and used the hashtag #scam.

Responding to the post, Mumbai Police replied, “We have followed you. Please share your contact details in DM.” Following this, the Sahar Police initiated an inquiry.

During the investigation, police found that there are three Hilton hotels near the airport and identified the exact hotel where the American national had stayed. However, within 12 to 13 hours of the incident, she had checked out of the hotel and left the country. She checked out the next day and went to Pune, from where, after completing her tour, she returned to the US.

Manoj Chalake, Senior Police Inspector of Sahar Police Station, said, “We are trying to get the victim’s statement via video call or email. She did not inform the hotel staff about the incident. We have repeatedly informed people to communicate with the hotel or the local authority if a tourist suspects that a cabbie is fleecing them.”

The police contacted her and requested her to file a formal complaint. Although she responded with “Okay”, she did not lodge any complaint.

The Sahar Police then registered a suo motu case on January 28 against an unknown taxi driver under Sections 318(4) (cheating) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched a search operation.

Using the taxi number mentioned in the post, police traced the accused, Yadav, who resides in Sahar Village and is a permit taxi driver. The vehicle, a white Toyota Etios, has been seized. The vehicle is registered under the S.M.S. Tours and Travels company. Police said they would send his details to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for cancellation of his licence.

A police officer said two persons were involved in the crime — Yadav and his associate, Taufiq Shaikh, around 50 years old. Yadav allegedly negotiated the fare with the foreign national and then called Shaikh, who arrived with the car. Both allegedly cheated the tourist.

Shaikh later took the money from Yadav and fled to Uttar Pradesh. Police records show that several cheating cases have been registered against Shaikh at various police stations. Yadav, however, has no prior criminal record.

Manoj Chalake added, “We have seized the car. The cash could not be recovered as the other accused took the money and fled. We are searching for him. We will soon call the company owner for a statement.”

He further said that the police do not have much information about the foreign national, as she has not provided details about the purpose of her visit or other relevant information.

The Metropolitan Magistrate Court initially remanded Yadav to one day of police custody and later sent him to judicial custody.

Mumbai: In a bid to tackle worsening traffic congestion and improve road safety, the Mumbai Traffic Police (MTP) have announced a fresh set of restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles within the city. The new rules will come into effect from February 1, officials confirmed.

Under the order, heavy vehicles will be barred from entering Mumbai during peak traffic hours, from 8 am to 11 am and from 5 pm to 9 pm. Traffic police officials said these time slots witness the highest vehicular movement, and the presence of large, slow-moving vehicles during these hours majorly increases the risk of accidents and traffic bottlenecks.

Authorities cited the sharp rise in the number of vehicles and the ongoing infrastructure projects across Mumbai as key reasons behind frequent gridlocks. Heavy vehicles tend to slow down traffic flow and make commuting difficult for motorists, two-wheeler riders and pedestrians during peak hours, according to officials.

The restrictions are even tighter in South Mumbai. As per the new order, all heavy vehicles, including luxury buses, will be completely banned from entering South Mumbai between 7 am and 12 midnight. Only vehicles transporting essential goods will be allowed during this period.

Heavy vehicles will be permitted in South Mumbai only between 12 midnight and 7 am. Luxury buses carrying passengers, however, will not be allowed to enter South Mumbai even during permitted hours, according to reports. In addition, heavy vehicles remain banned on the Eastern Freeway round the clock, with the sole exception of buses.

Certain categories of vehicles have been exempted from the restrictions. These include vehicles transporting essential commodities such as vegetables, milk, bread, bakery products, drinking water, petrol, diesel and kerosene. Ambulances, school buses and government or semi-government vehicles will also be allowed to operate without restrictions. Luxury buses carrying passengers will be permitted to enter Mumbai, but they will not be allowed in South Mumbai during restricted hours.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amitesh Kumar said the primary objective of the order is to ease pressure on city roads during peak hours. “Heavy vehicles occupy more road space and move slowly, which leads to longer travel times for other road users. These restrictions are aimed at smoother traffic flow.

The traffic police have also tightened parking norms for heavy vehicles. Such vehicles will now be allowed to park only in private or rented parking spaces, or in authorised pay-and-park zones. Parking on public roads has been strictly prohibited. Only two water tankers will be permitted to park near water supply points on nearby roads.

Officials noted that a draft of the order was first issued in September 2017, inviting public suggestions and objections. After reviewing the feedback and assessing the growing pressure on Mumbai’s limited road space, the final order has now been enforced.