Mumbai: The Mahayuti government sought to clear the air over its submission of a flood relief proposal to the central government, after opposition leaders raised objections citing a Lok Sabha reply.

A political storm erupted after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omraje Nimbalkar alleged that the state had failed to submit a detailed report to the Centre for financial assistance. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar supported the claim, pointing to a report submitted on November 27.

Responding to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s clarification that Parliament questions are compiled 30–35 days in advance, Pawar argued that the Centre’s reply included details only up to November 26.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule released an official communication stating that the state government had indeed submitted a detailed flood loss assessment report to the Centre.

The memorandum submitted to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) details damages from heavy monsoon rains across Maharashtra, including Marathwada, Vidarbha, Konkan, and Western Maharashtra.

The letter outlines losses to crops, livestock, homes, infrastructure, and transportation, along with displacement and loss of life, and is signed by Principal Secretary Vinita Vaid Singal of the Department of Relief and Rehabilitation.

The state government has announced a relief package exceeding ₹31,000 crore, with ₹11,000 crore to be directly credited to affected farmers’ bank accounts. Minister Bawankule added that Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed the Centre had received Maharashtra’s proposal on time.

Mumbai: Mumbai woke to a crisp, pleasant Thursday morning marked by clear blue skies, cool winds and a gentle winter nip. However, a thick blanket of smog clung to the city, reducing visibility and signalling a sharp rise in pollution levels. Despite the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting clear skies and temperatures between 19°C and 34°C, the deteriorating air quality overshadowed the otherwise ideal winter conditions.

The spike in pollution comes amid Mumbai’s ongoing construction boom. Dust from private real estate projects and large-scale government works, metro corridors, bridges and road-widening projects continues to fuel high concentrations of suspended particulate matter. As infrastructure deadlines accelerate, so has the struggle to keep the city’s air breathable.

By today morning, AQI.in recorded Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 258, placing it firmly in the ‘unhealthy’ category. The jump was major compared to the more manageable levels observed earlier last month. Residents across several areas reported the familiar effects of elevated PM2.5 exposure: burning eyes, throat irritation, headaches and a distinct, acrid smell in the air. From high vantage points, the city’s skyline looked washed out and distant, mirroring the widespread impact of the pollution surge.

Several pockets emerged as pollution hotspots. Wadala Truck Terminal led with a startling AQI of 376, classified as severe. Chembur followed at 328 and Deonar at 315, continuing their trend of high industrial emissions. Business districts such as BKC (302) and coastal areas like Colaba (300) also hovered near severe levels, reflecting the combined impact of traffic congestion, commercial activity and coastal humidity trapping pollutants.

Even suburban areas, though relatively better, remained affected. Charkop recorded an AQI of 107 and Govandi 183, both in the poor range. Other zones such as Bhandup West (217), Parel–Bhoiwada (230) and Malad West (233) stayed firmly in the unhealthy bracket. While the severity varied across areas, a greyish haze persisted across most of Mumbai, making the pollution problem unmistakably citywide.

For context, AQI between 0–50 is considered Good, 51–100 Moderate, 101–150 Poor, 151–200 Unhealthy, and anything above 200 falls into the Hazardous zone. With multiple localities crossing into severe levels, Mumbai’s air quality crisis continues to overshadow the season’s pleasant chill, leaving residents concerned about the long winter ahead.

Mumbai: Sadanand Date is certain to be appointed as the new Maharashtra chief. Sadanand Date is currently serving as the head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). The state government has recommended Maharashtra cadre IPS Date for the post of DGP, after which Sadanand Date can now be appointed as the new DGP of Maharashtra. Date is also an important contender because his retirement is in 2027 and he will remain in the post of DGP for two years. The state government will soon take a decision regarding the DGP. The government has also requested to send Sadanand Date back to the state cadre, which makes it clear that Sadanand Date can be selected as the next DGP. Many senior officers are in the race for this post, but Data is the most senior among the senior officers.