Mumbai: experienced a crisp and relatively cool start to Saturday, offering residents a brief respite from the city’s usual humidity. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures were expected to range between a minimum of around 16°C and a maximum of 32°C, making it one of the more pleasant winter days this season. Clear skies and mild winds contributed to the comfortable feel, drawing many residents outdoors during the early hours.

However, the inviting weather concealed a continuing environmental concern. A thin haze lingered over large parts of the city, serving as a visible reminder of Mumbai’s deteriorating air quality. Data released by air quality monitoring platform AQI.in showed that the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 220 on Saturday morning, placing it in the ‘unhealthy’ category. Such levels can pose health risks, particularly to children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.

The persistent pollution is attributed largely to Mumbai’s ongoing infrastructure expansion. Dust and fine particulate matter generated by multiple large-scale government projects, including metro corridors, coastal road works, bridge construction and extensive road widening, continue to majorly impact air quality. In addition, numerous private real estate developments underway across the city add to the pollution load, especially during dry winter months when dust tends to linger in the air.

AQI readings across different areas revealed sharp disparities. The Wadala Truck Terminal emerged as the most polluted hotspot, recording a staggering AQI of 424, categorised as ‘hazardous’. At this level, even healthy individuals may experience adverse health effects. Several other areas also reported alarmingly high pollution levels. Matunga recorded an AQI of 328, while Deonar stood at 306, both falling in the ‘severe’ category. Colaba and Chembur followed closely, registering AQI levels of 305 and 304, respectively.

Conditions were relatively better in some suburban areas, though still far from ideal. Kandivali East stood at 73, Parel–Bhoiwada recorded an AQI of 88 and Jogeshwari East at 95, all within the ‘moderate’ range. However, pollution levels worsened in other suburbs, with Borivali East recording an AQI of 150 and Malad West 173, both classified as ‘poor’.

For reference, AQI levels between 0 and 50 are considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘moderate’, 101 to 150 ‘poor’, 151 to 200 ‘unhealthy’, and anything above 200 falls into the ‘hazardous’ category. Despite the pleasant winter weather, Mumbai’s ongoing battle with air pollution continues to overshadow the city’s mornings.

Nagpur, Dec 12: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced that a crucial milestone has been achieved in the journey to establish Maharashtra as a GCC (Global Capability Centre) Hub.

He said that the Brookfield company is set to build Asia’s largest Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Mumbai, spanning approximately 2 million square feet.

The Chief Minister said that this project is expected to generate a total of 45,000 jobs, including 15,000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs.

He stated that due to the state’s talent pool, infrastructure, and industry-friendly environment, Maharashtra is becoming a preferred destination for Global Capability Centres.

“The new GCC policy will lead to large-scale skill-based job creation and economic growth,” he added.

He also mentioned that FedEx, a global leader in the logistics sector, is keen to invest in its GCC and other operations near the Mumbai-Navi Mumbai airport area, said the government release.

The Chief Minister informed that he requested Microsoft to consider Maharashtra for their investments, noting that their largest existing investment is already in the state.

He expressed confidence that Microsoft will make a major investment in the future and take the lead in making Maharashtra an Artificial Intelligence (AI) centre.

The Chief Minister said that Maharashtra’s model for crime control with the help of Artificial Intelligence is a guiding light for the entire country.

Chief Minister Fadnavis confirmed that Microsoft has assured priority to Maharashtra in their largest ever investment in India, amounting to $17 billion.

He further highlighted the ‘Marble’ platform developed by Maharashtra, which helps detect cyber and financial crimes in just 24 hours instead of 3-4 months.

He said that this has resulted in saving people’s money and has expedited the process of tracking criminals.

Patna, Dec 12: A shocking incident has emerged from Samastipur’s Vidyapati police station area, where four men posing as police personnel stole goats purchased under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Women’s Employment Scheme.

The incident occurred on Friday in Dhaneshwarpur South Panchayat, Ward No. 9, when the victim, Champa Devi and her family were asleep.

Suddenly, a four-wheeler pulled up outside their home, and the men inside woke the family.

Claiming they were police officials searching for a liquor mafia suspect, the men forcibly entered the premises.

Inside, they took away four goats that Champa Devi had bought using the Rs 10,000 financial assistance she received under the Women’s Employment Scheme.

When she tried to stop them, the accused reportedly brandished a pistol, abused her, and threatened to kill her.

“They said they were police and that a liquor mafia had passed that way. They showed a pistol and told us to move aside. Fearing for our lives, we stepped back. They loaded all four goats into their vehicle and fled,” said Champa Devi.

The same group allegedly targeted another house nearby, stealing three more goats.

According to the victims, they too had purchased the goats with government assistance.

Before the villagers could understand what was happening, the thieves fled in their vehicle with all seven goats.

Locals have demanded strict police action. However, Vidyapati police said they are awaiting a formal complaint to begin proceedings.

“A report of theft has been received, but no application has been filed yet. Action will be taken as soon as we receive it. The gang involved is being investigated,” said Suraj Kumar, Police Officer, Vidyapati Police Station.

The area has witnessed several such goat thefts in the past. Thieves often arrive in four-wheelers—not on motorcycles or on foot—making quick escapes difficult to track.

In an earlier incident a few years ago, villagers even held a DSP hostage after mistaking him for a goat thief.

Under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Women’s Employment Scheme, women are provided Rs 10,000 each to start income-generating activities.

So far, 1.56 lakh women have received the amount. After six months of evaluation, beneficiaries showing positive outcomes become eligible for Rs 2 lakh in additional support to expand their ventures.