Maharashtra
Thane Municipal Corporation to induct 123 electric air-conditioned buses: Mumbai
Buses will be supplied to Thane civic body in 9 months on a gross cost contract model basis for a period of 15 years, The Thane Municipal Corporation, in its move to change the face of public transportation and convert its entire fleet of buses into electric ones, has placed an order for 123 electric buses. “The undertaking is procuring 123 electric buses at a cost of Rs 185 crore. The buses will be supplied on a gross cost contract [GCC] model basis for a period of 15 years. A consortium of Olectra Greentech and Evey Trans [Evey] has received the order,” a senior TMC official said.
He added, “Evey will procure the electric buses from Olectra Greentech and they will be delivered in 9 months. Of these 123 buses, 55 will be 12-metre buses including 45 AC and 10 non-AC buses. The remaining 68 e-buses—26 AC and 42 non-AC—will be 9-metre long. The 12-metre buses will have 200-km range and a seating capacity of 39 plus driver, while the 9-metre buses will have 160-km range with a seating capacity of 31 passengers plus driver. These lithium-ion battery-run buses can be fully charged in four hours. Olectra Greentech will maintain them during the contract period.”
The civic body has recently also started work on a dedicated road for public transport buses which is scheduled to be ready by May 2023. mid-day had on September 9 reported how Thane city is setting an example and taking the lead in easing public transport connectivity by beginning the construction of the 2.4-km-long dedicated elevated road only to be used by public transport buses, including those by various municipal transport undertakings. Procuring new electric buses is an extension of this public friendly initiative.
The BEST undertaking was one of the first public transport undertakings to start this process and has already replaced 400 buses with electric ones. The BEST has begun the process of procuring 3,000 electric buses by 2023 and plans to expand its entire fleet to over 10,000 e-buses by 2025.
The buses are procured and funded under the Union government’s FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric vehicles) initiative. Earlier on August 6, mid-day had reported how at a crucial meeting held at the BEST headquarters in Colaba, secretary of the Union ministry of heavy industries Arun Goel along with public transporters from Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli, Pune, and the Maharashtra state transport strategised how the BEST undertaking could guide and show the way to other public transport undertakings on operation of electric buses. Goel had been on an official visit to Mumbai to review the e-bus projects in Mumbai and neighbouring cities.
The Konkan Railway, which covers 740 km and is one of the longest stretches working on diesel engines, started getting clean and green electric locomotives for national trains. The Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) said they would facilitate operation of four pairs of trains on electric traction with effect from Tuesday, including Delhi-Kerala and Delhi-Goa Rajdhani trains.
“The change will not only lead to a more environment-friendly move since there will not be smoke in the tunnels, but also lead to a faster journey time due to saving of time as it would not involve a locomotive change,” an official said.
The conversion to electric railway will also make train operations easier and save the cost of fuel to the tune of Rs 150 crore per year. While the foundation stone of Konkan Railway electrification, at a cost of Rs 1,287 crore, was laid in November 2015, the project was approved by the Ministry of Railways in 2016.
Maharashtra
Tension at Vashi Naka in Mumbai over the replacement of the Kali Mata idol with Mount Mary; case filed, priest arrested after protests by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists

Mumbai: The idol of Kali Mata in the crematorium of Chembur Vashi village was changed into the shape of Mount Mary, after which tension spread in the area, but the police have claimed to have arrested a priest in this matter, who had done the above act, which had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. The police brought the situation under control and also solved the case. After this incident, an attempt was made to spoil the atmosphere, but later the priest was found to be involved in it, after which peace has now prevailed here. A shocking incident has come to light in Mumbai, in which the idol of Kali Mata installed in the crematorium of Chembur Vashi village was redesigned to resemble Mount Mary. This incident has caused a wave of shock and anger among the residents of the area.
On receiving the information, the RCF police reached the spot, assessed the situation and arrested the priest involved. The police have also registered an FIR in connection with the incident.
During initial interrogation, the accused priest told the police that he had received a “dream instruction” to redesign the idol of Kali Mata to resemble Mount Mary. Following this alleged “dream instruction”, he tried to change the shape of the idol.
Given the seriousness of the matter, police officers are conducting further investigations. The motives behind the change, and whether there was any other reason or conflict behind the change, are also under investigation.
Local people and some Bajrang Dal workers expressed satisfaction with the police action and said that any kind of change without permission at religious places is unacceptable. DCP Sameer Shaikh said that the accused who changed the shape of the idol has been arrested and the investigation is ongoing. The police are also investigating why the accused committed such a questionable and controversial act, who is behind it, and on whose instructions he changed the shape of the idol. Investigations are ongoing on all these points. However, due to the situation, the police have deployed additional arrangements here and the situation is also being monitored. At present, there is peace but tension remains.
Maharashtra
Veteran Bollywood Actor Dharmendra Passes Away at 89

Mumbai: Veteran Bollywood legend Dharmendra, fondly known as the “He-Man” of Indian cinema, passed away today at his residence in Mumbai at the age of 89. His departure marks the end of an era in Hindi film history, leaving behind millions of grieving fans and admirers.
Dharmendra had been unwell for the past several days. He faced respiratory complications and other age-related health issues, for which he was hospitalized briefly before being shifted back home. Earlier today, a sense of concern arose as activity increased outside his residence, and soon after, the heartbreaking news of his demise was confirmed.
With a career spanning more than six decades, Dharmendra made his debut in the early 1960s and went on to become one of the most admired and celebrated actors of Indian cinema. From romance to comedy, drama to action, he mastered every genre and delivered countless memorable performances. His screen presence, charm, and natural acting style earned him a permanent place in the hearts of audiences.
The film industry is in deep mourning. Actors, filmmakers, and fans across the country are paying tribute, remembering him as a powerhouse performer and a humble human being. Many are calling his passing “the end of an era,” acknowledging that his contribution to cinema is both historic and irreplaceable.
Beyond films, Dharmendra was a devoted family man—deeply connected with his children, grandchildren, and loved ones. His simplicity, warmth, and affectionate nature made him beloved not just onscreen but also in his personal life.
His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Yet, his legacy will continue to shine through his timeless films, unforgettable characters, and the memories he gifted to generations of viewers.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray that his soul rests in peace.
Maharashtra
Winter rains expected in the state, alert issued in three districts

Mumbai: The weather in the state is constantly changing. Now after the severe cold, the Indian Meteorological Department has given a major warning of direct rain. The state is currently facing favorable weather for rain.
The state has been experiencing cold and temperature in the last few days. The mercury is continuously falling. Pune is experiencing severe cold, Punekar is facing pink cold due to the drop in temperature. Not only Pune, many parts of the state are experiencing severe cold and cold winds are blowing from the north. North India is experiencing severe cold and the mercury is likely to fall further in the next few days. However, the cold has decreased slightly since yesterday. The mercury is falling in the districts of Mumbai, Nagpur, Akola, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Beed, Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, Ahlia Nagar, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Jalgaon, Bhandara, Ayutthaya. The mercury in Dhule fell to 7.5 Celsius. The Indian Meteorological Department has now issued a big warning.
Although the cold is being felt at the moment, the cold has decreased in some areas compared to the last two or three days. Not only this, the weather is also cloudy. Currently, the environment is favorable for rain in the state. The Indian Meteorological Department has also issued a rain warning in some districts. Rain warnings have been issued in Kolhapur, Sangli and Sindhudurg districts.
The mercury is below 10 degrees in some places. On Friday, the lowest temperature in the state was recorded in Dhule. The temperature was recorded in Dhule at 7.5 degrees. The temperature was recorded in Parbhani at 8.9. The temperature was recorded in Nafad at 8 degrees Celsius. The mercury dropped to 11 degrees in Pune, Ahlia Nagar and Mahabaleshwar. Today, the weather is favorable for rain in some cities of the state. There will be light to moderate rain in Kolhapur, Sangli and Sindhudurg.
The mercury has dropped below 10 degrees in Pune. Due to which there is a heavy fog in the air. To avoid the cold, Ganpati Bappa is traditionally dressed in a woolen sweater and ear caps at Saras Bagh in Pune. This sweater is given to Ganpati Bappa with the pleasant feeling that Ganpati Bappa is also feeling the cold. Every winter, whenever the cold increases, Ganpati Bappa is given a sweater.
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