Mumbai: began Wednesday on a cool and relatively crisp note, offering residents a brief taste of winter comfort on the final morning of 2025. Clear skies, mild winds and lower humidity provided early relief, but the pleasant conditions were short-lived. As the day progressed, a thick blanket of smog engulfed large parts of the city, reducing visibility and once again bringing Mumbai’s worsening air pollution crisis into the light.

Despite favourable weather conditions, air quality quickly emerged as the city’s biggest concern. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast a bright and comfortable day, with temperatures expected to range between 18°C and 31°C. However, office-goers, morning walkers and schoolchildren stepping out early were greeted by hazy surroundings and a sharp, acrid smell in the air, particularly in traffic-heavy and low-lying areas.

According to data from the air quality monitoring platform AQI.in, Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 358 during the early hours, placing it firmly in the ‘severe’ category. After a brief improvement in pollution levels over the past few weeks, air quality has once again deteriorated sharply. Such conditions pose serious health risks to the general population and are especially dangerous for children, senior citizens and those suffering from respiratory or cardiac ailments.

The pollution spike, primarily due to construction dust and fine particulate matter. Ongoing large-scale infrastructure projects, including metro rail corridors, flyovers, coastal road extensions and extensive road-widening works, along with aggressive private real estate development, continue to release maximum amounts of dust into the atmosphere. Vehicular emissions during peak traffic hours have further compounded the problem.

Several areas emerged as severe pollution hotspots. Chembur and the Wadala Truck Terminal recorded alarmingly high AQI levels of 475 and 441 respectively, both categorised as ‘hazardous’, indicating conditions that can seriously impact even healthy individuals. Colaba followed with an AQI of 405, also in the hazardous range. Kurla recorded an AQI of 388, while Bandra registered 385, both in the severe range.

Suburban regions showed marginally better readings, though air quality remained poor overall. Kandivali East recorded an AQI of 233, while Govandi and Borivali West stood at 267 each, all falling in the ‘unhealthy’ category. Malad West (315) and Charkop (318) also slipped into the ‘severe’ bracket.

As per standard air quality classifications, AQI levels between 0 and 50 are considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘moderate’, 101 to 200 ‘poor’, 201 to 300 ‘unhealthy’, and levels above 300 fall under the ‘severe’ or ‘hazardous’ category.

Patna, Dec 30: A stir has been created in the Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Department following strict action initiated by Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha.

The situation has escalated to the extent that some officials, fearing action, have written to the Governor and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, seeking intervention.

However, Vijay Kumar Sinha has categorically stated that he will not bow to any pressure.

Responding to the unrest and resentment among officials, the Deputy Chief Minister, on Tuesday, said that the government is working solely in the interest of the people and has no intention of hurting anyone.

“Our intentions are absolutely clear. The objective is to reform the Revenue and Land Reforms Department so that it serves the public better,” he said.

Referring to the Muzaffarpur land scam, Vijay Sinha said that agricultural land was illegally transferred with the connivance of officials.

He recalled that during his tenure as Agriculture Minister, he had ordered action against the Circle Officer (CO) involved and directed that an appeal be filed in court.

“I have now taken fresh cognisance of the matter as Revenue Minister, and those responsible for creating unnecessary disputes over undisputed government land will not be spared,” Sinha said.

On officials going on leave during public interaction programs of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department in districts, Vijay Sinha said, “Once systemic reforms are implemented, the welfare of everyone—including honest officials—will be ensured.”

After assuming charge of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, Vijay Kumar Sinha is in action mode.

He has been taking meetings of the department district-wise and making decisions on the spot.

Responding to a question on Naxalism, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Naxalism has been almost completely eradicated from the country.

He added that if governance under such leadership is ensured across all states, the menace of Naxalism and extremism would be eliminated.

Mumbai: A major accident occurred on the Coastal Road after a driver lost control of his vehicle, leading to a collision involving three cars. A Mercedes and two taxis were damaged in the crash.

According to information received, both the driver and passengers sustained injuries in the accident. The incident took place on the northbound carriageway of the Coastal Road.

In an accident on the Coastal Road Northbound, in front of the Naman Building, Worli; a Mercedes car collided with two taxis. The taxi driver sustained minor injuries while a passenger in the Mercedes car suffered a left shoulder injury and has been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital. The vehicles have been removed from the scene and traffic is now flowing smoothly.

Following the accident, traffic on the Coastal Road was disrupted for some time. Worli Police rushed to the spot and are conducting further investigation.