The Times of India

Ghatkopar corporator Ritu Tawade is set for an unopposed victory in Mumbai's mayoral election, scheduled for Wednesday. She will become the city's eighth woman mayor, taking charge after the previous female mayor's tenure ended in 2022. Tawade's nomination by the Mahayuti alliance paves the way for her historic win.

Mumbai witnessed a rare event as 64 individuals took Jain diksha at Sanyamrang Utsav. Devotees gathered early to witness the ceremony led by revered acharyas. The event saw a large turnout, with a young couple also choosing renunciation together. Political leaders and community figures acknowledged the spiritual courage displayed. Chikuwadi Ground has now hosted 108 dikshas, reinforcing its spiritual significance.

Sewri residents are staging a silent march this weekend against years of civic neglect, including rampant illegal hawking, encroached footpaths, and noise pollution. Despite numerous complaints to authorities, residents of multiple high-rise complexes feel their daily lives have become unsafe and unliveable. They demand consistent enforcement of laws, not just temporary fixes, to restore basic civic order.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat advocated for a three-child policy to maintain a healthy population rate, citing declining Hindu population due to conversions and illegal immigration. He also called for Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar and emphasized the importance of respecting farm work and promoting Ayurveda at the grassroots level.

A BJP corporator has urged BMC to implement a congestion tax on single-occupant private vehicles in South Mumbai's business districts. The revenue generated would fund air quality improvements. Transport experts support the idea, emphasizing its holistic implementation alongside enhanced public transport to manage rising vehicle numbers.

A man disguised in a burqa was discovered traveling in a ladies' compartment on a Central Railway local train, sparking outrage among passengers. The incident, captured on video, led to an FIR being filed by the RPF. The accused managed to escape before being apprehended, and a search is ongoing.

Mumbai-Pune expressway faced another weekend traffic nightmare with heavy vehicles causing significant delays. This follows a recent 32-hour snarl from a tanker accident. Officials cite election-related travel and the resumption of stalled truck movement for the persistent gridlock, turning peak hours into a frustrating crawl for thousands.