New Mayors Take Charge in Mumbai, Pune, and 27 Other Maharashtra Cities
In a big win for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the party has grabbed 20 out of 28 mayoral posts in Maharashtra’s municipal corporations. This comes after elections in 29 cities, with results from 28 announced so far. The BJP also won 17 deputy mayor posts. Only Bhiwandi Nizampur waits, its mayor poll is on February 20. This sweep shows the BJP’s strong hold in urban areas after winning most seats in the January 2026 civic polls. The polls covered 29 municipal corporations (MCs), including big ones like Mumbai (BMC), Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Nashik, and Pimpri-Chinchwad. BJP-led Mahayuti alliance (BJP + Shinde Shiv Sena + Ajit NCP) took control of 25 MCs, including cash-rich BMC. BJP alone won 1,425 of 2,869 seats statewide—a clear majority in many places. How the Mayor Elections Went Mayors are picked from elected corporators. In 28 MCs, BJP got 20 mayors (71%). Others: Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) 3, Shiv Sena UBT 1, Congress 1, NCP 1, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) 1, Samajwadi Party 1 (Malegaon). For deputy mayors: BJP 17, Shiv Sena 4, Congress 2, and 1 each for NCP, UBT, BVA, RPI(A), Yuva Swabhiman, Samajwadi Party. Key wins: Mumbai (BMC): Mayor Ritu Tawde (BJP). BJP got 89/227 seats, alliance 118 (majority 114). Ends Thackeray’s rule after 25 years. Pune: Mayor Manjusha Nagpure (BJP). BJP won 110+ seats alone—unopposed in spots. Focus on roads, water. Nagpur: Mayor Samir Rajurkar (BJP), Deputy Rajendra Janjal (Shiv Sena-Shinde). BJP took ~100/150 wards. RSS base stays solid; general quota. Thane: Mayor Nita Thakre (BJP), Deputy Vilas Shinde? (Shiv Sena-Shinde). BJP majority (70+ seats); SC reservation, but alliance win. Thakre family rivalry (BJP vs UBT). Nashik: Mayor Himagauri Adke-Aher (BJP), Deputy Manoj Chaudhary (Shiv Sena-Shinde). BJP 72/122 seats; women’s general quota. Minister Girish Mahajan backs; Kumbh prep ahead. Bhiwandi (90 seats, majority 46) has 10 mayoral candidates, 7 for deputy, tense contest ahead. Reservation Lottery Sparks Row On February 19 (or Thursday per reports), the Urban Development Department ran a lottery for mayor seats in all 29 MCs. Based on the 2011 census quotas: 1 ST, 3 SC (2 women SC), 8 OBC (4 women), 17 General (9 women).Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhayandar, and Nagpur are among 15 cities getting women mayors. Shiv Sena (UBT) cried foul, calling it “rigged” to favour rulers. They said the draw helpedthe BJP-Shinde picks. BJP dismissed it as sour grapes after poll loss. Nagpur: BJP’s Samir Rajurkar as Mayor Mayor: Samir Rajurkar (BJP). Deputy Mayor: Rajendra Janjal (Shiv Sena-Shinde faction). Details: BJP swept the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) with around 100 of 150 wards. Rajurkar, a seasoned BJP leader, was elected unopposed or with alliance support. Nagpur (orange city, RSS base) remains a BJP stronghold. Reservations favored general category; the process was smooth. Thane: BJP’s Nita Thakre as Mayor Mayor: Nita Thakre (BJP). Deputy Mayor: Process ongoing or Vilas Shinde (Shiv Sena-Shinde). Details: Thane MC was reserved for the SC category, but the BJP’s majority (over 70 seats) secured it. Thakre, a BJP corporator, takes charge amid Mahayuti control. Thakre brothers’ rivalry (BJP vs UBT) played out, with the BJP winning big. Nashik: BJP’s Himagauri Adke (or Deepmala Kale?) as Frontrunner Mayor: Himagauri Adke-Aher (BJP, likely; reports mention Deepmala Kale or process). Deputy Mayor: Manoj Chaudhary (Shiv Sena-Shinde). Details: Nashik MC is reserved for the general woman category. BJP won 72 of 122 seats, a clear majority. Adke-Aher (ex-standing committee chair) leads the race, backed by Minister Girish Mahajan. Names like Deepali Kulkarni floated; final call soon. BJP eyes Kumbh Mela prep. Background: Civic Polls Shake-Up Polls held January 15, 2026 (results Jan 16), first in 9 years for BMC, delayed by court cases. Turnout 46-50%. BJP’s solo strategy in Pune paid off; Thackeray brothers allied vs BJP-Shinde but lost BMC. AIMIM grabbed 125 seats, mostly in Mumbai. Mahayuti won 25/29 MCs; BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule hailed it “historic.” State Election Commission data: BJP 1,372-1,425 seats statewide; Shiv Sena 394, Congress 315, UBT 149. What It Means BJP’s urban dominance boosts CM Devendra Fadnavis ahead of state polls. Funds control (BMC’s ₹60,000 crore budget) means more development push—roads, water, waste. Opposition warns of “one-party rule.” New mayors face trash piles, flooding, and slums, but the BJP eyes quick wins. For Pune’s Manjusha Nagpure (elected unopposed?), It’s development time.
Official Start of Passenger Flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport: A New Era for Regional Aviation
TRAVELOfficial Start of Passenger Flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport: A New Era for Regional Aviation Newsyaar January 19, 2026 6:46 pm Navi Mumbai / Mumbai: The long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has officially opened its passenger flight operations, marking a major milestone in India’s civil aviation landscape. Backed by the Adani Group, the new international gateway welcomed its first commercial travellers on Thursday, signalling the beginning of full-scale flight services from the strategically located airport. In its first 19 days of operations, NMIA recorded over 100,000 passengers, highlighting strong early demand and adding momentum to the region’s aviation growth. The early passenger traffic underscores the confidence that travellers, airlines and the broader aviation ecosystem place in the new facility as a major alternative to the congested Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). The commissioning of NMIA comes as part of a broader effort to ease pressure on Mumbai’s primary airport, long plagued by capacity constraints. Located in Ulwa, Navi Mumbai, the new airport is expected to handle both domestic and international flights, offering enhanced connectivity and reducing congestion in one of India’s busiest airspaces. Passenger Experience and Early Reception Early reports from passengers travelling through NMIA have been overwhelmingly positive. Commuters pointed to the airport’s spacious terminals, streamlined check-in processes and clear signage as key improvements over older facilities. Many highlighted the convenience of the airport’s location for those living in Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas, with easier access than the traditional Mumbai airport. “We had no idea the airport was this smooth and comfortable,” said one traveller who flew out on a weekday morning. “Check-in was quick, security was efficient, and everything felt brand new.” Airline Operations and Flight Routes Several domestic carriers have already begun scheduling flights from NMIA, connecting key metros and regional hubs. As flight operations continue to ramp up, airlines are expected to expand their route portfolios based on demand. Industry analysts suggest that the airport’s growth could attract international carriers in the near future once regulatory clearances and bilateral agreements are in place. The operational launch of NMIA is not only an aviation milestone but also a boost for the broader Maharashtra economy. The airport is expected to catalyse job creation in sectors ranging from hospitality and logistics to retail and ground services. Local businesses have welcomed the development, anticipating increased footfall and commercial opportunities in the region. Infrastructure planners also foresee improvements in last-mile connectivity, including dedicated access roads, metro extensions and bus networks that will link NMIA efficiently with central Mumbai and other areas. Looking Ahead As passenger flights officially take off from the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the aviation sector and travelling public alike are watching closely to see how the new facility evolves. With strong initial numbers and a strategic location, NMIA is poised to become a key node in India’s rapidly growing aviation network, offering relief to existing hubs while setting new benchmarks for passenger comfort and operational excellence. About the AuthorTravel Reporter Share via Copied Comments Post Comment