Authorities have put off the demolition of the Elphinstone Bridge, which was meant to make way for the modern Sewri-Worli Connector project.

The decision was taken after citizens objected and questioned the project’s two-year timeline.

Officials involved in the project have stated that the final decision will be taken after due deliberations on the objections put forth by citizens.

Citizens have also objected to the closure of the crucial east-west connector in central Mumbai because construction work has already dug up a number of nearby roads. Authorities closed the 125-year-old Elphinstone Bridge to facilitate its demolition.

Commuters have voiced frustration over unclear communication regarding the status of the Elphinstone bridge.

Despite MMRDA's announcement that the bridge will remain open until further notice, banners urging the use of alternative routes have caused confusion.

Via: Ritika… pic.twitter.com/N8mODdrOp7

— Mid Day (@mid_day) April 16, 2025

However, the demolition has been temporarily put on hold after 417 objections and suggestions from citizens were received about the project.

Anil Kumbhare, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), stated,

“There is work going on at a few roads surrounding the Elphinstone Bridge, including the Senapati Bapat Marg and Ganpat Kadam Marg.”

The objections have already been forwarded to the concerned departments, and they have been asked to complete the work in eight to ten days.

Narendra Shah, 60, a businessman and a resident of Zaveri Building in Parel East, in an email to the traffic police, pointed out that it would be very difficult for commuters and residents to conduct business if the bridge was closed.

Citizens have also questioned the two-year timeline for the completion of the project.

Nitesh Kalambe, a Lalbaug resident, stated that it takes 30 to 45 minutes to cross the Currey Road Bridge, and if the Elphinstone Bridge is closed, it will only worsen the traffic congestion. He also added that there is no guarantee that the work will be completed in two years and gave the example of the Gokhale Bridge in Andheri, which is still incomplete.

Dadasaheb Mhashilkar, who is a resident of Parel, doubted if the bridge would reopen in two years. A resident of Suraj Building, Prabhadevi, Rahul Jadhav, told the media house Mid-Day that it is easy for people on foot to cross the railway line in twenty minutes, but it takes 30 to 40 minutes for vehicles.

Speaking to Mid-Day, Pradeep Chavan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said,

“It is the first time we’ve published a draft inviting suggestions and objections before closing a bridge. Citizens can send in their inputs until April 13. Based on the feedback, we hope to make a final decision next week.”

Also Read: Viral ‘Lifeless Hand’ Car Boot Video in Navi Mumbai Turns Out to Be Laptop Ad Prank

The School Holidays List for Maharashtra has been declared, and this year the Summer holidays will start from May 2nd till June 15th, 2025.

Read on to know all the details of the holidays and how they will affect regions.

With temperatures soaring, especially in hinterland Maharashtra, the summer break announcement has come as a welcome development for both students and their parents and teachers. Since there has been no official circular from the State Education Department yet, the previous year’s practices will certainly be followed regarding the summer and winter vacations, holidays for prominent festivals, and events.

In previous years, the summer break started at the beginning of May and continued till mid-June, and was followed by most government and private schools. Read on to know the expected dates of holidays, their importance, and other finer details.

Maharashtra School Summer Vacation 2025 Dates

Vacation Begins On: May 2, 2025

Vacation Ends On: June 15, 2025

Total Duration: 42 Days

Effective For: All government, aided, and private schools affiliated with the State Board, CBSE, and other recognised boards in Maharashtra

School Reopens On: June 16, 2025

Vacation will apply to schools, but teachers could be called in to do administrative duties during the period of the vacation.

Importance Of Summer Vacation

Protects students from the effects of the scorching heat in May and June

A chance for teachers and students to rejuvenate themselves after a year of hectic academic activities

Summer vacation is crucial to protect students from heat stroke and other ailments in the following regions, which experience the hottest summers in the state: Vidarbha, Marathwada and Mumbai.

Makes students better prepared to face the rigours of a gruelling academic session for the coming year

Please check with your school for any updates or changes

It is possible that some schools could follow a slightly changed holiday list depending on the peculiarities of the region.

Schools or local administration could also order the closure of schools earlier if heat wave conditions worsen.

Maharashtra Annual School Holiday List 2025

Republic Day – January 26, 2025

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti – February 19, 2025

Mahashivratri – February 26, 2025

Holi (Second Day) – March 14, 2025

Gudhipadva – March 30, 2025

Ramadan Eid (Eid-ul-Fitr) – March 31, 2025

Ram Navami – April 6, 2025

Mahavir Janm Kalyanak – April 10, 2025

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti – April 14, 2025

Good Friday – April 18, 2025

Maharashtra Day – May 1, 2025

Buddha Purnima – May 12, 2025

Bakri Eid (Eid-ul-Zuha) – June 7, 2025

Muharram – July 6, 2025

Independence Day – August 15, 2025

Parsi New Year’s Day (Shahenshahi) – August 15, 2025

Ganesh Chaturthi – August 27, 2025

Eid-e-Milad – September 5, 2025

Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti – October 2, 2025

Dussehra – October 2, 2025

Diwali Amavasya (Lakshmi Pujan) – October 21, 2025

Diwali (Sacrifice) – October 22, 2025

Guru Nanak Jayanti – November 5, 2025

Christmas – December 25, 2025

Maharashtra Schools Winter Break

The winter vacation starts at the far end of the year, usually from December 25, which is also Christmas, till January 5.

It is a small vacation but is crucial, especially for families who would like to travel to tourist locations to enjoy the New Year celebrations.

Many holidays and trips are also organised by schools for their students, and many cultural festivals like Annual School Celebrations are also held during this period.

Regional and Cultural Holidays Specific to Maharashtra

Maharashtra Day – May 1 (To celebrate the creation of the state of Maharashtra)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti – February 19 (To honour Shivaji Maharaj, who is a local hero and hailed from Maharashtra)

Gudhi Padwa – March/April (Maharashtrian New Year celebration)

Navratri/Dussehra – September/October (Victory of Good over Evil)

Also Read: Complete List of School Holidays in Mumbai for 2025

A video that has gone viral would have frightened the daylights out of anyone. The viral video showed a car on the road with its boot slightly ajar, with what seemed like a lifeless hand dangling out. The reported car was driving between Vashi and Sanpada railway stations.

The footage was first captured by a concerned driver driving behind the vehicle at around 6.45 pm. The video, which found its way to social media, soon went viral with many wondering if it was a case of kidnapping or foul play.

The viral video soon caught the attention of the Mumbai Police, who immediately launched a hunt for the vehicle. The vehicle was soon identified by its registration plate and traced to Ghatkopar.

However, when the police investigated further, it was revealed that it was not something blood-curdling but a promotional video for a laptop shop that was being shot by some boys. Police investigation revealed that the boys were trying to create a theatrical and compelling scene to promote their product.

Navi Mumbai Police later wrote on X:

“The Innova vehicle with registration number MH01/DB7686 has been subjected to action under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act at the Sanpada Police Station. The driver and other accused individuals have stated that this incident was carried out to create a promotional video reel related to laptop sales.”

Advertisement

सदर इनोव्हा गाडी क्रमांकMH01/ db7686 याचेवर सानपाडा पोलीस ठाणे येथे मोटार वाहन अधिनियम कलम 184 कारवाई करण्यात आलेली आहे..
सदरचा प्रकार हा लॅपटॉप विक्री बाबतच्या प्रमोशनचा व्हिडिओ रील बनवण्याच्या हेतूने केल्याची कारचालक व इतर आरोपी यानी माहिती दिली.

— नवी मुंबई पोलीस – Navi Mumbai Police (@Navimumpolice) April 15, 2025

The incident has once again brought to the fore the ever-growing trend of creating risky and sometimes unlawful content just to draw attention. Such actions also endanger public safety and responsible behaviour.

Authorities have been constantly advising citizens, and in particular young content creators, to produce content responsibly so as not to create public alarm or disturbance.

The police also revealed that the car was traced around 8.30 pm and found that three boys were creating a reel for the promotion of their laptop. The police also stated that the boys were from Mumbai and had come to Navi Mumbai to attend a marriage.

The police also stated that the boys were not taken into custody because no suspicious element was found.

The police also studied the video that was created by the boys and found nothing incriminating. The reel was meant to show a hand hanging out of the boot, which caught the attention of a biker. The biker stops the car and asks the occupants to open the boot.

The boy in the boot, whose hand was dangling out, opens the door and asks the biker if he is afraid. He then declares that he is not dead and goes on to declare the amazing offer that they have for the laptop.

Also Read: ‘Mumbai 1’ Smart Card to Unite Trains, Metro and Buses for Seamless Commute!