Maharashtra announces four-day dry days in all major cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur

The Maharashtra government has announced a four-day dry period in 29 civic body areas, banning alcohol sales and consumption from January 13 to January 16. Adding to the election pause, stock markets will also remain closed on polling day, January 15, as voting takes place across major urban centres.

The four-day dry spell will begin once election campaigning ends on January 13. From that point, public rallies and political activities will stop, and the ban on alcohol will kick in.

All liquor shops, bars, permit rooms and establishments selling alcohol will remain shut within the limits of the 29 municipal corporations going to polls.

Strict rules and penalties in place

The administration has warned that strict action will be taken against anyone violating the dry day rules. Authorities have urged citizens, voters and business owners to cooperate and follow the restrictions during the election period.

Monitoring has also been stepped up in sensitive areas to avoid any untoward incidents before and during voting.

Maharashtra Civic poll voting and counting schedule

Polling will be held on January 15 in major urban areas, including Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Mumbai. Counting of votes is scheduled for January 16.

To ensure smooth conduct of the elections, the state has also increased police deployment and administrative oversight in polling zones.

Stock markets to remain shut on January 15

The election impact will also be felt on Dalal Street. Both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) have announced a trading holiday on Thursday, January 15.

Trading in the equity segment, derivatives, commodities and electronic gold receipts will remain closed for the day.

In a circular issued on Monday, the National Stock Exchange “notified Thursday, January 15, 2026, as a trading holiday in the capital market segment on account of Municipal Corporation Election in Maharashtra”.

Earlier, the bourse had said it would observe January 15 as a settlement holiday while allowing trading. That plan has now been changed.

Separately, BSE also confirmed that trading will remain closed on January 15 due to the civic polls.

Indian stock exchanges usually observe around 15 trading holidays in a year, apart from regular weekly closures on Saturdays and Sundays. The January 15 holiday will be one of those election-related shutdowns.

Public holiday declared in Mumbai

Ahead of polling day, the Maharashtra government had already declared January 15 as a public holiday in Mumbai. The holiday will apply to government and semi-government offices, corporations, boards, public sector undertakings, banks and central government offices falling under the civic body jurisdiction.

With dry days, closed markets and a public holiday rolled into one, January 15 is set to be a quiet but crucial day for Maharashtra’s cities as voters step out to decide their local governments.