Mumbai’s public parks and playgrounds, many of which have struggled with wear and neglect over the years, are set for a long-awaited makeover. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has floated tenders worth Rs. 26 crore to renovate and upgrade several open spaces across the city, aiming to improve recreational facilities for residents over the next 11 months.
Among the key projects is the renovation of the Maasaheb Meenatai Thackeray Playground in Malad (East). The civic body has earmarked Rs. 4.22 crore for repairs and upgrades at this ground, a popular space for local sports and community activities. Officials expect the work here to be completed within the next 11 months.
A larger portion of the budget will go towards upgrading the Sahitya Samrat Annabhau Sathe Udyan in Akurli Village, Kandivali (East). With an estimated outlay of Rs. 14.78 crore, this park will see extensive redevelopment within the same time frame. The project is intended to create safer walkways, improved landscaping, upgraded lighting, and better seating and play facilities for visitors.
The redevelopment drive also includes the Maheshwari Udyan in Matunga. The BMC has proposed an expenditure of Rs. 3.99 crore for the renovation of this garden, with work expected to stretch over 11 months. Local residents have long raised concerns about ageing infrastructure and uneven walking tracks here, which are now likely to be addressed under this new plan.
In Parel, two well-known public spaces, the Dadasaheb Phalke Udyan and the Nare Park Ground, are also included in the tender package. While the BMC has not yet publicly broken down the individual costs for these two sites, officials say “high-quality development work” is being planned. This is expected to cover structural repairs, landscaping improvements, updated amenities, and better access for visitors.
According to civic officials, the goal of this Rs. 26-crore investment is not only to beautify these spaces but also to make them more inclusive, safer, and accessible for people of all ages. Mumbai’s open spaces serve as rare breathing zones in a densely built city, and the BMC’s latest move comes amid growing calls from citizens for better-maintained public areas.
Over the past few years, many playgrounds and gardens across the city have suffered due to a lack of routine upkeep, damaged equipment, poor drainage, and fading jogging tracks. In several areas, residents’ associations have repeatedly approached the civic body with complaints related to broken benches, uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, and safety concerns, especially for children and senior citizens. The new tenders aim to address many of these long-standing issues.
Officials said that once the tendering process is completed and contractors are appointed, work will begin in phases to minimise disruption to daily users. The projects will include civil repairs, landscaping, installation of new play equipment, improved pathways, seating arrangements, and better lighting. Where required, drainage systems and boundary walls will also be strengthened.
The focus on multiple locations across Mumbai’s eastern and central suburbs reflects the civic body’s attempt to spread investment beyond a single zone. Malad (East), Kandivali (East), Matunga, and Parel are all densely populated areas with limited open spaces per capita. For many families living in small homes, neighbourhood parks and playgrounds function as vital community spaces for exercise, leisure, and social interaction.
Residents in these areas have welcomed the announcement but caution that timely execution will be critical. “We have seen many such projects announced before, but delays reduce their impact,” said a Matunga resident who regularly visits Maheshwari Udyan. “If the work finishes within the promised 11 months and is done properly, it will be a big improvement for daily walkers and children.”
Civic officials, meanwhile, maintain that strict timelines and quality checks will be enforced this time. The BMC has stated that contractors will be required to follow detailed specifications to ensure durability and long-term maintenance, especially given Mumbai’s heavy monsoon and high daily footfall in public spaces.
