Two years after a citizen-led movement opposing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) proposal to construct a parking lot under Raosaheb Patwardhan Park forced the civic body to cancel the plan, Bandra’s popular open space is set for a facelift that includes upgrading its yoga zone, garden furniture and playing area for children. Bandra residents, however, have raised questions as to why the park annexe, under which the parking lot was previously planned, has not been included in BMC’s new plan.
Bandra residents celebrate in the garden after the BMC scrapped its underground parking lot plan in 2024. FILE PIC/ SHADAB KHAN
This space stands on a plot abutting the main park area. It is partly concreted and is used by children for sports activities. For 10 days a year, it is used by residents with roots in West Bengal to set up a Durga Pooja Pandal during Navratri. According to residents, Raosaheb Patwardhan Park is a go-to open space for morning and evening walks, and a hangout zone for college students. Several nearby schools also use the open space for sports activities.
Councillor speak
Raosaheb Patwardhan Park, located near Linking Road, is one of the oldest open spaces in Bandra West. FILE PIC
Swapna Mhatre, local corporator
‘The BMC has not been able to do any development or improvement work here since 2017 because of the controversy. The park has a high footfall and needs urgent work. Paver blocks and furniture are broken, and equipment is out of order. The plot where the parking lot was planned was not taken up because it is contentious. If residents want anything specific to be done, they can suggest it to the ward officer or me’
What is the plan
New entrance gate and security cabin
New compound wall and furniture
New equipment in the children’s play area
New yoga shed
Cobbled pathway
New paver blocks and repairs to mud pathways
New/repaired toilet block
New lighting, dustbins, signage, and sheds
Gym equipment
New lawn and other horticulture work
Voices of concern
A member of Im-pact, a citizens’ group that was part of the Save Patwardhan Park movement
‘The annexe area is partially concreted. Ideally, it should be converted into a mud ground. It would be good if no work were planned for this spot, because we are unable to trust the BMC. There is a Durga Pooja Pandal every year, so members should be consulted on what the BMC plans to do regarding the annexe’.
Asif Zakaria, Congress leader and a former local corporator
‘The plot where the parking lot was planned has not been included in the revamp plan. This raises concerns about what they want to do with that area — such as give in to the fads of creating a turf, or a pickleball area, or use the plot to monetise access somehow. Citizens were also not consulted on the requirements of the park, especially since Rs 5 crore is a large sum. Instead, the BMC has picked no-brainer civil and cosmetic work where it is very difficult to gauge the quantum of work versus cost’.
