Mumbai’s civic body has initiated a fresh round of upgrades across several neighbourhood parks and playgrounds, floating tenders worth nearly ₹26 crore to renovate aging public open spaces. The programme covers facilities in Malad, Kandivali, Matunga and Parel, signalling an effort to strengthen the city’s limited green infrastructure and improve community access to safe recreational spaces.
According to civic officials, the improvements are part of an ongoing attempt to ensure that parks remain functional despite rising urban density and pressure on public land. The renovation plan includes the Maasaheb Meenatai Thackeray playground in Malad (East), Sahitya Samrat Annabhau Sathe Udyan in Kandivali (East), Maheshwari Udyan in Matunga, and two major grounds in Parel. All projects have been assigned an estimated construction timeline of around 11 months. The largest investment is earmarked for the playground in Akurli Village at Kandivali, with an estimated cost of ₹14.78 crore. Civic engineers said the upgrade will include resurfacing, improved lighting, and new play amenities designed to serve both children and senior citizens. “These spaces have remained active for years but require modern facilities to meet current community needs,” an official noted.
In Malad, the Thackeray playground has been allocated an estimated ₹4.22 crore for repairs. Residents have long sought improvements to walking tracks and flood-prone patches of the ground, especially after the monsoon. The civic body expects the renovation to make the space safer and more accessible for year-round use. Maheshwari Udyan in Matunga—one of the city’s older neighbourhood parks—will receive nearly ₹4 crore for structural strengthening and landscape upgrades. Urban planners observing the development say that improving mid-sized parks across dense residential zones is key to creating equitable access to public spaces, particularly for citizens who lack private recreational facilities.
In Parel, development work is planned for Dadasaheb Phalke Udyan and Nare Park, two high-footfall open spaces surrounded by dense residential clusters. Experts emphasise that such upgrades contribute directly to urban resilience, as well-maintained green areas can reduce heat stress, encourage walking, and promote community interaction. Mumbai’s per-capita open space availability remains significantly below international urban standards. As the city continues to redevelop older neighbourhoods and accommodate higher population densities, the preservation and improvement of parks have become essential in supporting public health. While officials stress that these upgrades will provide long-term social value, residents hope the civic body ensures timely execution and avoids delays that have hindered similar infrastructure projects in the past.
With the latest tenders floated, the city moves a step closer to creating safer, more inclusive and climate-responsive community spaces—an essential component of sustainable urban living.
BMC Floats Rs 26-Crore Tenders To Renovate Parks And Playgrounds Across Mumbai
