October 4, 2025: Mumbai’s much-publicised cycling track along the Tansa water pipeline, once pitched as a flagship recreational project, has turned into a costly disappointment. Conceived in 2017 by the then Devendra Fadnavis-led state government as a 36-km stretch, the track has been reduced to just 18.6 km due to encroachments and legal hurdles. It begins in Mulund West and ends in Bhandup, splitting towards Sion and Sahar in Andheri.
Far from being a seamless ride, the track is disrupted by highways, uneven surfaces, and railway crossings. Residents complain it is littered with encroachments, shanties, and roadside stalls, rendering it largely unused by cyclists. Despite an expenditure of over Rs 500 crore, the facility remains underutilised.
In an effort to cut costs, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now turned to the private sector for help. After failing to attract companies through direct outreach, the civic body has issued an open call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from firms willing to maintain the track under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding. The deadline for responses is 15 October.
“The aim is to reduce civic expenditure,” said an official from the hydraulic department, noting that outsourcing maintenance could save the BMC around Rs 4.5 crore annually. Companies participating would be allowed to advertise along the track. Maintenance contracts, for two years, would cover surface repairs, cleaning, horticulture, street lighting, and upkeep of gym equipment.
The track was originally intended to deter encroachment along water mains after a Bombay High Court order mandated the removal of 16,000 hutments. While officials maintain that in certain residential areas the track is used for walking, yoga, and cycling, activists argue it is plagued by misuse, including gambling, drinking, and waste dumping.
With opinions divided, the future of Mumbai’s costly cycling corridor remains uncertain.
Source: Hindustan Times
