November 21, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has firmly denied allegations that it plans to abandon the Macchimar Nagar redevelopment project, clarifying that the work will continue now that the required funds have been reallocated. The civic body stated that delays stemmed from administrative hurdles, tender timelines, and the blacklisting of the appointed contractor—not from any intention to scrap the initiative.
According to officials, the beautification and illumination project for the Budhwar Park seashore, sanctioned in 2022–23, could not move forward because the work order was issued only in February 2023, leaving too little time to utilise the funds before the financial year closed. The absence of any budgetary provision in 2023–24 further stalled progress. With the funding issue now resolved, the BMC has confirmed that “the project’s further process will continue,” dismissing rumours of cancellation.
The clarification came after former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar alleged in a letter to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani that the BMC had neglected redevelopment commitments and now intended to terminate the project. He warned that the local fishing community would protest if the tender was withdrawn. However, civic authorities countered this claim, noting that unauthorised structures had already been cleared with assistance from the District Collector and local fishing community and that boats had been relocated to facilitate the project. A work order had been formally issued in February 2023.
Officials also clarified that several features raised by residents—including boat parking zones, gardens and seating areas—were not part of the original proposal. Any additions will depend on recommendations from consultants, availability of funds, and approvals from the relevant authorities.
The project began with a tender floated in November 2022. The lowest bidder was selected for works such as plaza development, road upgrades, stone paving, 3D artwork, seating installations and electrical fixtures. In March 2023, the BMC approved the design for the Machhimar Nagar redevelopment and sanctioned ₹3 crore for the first phase.
