The Sane Guruji Udyan near Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, once a popular green retreat for residents, is facing persistent neglect and infrastructure issues even months after reopening, with responsibility disputes between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) adding to the confusion.
Locals said the park, which was reopened after nearly a decade in December 2025, continues to suffer from poor upkeep, faulty lighting, and deteriorating amenities. Apart from sporadic cleaning, regular maintenance appears absent, while residents are unclear about which authority is accountable.
“Recently, there was a complete blackout in the garden for a week, after which makeshift floodlights were installed,” said a nearby resident, highlighting recurring power and lighting issues.
At present, the park remains in administrative transition, with MMRCL, which developed the site for Metro-related work, yet to formally hand it over to BMC, which is expected to take over maintenance. The delay has resulted in what locals describe as a “no responsibility” situation.
“A shared responsibility has resulted in no responsibility: occasional visitors come here for picnics and leave behind trash, showing no civic sense, while no authority steps in to regulate or maintain the garden,” said a regular walker.
Officials confirmed that the transfer is pending completion of rectification works. “BMC is yet to receive the garden from MMRCL. The transfer process is ongoing, and the plot will be handed over to BMC for maintenance once MMRCL completes rectification work,” said a civic official.
Another official added that repairs related to lighting, railings, and grills are underway, with completion expected in about 15 days, while MMRCL stated that work may take up to two months due to operational constraints linked to temple-related arrangements nearby.
Meanwhile, residents continue to report broken benches, loose paver blocks, non-functional fountains, and irregular upkeep. Some also pointed out that the lack of clarity on management affects usage, including rules around pets.
“The fountain has been dry for at least the past three months… broken benches remain,” said a local resident.
Source: Mid-day
