October 25, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun “improvement” work at Wadia Garden in Dadar’s Parsi Colony, sparking concerns among residents and activists over the use of public funds. Locals noticed a bulldozer inside the garden near Road No. 5 earlier this week and questioned why no public notice had been displayed about the ongoing project.
According to the civic body, the work is part of routine maintenance to address wear and tear. A senior official from the BMC Garden Department said, “The work is undertaken by the Garden Infrastructure Cell, a central agency which decides on improvement projects. The garden is closed to the public as work on new pathways, sheds, lamps, and other public facilities needs to be completed. The last time improvement works were undertaken at this garden was 10 years ago.” The official added that instructions have been given to staff to put up a notice informing residents about the project details.
However, the move has drawn criticism from citizens who argue that the garden is already well-maintained and does not require major intervention. Environmentalist Zoru Bhathena questioned the civic body’s priorities, saying, “This is not new for the BMC to spend public money on projects which are of no urgency. There are many other crucial works in the city or other gardens and open spaces lying underutilised, where funds should be used for public facilities.”
Residents echoed similar sentiments, stating that the funds could be redirected toward neglected parks or essential civic works in other parts of the city. While the BMC maintains that the project focuses on long-pending upkeep, locals have called for greater transparency and consultation before launching such redevelopment efforts.
Source: The Free Press Journal
