The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) saw its proposal to construct a Rs 29.30 crore Town Hall Gymkhana (THG) referred back by the Standing Committee on Wednesday, as corporators across party lines called for a new corporation hall at the site instead. Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar said the existing heritage hall is insufficient for municipal needs and urged reconsideration.
The THG project was planned on a 4,719-square-metre plot at the municipal sports complex opposite the BMC headquarters. Six bidders participated in the tender, with D. Thakkar Construction Pvt. Ltd. emerging as the lowest bidder at Rs 29.30 crore, below BMC’s estimated cost of Rs 33.66 crore. Despite this, corporators insisted that a new corporation hall be constructed at the site rather than proceeding with the gymkhana project.
Ganesh Khankar stated, “The BMC can use the existing corporation hall in the heritage building for smaller events, but we need a new corporation hall at the gymkhana plot. Otherwise, we will not allow the BMC to conduct general body meetings properly.” He recommended that the proposal be sent back for revision.
Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators Yashodhar Phanse, Shraddha Jadhav, and Ramakant Rahate emphasized that the existing gymkhana, which has served around 10,000 members for over 100 years, should continue hosting sports activities for BMC employees alongside a new corporation hall.
Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde directed the civic administration to submit a revised plan for the new hall. The original BMC proposal envisioned a ground plus five-floor building featuring a Municipal Council Hall, a restaurant, a rooftop viewing gallery accessible via glass capsule lifts, and a glass dome designed to complement the heritage architecture, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.
The decision reflects growing corporator consensus that civic infrastructure must balance modern functionality with preservation of historical and community spaces.
Source: The Free Press Journal
