Four telescopes at Mumbai’s Pramod Navalkar Viewing Gallery were found covered during a visit, despite Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials maintaining that the equipment was operational. Visitors have also reported encountering covered telescopes during repeated visits in recent months.
Viewing Gallery Offers Views of Mumbai’s Coastline
Inaugurated in October 2018, the viewing gallery provides panoramic views of Marine Drive, the Queen’s Necklace, Chowpatty, Mumbai Harbour and the Arabian Sea. However, concerns have emerged over the availability of its viewing facilities.
Sumit Gaud, a tourist from Bhandup, described his experience, saying, “I visited the gallery three times a few months ago and every time found the telescopes covered. The nature trail was also closed.”
BMC Cites Possible Temporary Closure
BMC sub-engineer Tadavi stated that the telescopes were functioning and suggested that staff may have covered them temporarily during their lunch break. However, sources attributed the situation to a shortage of personnel.
Meanwhile, the nearby elevated nature trail has remained shut since June 2026. Opened in March 2025, the 485-metre walkway is Mumbai’s first elevated forest trail and runs through the tree canopy near Kamala Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens.
The attraction was closed after a branch from a century-old tree fell onto the walkway, raising safety concerns. According to Tadavi, the civic body’s civil department is carrying out repair work. He directed queries regarding the project’s progress to the concerned department.
Sources suggested that the trail could reopen in January, although the BMC has not officially confirmed a reopening date.
The prolonged closure has drawn criticism from visitors and residents questioning the civic body’s approach to tourism infrastructure. Local resident Prakash Munshi expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation and the expenditure involved.
“I am amazed by what the BMC is doing,” he said, questioning the environment minister’s role and alleging that ministers “seem to care only about builders”.
Source: The Free Press Journal
