04 February,2026 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram Kavattur
Broken footpath around the lake
After months of delay, restoration work on Swami Vivekanand Sarovar on Swami Vivekananda Road in Bandra West is finally set to begin, with the work order issued on February 2.
According to a Letter of Acceptance accessed by mid-day, the contractual period for the project is 18 months, excluding the monsoon season. The estimated cost of the work is Rs 15.60 crore, and the contract also includes the operation and maintenance of the talao for three years. Despite repeated restoration attempts over the years, civic representatives have raised concerns about the long-term effectiveness of the work.
Discarded garbage floats on the water's surface.Pics/Shadab Khan
"Although restoration work is carried out every two years, it has become a redundant exercise," said Rehbar Khan, municipal corporator from the H West ward. "Large amounts of public money are spent repeatedly, yet the talao keeps slipping back into a poor condition. The civic body should now consider awarding a long-term maintenance contract to a private agency that has a vested interest in sustaining the project. That may yield better results."
As per the scope outlined in a previous tender issued in September 2025, the project includes several key components aimed at restoring and maintaining the lake. These include rejuvenation of the talao, dewatering and desilting of the lake, repair of flooring on the existing bridge, and restoration of damaged sections of the promenade.
Confirming the timeline, H West ward Assistant Commissioner Dinesh Pallewad told mid-day that work would commence shortly. "Now that the work order has been issued, the work should begin within eight to fifteen days. No further delays are expected," he said.
