Mumbai: BMC clears Rs 2.1 crore plan to revamp Shivaji Park precinct

Shivaji Park, the largest open space in the island city, in Dadar. File pic/Shadab Khan

After the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) concluded its open house with residents to solve the issues at Shivaji Park earlier this month, the civic body has approved the expenditure of Rs 2.1 crore to give the park precinct a facelift. The work includes improving the walkability of the footpath around the park, improving recreational spaces, and adding a new tourist attraction in the form of a water fountain. mid-day was the first to shed light on the plan to revamp the park, in its July 30 edition.

As part of the project, the civic body has proposed 10 types of civil and electrical works aimed at enhancing the experience of joggers and walkers at Shivaji Park. According to information from the G North ward, the works include removing existing mosaic chips, repairing existing tree basins as well as sculptures and murals, and benches.

With a promenade measuring approximately 1.3 km and an open space spanning 28 acres, Shivaji Park is the largest open space in the island city. Along its periphery, it also houses gymnasiums and yoga centres, the most popular being the Shivaji Park Gymkhana. The periphery of the precinct has a unique feature seen in a few open spaces across the city - two pathways for joggers and walkers. Some of the trees dotting the circumference of Shivaji Park are over 80 years old, according to Dadar residents.

The work on the project is likely to start within two months. However, the works do not address the core concern of those living in the vicinity: pollution.

CitizenSpeak

Vaibhav Rege, secretary of the Shivaji Park ALM, said, "We are glad that the BMC authorities are focusing on improving the experience of Shivaji Park's visitors.

Any enhancement is a welcome change. However, this cannot overshadow our core concern - pollution in the precinct due to red soil dumped on park grounds."
The works are part of BMC's project, as promised to citizens during the visit of Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani in July this year, to improve the citizens' interaction with the heritage precinct. The civic body has assured that work will be based on designs that make it easy for walkers and joggers to interact with the heritage precinct, with its double walkway.

A senior civic official confirmed the development and added that the civil electrical works planned for the precinct are pegged at Rs 2.1 crore, along with a water fountain with attractive lighting, as a new addition to Shivaji Park's aesthetics.

28acres
Approximate area of Shivaji Park

Planned works

. Removal of existing mosaic chips and repair of the ‘katta' or parapet around periphery
. Repair of existing tree basins to bring uniformity
. Repair of sculptures and murals by cleaning and repainting them
. Repair of benches
. Improvement of illumination with new light poles
. A new marble fountain
. Providing dustbins
. Improvement of historic statues' visibility
. New street furniture
. Better drainage