Bandra Talao rejuvenation work finally gathers pace after delays

Ninety per cent of the dewatering of the talao has been completed. Pic/Madhulika Ram Kavattur

Rejuvenation work at Bandra Talao (Swami Vivekanand Sarovar), located near Bandra railway station, has finally gathered momentum months after residents and activists raised concerns over the lake's deteriorating condition. The BMC had issued a tender for the project in December 2025, with on-ground work officially beginning on January 12, 2026.

Though the project saw little visible progress for nearly two months - prompting the BMC to issue a show-cause notice to the contractor - officials now claim work is progressing rapidly behind metal barricades erected around the talao since March.

On-ground progress

According to project contractor WTE Infra Projects Private Limited, nearly all dewatering work has been completed.

Project status
Tender issued: December 2025
Work started: January 12, 2026
Dewatering completed: 90 per cent
Civil work expected to begin: End of May
Work halt during monsoon: Yes

Rohit Patankar, an engineer with the project

‘90 per cent of the dewatering of the talao has been completed, and it has also been done carefully. We are being mindful of not hurting the historical structure, and working carefully to remove the water which had been stagnant and polluted by organic and inorganic waste. All the designs have been approved and are being checked one last time for the talao. By the end of this month, we plan to finish dewatering the talao, as well as start the civil work of removing the metal fence around the talao and etc'

Monsoon pause planned

As per project conditions, physical work will stop during the monsoon. "While the work will stop on the ground during the monsoon, our goal is to complete all paperwork related to the electro-mechanical things, which will help aerate the water once the work is done," Patankar said. He added that post-monsoon work would include civil repairs and a third-party inspection in the presence of the BMC and contractors.

Heritage structure

Locals had earlier expressed fears over possible damage to the historic talao and underground water sources.
"We have not yet found any natural springs, leaks or contamination sources in the lake, and will be careful of them. Any natural springs will be preserved," Patankar said.

Locals remain cautious

A resident said, "Since they closed the lake, it is difficult to gauge if work has started or not, but the concern is that the talao shouldn't get harmed. My friends and I have also halted our visits to the talao, which seems a little sad as we meet at one of our homes now."