25 June,2026 07:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Designed in the shape of trees, the Solar Trees are expected to enhance the visual appeal of gardens while generating clean energy. File Pic
Public parks in Mumbai are set to be transformed into smart, energy-generating green spaces under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) âSolar Tree' project, which aims to integrate clean energy with urban recreational infrastructure.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde said the initiative will redefine public gardens by converting them into "smart green centres" that generate electricity while continuing to serve as recreational spaces for citizens. She added that similar projects will be expanded across the city in the coming years.
The Mayor was speaking at the inauguration of the Solar Tree project at Dr Chintamanrao Dwarkanath Deshmukh Garden in Mulund (East), developed under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) collaboration between the BMC and Nayara Energy Limited.
Under the initiative, Solar Trees have been installed at three locations: Dr Chintamanrao Deshmukh Garden in Mulund (East), Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Recreation Ground, and Shilpgram Garden in Jogeshwari. A solar gazebo has also been set up at Shilpgram Garden.
The total installed capacity of the solar trees and solar gazebo structures across these sites is approximately 69.3 kilowatts. These installations are expected to generate around 1.24 lakh units of electricity annually and help prevent nearly 82,000 kg of carbon dioxide emissions.
Officials said the project marks a significant step towards environmental sustainability and urban energy efficiency in Mumbai.
A key highlight of the initiative is its space efficiency. Compared to conventional solar installations, the Solar Tree technology saves around 95 to 98 per cent of space, making it particularly suitable for a densely populated city like Mumbai.
Designed in the shape of trees, the Solar Trees are expected to enhance the visual appeal of gardens while generating clean energy. The solar gazebo provides shaded seating for citizens while simultaneously producing electricity, offering a blend of recreation and renewable energy.
Several civic officials, corporators, representatives from Nayara Energy Limited, and local residents were present at the inauguration event.
Earlier this week, a proposal to allow the use of corporator funds for solar power systems and rainwater harvesting projects in private housing societies was submitted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) by Women and Child Welfare Committee Chairperson Minal Turde.
Turde wrote to BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide requesting changes to the existing rules governing the use of corporator funds. She said the move would help more residents benefit from development initiatives while encouraging environmentally sustainable practices across the city.
In her letter, Turde pointed out that a large section of Mumbai's population resides in private housing societies and contributes significantly to the civic body's revenue through property tax, water charges, and other taxes.
They should also be able to benefit from development initiatives supported through corporator funds, Turde said in her representation.
However, current rules do not permit the use of corporator funds for development work within private housing societies. As a result, many residents are unable to benefit from projects that could improve sustainability and reduce utility costs.
