Prabhadevi garden in pieces five months after reopening as BMC–MMRCL blame game continues

The entrance to Sane Guruji Udyan in Prabhadevi. PICS/ASHISH RAJE

The Sane Guruji Udyan, a beloved recreational spot for locals near Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, continues to suffer from poor maintenance and lighting issues, more than four months after it was reopened to the public.

Locals told mid-day that apart from occasional cleaning, the garden is largely neglected, and the bigger problem is that they do not know which authority or official to approach with their concerns. "Recently, there was a complete blackout in the garden for a week, after which makeshift floodlights were installed," said a nearby resident.

Temporary floodlights installed after a recent blackout

The garden's responsibility currently lies in limbo between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), as the transfer process from the Metro authority (developer of the park) to the civic body (maintenance authority) is still underway.

"A shared responsibility has resulted in no responsibility: occasional visitors come here for picnics and leave behind trash, showing no civic sense, while no authority steps in to regulate or maintain the garden," said a regular walker.

Several light fixtures in the park have been broken

About the park

Location: Sane Guruji Udyan, near Siddhivinayak Temple.

Background: The site is with MMRCL for Metro development work. It was closed to the public for nearly a decade before being reopened in December 2025.

Transfer of authority: The BMC had announced it would take over the park in January 2026, but will receive the plot only after recommended rectifications are carried out by MMRCL.

Current status: Lighting issues persist. Lamps along the path have broken before they even started operating. Several new benches have broken, and paver blocks have gotten loose. The main centrepiece fountain also remains non-operational.

The defunct fountain inside the open space

Pet parent's worries

Shraddha Chaudhary, Prabhadevi resident
‘Mostly, the park is reasonably clean. But the lack of clarity on the authority responsible and officials assigned affects me. I bring my pet here occasionally for walks, and people often object to it. If there was clarity, I would have asked officials responsible about regulations regarding pets'

G South ward official
‘As a default regulation, pets are not allowed in regular parks. We have a few special pet parks across the city. In our region, there is one on LR Papan Marg, off Dr Elijah Moses Road. Pet parents can visit that park'

Broken benches can be seen around the park

Officials Speak

A BMC official
‘BMC is yet to receive the garden from MMRCL. The transfer process is ongoing, and the plot will be handed over to BMC for maintenance once MMRCL completes rectification work'

Another BMC official
‘Ward officials and the area councillor have inspected the park and flagged issues with lights, railings, and grills. MMRCL has started with the rectifications, and we expect work to be completed within 15 days. The garden will be handed over after that'

An MMRCL official
‘We expect the rectification work to be completed within two months. We are unable to carry out the work continuously as we frequently have to stop due to the site being occupied with special arrangements for the Siddhivinayak Temple visitors'

Locals' concerns

Mohnish Kore, Dadar resident
‘I have been visiting this garden since childhood. It was much bigger earlier, but even now is a beloved and rare open space in the area. Locals see cleanliness of the park as their responsibility, thus it remains fairly clean. I am also not sure about the authority responsible or if the park has even been formally inaugurated yet'

Prateek Waggle, regular walker
‘The upkeep is decent, but visitors have a major civic sense issue. Dustbins lie empty while people leave the grass trashed. There are also new benches that have already given up due to damage, and no one has cleared them yet'

Santosh Shinde, Dadar resident
‘The tiles have already started wobbling at many spots. I doubt plants are being watered regularly. Although the park seems clean on most evenings, the trash makes morning walks unbearable'

Salil Shet, Prabhadevi resident
‘I come here occasionally to walk. The fountain has been dry for at least the past three months. I have not seen any designated staff carrying out any maintenance duties… broken benches remain'