The debate over the mayor's bungalow is now also holding up the proposed municipal officers' gymkhana at Mahalaxmi. Despite funds being set aside for the recreational facility in the 2019-20 budget, the civic body is nowhere near finalising the project because the same plot is also under consideration for the new mayor's bungalow.

Dadar or Mahalaxmi?
A Rs 57-crore gymkhana solely for civic officers had been proposed last year, and an initial Rs 10 crore has already been earmarked for it in this year's BMC budget. However, the plans have been put on hold until a decision is first made on the location of the new mayoral residence. While the Mahalaxmi plot is one of the alternatives, the ruling party, Shiv Sena, is far more keen on setting up the mayor's house at Shivaji park, by converting an existing gymkhana there.