The BMC has decided to increase the number of Shiv Yoga Kendras, where citizens are given free yoga lessons, in the coming months with an aim to train 25,000 Mumbaikars daily. Currently, the city has more than 150 such centres where around 4,000 people take classes.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had come up with the plan to start these centres to promote better physical and mental health among the citizens, especially as lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are on the rise. A recent survey conducted by the civic body found that 34 per cent of 5,000 respondents were suffering from hypertension and many of them also had diabetes. In a bid to keep Mumbaikars healthy, the civic body had announced to start 200 Shiv Yoga Kendras in its budget and started around 50 on June 21 which is celebrated as World Yoga Day.