Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde Cancels ₹2.9 Crore BMC Tender After Political Row Over ‘Bungalow Revamp’
The controversy erupted when reports highlighted a proposed ₹2.9 crore tender for the mayor’s bungalow, shortly after earlier renovation work had concluded in April.
Mumbai: Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has ordered the cancellation of a controversial ₹2.9-crore BMC tender after it sparked a political debate over alleged spending on the mayor’s official residence located inside the Byculla zoo premises.
The controversy began after reports claimed that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had floated a fresh tender for renovation work at the mayor’s bungalow, just four months after earlier refurbishment work worth ₹2.4 crore was completed in April.
Opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, criticised the move, alleging that taxpayers’ money was being spent on the mayor’s personal comfort while several public issues, including potholes, healthcare facilities, and school infrastructure, remained unresolved.
Reacting to the criticism, the BMC clarified that the tender had “no connection whatsoever with the mayor or the mayor’s official residence” and said reports linking the project directly to the mayor’s bungalow were incorrect.
According to the civic body, the mayor’s residence is situated within the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo, where maintenance work is managed by the Garden and Zoo Department. Any conservation-related work involving the heritage structure is handled separately by the Heritage Maintenance Department.
The BMC said the disputed tender was related to work around the zoo premises and not inside the mayor’s bungalow. It added that the mayor neither requested the work nor was aware of the tender before the controversy emerged.
After the mayor’s residence was mentioned in connection with the tender, Tawde directed officials to withdraw the proposal. She said authorities had acknowledged the issue and the tender would be cancelled.
Defending herself against Opposition allegations, Tawde accused political opponents of creating a misleading narrative for their own gains. She said the tender was an administrative matter related to the zoo department and not a personal project for the mayor.
The controversy also involved the proposed installation of sound barriers near the zoo area. Tawde said there were currently no reports of disturbance to animals and added that zoo officials would be the appropriate authority to provide details regarding the requirement.
With the cancellation of the tender, the BMC has attempted to clarify its position and distance the mayor’s office from the controversy surrounding the proposed works.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
