What is the current state of Mumbai's gardens and open spaces?

There are approximately 200 gardens and open spaces in Mumbai that require construction or repair, with many facing issues like broken walkways and defunct facilities.

Why has the BMC's garden budget been reduced?

The budget for the garden and trees department has been significantly cut, with funds being reallocated to major infrastructure projects.

BMC Cuts Garden Budget Amid Repair Needs and Heat Concerns

Despite a backlog of 200 garden repairs and ongoing heat and pollution, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has significantly reduced its budget for green spaces.

Flat illustration of Wilting plant, Cracked pavement, Dry fountain, Stunted tree, Dusty air

2026-10-06 · Updated 2026-10-06

Mumbai's natural defenses against heat and pollution, its green spaces, are facing a funding crisis. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has a backlog of approximately 200 gardens and open spaces requiring construction or repair, work that has been stalled due to financial constraints. This comes at a time when the city is experiencing intense heat and poor air quality.

The budget allocated to the BMC's garden and trees department has seen a consistent decline over the past five years. The department has received requests for garden development and maintenance projects valued at Rs 710 crore, with a technical assessment indicating a need for Rs 250 crore for essential work. This figure is more than three times the Rs 68 crore allocated for the current financial year.

Officials noted that the final budget for the garden and tree department was cut by 66% in the final allocation, with funds being redirected to infrastructure projects. These include wastewater treatment facilities, road concretization, the Mumbai Coastal Road North project, the Goregaon Mulund Link Road project, and a water conveyance tunnel project.

While leaders acknowledge the budget shortfall, they are in discussions to potentially increase the allocation by 25-30% for the current year. However, opposition party leaders have reported that their requests for new gardens and repairs are being delayed or ignored by the administration.

Mumbai faces a significant deficit in open spaces, with a ratio of 0.87 square meters per person, falling far short of the World Health Organization's recommendation of 9 square meters per person. Concerns have been raised that the reduced budget and focus on infrastructure may lead to the privatization of open spaces, potentially restricting public access.

FAQ

What is the current state of Mumbai's gardens and open spaces?: There are approximately 200 gardens and open spaces in Mumbai that require construction or repair, with many facing issues like broken walkways and defunct facilities.
Why has the BMC's garden budget been reduced?: The budget for the garden and trees department has been significantly cut, with funds being reallocated to major infrastructure projects.