Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde Scraps Rs 2.9 Crore 'Residence Revamp' Tender After Backlash

Published 5 August 2026 · local

News cities mumbai-news Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde Scraps Rs 2.9 Crore 'Residence Revamp' Tender After Backlash Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde Scraps Rs 2.9 Crore 'Residence

News cities mumbai-news Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde Scraps Rs 2.9 Crore 'Residence Revamp' Tender After Backlash Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde Scraps Rs 2.9 Crore 'Residence Revamp' Tender After Backlash Reported By, Last Updated: August 05, 2026, 17:49 IST The BMC said the tender had 'no connection whatsoever with the mayor or the mayor's official residence' and that reports suggesting otherwise were incorrect The controversy erupted after reports surfaced of a tender floated for the mayor’s bungalow revamp, just four months after the last renovation work was completed in April. File pic Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Wednesday ordered the cancellation of a controversial Rs 2.9-crore BMC tender after it triggered a political row over expenditure on the official mayor’s bungalow on the Byculla zoo premises. Issuing a clarification through the mayor’s office, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the tender had “no connection whatsoever with the mayor or the mayor’s official residence" and that reports suggesting otherwise were incorrect. According to the clarification, the mayor’s official residence is located within the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo, where all maintenance and repair works are handled by the Garden and Zoo Department.

Since the bungalow is a heritage structure, any work related to its conservation is undertaken separately by the Heritage Maintenance Department. The civic body stressed that the present tender was not issued by the Heritage Maintenance Department and did not involve any work inside the mayor’s bungalow. The BMC said the proposed works were meant for the surrounding premises and the zoo complex, adding that the mayor neither sought nor was aware of the tender. Following the controversy, Tawde directed that the tender be withdrawn after the mayor’s bungalow was mentioned in it. “The authorities have accepted the mistake, and the tender will be taken back," she said. Responding to the allegations, Tawde accused the Opposition of creating a false narrative for political mileage. She said the tender belonged to the zoo department and had no connection with the mayor’s residence. “This is a fake narrative to run their own shops. The tender doesn’t mention the mayor or the mayor’s bungalow. It is an administrative process, not my work," she said, adding that she did not accept the allegations levelled by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray.

On the proposed installation of sound barriers, Tawde said there was currently no report of any disturbance to animals and that the zoo authorities were best placed to explain the requirement. She added that she would seek further details from the department. The controversy erupted after reports surfaced of a tender floated for the mayor’s bungalow revamp, just four months after the last renovation work was completed in April. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray alleged that the BMC was spending taxpayers’ money on the mayor’s comforts. He claimed that after spending Rs 2.4 crore on the bungalow’s refurbishment just four months ago, the civic body had now proposed another Rs 2.9 crore facelift, including sound barriers, while neglecting public infrastructure and open spaces. The Congress also criticised the proposal, alleging that Mumbai residents’ tax money was being used for the mayor’s “royal comfort" at a time when the city continued to face issues such as potholes, inadequate hospital infrastructure, and underfunded schools. The party questioned the need for expensive sound barriers at a bungalow located within the green expanse of the Byculla zoo and botanical garden.