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Mumbai Mayor orders withdrawal of controversial heritage bungalow tender
The Mayor of Mumbai, Ritu Tawde, lives in a special old house called a heritage bungalow that sits inside a zoo garden.
The city government made a plan to spend about Rs 3 crore on works near this bungalow.
The plan included building a conference hall out of shipping-container-like structures and putting up sound barriers.
Some people in the opposition said this plan was a waste of public money.
They thought the money was being spent for the Mayor's own house.
The Mayor said the plan was made by the zoo department and was for the garden around her home, not her home itself.
But the plan's papers mentioned the Mayor's bungalow, which caused confusion and criticism.
So the Mayor asked the city to withdraw the plan.
She also said she never asked for any upgrades to her house, which had already been fixed up for Rs 2.4 crore before she moved in.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to withdraw a Rs 3 crore tender for upgradation and infrastructure works around her Byculla heritage bungalow.
The tender, issued by the BMC's zoo department, included fabrication and installation of container-based structures for a conference hall, sound barriers and other facilities.
Opposition parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, alleged misuse of public funds and questioned the civic administration's handling of the project.
Tawde said the works were meant for the surrounding zoo premises, not the heritage bungalow itself, and the tender was withdrawn because its document misleadingly mentioned the Mayor's bungalow.
Tawde said she had not asked for any upgradation work at her official residence, which was recently renovated for Rs 2.4 crore before she moved in.
- Who
- Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and opposition leaders such as Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT).
- What
- Withdrawal of a Rs 3 crore BMC tender for upgradation and infrastructure works around the mayor's official heritage bungalow at Byculla after opposition criticism.
- Where
- Byculla, Mumbai, around the mayor's official heritage bungalow within the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo (Ranichi Baug).
- When
- On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, amid the political row.
- Why
- Opposition leaders alleged misuse of public funds for works connected to the mayor's residence, and the tender document's mention of the Mayor's bungalow prompted its withdrawal.
Mayor's side
Opposition side
Use of public funds
Mayor's side
Tawde says the tender belongs to the BMC's zoo department and has no connection with her official residence, so allegations of misuse are false.
Opposition side
Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Aaditya Thackeray alleges misuse of public funds for works around the mayor's bungalow and questions the civic administration's handling of the project.
Scope of the tender
Mayor's side
The works, such as the container-based conference hall and sound barriers, are for the premises around the heritage structure, not the bungalow itself, and she never requested upgrades to her residence.
Opposition side
The tender document's mention of the Mayor's bungalow raised concerns that civic money was being spent in connection with the mayor's residence.
Handling of criticism
Mayor's side
Tawde alleged the Shiv Sena-UBT is spreading false narratives to "run their shop".
Opposition side
The opposition maintains it is raising a legitimate concern about how public money is being spent.
Key facts
- Mayor
- Ritu Tawde
- Tender value
- Around Rs 3 crore
- Issuing department
- BMC zoo department
- Location
- Mayor's heritage bungalow, Byculla, Mumbai (Ranichi Baug)
- Proposed works
- Sound barriers, container-based conference hall and other facilities
- Recent renovation cost
- Rs 2.4 crore
- Opposition criticism
- Shiv Sena (UBT) alleged misuse of public funds
- Outcome
- Tender ordered to be withdrawn
Quotes
Ritu Tawde
Mumbai Mayor
“I have said that the tender should be withdrawn as its document mentions the Mayor's bungalow. They have accepted the fault and the tender will be withdrawn.”
rediff.com
“This whole tender process doesn't include the mayor's bungalow. This tender is by the zoo department, which is not linked to the mayor's bungalow.”
rediff.com
Sources
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