Funds crunch stalls work on 200 Mumbai gardens, open spaces
BMC records show construction and repair of 200 gardens and open spaces in Mumbai are pending due to a financial crunch, even as the city faces intense heat and poor air. The civic body received 210 requests from MLAs and corporators; an official said demands worth Rs 710 crore were received, with basic work assessed at Rs 250 crore. The gardens department got Rs 68 crore this year, against Rs 180.83 crore in 2023-24. Mumbai's open space ratio is 0.87 sqm per person; WHO recommends 9 sqm.