Nearly a month after work on the long-awaited rejuvenation of Bandra Talao (Swami Vivekanand Sarovar) was officially flagged off, the ground tells a different story. Despite a December tender and a January 12 start date, the iconic waterbody near Bandra station remains untouched, with only metal beams erected around the lake but no visible activity on site, prompting residents to question whether the project has stalled before it even began.
A woman walks over broken tiles along the Bandra Talao promenade on Thursday
Project snapshot
Project cost: Rs 15.13 crore
Start date (on paper)
January 12, 2026
Contract period 18 months
(excluding monsoon)
Metal beams erected around the Bandra Talao, but no visible rejuvenation work of the lake has begun on site
Contractor
WTE Infra Projects Pvt Ltd
Delay decoded
Delay so far 2 months
Action taken
Show-cause notice issued by BMC
Penalty
Proposed against the contractor
“There has been a delay of about two months. We have issued a show-cause notice and proposed a penalty,”
– Dinesh Pallewad, H West ward officer
Damaged railings around Bandra Talao (captured on Thursday) highlight the need for urgent restoration
What’s planned?
>> Possible floating gardens
>> Promenade restoration
>> Overall beautification of the Talao precinct
What the project aims to fix?
>> Removal of aquatic weeds
>> Reduction of pollutants
Key approvals underway include
>> Dumping and disposal of silt and solid waste
>> Clearances from road and civic authorities
>> Planning execution to avoid public disruption.
“As this is a sensitive and heritage project, we are taking utmost precaution,”
Rohit Patankar
Why no work is visible
The contractor maintains that groundwork is underway, just not on-site.
“We are currently in the stage of taking permissions from all relevant authorities… physical work will begin only after all clearances are in place,”
Rohit Patankar, engineer, WTE Infra Projects
