The long-delayed beautification and illumination project at Budhwar Park seashore is finally set to move forward after funds were recently restored, the BMC administration has confirmed. Officials dismissed allegations by former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar and clarified that there is no plan to cancel the project.

According to the civic body, work had stalled because funds sanctioned in 2022–23 remained unutilised due to administrative procedures, tender timelines and the blacklisting of the appointed contractor. The project faced another setback when no budget allocation was made in 2023–24.

With financial provisions now reinstated, officials said the project will resume, ending the prolonged delay.

Last week, Narwekar wrote to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani alleging that despite repeated assurances, the BMC had failed to redevelop Macchimar Nagar and now intended to scrap the project. He warned that cancelling the tender would trigger protests from the local fishing community. Civic authorities, however, insisted the project has not been closed. They said unauthorised structures were removed with help from the district collector, while boats were relocated with support from the local community. A work order was issued in February 2023 once the site was cleared.

A civic official explained that although funds were sanctioned for 2022–23, administrative and tender-related delays meant the work order was issued only in February, leaving insufficient time to use the funds before the March year-end. With no allocation in 2023–24, financial scrutiny and draft approval could not proceed. During this time, the contractor was blacklisted by the D Ward office, bringing work to a standstill. With the required budget now provided, the official said the project process will continue, reaffirming that it has not been cancelled.

He added that boat parking, gardens, seating areas and projections were not part of the original proposal. Any action on such features will depend on consultant recommendations, required approvals and available funds.

The tender for the project was issued in November 2022, and the lowest bidder was selected for works such as plaza development, road upgrades, stone paving, 3D painting, seating arrangements, electric poles and related components. The wider Koliwada redevelopment—an initiative of Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar—includes the Machhimar Nagar makeover, for which the BMC approved designs and allocated Rs 30 million in March 2023.