Overview
- Mayor Ritu Tawde opened the main gate of the mayoral bungalow and allowed local residents to use a designated walking route inside the grounds between 6 am and 9 am on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
- The move was announced after the Independence Day flag-hoisting and is aimed chiefly at senior citizens and nearby residents who need a quiet, accessible place for daily exercise.
- The initiative follows the BMC’s July decision to end the decades-old morning walkers facility at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo, a change made to comply with Central Zoo Authority guidelines that require a disturbance-free period for animals and respond to complaints about feeding and damage.
- The bungalow is a heritage-listed property within the zoo complex, so access is strictly time-limited, routed along a designated path, and presented as a managed alternative rather than full public entry.
- Local residents have welcomed the change because it offers a nearby green space for morning walks, and the arrangement could ease demand on other parks while raising questions about crowd management, security checks, and whether the access will be formalised long term.