MUMBAI, Jan. 30 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a tender for the construction of a ten-storey municipal school building at Sai Baba Path in Abhyudaya Nagar, Lalbaug, after receiving approval from the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI). The project had been stalled due to objections raised by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which said the construction could impact the nearby Mint Colony Monorail Station tower. The BMC has floated a tender worth Rs.58.43 crore for the project. The original school building at Sai Baba Path was demolished after the Covid-19 pandemic, following damage to its already weak structure. Since then, around 700 students from the area have been studying in other municipal schools, at Parmanand Wadi and Peru Compound. The plan to rebuild the municipal school hit a roadblock as the monorail pillars were close to the school site. In February last year, the BMC appointed VJTI as a technical consultant and suggested a safe design (Civic school runs into monorail roadblock, February 18, 2025). Deputy municipal commissioner (education) Prachi Jambhekar said, "After consultation with VJTI, we redesigned the tender as per technical requirements and issued a public notice. We are expecting completion two years after issuing the work order." She added that the school building is important as the locality still depends heavily on municipal schools for education. The new building, to be constructed on a plot measuring 12,700 sq m, will enrol students from pre-primary to Class 10. It will include science laboratories, a multipurpose hall, an e-library section, a medical room, 50 classrooms, a computer room and six skill development centres. Before its closure in 2020, the six-storey Sai Baba Path School was an important educational centre for the local community. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the school premises were used to store essential medical materials. After an explosion due to a leaking oxygen cylinder, the building became unsafe and was demolished. When the school shut, its 700-odd students were relocated to municipal schools in Parmanand Wadi and Peru Compound. However, parents said these schools are too far for local children and have consistently urged the BMC and political leaders to reopen the Sai Baba Path School. Parents and local residents also questioned the MMRDA's selective objections, pointing out that private buildings have been constructed around the monorail without any opposition. Local residents, still haunted by the tremors caused by the monorail's construction, also questioned the MMRDA's double standards. Sandesh Ayre, a local resident had told HT that objections raised by locals were not heard when piling work for the monorail was carried out. "What right do they have to object to the school's construction?" he had said. Residents also said the school was much sought-after among Lalbaug's residents. Students relocated to Peru Compound also raised concerns about overcrowding....