Heritage lost

BMC heritage committee has allotted a mere Rs 1 crore for the restoration of the city's century old fountains. The project is stuck in limbo as babus pass the buck around

BMC heritage committee has allotted a mere Rs 1 crore for the restoration of the city's century old fountains. The project is stuck in limbo as babus pass the buck around
u00a0
While the BMC is keeping itself busy in an attempt to beautify the city, it seems to have forgotten about the city's glorious fountains.

The BMC has sanctioned a mere Rs 1 crore for restoring all of the six fountains, of heritage value, located in South Mumbai. However, for the past one year, no restoration has been done on any of the fountains.

An official from the BMC's heritage committee said, "The file of the restoration proposal is doing the rounds, and each official is passing the buck on to the other."

In 2007, the BMC had decided to start the restoration work of the fountains in the city but the planning and studying of the structures took time, and it was only in April last year that the restoration plan was approved by the BMC's heritage committee.

Senior heritage conservationist engineer of the BMC, Abhay Sabnis, said, "The work will begin as soon as we get a green signal from the higher officials."

He further added, "The day-to-day maintenance of these fountains is carried out by the ward offices wherein they are cleaned by using water."

But when MiD DAY visited the fountains, we found that the structures looked like they were not cleaned for years.

Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Vice chairperson, Tasneem Mehta, "It's about time that the BMC appoints a full-fledged heritage department as there would be no need of having any consultants for the restoration work."

"The BMC is talking about beautification by developing new gardens and many other things, but what about these century old structures. Should they be neglected?" said Mehta.

The Fountains


Flora Fountain, Fort
Day by day the fountain is wearing a film of moss and algae that is darkening the exterior of the structure. It seems that the corporation is not paying attention to the 142-year-old structure, which is also the city's most visited landmark and tourist spot.
The water in the monument is full of moss and algae, which is darkening its surface.
It should not have been painted, as the layer is preventing the Portland stone from breathing
The biggest concern is water engineering; the pipes are clogged, and water is spilling from all possible places.

Ruttonsee Muljee Fountain, Fort market
The fountain had become a dirt bed wherein it is completed covered by dust, the paint is chipping off, the animal motifs on it were damaged over time, and the garden around has garbage and debris thrown by the locals. Sabnis said, "The proposal for restoring this fountain is given along with the Flora fountain proposal as the consultant architect is the same and he would complete it in time." It was built by Ruttonsee Muljee Squire in memory of his son Dharamsee who is standing over the dome of the fountain in 1894.
>Chipped surface
>Exterior laced with dust and filth

Wellington Fountain, Colaba
This heritage fountain was built in honor of Duke of Wellington's visit to Bombay in 1801 which is suffering the same situation as the other fountains, chipped surface and minor damages on the front. A BMC official informs that there are moves to develop a parking lot in the surrounding area, and when work on that begins, the restoration will be undertaken simultaneously.
>Chipped surface, paint peeling off
>Exterior and facade damaged

Two fountains at Crawford Market
These heritage monuments were crafted by Rudyard Kipling's father, Lockwood Kipling. But they seem like some shrines, painted with cheap, colourful paint, with a frame of an Indian god and posters, and encircled with fruits all around. These are also used for hanging post-workday clothes and carry bags.
BMC officials say that permission for only basic restoration has been sought so far wherein Sabnis said, "It will be restored in the second phase of restoration of Crawford Market. If we do it before restoring the market, then the vendors would again use it for hanging clothes and selling vegetables."

Khada Parsi fountain, Byculla
The Khada Parsi fountain lies below the iconic statue of 150-year-old Shet Cursetjee Manockjee which is known as the Khada Parsi statue. Sabnis said, "The fountain which is below the Khada Parsi statue will be restored but it will happen only when it will get sanctioned from the top brass." The restoration, along with the statues, will include the fountain at the base of the Corinthian column and replacement of the four-foot tall lamps that were stolen in the 1970s.
>Filthy and laced with dust
>Exterior wall used by urchins as shanty
>Water springs broken

19th century fountain demolished
MiD DAY had reported (Dec 14, 2010) about how the F South Ward officials had broken down a 19th century old fountain which is of heritage importance as it came in the way of a road widening project. Abhay Sabnis said, "The fountain there was built to provide water to horses and cattle as in those days they were the mode of transportation. The structure was of heritage importance but wasn't recognised. We are trying to preserve such fountains in the city."

Ek Cutting!
Flora the Goddess
Flora the Goddess
The Flora Fountain erected in 1869 in honour of Sir Bartle Frere, and built in imported Portland stone. The fountain depicts the Roman goddess Flora.