BMC promises ’clean’ statues

In a bid to beautify Mumbai, civic officials have decided to not only focus on building new statues, but also on cleaning up the existing ones, many of which are covered with bird droppings

BMC promises 'clean' statues

In a bid to beautify Mumbai, civic officials have decided to not only focus on building new statues, u00a0but also on cleaning up the existing ones, many of which are covered with bird droppings

The numerous statues in the city were constructed not only to commemorate the nation's heroes and icons, but also with the explicit intention of stimulating the aesthetic sensibilities of passers by. In a sorry travesty of this objective, the structures nowadays attract the attention of passersby not for their beauty, but for their deplorable and squalid condition. Statues across the city have become an eyesore for passersby, often encrusted with dried bird droppings. Sitting up and taking note of the sorry state of the statues, the BMC has now resolved to clean these structures in all the wards on a monthly basis, in a bid to beautify the city.

Pics/Bipin Kokate

Mahatma Gandhi nariman point

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Nariman point

The idea for this commendable initiative germinated when the BMC officials and corporators were considering proposals for the erection of a statue of the late Tukaram Omble, a policeman who lost his life during the terror attacks that rocked the city on November 26, 2008. In the course of brainstorming for the statue, NCP corporator Mangesh Bansode pointed out that the existing statues in the city were in a sorry condition, suggesting that something be done to restore them to their pristine condition.

Khada Parsi Byculla

Bansode had brought to the notice of other officials that bird droppings were gradually destroying the city's beautiful statues. He had argued that the corporation's drive to construct new statues should not come at the cost of maintaining the existing statues, which are of historic importance to the city. There are nearly 12,000 statues on private and public properties across the city. It is the duty of the ward level civic bodies to maintain the statues erected on public properties. In order to keep the original structures intact, the BMC will not be using any corrosive chemicals to clean the statues, and will use only water.

Subhash Chandra Bose Chowpatty

Rajiv Gandhi Nariman Point

Official speak
Additional Municipal Commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said, "I have ordered the assistant engineers (maintenance) at every ward to clean the statues every month. However, the procedure varies from statue to statue, and not every one of them needs to be cleaned every month." Speaking to MiD DAY, BMC Standing Committee Chairperson Rahul Shewale said, "We had proposed that some sort of material be applied on these statues, so that the structures are not affected by the bird droppings." But Mhaiskar said that no such plans were being considered.

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkaru00a0opposite oval maidan

Expert speak
Mumbai-based historian and researcher Sharada Dwivedi said, "This is a welcome initiative undertaken by the BMC. But the ward level officers should be made to clean the statues under the supervision of a conservationist. Moreover, the BMC should push for restoration work, and only a conservationist can do this. There is a lot of history associated with the statues. The men and women standing up there have done a lot for the people, and they should be given the respect that is due to them."

Commemorating a hero
Visitors at Girgaum Chowpatty will soon discover a new sculpture, that of late Assistant Sub Inspector Tukaram Omble. In a scuffle with Kasab on the night of the attack, Omble held onto the Kasab's gun, enabling other officers to arrest him. In the process, Kasab fired several shots, killing Omble.
Mhaiskar told MiD DAY that the statue of Constable Omble would be completed by the sculptor in three to four months. "We will appoint a sculptor soon, and while the sculpture is being readied, we will obtain the necessary permission for a suitable location at Girgaum Chowpatty," she said.