Mumbai: All’s not well at Fort’s Bhikha Behram Well

While eyebrows raised over repair work at 300-year-old heritage site, trustees say seepage forced them to begin repairs without nod

New ceramic tiles at the 300-year-old Bhikha Behram Well have raised many eyebrows. A city-based activist on Monday complained to BMC’s heritage committee, drawing their attention to the raising of the compound floor level and the flooring of the heritage well being replaced with ceramic tiles. The activist, Zoru Bhathena, claimed that permission was not taken for carrying out the works. The trustees, however, told mid-day that they have stopped the work and applied for the relevant permissions.

Bhathena, in the letter addressed to the heritage committee and A ward office, said, “Bhikha Behram well at Churchgate is a 300-year-old grade-1 heritage structure. It is observed that the compound floor level is being raised and the floor tiles are being replaced/covered over with ceramic tiles. Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to get a copy of the heritage NOC for this work, which leads us to believe that no permissions have been obtained.”

Bhikha Behram Well is a Grade-1 heritage structure. Pic/Shadab Khan

“I have requested the authorities to immediately look into this work-in-progress, and take necessary steps to protect and preserve this 300-year-old grade-1 heritage structure from such non-heritage work,” he said, adding, “My concern is that the repairs, if any, should be done in a proper way with permissions and go in sync with the regulations since it is a heritage structure.”

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When contacted, Burjor Anita, chairperson of trustees of Bhikha Behram Well, told mid-day, “We had to take up repairs urgently because there was seepage of water and the surface had become slippery and risky for visitors. We have already applied for the heritage committee’s permission and stopped the work. Our hearing is on January 11, 2023.”

Work in progress on the floor tiles leading to the well. Pic/Zoru Bhathena

Located at one end of the Cross Maidan, Bhikha Behram Well is one of the sacred places of worship for the Zoroastrian community in the city. Also known as the Bhikha Behram-no-kuvo, it is a freshwater well built in 1725. The striking fact about this well is that it always has fresh water despite its proximity to the sea. As per regulations, grade-1 heritage structure status is bestowed upon buildings and precincts of national or historic importance, embodying excellence in architectural style, design, technology and material usage.

11
Day in January when hearing will take place

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