Citizen activists are up in arms against authorities “spoiling” heritage sites in Mumbai. The uproar erupted after citizens found that the authorities are continuing to work with the defamed ‘Savani Heritage Conservation Pvt Ltd’ for the restoration of the Bandra Fort project.
“This is the same contractor delisted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for ruining the ‘heritage staircase at Banganga’. Does the country lack heritage experts, that a defamed contractor is allowed to work on another heritage site?” said activist Zoru Bhathena.
The Conservation and Restoration of Bandra Fort is undertaken by the State Archaeology Department; however certain works are carried out by the BMC. A controversy had erupted last month when over 40 local residents reached out to the archaeology department and the BMC highlighting that the plastering of walls at Bandra Fort is damaging the historic monument and demanding that the work be halted immediately.
Bhathena, who has written to the State Archaeology Department and BMC urging a joint inspection of Bandra Fort, said, “The state department said that BMC’s permission is required for repairs at Bandra Fort, however, they also replied that some digging work is done by the BMC. Hence, we demanded a joint inspection with the BMC Heritage Department, but it has refused.”
An architect from the BMC who assists the Heritage Committee said, “We have not received any proposal for restoration or repairs of Bandra Fort. The citizens sometimes get confused and write to other departments as well. The Bandra Fort restoration falls under the state department.” The officer refused to comment on the appointment of Savani Heritage Conservation Pvt Ltd, a defamed contractor, saying it falls under the civic ward office.
