Latest news with #MumbaiHeritageConservationCommittee
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Forest dept inspects Bandra Fort's ‘unauthorised' renovation
MUMBAI: The historic Bandra Fort, also known as Castella de Aguada, has allegedly suffered significant and potentially irreversible damage due to unauthorized repair and renovation work carried out within the sensitive Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ-IA), according to a complaint filed by Watchdog Foundation, an NGO. Concerned citizens and heritage conservationists have been raising the alarm over violations that have allegedly compromised the structural and historical integrity of this 17th-century landmark. Following up on the complaint, the forest guard in Versova carried out a panchnama of the Grade I heritage structure and visited the site on Friday to inspect for CRZ violations. Concerned citizens alleged that the renovation work being carried out at the Bandra Fort is turning out to be detrimental to its structural and historical integrity. Advocate Godfrey Pimenta, who was present at the site, told HT that the fort's walls were plastered with cement and paint instead of basalt stone, marring the heritage look. 'This complaint was made four months back but a site visit was done by the forest department and Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee today (Friday) to inspect the CRZ violations.' Built by the Portuguese in 1640, this iconic watchtower, overlooking Mahim Bay, once served as a strategic outpost for Portuguese naval operations. It has since become a symbol of Mumbai's colonial history and cultural richness. A previous conservation initiative was spearheaded in 2003 by the Bandra Bandstand Residents' Trust under the leadership of former member of parliament Shabana Azmi. It successfully stabilized the structure and prevented further erosion-related damage. That project followed internationally accepted conservation principles and aimed to preserve the fort's authenticity. However, recent unauthorized renovations have undermined those efforts, said Pimenta. 'Walls have been plastered and sections of the structure repaired using methods deemed inappropriate for a Grade I heritage site. According to heritage regulations, no work – whether development, redevelopment, or even cosmetic repairs like plastering or painting – can be undertaken on such protected sites without explicit, written approval from relevant authorities, including the Mumbai Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), the Heritage Conservation Committee, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the BMC,' added Pimenta. According to Pimenta, the unauthorised renovation work, including plastering and structural modifications, has altered the original character and materials of the fort, compromising its authenticity. He alleged standard conservation protocols were ignored, resulting in the loss of significant architectural features that form the fort's historic identity. 'Such violations not only constitute a breach of legal protections but also represent a grave cultural and civic failure. Experts warn that if such practices continue unchecked, Mumbai risks losing other irreplaceable heritage landmarks to similar negligence.' The forest guard in Borivali told HT that while prima facie there were no violations and a detailed report on the visit will be submitted next week.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Heritage association objects to toilet block near Oval Maidan
Mumbai: The Fort Heritage Conservation Association has written to the BMC objecting to construction of a new toilet block opposite Bombay High Court and adjacent to the Grade I heritage Oval Maidan. In a letter dated May 16, the association criticized the proposed design as "a pastiche/ tasteless imitation," arguing that it disrespects the historical and architectural significance of the World Heritage precinct. "We have earlier iterated that the toilet stands near the Grade I sites of the Oval Maidan (within 100m), the University of Mumbai, and the High Court; which are at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai'. Additionally, this location is also a part of the Fort Heritage Precinct. As per the Heritage Control Regulations presented in Section 52 of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), any new construction at such an important site requires 'sensitive' development in terms of mass, scale, and setting and requires conservation of its heritage and cultural significance. Any new addition should not alter the character of the precinct. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The new interventions could be contemporary but subtle or inspired by the original character, but should not be a pastiche/tasteless imitation of it," states the letter. A public toilet that was earlier on the same location had been demolished. The association stated that through documents obtained through a govt official in March 2025, they have observed that there are no updated designs nor has approval been sought from the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC). "The designs shared continue to expand the footprint and have a flat roof with a character that is insensitive to the heritage character of the World Heritage Site. Under the guise of providing a public amenity toilet, the structure also includes Rest Rooms, Store Areas, Waiting Area, Locker Rooms/ Luggage Rooms, Shower Rooms, Changing Areas, Office Room and Record Room," it said. When contacted, civic officials clarified that the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) had granted approval on June 13, 2024, for the construction of a toilet block in front of the high court. "During a review meeting on December 18, 2024, the Municipal Commissioner directed that the existing Solid Waste Management (SWM) labour chowky, adjacent to the proposed toilet block, also be integrated into this structure. A unified building was preferred," said a civic official. Revised plans were accordingly submitted to the MHCC, featuring a ground-plus-one composite building that includes the toilet block and SWM chowky.
