Illegal gym, temple in Worli fort

Illegal constructions have been made inside Worli Fort, a historical site under the protection of the state archaeological and archive department. The department, however, is unaware of the development.

The illegal structures are a gymnasium and a temple, maintained by a local. The man, who is named Danny, admitted that his activities in the fort have no sanction from the department.

The top view of the gym inside the fort. Photograph by- Divyesh Nair 

He claimed that he had built the temple to maintain cleanliness by sanctifying the area. He, however, denied that he had built a gym there and claimed it had existed since 1962. He added he cleaned up the fort regularly.

According to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, construction is prohibited inside the protected monument. However, Danny claimed that it was because of his efforts that the monument has been protected from encroachers, squatters and criminals. "People are not barging into the place because we haven't allowed it to happen. I am doing a social service by allowing people to use the gym for a minimal fee of Rs50 a month. And students can even sit here and study, unlike the partying and gambling that used to be rampant here earlier," Danny said. When contacted, director of the state archeological department Sanjay Patil said, "We will seek a clarification from Danny on this." 

Located near Worli village, the fort was built in 1675 by the Portuguese and it was further expanded in 1737. Its purpose was to protect the bay from invaders.

@GandhiForum