With this proposed attraction, the state tourism department wants to draw visitors to the prime commercial area even after office hours
The iconic Fort area in South Mumbai may soon get a new tourist attraction with the state tourism department planning to construct a choreographed fountain system at the Horniman Circle gardens, on lines of the Dubai fountain.
"Globally, all cities have something iconic, be it the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Though we cannot create something of that scale, we can at least build a tourist attraction. We have requested the BMC to allow the construction of a dancing fountain like in Dubai. We are looking at a site where people can stop and view the show without any hindrance to the traffic," Jaykumar Rawal, Maharashtra minister for tourism and employment guarantee scheme (EGS) told DNA.
"According to our planning, people will be able to sit on the steps of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai and view the fountains at the Horniman Circle," said Rawal, adding that this would be a tourist attraction in an area which was a business district, with little footfalls after office hours.
The dancing fountain will be modelled on the lines of the Dubai Fountain located near the Dubai Mall and shows will be held in the evening once commercial establishments and offices in the area down their shutters. This fountain can shoot water up to 140 meters accompanied by choreographed lights and music.
Rawal said they were also considering a tree top walk in Mumbai on the lines of the one in Germany. Similarly, elevated sites on the coast, like at Malabar Hill, are being considered for the project which will consist of a transparent glass sky walk to offer a panoramic view of the sea.
HISTORY OF HERITAGE
- Named after Benjamin Guy Horniman, the editor of the Bombay Chronicle newspaper, who supported India's cause for Independence from British rule, the Horniman Circle was earlier called 'Bombay Green'.
- The area was converted into a garden by then police commissioner Charles Forjett. The garden was completed in 1872 and named after the Governor Lord John Elphinstone. The area is overlooked by the Asiatic Society of Mumbai which is known for its iconic portico and steps.
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