The fountain that was once on a footpath is now in the middle of the road due to new constructions in the vicinity.
As mills are being razed to build malls and old stone chawls are replacing towers changing the landscape of the city, a few old historic relics that missed out from the heritage list lie neglected and are on the verge of extinction.
An old late 19th century pyau (water fountain) opposite the legendary Bharatmata theatre in the heart of the city at Parel lies in a state of utter neglect in the middle of the road amid bustling traffic.
The fountain that was once on a footpath is now in the middle of the road due to new constructions in the vicinity.
City-based architect Rahul Chemburkar, who has been working on conservation projects in the city, said that it would be in the city’s interest to save this beautiful structure.
“There are several such pyaus that are lying in neglect across the city. This one is just one among them. Though it is not exactly unique, but is a reminder of the old Bombay. The decorative architecture and plaque tell us its story and importance in the growth of the city of Bombay,” he said.
“Such pyaus were at strategic locations in the city and served humans and animals too. There is another such fountain on Gokhale Road in Dadar, almost a twin, with similar work and carvings,” Chemburkar, who is restoring the one at Dadar, added.
BMC has taken up projects to restore old pyaus across the city but this one seems to have missed the list. Seeking its restoration, he said that there are several hi-profile corporate offices in the vicinity, which could easily take up the sponsorship for the upkeep and develop it as a city monument.
City historian Sharada Dwivedi rued the fact that the administrators of Mumbai did not care for heritage. “We are probably the first city that enacted a legislation for it, but there is no respect for heritage at all. More than that there is complete lack of awareness about it,” she said.
She cited an example of how an old water fountain built by the Peerbhoy family was demolished by the civic authorities about 10 years ago for widening the road.
“Pyaus were once the oasis of Mumbai. These were the main sources of water supply before piped water reached Mumbai. There were two types of pyaus, one for people and other for animals,” Deepak Rao, a historian said.
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