Mumbai: Centuries-old pyaus get new lease of life

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in an attempt to beautify the city and provide clean water to its citizens, has begun the process of restoring dozens of pyaus (drinking water fountains) in south Mumbai.

These pyaus are a unique architectural expression of the city's socio-cultural heritage from the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. They were installed as a form of water charity. There are around 50 of them spread across the city, of which 30 have been identified by the BMC in the last two years.

"We want to provide free drinking water to commuters and to conserve the rich heritage of the city. We want to conserve all the pyaus in the city. Right now we are working on the Kothari pyau near Metro, Vitthal Koli pyau on Gokhale Road and one in Kalachowki," said Sanjay Sawant, head of the BMC's heritage cell.

The Kothari pyau, built in 1923, used stones like Porbandar limestone, Malad Trachyte Stone and Red Agra Sandstone to build it. There is a kabutarkhana nearby, so both birds and humans could benefit from the drinking water available. The original structure has undergone a lot of alterations over the decades, and while excavation work was underway, the BMC found an animal water trough, a bird water trough and also the original plinth and stone steps.

There is also an old pedestal which was used to erect an art installation.