Private players may adopt Gateway, Banganga sites in Mumbai

Two iconic monuments in Mumbai, the Banganga tank and temple complex and Gateway of India, will get better conservation, maintenance and security, with the state government considering a proposal for their adoption.

Bhushan Gagrani, principal secretary to the chief minister, who also holds the charge of the cultural affairs department, confirmed that a proposal to allow the RPG Foundation and JSW Foundation to adopt Banganga and the Gateway, respectively, was being considered.

Under 2007 scheme, ‘Maharashtra Vaibhav State Protected Monuments Adoption Scheme,’ allows the state directorate of archaeology and museums to allow private entities to adopt heritage structures and monuments. This helps the government overcome a funds crunch, which affects its ability to conserve, maintain and protect them.

At Banganga, the RPG Foundation will undertake conservation and beautification.

“Around 70% conservation at Banganga has been completed and the remaining works will be done by the foundation,” an official from the department of culture explained. 

Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah said the RPG Foundation would improve cleaning of the tank and surroundings, install street furniture like benches and hand-rails, and restore and illuminate buildings at the tank’s edge.

The official said the entry to the Gateway precinct would be allowed from the statue of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, to ensure this statue became part of the aesthetics. The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) will be roped in to shift the existing jetty to Radio Club to reduce crowding in the area.

Private entities will conserve these sites and ensure cleanliness, security, toilets and parking while getting ticketing rights (withrates approved by the directorate) and the authority to use the monument as an icon in advertisements.

TOURIST SPOTS

• Banganga tank: A 12th-century monument at Walkeshwar. The precinct has a temple complex and rectangular step-tank
• Gateway of India: Built on Mumbai’s eastern seaboard to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911