The first phase of the restoration work of Flora Fountain will be thrown open to citizens by October-November depending on the monsoon. The work, that aims to restore the nearly 150-year-old fountain, began in September 2016 and was expected to be completed by September this year.

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"If the rains do not prolong, we expect to finish the work by October," said Vikas Dilawari, a conservation architect who has been appointed as the consultant in the case.

Funded by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the work is being carried out by Dilawari and expert conservators from INTACH. The total project cost is estimated to be around Rs 3.5 crore. The first phase costs Rs 1.5 crore while the second phase will cost Rs 2.2 crore. Around four to five conservators work there at any given time.

Flora Fountain was opened in the year 1869. Made of Portland stone, it was dedicated to then Governor Bartle Frere. "R Norman Shaw was the designer of the fountain and it was sculpted by James Forsythe," said an engineer from the heritage committee of the BMC who oversees the restoration work.

"We are done cleaning the main statue. Steam was used to clean and remove the paint. We are also done with cleaning the four celestial statutes. Now, the work is on for the trough part after which final touches will be given. We have had to take great care throughout. We removed the scaffolding when the wind was too powerful and we did not want it to damage anything," said Dilawari.

The BMC engineer confirmed the new date of completion of work on condition of anonymity. He added, "The tendering is still in the process for phase two. That too will take around six to seven months time and will take care of the surrounding work of the Flora Fountain."