Banganga Tank damaged: BMC slaps showcause on contractor who deployed excavator for desilting

Gagrani on Thursday morning also inspected the Banganga Tank to check the progress of the restoration work of the damaged steps being carried out by the local ward office.

“We have issued a notice to the contractor and sought explanation as to why an excavator was deployed inside the tank. Meanwhile, the remaining work of removing sludge from the tank will be carried out manually to prevent any further damage to the existing structure,” said a civic official from the local ward office.

The official said that besides removing sludge from the water body, they are also cleaning the ‘Deepstambhs’ within the periphery of the tank.

Earlier on Monday, as a routine practice during the monsoon, the BMC undertook desilting work inside the tank. However, some steps got damaged after the contractor tried to enter the centre of the tank using a JCB excavator. Following this, the BMC had also lodged an FIR against the contractor.

Issuing a statement, the BMC said that initially the sludge and sediments were being removed manually. However, on June 24 (Monday), the contractor deployed an excavator from the northern end of the tank. The BMC said the local ward office immediately stopped the work, after they were informed about an excavator being pressed into operation at Banganga.

Located in the upscale Walkeshwar neighbourhood in south Mumbai, Banganga is a stepwell whose origin dates back to the 12th century. The tank, which finds mention in the Ramayana, is recognised and protected as a heritage site by the Maharashtra Archaeological Department. The steps were constructed with black basalt stones, while the ‘Deepastambhs’ located within the periphery were constructed with lime plaster and bricks.

Listed as a Grade-I Heritage Site, the Banganga Tank is one of the last remaining natural water bodies in Mumbai and the tank is known to store freshwater even though it is in close proximity to the Arabian Sea.