BMC to reconstruct collapsed portion of Banganga tank retaining wall at Rs 10 lakh
The Banganga heritage precinct is already undergoing a phase-wise restoration, which was launched by the BMC in 2024.
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Earlier this week, the BMC floated a tender to appoint a contractor to reconstruct the retaining wall within 25 days. (File photo)Over two weeks after a portion of the 15-foot retaining wall of the Banganga tank crashed after heavy rain on May 25, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to reconstruct the wall of the Grade I heritage structure in D ward.
The reconstruction of the wall at the north east side of the tank will be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh with the civic body set to appoint empanelled contractor for the works.
This retaining wall that was damaged had been attached to several unauthorised structures, which had recently been razed in a joint operation by the BMC and the GSB Temple trust. No injuries were reported in the incident, with the civic body soon securing the wall debris with barricades.
In the aftermath of the incident, the civic body, state archeological department as well as members of the GSB temple trust conducted a site visit to inspect the impact and determine the factors that led to the crash.
Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior official from civic ward office said that the inspection revealed that the wall had been weakened and had a lot of seepage. “Furthermore, owing to the recent removal of the attached structures, the wall had become exposed,” added the official.
Earlier this week, the BMC floated a tender to appoint a contractor to reconstruct the retaining wall within 25 days. In its terms, the civic body has stated that only contractors who are empanelled with the state archeology department (Directorate of Archeology and Museum) or the heritage cell of the BMC can apply for the work.
The Banganga heritage precinct is already undergoing a phase-wise restoration, which was launched by the BMC in 2024. The wall, which collapsed on May 25, was also slated to be taken up for revamp in the second phase of the project.
Located at Walkeshwar in Malabar Hill, the structure’s origin dates back to the 12th century. Despite its proximity to the Arabian Sea, the tank is known to store fresh water and is protected as a heritage structure by the state archeological department. The structure comprises steps built in black basalt stones, while the ‘Deepastambhas’ along the periphery are constructed with lime plaster and bricks.
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