Changing City: Bandra Fort garden to soon be a historical, cultural square
The BMC plans to set up 7 information tablets carved from basalt stones – that will have details of the fort along with salient features of the 7 islands of Mumbai that lay to the south of Bandra.
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The Bandra Fort was originally named Castella De Aguada, and was built by the Portuguese in 1640. (Express file photo by Amit Chakravarty) The four-acre lush green garden adjoining the Bandra Fort, a popular tourist spot in Mumbai, is soon to undergo a major facelift as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to transform the space into a historical and cultural plaza.
About the garden:
The garden is a popular sunset viewpoint and also serves as an extension to the Bandra promenade. Located at the peninsular tip at the fag-end of Band-Stand, the garden extends horizontally on a sloping stretch that rises to a height of about 30 metres from the sea level giving an unhindered view of the Arabian Sea.
Why the need for a facelift?
At present, due to a lack of maintenance, several parts of the garden are in a dilapidated state with a huge chunk of land being encroached upon. During the monsoon, mud and stones often roll down and get piled up on the walkway, thus posing a threat to the visitors.
Key aspects of history and culture plaza
The BMC as part of its new development plan aims to transform the garden into a history and culture plaza – the key feature will be seven information tablets that will be entirely carved from basalt stones.
Each of the seven tablets will give out historical information about the fort along with some salient features of the seven islands. These tablets will also represent seven canons of the fort that serve as a milestone depicting a historical timeline.
The entire pathway that leads to the fort is being redone by using basalt stones and granite bands that would serve as an extension of the fort.
The granite wall of the fort will also be polished and murals depicting significant historical events will be depicted.
Cost and Timelime:
The cost of this project has been pegged at Rs 17 crore and BMC aims to complete the project by December 2024.
Authority Speak:
“Bandra Fort has a rich heritage and due to a state of disrepair, the entire area outside the fort is in a dilapidated condition. The seven information tablets that will be created in the plaza will tell the story of the seven Salsette Islands and visitors while entering or exiting the fort will understand why the structure was built and how it served the city,” said Karl Wadia, principal architect of the project appointed by the civic body.
“At present, the entire periphery of the fort is in a dilapidated state. The paver blocks from the walkways have gone missing and the entire surface is non-uniform, we are aiming towards making this place an extension of the fort so that the historical value is reflected,” said a senior official of the Garden Infrastructure Cell of the BMC.
About Bandra Fort:
The Bandra Fort was originally named Castella De Aguada, meaning fort of the waterpoint. It was built by the Portuguese in 1640 as a watchtower overlooking the Arabian Sea and the southern island of Mahim. The strategic value of the fort was enhanced in 1661 after the Portuguese ceded the seven islands of Mumbai that lay to the immediate south of Bandra to the British.
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