Losing Ground

Lined across the road are new constructions. From the highest point at the fort,one can see a sprawling urban sketch emerging. In fact,the new development plan proposes that the height of any new buildings can be increased from the earlier limit. If that is allowed,the view from the wada may no longer be panoramic. The interesting activities against the wall of the fenced fort – the astrologers,the stalls of fake gems,plasticware,key-sellers and calendar makers – are part of the its whole charm.

Shaniwarwada precinct is in fact surrounded by several Grade I heritage structures. The Lal Mahal stands a few meteres away,then there is Nanawada,home of the Peshwa Nana Phadnis; a Peshwa Hanuman Mandir sits along Nanawada; and half a kilometer away is the Vishrambaug Wada. In 2004,the PMC had announced the launch of the Heritage Corridor Plan,with a budget of Rs 50 lakh allocated to connect these structures within a radius of three kilometers,starting from Shaniwarwada. Nothing concrete has worked out of the corridor since.

There is also uncertainty regarding the limits of the precinct area. According to the current list,a precinct area is a very loose term,accompanied by no house number details or a map. “One is free to consider anything around as precinct,” says Sharvey Dhongde,convenor,INTACH. “We are currently updating this very aspect of the list wherein we will be specifying the house numbers and also delineating the area specifically. This will of course help in implementing the updated laws.”

But for now,the damage around is clear.