TOI : New hope for Mahim fort : Oct 26,2007
New hope for Mahim fort
Ashley DMello | TNN
Mumbai: The much neglected Mahim fort that is in a state of disrepair has a new champion. The Heritage Committee of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has offered to help in restoring it to its former glory.
MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad, who heads the Heritage Committee, said on Thursday, We have decided to take up restoration work of forts and other heritage buildings in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and will start with the historical Mahim fort.
Established in the 13th century by Raja Bhimdev, the fort and the village of Mahim witnessed the rise of the Portuguese and British empires. However, today the fort is in a sorry state with several encroachers living on the premises. The fort during the British empire was manned by 100 soldiers with 30 cannons. Records show that during clashes with the Portuguese, who controlled the Bandra fort, cannon balls fired the British artillery men from the Mahim fort ramparts went so far that it damaged some churches. in Bandra
According to Gaikwad, the reason for kickstarting the project with the Mahim fort was its proximity to the Bandra-Worli Sealink. The restored fort would improve the appeal of the whole area immensely, he said. We will tackle all the problems that the restoration work will throw up, he added.
Civic sources said the MMRDA has sorted out the problem of encroachments on its projects by resettling families in new colonies. The MMRDA may resettle the fort squatters too in new colonies. Also, it has over 8,000 crore in its coffers and can afford to spend on the restoration work, the sources added.
ashley.dmello@timesgroup.com
AWAITING A FACELIFT: The 13th century Mahim fort
Publication:Times of India Mumbai; Date:Oct 26, 2007; Section:Times City; Page Number:5
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