Ghodbunder, Worli and Bandra forts to be restored too
Prashant Rangnekar
Mumbai, April 3: The department of Archaeology and Museums has chalked out a
plan to restore the Sewri fort and turn it into a tourist destination.
According to the plan, the fort will have an amphitheatre, a promenade on
the lines of the Marine Drive, a museum, a mangrove park and a detached path
to give a closer view of the flamingoes which flock the area.
The drive is part of the Mumbai Fort Circuit project to restore Sewri,
Ghodbunder, Worli and Bandra forts, all located on the seafront. Currently,
all these forts, built between the 16th and the 17th century by the British
and Portuguese – are in a dilapidated condition and need restoration. The
Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation has already sanctioned Rs 7.75
crore.
Tenders for the Sewri fort have been floated and work is likely to begin
soon.
According to the plan, a copy of which is available with Newsline, apart
from restoring the fort, the area around it will be divided into and
developed in two zones. The plan for zone I includes development in Sewri
fort, and for zone II it involves development in the ecologically sensitive
area around the fort. The cost involved is Rs 3.65 crore.
Under the development plan for zone 1, the department will first clear the
vegetation and debris in the fort. It will repair the crumbling walls and
build roofs over some structures on the wall, create a garden within the
fort and build steps. A museum and an information base will also be created
exhibiting the ‘local history’.
“We want to make use of the seafront which has not been utilised properly
over years. So we want to develop the area,” said R N Hegde, Director,
department of Archaeology and Museums.
According to senior archaeologists, this is a good move in a city losing its
open space: “Also, we want to stress more on domestic tourism so that locals
can understand the rich history of the city.”
The outer part of the area – it belongs to the Bombay Port Trust (BPT) –
will have a promenade facing the seafront like Bandra and Marine Drive in
other parts of Mumbai. The promenade will connect the fort and creek waters.
Seating arrangements would also be made along it along with an amphitheatre,
which can be used for small music concerts and similar events, and a food
court.
Asked whether permission had been sought from the BPT, Hegde said the port
trust had given a positive response.