Mumbai: Visit to Banganga to cost Rs 20

The tank is a heritage Grade-I structure. An official of the GSB Temple Trust said that people visit the tank to consume alcohol. File pic

A visit to the Banganga Tank, a heritage Grade-I structure located in South Mumbai's Walkeshwar, will cost Rs 20 that owner and manager GSB Temple Trust will charge as ‘entry/developmental fee'. The money collected will be used by the Trust for developmental purposes, including installing CCTV cameras, hiring security guards to keep miscreants away and keeping the area clean and devoid of garbage/litter.

The Trust has been levying the so-called mandatory entry fee for less than a month now. A project coordinator pointed out that the tank was the Trust's private property. "The GSB Trust has Banganga's property card in its name, which is why, for the betterment of the precinct and the surrounding area, the Trust is deciding on some developmental and cleanliness activities. People come to the tank to wash their clothes while others come simply to loiter. The garbage around the tank keeps building up. So we need to get it cleaned. A lot of expenses were being incurred. This entry/developmental fee isn't for the income of the Trust. The funds will be utilised for the betterment of Banganga." The official added: "We will be putting up entry and exit gates and CCTV cameras, followed by other activities and measures. People will not be allowed to destroy the holy water of the tank by making it dirty. We are imposing this fee for the protection of the holy water."

Praveen Kanvinde, president, GSB Temple Trust, said: "The Rs 20 charge will help keep people who bring liquor at bay. We are charging the fee for the genuine people who want to come for prayers and to admire the beauty of Banganga. This is our private property so it is our right to have a nominal charge. Some drunkards leave their bottles here, which is spoiling the image of the tank."