Rs 1 cr sanctioned, but file is ’missing’

BMC officials clueless on whereabouts of the file proposing restoration work for the six historic fountains in city

Rs 1 cr sanctioned, but file is 'missing'

BMC officials clueless on whereabouts of the file proposing restoration work for the six historic fountains in city

As the old heritage fountains in the city chip away silently under the collective neglect of the civic authorities, don't expect any news of a restoration drive any time soon.
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Because BMC officials do not quite remember where they last put the file related to the restoration of the six fountains.

The February 8 report

The corporation doesn't have a clue about the whereabouts of the documents proposing revamp work, or which department or officer it were assigned to.

As MiD DAY found out, no one has an idea about the paperwork related to the overhaul. However, officials do recall sanctioning Rs 1 crore for restoration projects for six fountains of heritage value in south Mumbai.

MiD DAY had reported ('Heritage Lost', February 8) about the state of the six historic fountains built nearly a century ago, disintegrating from civic apathy and inaction.

Officials speak

Deputy Municipal Architect (city), Raghuvir Bhavsar, said, "The heritage engineer is looking after the project and not the municipal architect."

Abhay Sabnis, senior heritage conservation engineer, said, "The restoration proposal was sent last year but we are waiting for the sanction.

Whenever the seniors ask me to begin working on it, I will." He added that architects for the projects have been finalised.

But Dinesh Afzalpurkar,u00a0 head of Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committeeu00a0 said, "The proposal was given a nod but its current status is not known. I am on leave."

BMC's Standing Committee Chairperson Rahul Shewale said, "The money was sanctioned but the work is in limbo."