Last week, authorities unveiled Bandra Fort’s (Castella de Aguada) restoration alongside the reimagined gardens to the residents. However, reports from the community suggest that the heritage structure now appears altered and its authentic spirit compromised, while the garden has been shrouded in concrete.
State and local efforts for Bandra Fort’s restoration
In a bid to safeguard Bandra Fort, the State Archaeological Department issued repair orders in April 2024, with a budget of ₹70 lakh. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), tasked with the upkeep of the adjacent garden, embarked on the beautification efforts last year, allocating a substantial ₹16 crore.
Community concerns over Fort restoration
While the fort’s repairs continue, the garden’s transformation has sparked concerns among locals. Critics argue that the restoration work has obscured the fort’s original aesthetics. Locals have been reported questioning the raised walls and the creamy lime plastering that has replaced the fort’s original black stone.
Defending the approach, officials from the State Archaeological Department in Ratnagiri explained that lime plastering is a time-honoured method intended to extend the life of historic forts. It is lightweight, allowing the structure to breathe.
Meanwhile, more than 40 residents have reached out to both the State Archaeological Department and the BMC, urging a halt to any further alterations. Per the citizens, the ongoing Bandra Fort preservation work has defaced the Grade-I heritage structure and compromised the heritage value of the 17th-century fortification.
