BMC revives Mahim Fort restoration, plans heritage circuit for tourists

The proposed heritage circuit will connect Mahim Fort, St Michael’s Church, and the Mahim Dargah, along with the Mahim beach. File pic/Ashish Raje

As the plan to restore Mumbai's 800-year-old Mahim Fort regains momentum, following the inscription of 12 forts in Maharashtra on UNESCO's World Heritage List earlier this month, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to revisit its plan to develop a heritage circuit in the Mahim area for tourists.

The proposed heritage circuit will connect three key heritage landmarks located in close proximity: the Mahim Fort, St Michael's Church, and the Mahim Dargah, along with the Mahim beach. The goal is to create a recreational and cultural asset in Mahim. "When tourists visit Mahim Fort, they can easily spend three to four hours exploring the vicinity. The area offers a rich heritage experience," said an official.
"Contrary to the common belief that historic monuments are mostly located in south Mumbai's Fort area, Mahim itself has at least two major heritage sites nearby."

All three landmarks are within a five-minute walking distance of each other. The civic body has mooted the idea of a heritage walking circuit to connect them and boost tourist footfall. A senior official said, "A detailed strategy will be devised to transform the area into a tourist hub. It should be pedestrian-friendly, with ample public amenities available for visitors."

Meanwhile, the BMC's G North ward has decided to initiate the formal handover of Mahim Fort from the customs department, which currently holds possession of the site. Assistant Commissioner of G/North ward, Vinayak Vispute, said, "The handover process will be initiated soon. In the meantime, work on restoring and strengthening the fort structure has already begun."

The restoration of Mahim Fort was originally initiated by the BMC in 2021, but it was found to be completely encroached. Since then, the civic body has removed over 200 unauthorised structures from the fort's vicinity.