Mumbai: Mahim Fort restoration finally set to begin after years of delays

The Mahim Fort borders the sea near Mahim Koliwada. PIC/SHADAB KHAN

The municipal corporation elections have provided a push to the much-anticipated work of restoring the Mahim Fort, which is set to begin with the clearing of debris and seaside rocks to facilitate restoration work.

Paving the way

The first tender floated in five years aims to kickstart work with excavation and assessment of the seaside rocks of Mahim Fort. While this will not interfere with the structural integrity of the fort, the excavation work will pave the way for restoration. A senior civic official said, "We have roped in VJTI (Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute) to conceptualise the restoration work and draft a plan for the same. Work on the restoration plan is in progress."

Land levels have changed over the years, and several aspects of the fort are no longer above the surface. The present work plans to clear hurdles, caused by natural factors and also due to human intervention, to facilitate restoration work. Before the work, portions of the fort need to be evaluated due to the structure's proximity to the sea, which likely caused corrosion to the heritage boulders.

Clearing hurdles

In 2020-21, the BMC decided to restore the fort, which was in a crumbling state with its seaside embankment encroached on by unauthorised residential structures. In 2023, BMC completed the dismantling of 267 slum structures, and shifted over 3000 residents from the area. In October this year, the customs department - with jurisdiction over the Mahim Fort - completed the demarcation of the fort's boundaries, paving way for the restoration.

800-year-old history

This 800-year-old fort bordering the sea near Mahim Koliwada was a strategic defence position for the island of Mumbai back in the day. The Mahin Fort offered a coastal advantage to the city, along with the nearby forts of Worli and Bandra. Through time, it changed hands from the rule of Raja Bhimdev in the 13th century, to the Sultan of Gujarat in the 14th century, the Portuguese, and then the British. Each time, it saw changes made to the original structure. "The restoration will honour the structure as it is today," a civic official said.