Just five years after restoration of iconic fountain at Metro, paint on wrought iron structure has started peeling off
The historic Fitzgerald Fountain near Metro cinema, was restored and reinstalled in 2021
The ongoing monsoon has taken a toll on the iconic 157-year-old Fitzgerald Fountain, located at Vasudev Balwant Phadke Chowk near Metro Cinema. Just five years after its grand restoration and reinstallation, the paint on the wrought iron structure is peeling, revealing whitish patches that mar its historic charm.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the fountain’s three-year maintenance contract expired in March this year and is yet to be renewed. In the absence of regular upkeep, the fountain’s surface has deteriorated due to exposure to rainwater and the hard water previously used to operate it. This has led to a worn-out appearance.
Visible brown streaks on the 157-year-old Fitzgerald Fountain. Pics/Ashish Raje
Cast in wrought iron, the 16-tonne monument dates back to 1867 and was originally erected to honour Sir Seymour Fitzgerald, Governor of Bombay from 1867 to 1872. In 1960, the fountain was relocated to the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo as it bore the royal coat of arms — a symbol of British rule.
In 2020-21, BMC’s Heritage Cell undertook its restoration, which included sandblasting, oxidising, and the application of a polyurethane coat to protect it from rust. The structure was then brought back to its original location near Metro Cinema.
From 2022 to March 2025, a BMC-appointed contractor handled the fountain’s upkeep. However, with the contract now lapsed, the fountain has seen a decline in maintenance.
The iconic Fitzgerald Fountain at Metro Junction stands weathered as its maintenance contract lapses
A senior official from BMC’s Heritage Cell said, “Even a short lapse in daily maintenance can cause the surface to react to hard water. All iron structures are preserved as per heritage norms. In this case, the two-month gap in upkeep is responsible for the white patches. We are also exploring ways to avoid using hard water in the fountain.”
Expert Speak
Sanjay Sawant, independent heritage expert, who formerly headed the Heritage Cell of BMC before he retired, said, “All heritage structures in Mumbai are subjected to wear and tear due to the weather and climatic conditions of the city. The solution to this problem is intensive conservation and regular upkeep of the monuments. Monuments made from the same or similar materials show much more durability in the climate conditions of Europe or the US. The Fitzgerald Fountain is a very sturdy monument made of cast iron. While we may see certain surface reactions, its core material does not get spoiled.”
White staining and wear on the fountain’s surface following a two-month gap in upkeep. Pics/Ashish Raje
Bharat Gothoskar, founder of KHAKI Heritage Foundation, said, “The restoration of the Fitzgerald Fountain at Dhobi Talao is one of the most successful projects undertaken by the Heritage Cell of the BMC. What most people fail to understand is that conservation/restoration is not a one-time project but a continuous process of monitoring and taking corrective action. Let us hope that the problem is taken care of immediately by the authorities. A stitch in time saves nine!”
More monuments on maintenance radar of civic body
Along with the Fitzgerald Fountain, the BMC is set to reissue tenders for the upkeep of 19 other heritage monuments in A Ward. These include:
>> Cooperage Fountain
>> Kothari Pyau
>> Flora Fountain
>> Wellington Fountain, located at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Chowk
>> Ruttonsee Mulji Jetha Fountain at Ballard Estate
Damage and deterioration on the cast iron structure, caused by hard water and monsoon exposure
Also on the list are several historic statues:
>> Pherozeshah Mehta (outside BMC HQ)
>> Cowasji Jehangir (near Mumbai University)
>> Jamsetji Tata (near Churchgate)
>> Gopal Krishna Gokhale (at Cross Maidan)
These structures, many of which are made using wrought iron and marble, are over a century old and require regular specialised maintenance to preserve their heritage value.
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